The move follows Lisa’s five-year stint leading the marketing within the company. Her new role, which began in January, sees her become marketing and social value director.

In her new capacity, Lisa will continue to lead QTS’ marketing offering and will also take responsibility for driving the company’s social value work – an instrumental part of its offering.

With more than 15 years’ experience working in marketing and communications, Lisa has been hugely influential in the firm’s success over the last half-decade, heading up memorable campaigns over the past five years, such as ‘30 Years of Innovation’ and ‘the Future of Rail’ event, both in 2022.

Lisa is actively involved in the wider rail community as a member of the Women in Rail Scotland Regional Group. She also works with young people across the UK and Scotland through QTS’ school partnerships and runs its Youth Athlete programme, which provides sponsorships for promising young sportspeople.

Lisa is the second female to be appointed to the board, joining MD of QTS Training and ‘Women in Rail Scotland’ founding member, Lorna Gibson.

Other board members include current managing director and founder, Alan McLeish, Barry McLeish, Andrew Steel, Jamie Lewis, Iain Kirk, Gary Burnett, Bruno Martin, Richard Cowell, Thomas Marshall and Scott Kernachan.

Lisa McKellar said: “After an incredible five years with QTS, it’s a privilege to join the board, especially at such an exciting time for the company. QTS has gone from strength to strength over the last 30 years, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.

“I’m particularly passionate about continuing to deliver our social value activity as we head towards Control Period 7, which goes a long way towards giving something back to the communities we operate in. It’s a part of the job I’m extremely enthusiastic about and I am looking forward to unveiling some amazing initiatives in 2023.”

Alan McLeish, managing director of QTS, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Lisa to the QTS board. Since she joined us in 2018, Lisa has really helped to further develop our brand identity and marketing strategy. We recognise the importance of social value within the industry, so it felt like a natural fit for her to officially take that into her role, which is a key focus throughout the next control period.

“I am incredibly proud of the fact that the QTS board members have been promoted into their positions, having grown within their original roles throughout the business. We are committed to creating positive career pathways for all of our team. The training and focus we give to our people helps to generate opportunities for promotion and to ultimately create the next generation of talent in the rail industry.”