New leader appointed for Hitachi Rail’s Australian business

• Sarfaraz Samnakay to guide the delivery and growth of Hitachi Rail’s nationwide portfolio
• Leveraging digital a key focus for Hitachi Rail’s new head of Australian business
• New leader focussed on taking customer operations, efficiency and safety to new levels for Australian passenger and rail freight markets

Global rail innovator Hitachi Rail has announced the appointment of Sarfaraz Samnakay as Managing Director and Country Representative for Hitachi Rail Australia.

Mr Samnakay’s appointment comes at a pivotal point, with Hitachi Rail supporting governments and corporations across Australia to transform the country’s rail networks – optimising capacity on the lines, maximising efficiencies, and cutting carbon.

Mr Samnakay is a rail executive with extensive Australian and global rail industry experience who has been integral to Hitachi Rail’s successful partnerships and projects in Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific Region across his 18 year career with the company.

“Sarfaraz will draw on his deep knowledge of the Australian passenger and freight rail sectors and relationships across the industry to guide the delivery and growth of our nationwide portfolio,” Giuseppe Marino, Group CEO of Hitachi Rail, said.

With a background in rail engineering and systems design, project management and governance, Mr Samnakay’s most recent role was as Hitachi Rail’s Director of Business Development and Business Management Office – Asia Pacific.

Mr Samnakay said he was proud to lead a team renowned for its technical excellence and world class solutions that are shaping the future of rail in Australia.

“Together with our customers, we advance the mobility, mining and freight industries, developing and delivering digital systems that take passenger and operator experience, efficiency and safety to new levels,” Mr Samnakay said.

“My focus is on harnessing Hitachi Rail’s technologies to accelerate the adoption of digital and green solutions that change the way consumers travel and goods are transported,” he says.

“Our technology innovations pave the way for increased network capacity, advanced signalling and train control, and predictive and targeted maintenance.”

Hitachi Rail has been delivering advanced systems and solutions to enhance passenger, freight and heavy haul rail networks throughout Australia for over 25 years.

Mr Samnakay’s appointment follows Roslyn Stuart’s move to the United States, to take up the role of Vice President Synergy Creation Green Energy and Mobility at Hitachi Digital.

ENDS