Great Western Coffee Shop

"So I am determined henceforward that FGW treat each and every one of our customers (passengers) just as if they were the company's own shareholders."

"If you don't want to believe me then that is your privilege, but I mean what I say.

"All of us at FGW want to run the very best railway in the country for you, and the climb back to our all having a real pride in what we do at all levels of the company has already started."

Sorry that my explanation does not appear to be satisfying the three of you above, but I am simply telling it as it is. FGW will actually pay the Government ^1.3m for the privilege of running this franchise, and the re-investment that I have referred to (more trains and more crews) is not likely to leave us making the fat profits that you refer to. The point is that we have taken on this job, and we are going to do it and do it well, regardless of the cost to us, and albeit after a slightly slow start and, yes, the Government allocates the railways rolling stock. With the fares pegged and a retrospective compensation arrangement now in place, looking forwards is up to us to get the punctuality right and if I said that we could do it by tomorrow, looking it would not be true - that is why I have said that you will notice a difference by the early summer.

Charles Howeson, FGW HQ

Passengers who branded First Great Western's train services the worst in the country are right according to Charles Howeson

" ... that is why I have said that you will notice a difference by the early summer."

Charles Howeson, FGW HQ

There you are, Jim: they've gone from "It'll be better next week" to "It will be better by the spring" to "You will notice a difference by the early summer."  Even then, will it be a difference for the better - or a difference for the worse?   :-\

All aboard the train home! Immaculate six-bedroom house complete with outdoor model railway is yours for ^800,000
Train firm executive Charles Howeson is selling his 'perfect' family home
It features a 400ft working model railway, perfect for rail enthusiasts

It is surely the stuff of every little boy's dreams - a fully working 400ft outdoor model railway, right in the back garden.

Now, in news that will excite rail enthusiasts everywhere, this six bedroom property in Plymouth, Devon, has been put up for sale for just over ^800,000.

After much deliberation, train firm executive Charles Howeson has decided to put his 'perfect' family home called Smallack Barn, on the market.

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He said it was time for him and his wife Emma to sell up as he battles a serious illness.

The home of the self-made millionaire and business leader - chairman of the First Great Western Trains advisory board - includes a drawing family and dining room along with a separate flat and a landscaped garden featuring a lake an outdoor hot tub and the model train set.

First Great Western stakeholder chairman Charles Howeson stands down

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Charles Howeson is stepping aside ahead of new franchise arrangements

The chairman of First Great Western Stakeholder Board has stepped down.

Charles Howeson^s decision follows the Secretary of State for Transport^s announcement last month, which set out the arrangements for the new Great Western franchise until March 2019.

He said that he has stood aside to ^refresh the team^ ready for the significant challenges ahead. It follows eight years at the forefront of the business, which has seen many changes in all areas of First Great Western^s operations, and delivered marked and sustained improvements in all key customer service measures.

He is succeeded as Stakeholder Board Chairman by Lord Faulkner of Worcester.

Mr Howeson said: ^It was my firm recommendation ^ particularly given the announcement from the Secretary of State ^ that the new Stakeholder Board must reflect the new priorities for the region^s principal railway going forward. That change needs to happen now so that, should FGW be awarded a new franchise next year, my successor can make sure the changes needed will have had the opportunity to fully bed in.

^It is now the time to hand over the chairmanship and to refresh the team so the greatest possible emphasis can be placed on looking ahead and meeting the significant new challenges presented by the massive investment being made in infrastructure renewal right across the region. It was a rare privilege to be invited to come into arguably what I believe is now the finest railway company in the country as an outsider, and I have been honoured to work with an amazing group of talented individuals from the most junior through to those at the customer interface up to and including the boardroom.

^I am pleased First Great Western has appointed my close colleague Richard Faulkner in my stead, he is the ideal person to succeed me at this juncture and he takes over the reins with my warmest best wishes.^

Mark Hopwood, First Great Western Managing Director, paid tribute to Charles^ chairmanship. He said: ^Charles^ tenure as chairman of the FGW board, and then latterly of the advisory board, began at a particularly challenging time, and he can now be satisfied that he passes on his responsibilities at a time when the company has never been in a better shape. He is well recognised among first line colleagues and senior managers alike for his unique style of senior leadership, which centres firmly on putting people first. This culture is now embraced right across our operations, and I would personally like to thank Charles for his counsel, expertise and contribution to what has been an exceptional turnaround.

