Trainline has appointed Ian Brown, the former chief executive of Flutter Entertainment’s UK and Ireland division, as its new chief executive officer.
Brown will join the rail ticketing and travel platform on September 7 for a handover period before officially assuming the top role on September 28.
He replaces Jody Ford, who announced in February that he planned to leave Trainline after more than six years with the company.
Prior to his role at Flutter Entertainment, the owner of Paddy Power, Brown led technology and managed services provider ANS Group.
His career also included heading up the trips business unit at major online travel agency Booking.com, giving him broad digital and travel sector expertise.
Trainline chairman Brian McBride said: “Ian brings a strong track record in scaling digital platforms and marketplace businesses, with significant experience in online travel.”
McBride added: “I look forward to working closely with Ian to build on the momentum Trainline has generated as Europe’s leading rail app.”
Panmure Liberum analyst Sean Kealy said the move “looks like a good appointment given (his) experience at Booking.com,” offering early market confidence in the selection.
Despite the announcement, shares in Trainline fell 5%, with the stock already having been under pressure over the past year, down by nearly a quarter.
Brown said: “Trainline has built a strong customer proposition by continually innovating to make rail travel easier for millions of people across the UK and Europe.”
He added that “it is a business with real purpose, scale and significant opportunities ahead,” signalling an ambitious outlook for his tenure.
Outgoing chief executive Ford led Trainline through a turbulent period and helped its UK net ticket sales more than double during his time at the helm.
The FTSE 250 listed company now faces a rapidly shifting competitive landscape that has weighed heavily on its share price in recent months.
One significant pressure point is the government’s rollout of a contactless payment network across UK stations, allowing passengers to tap in and out using bank cards.
The system guarantees passengers the best available fare for that time of day, raising concerns about the impact on Trainline’s UK consumer business.
Despite those domestic headwinds, Trainline continues to expand across Europe, where rail liberalisation and growing competition across the continent are driving meaningful growth.
