Network Rail’s chairman, Rick Haythornthwaite, said: “Strengthening and enhancing the board has been one of my priorities since joining the company.  David and Graham bring a host of skills, experience and expertise with them that will be of great value to the company as it faces the challenges of the next five years and beyond."

A current non-executive director, Chris Green, has announced that he will not be standing for re-election at the company's AGM in July.