View source for Colin Binch

Colin Binch commenced work with the SVR on 4 April 2006 for an extended familiarisation and hand-over period, assuming the role of [[The Severn Valley Railway in preservation#General_Manager|SVR General Manager]] on 1 June 2006.  Mr Binch succeeded [[Alun Rees]] on the latter’s retirement.

The role had been advertised thus:

''"The post is very high profile and extremely demanding. The successful candidate will have an understanding of railway operations and engineering, and wide-ranging experience and skills. The SVR seeks applications from mature, stable persons who can offer the above skills together with a degree of computer literacy, an ability to communicate effectively at all levels and to lead and motivate a workforce consisting of both paid and volunteer staff''".<ref>Advertisement, Steam Railway Magazine</ref> 

==Curriculum Vitae==
Mr Colin Binch, BSc, MBA, C Eng, MI Mech E, is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the City University, London, and also of the Manchester Business School, served an apprenticeship with Brush Electrical Machines Ltd., and had enjoyed a thirty year career in mechanical engineering extending from the workshop bench to the boardroom. At the time of his appointment he was fifty two years of age and resident near Newark, Notts, but intended relocating to the local area.<ref>SVR website</ref> He is also a noted photographer.<ref>[https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/7837032.railway-to-have-new-manager/ Worcester News 9 March 2006] (Retrieved 6 April 2019)</ref> His prints were part of the packages of goods associated with the SVR's 'Adopt an Engine' fundraising campaign following the [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic]]<ref>[https://svrshop.co.uk/collections/adopt-an-severn-valley-railway-engine/products/exclusive-adopt-an-engine-sr-34027-taw-valley 'Adopt an Engine', SVR Online shop] (Retrieved 11 July 2020)</ref>.

==Departure from the SVR==
In September 2006 it was announced by the SVR that "''The Severn Valley Railway regrets to announce that Mr Colin Binch is no longer employed as general manager and has left under terms to be agreed''" with reported "differences".<ref>[https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/931179.railway-chief-leaves-position/ Railway chief leaves position, Kidderminster Shuttle, 21 September 2006] (Retrieved 6 April 2019)</ref> It was subsequently reported in SVR News that differences included working with "a workforce consisting of both paid and volunteer staff", an example given being the volunteer organiser of Footplate Experiences who had resigned (later rescinded) from the role.

Mr Binch was succeeded by a group of three volunteers - [[Mike Ball]], Roger Smith and Tony Bending - during the interregnum before [[Nick Ralls]] was appointed in 2007. 

==See also==
[[The Severn Valley Railway in preservation#General_Manager|SVR General Managers]]

==References==
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