Tom Smith is ATOC's independent chairman and has been a member of the ATOC Management Board since 2006.

Previous to holding this role he was Managing Director – Rail Development for Go-Ahead. His first success for the group was to secure the Southern franchise in 2003, simultaneously closing a deal to secure £125 million of external finance to upgrade all Southern’s maintenance depots. Since then he has led the group’s successful bids for Southeastern, London Midland and, most recently in June 2009, retention of the Southern franchise.

Prior to joining Go-Ahead, he was Managing Director of Midland Expressway Limited (MEL) from 1997 to 2001. MEL designed, financed, built and now operates M6 Toll, the UK’s first toll motorway. He has also worked in a variety of senior positions for Trafalgar House plc.

His initial career on graduating in 1979 was as a member of HM Diplomatic Service, for which he served in London, Hong Kong and Beijing.