Connex chief awarded 63% pay rise

The chief executive of Connex – one of Britain's worst performing train companies – has been awarded a 63 per cent pay rise. The salary of Olivier Brousse increased from £95,000 to £155,0000 last year, at a time when most of his employees received 3.5 per cent.

Documents filed at Companies House also reveal that Connex, which was stripped of its South Central franchise after constant criticism from commuters, has paid a £20m dividend to its French parent group.

The operator has retained its South Eastern area rail business, which covers services between London and Kent. The South Central region, where trains operate largely between the capital and the south coast, contains some of the busiest commuter routes in Britain. Passengers on South Central services had bombarded the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) with calls for Connex to be relieved of its licence because of late and overcrowded services, and for allegedly providing minimal information when the timetable was disrupted.

Mick Rix, general secretary of Aslef, the train drivers' union, said commuters would be dismayed that profits were being used to prop up a conglomerate in France rather than on improving British rail services.

He said Richard Bowker, chairman of the SRA, should speak out against "fat cat greed" in the industry. "He should make his concern known with the same vigour as he has criticised much smaller rises for much lower paid railway employees," Mr Rix said.

Bob Crow, leader of the RMT rail union, said the £20m dividend should have been spent on improving services in Britain. "I'm sure my members will look with interest at the massive pay rise given to Mr Brousse, particularly when station staff were offered a meagre 3.5 per cent rise.

"We will certainly have it in mind when we present future wage claims. It looks like a classic case of rewards for failure, as the group lost one of its licences during the year."

A spokeswoman for Connex said the dividend paid to Vivendi was made up solely of the proceeds from the forced sale of the South Central franchise to Govia.

Mr Brousse's pay increase was prompted partly by promotion, the spokeswoman added. In 1999-2000 he was commercial director for half the year and managing director for the other half. Last year he became chief executive.