The managing director of East Midlands Railway, Will Rogers, is stepping down from his role on Monday amid ongoing problems with the operator's new train fleet. Company operator Transport UK Group confirmed his departure, which follows persistent reliability and maintenance issues with the new Aurora (Class 810) trains built by Hitachi Rail, issues that have forced EMR to cut back services and cancel a number of Intercity routes to and from London St Pancras.

Rogers joined EMR in January 2020 and led the business through the Covid pandemic, the retirement of its high-speed trains, a fleet refurbishment programme and the introduction of the Aurora trains, as well as the launch of EMR Connect between Corby and London St Pancras. He also oversaw the company's response to the fatal train crash near Bedford on 19 June. Experts have pointed to hot weather, a shortage of stock and "teething problems" with the new trains as factors behind EMR's difficulties. Neil Grabham, currently managing director of Merseyrail and a former EMR customer services director, will take over as interim managing director.