23rd January, 2014
The Swanage Railway Company is delighted to announce that Simon Hanney has recently been appointed to the newly created senior managerial post of Head of Sales & Marketing.
The creation of this new permanent full time post is seen as essential to the future development of the Swanage Railway and a key element of the Company's review of its management and staffing structure going forward.
Simon, who hails from Dorset and has a strong career background in sales and promotion, is currently the General Manager of the award-winning Epping Ongar Railway (EOR).
During his four years as General Manager at the EOR, Simon has overseen and been responsible for developing a strong and eye-catching brand for the Railway and managing all aspects of their promotional, marketing and communication activity, which has been extremely successful and considerably heightened awareness of the EOR and its activities, as well as improving its business performance. At the EOR, he has also been responsible for the initial establishment, and subsequent overview of performance, of the gift shop and catering outlets.
Simon was also a volunteer and seasonal employee at Swanage in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Simon starts his new post as Head of Sales & Marketing on 1 March 2014. His role involves responsibility for leading and co-ordinating all aspects of the Swanage Railway's sales, marketing and media activity, with the particular aims of further raising the Railway's profile, generating more business and increasing secondary spend.
Richard Jones, General Manager of the Swanage Railway comments: "We are absolutely delighted that Simon has agreed to join us and I very much look forward to working with him, and wish him every success in this important and challenging role."
Outgoing General Manager of the Epping Ongar Railway, Simon Hanney, said: "Following serving as a volunteer since 2006, I am delighted to have been the Railway's first General Manager from 2010 and the decision to take up a new appointment has not been taken lightly, representing the next step in my career as I take up the position of Head of Sales & Marketing for the Swanage Railway."
EOR Managing Director, Roger Wright comments: "I would like to thank Simon for all his efforts over the last few years and wish him all the very best in his future role. All future enquiries should be directed to myself at manager@eorailway.co.uk."