The Blue Train Management
Executive Manager
The role of Executive Manager of The Blue Train involves the overall, integrated management of the business unit, ensuring that operational services, on board and regarding the general running of the trains, are optimised.
It includes profit and loss management; cost management, business development (sales/ revenue growth) with the ultimate aim of ensuring that guests always receive five-star service.
Responsibilities also include overseeing human resource development, providing leadership to the team, with regards to strategy, positioning of The Blue Train brand within the local and international tourism markets and ensuring consistent quality of the trains through engineering.
Key Accounts Manager
The role of key accounts manager at The Blue Train is central to the growth of The Blue Train, as it involves overseeing sales and building relationships, locally and internationally, through client liaison with the travel trade, the corporate world and tour operations. Securing business for The Blue Train charters is also an important responsibility of the Key Accounts Manager.
Hanlie Kotze is currently the Key Accounts Manager and
Acting Executive Manager.
Marketing & Communications Manager
For the Marketing & Communications Manager, the role is primarily centred around looking after The Blue Train brand and all brand-related usage.
This involves managing the marketing, advertising and public relations (liaising with the advertising and public relations agencies in the process) and taking responsibility for how and where the brand is used, both locally and internationally.
Engineering Manager
Robin Dowie, Engineering Manager of The Blue Train plays a vital role in The Blue Train organisation. He is responsible for all of the engineering aspects involved in running The Blue Train efficiently and effectively.
This includes ensuring that technology is in compliance and up to date on both of the train sets in use. Robin and his team also ensure that the correct type of traction power is used to haul each of The Blue Train's sets.
Robin led the project team responsible for the design and development of The Blue Train sets in the late 1990's, utilising the latest technology and converting the trains into the five-star, luxury hotel on wheels that The Blue Train is today.
Finance Manager
For The Blue Train's Finance Manager, Francois Geldenhuys, the role involves implementing an effective internal control system, to ensure valid, accurate and complete financial information, including providing up-to-date expenditure forecasts, to assist with management's decision making.
Responsibilities also include complete, accurate recording and reporting of all financial events, co-ordinating the compilation of the budget, advising on policy and procedure control and ensuring that line management's spending is aligned to budgets and business plans.
Finally, the role involves the management of the contractual relationship between Spoornet and clients / suppliers, in order to maximise shareholder value.