Tony Collins

Chief Executive, Virgin Trains

Tony Collins enjoys the challenges of running Britain’s most high-profile train operator, as Chief Executive of Virgin Trains. Collins, who has worked for Virgin Trains since 1999, has been Chief Executive since 2004.

Tony joined Virgin Trains as Executive Director Major Contracts. He was responsible for contractual, commercial and project management of Virgin Trains’ major contracts, which included the £2.5 billion order for 131 new Voyager and Pendolino trains together with rail infrastructure schemes – including the complex West Coast Route Modernisation.

His vision is to see Virgin’s rail operations become something that other train operators can only aspire to.

A native of the West Midlands, Tony was educated at The Dormston School in Sedgley and gained an ONC in Business Studies at West Bromwich College of Commerce & Technology. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Tony started his career in 1979 as a Commercial Apprentice with Wolverhampton-based Rockwell Thompson Limited, before taking on the role of Financial Analyst.

He joined Virgin from Alstom Passenger Group in Birmingham, where as Commercial Director he was responsible for a £300 million turnover business.

He was lead negotiator on the £1.3 billion Virgin Rail West Coast Pendolino build and maintain contract and restructured the group to take advantage of rail privatisation in the areas of train overhaul, refurbishment and maintenance.

Besides concluding the train supply and maintenance contract with Virgin Rail, he also sealed similar contracts with Gatwick Express, South West Trains, ScotRail, North Western Trains and Great Western.