top of page

Ian Walters Appointed To Great Central Railway Board



Great Central Railway (GCR) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Walters to its Board of Directors, bringing experience from his three-decade-long career in the railway to the popular heritage railway.


A qualified accountant, Ian began his career in the retail and defence sectors before joining the rail industry in 1991. His tenure at Chiltern Railways saw him rise to the position of Finance Director in 2001. In 2009, Ian founded SLC, where he serves as Managing Director. Under his leadership, SLC has successfully opened 12 new railway stations, with an additional 11 set to open soon, and numerous projects in development.


Ian also serves as a Director of E-Rail, a pioneering company that utilises land value capture to fund rail schemes, which has successfully funded part of the Northumberland Line. Additionally, he holds directorships at WSMR – an open-access rail proposal – and SLC Property and SLC Investments, further cementing his influence in shaping the future of rail.


Richard Patching, Chairman of the Board at Great Central Railway, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Ian Walters to the Board of Great Central Railway. Ian’s extensive experience in rail development, his innovative approach to funding and infrastructure, and his proven leadership in delivering successful projects make him a tremendous asset to Great Central Railway. His passion for rail aligns perfectly with our mission to preserve and enhance this historic railway, and we are confident that his expertise will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”

Ian adds:

"The Great Central Railway has a rich history and an important role in preserving the legacy of railways in the UK. I look forward to supporting the board to help it continue to inspire and delight future generations, while contributing to the broader community."

Ian Walters’ appointment marks an exciting chapter for Great Central Railway, as it continues to provide unforgettable experiences for visitors and steam enthusiasts while securing its place in the future of heritage rail.

Most Read

Furniture Village Doubles Its Footprint At Prologis Park

Furniture Village Doubles Its Footprint At Prologis Park

Furniture Village has opened a state-of-the-art National Distribution Centre at Prologis Park Marston Gate, marking a significant milestone in a year of strong growth and long-term investment.

Bechtel Secures Contract Extension At Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Bechtel Secures Contract Extension At Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Bechtel announced it received a three-year extension from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to continue managing and operating the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

FoodCycle Has Been Awarded £75K

FoodCycle Has Been Awarded £75K

Thanks to players of The Health Lottery, £75, 000 has been awarded to FoodCycle and during a recent visit to one of the charity’s projects in Newcastle, The Health Lottery saw first-hand the importance of these weekly meals for people facing food insecurity, isolation or financial pressure. This grant awarded by The Health Lottery Foundation will go towards helping the charity run around 620 community meal sessions and serve more than 21,000 three-course meals across England and Wales. This...

Categories

  • lindaandrews071
  • Jan 20, 2025
  • 2 min read


Great Central Railway (GCR) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Walters to its Board of Directors, bringing experience from his three-decade-long career in the railway to the popular heritage railway.


A qualified accountant, Ian began his career in the retail and defence sectors before joining the rail industry in 1991. His tenure at Chiltern Railways saw him rise to the position of Finance Director in 2001. In 2009, Ian founded SLC, where he serves as Managing Director. Under his leadership, SLC has successfully opened 12 new railway stations, with an additional 11 set to open soon, and numerous projects in development.


Ian also serves as a Director of E-Rail, a pioneering company that utilises land value capture to fund rail schemes, which has successfully funded part of the Northumberland Line. Additionally, he holds directorships at WSMR – an open-access rail proposal – and SLC Property and SLC Investments, further cementing his influence in shaping the future of rail.


Richard Patching, Chairman of the Board at Great Central Railway, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Ian Walters to the Board of Great Central Railway. Ian’s extensive experience in rail development, his innovative approach to funding and infrastructure, and his proven leadership in delivering successful projects make him a tremendous asset to Great Central Railway. His passion for rail aligns perfectly with our mission to preserve and enhance this historic railway, and we are confident that his expertise will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”

Ian adds:

"The Great Central Railway has a rich history and an important role in preserving the legacy of railways in the UK. I look forward to supporting the board to help it continue to inspire and delight future generations, while contributing to the broader community."

Ian Walters’ appointment marks an exciting chapter for Great Central Railway, as it continues to provide unforgettable experiences for visitors and steam enthusiasts while securing its place in the future of heritage rail.

Most Read

Furniture Village Doubles Its Footprint At Prologis Park

Furniture Village Doubles Its Footprint At Prologis Park

Furniture Village has opened a state-of-the-art National Distribution Centre at Prologis Park Marston Gate, marking a significant milestone in a year of strong growth and long-term investment.

Bechtel Secures Contract Extension At Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Bechtel Secures Contract Extension At Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Bechtel announced it received a three-year extension from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to continue managing and operating the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

FoodCycle Has Been Awarded £75K

FoodCycle Has Been Awarded £75K

Thanks to players of The Health Lottery, £75, 000 has been awarded to FoodCycle and during a recent visit to one of the charity’s projects in Newcastle, The Health Lottery saw first-hand the importance of these weekly meals for people facing food insecurity, isolation or financial pressure. This grant awarded by The Health Lottery Foundation will go towards helping the charity run around 620 community meal sessions and serve more than 21,000 three-course meals across England and Wales. This...

Categories

Oxfordshire Tech Firm Launches Data Package For Property

Oxfordshire Tech Firm Launches Data Package For Property

Geospatial data and managed services provider ODCGIS has launched an analysis data package to help the UK’s property professionals manage housing and land assets.

Perthshire Food Business Serves Up Success

Perthshire Food Business Serves Up Success

A home-based food business in Perthshire is carving out a name in the local takeaway sector after receiving support from Business Gateway.

Marina Business Rates U-Turn Welcomed

Marina Business Rates U-Turn Welcomed

Property consultancy Vail Williams has welcomed a Government U-turn on marinas being excluded from lower rate multipliers in the forthcoming business rates revaluation as a ‘victory for common sense’.

Recent Posts

bottom of page