CHANGE is afoot at a Basingstoke-based rail specialist.

Stephenson Road-based Total Rail Solutions (TRS) has announced the successful completion

of a management buy-out, backed by Rutland Partners LLP.

TRS specialises in on-track plant hire and point of sale services for the rail industry and the company will now be led by Paul Bateman, as chief executive officer and Luke Hersee, as operations director.

The rest of the current senior management team will remain in place, whilst founders, Martin Mould and Julie Caldwell, will leave as part of the management buy-out.

TRS, established in 2007, works closely with Network Rail and its principal contractors to support the construction,maintenance and repair of the railways and has invested significantly in new equipment in recent years.

The business has supported some of the most prestigious Network Rail, Crossrail and London Underground projects across the UK.

Mr Bateman said: “TRS is on a new journey of growth and investment. We are excited and pleased that this will continue under our new ownership, we have plans to take advantage of the growing opportunities across the rail network infrastructure as well as supporting CP6.

“In the past three years we’ve increased our workforce by 20 per cent, whilst maintaining our

commitment to our behavioural safety strategy of ‘Destination Total Safety’.

"2017 and 2018 has seen us introduce a new online ordering system, bringing increased efficiency and order traceability, open a new depot in Cwmbran, South Wales, and invest heavily in our transport infrastructure."

Tristan Craddock, partner at Rutland, said: "We are delighted to have completed our investment in TRS. The business has built a strong position in a growing market and is well positioned for future growth over the next cycle.

"We are looking forward to working with the management team to develop the business further over the coming years.”