Graham Eccles

Biographical Information
"Graham Eccles became chairman of Virgin Healthcare in March 2010 and has a vastly experienced background spanning nearly 48 years of operating, managing and directing Britain’s railways. Having joined British Rail as a lad porter in 1962, Graham’s first major appointment came during the privatisation of the railways in the early 1990s when he became the managing director of one of British Rail’s new subsidiary train operating companies, Network SouthCentral. In 1996, Graham took a role as business manager, working on global business acquisitions before returning to the railway industry as a managing director in December 1998. Graham subsequently served on a number of boards from August 2000 as main board director, chairman and co-chairman.

"Graham also served as chairman of Rail Staff Travel Ltd, chairman of the joint industry National Task Force and also as a part-time, unpaid advisor on operational issues to Network Rail, Department for Transport and No. 10 Delivery Unit. After retiring in 2006 Graham began to work part-time in the NHS. As chairman, Graham was charged with providing healthcare for four million people and managing a turnover of more than £4 billion. Graham is currently non-executive director of Network Rail."