^It gives me great pleasure to welcome Lord Faulkner to be Charles^ successor, and I look forward to working with him with renewed focus on delivering what is best for our customers.^

First Great Western Employee Director Martin Stoolman said: ^I would like to add personal thanks to Charles for his great efforts during the past ten years, and for the support he has shown to me and my colleagues. The empathy he showed with colleagues in the early years as first line colleagues fought to deliver in challenging circumstances was much appreciated, and will be remembered by many.^

Lord Faulkner said: ^Charles has set the bar high, and with ^7.5 billion of investment set to be made in the network over the coming years it is important that First Great Western continues to get its relationship with customers, stakeholders and partners right. This is an exciting time for both the rail industry and the region and the Stakeholder Board and I look forward to helping shape the future to ensure customers really get the benefit of that investment.^

Plymouth and Devon Chamber of Commerce appoints new president

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Charles Howeson who recently opened the new PwC offices in Plymouth has been appointed President of the Plymouth and Devon Chamber of Commerce

Plymouth and Devon Chamber of Commerce has appointed a new president.

Charles Howeson, the current chairman of Plymouth Area Business Council and former chair of First Great Western Trains Advisory Board has been appointed to the role in succession to Sir John Parker.

Mr Howeson who spent 25 years in the Royal Navy is a passionate believer in Plymouth, the Southwest and indeed the wider region, having been an active economic champion now for over two decades. He said: "I will fight tirelessly to assist in the making of common cause in support of the economic development agenda beyond its boundaries whenever and wherever appropriate. I urge everyone in the business community to engage with the chamber now, and at this juncture whether they had need of the comprehensive tariff of direct support services that are available, or not."

Richard Stevens, chairman of Plymouth and Devon Chamber of Commerce, said: "I am delighted to welcome Charles as president of the chamber. Following the news of our widened geographic expansion, Charles' addition to the board brings another skill set enabling further opportunities for us to coordinate a one voice lobbying approach which this region needs. I look forward to working with Charles over coming years, this enabling the Chamber to benefit from his experience as he assists us in driving the Chamber forward to benefit businesses across Plymouth and the Devon region."

Honorary role for business leader Charles Howeson

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Charles Howeson

Leading business figure Charles Howeson is to become the Honorary Vice-President of Devon and Cornwall Business Council.

After a distinguished 25 year career with the Royal Navy, culminating in the role of Chief of the Allied Staff in Gibraltar, Charles embarked on a successful commercial career.

More recently, Charles has made a direct contribution to urban regeneration, regional economic development and national industry and infrastructure performance through an increasing range of public service appointments in the voluntary, community, and 'not for profit' sectors.

Mr Howeson said: "I am delighted and also honoured to be joining the DCBC team at a time when clear strategic messaging has never been more important for the region. Having been an enthusiastic supporter right from the outset, I am glad that henceforward I will be able to make a more direct contribution to the key cross county economic and infrastructure agenda and also to help us to punch our weight in London and internationally."

Charles has held a number of high profile board appointments over recent years, including: Chairman of First Great Western Trains Advisory Board, Chairman National Health Service Property Services Ltd (National) and was Chairman of the Strategic Health Authority for the South West, Chairman the Consumer Council for Water in the West, whilst in the private sector, Chairmanship of the Rowe Group, one of the largest private company groups based in the South West, Chairman of SPS Ltd (Pathology) and Regional Chairman of Coutts and Co bankers and of Harvey Nash plc. He is also a trustee of the Bermuda Institute of Oceanographic Sciences (BIOS) and of the 19th Duke of Somerset. Until recently he was Chairman of the UK Seafish Industry Authority.

As a champion for his home town of Plymouth and the wider region, Charles has Chaired the Plymouth Area Business Council for the past 15 years and has recently been appointed as President of Plymouth and Devon Chamber of Commerce.

Charles will add strength and depth to DCBC's strategic lobbying activities through his connectivity into London, Westminster and Whitehall. In addition, Charles will play a key role in further strengthening DCBC's position as the single voice for the business community across Devon and Cornwall, something which is more important now than ever before.

David Whiteley, Honorary President of DCBC, said: "I warmly welcome Charles aboard DCBC. His experience and skills will greatly enhance the capacity of DCBC in lobbying for the best deal for businesses in the region."

Tim Jones, Chairman of DCBC, said: "I am delighted to welcome one of the most distinguished business leaders in the SW to join DCBC at an important moment in the council's strategic business growth. Charles will add considerable weight to a number of highly significant regional and national opportunities"

Ex-Great Western train boss Charles Howeson arrested over historic sex claims

A former First Great Western chief and senior member of staff at the Queen's bank has been arrested for historical sex offences.

Charles Howeson, 66, was regional head of Coutts and was also appointed by Her Majesty to be one of her Royal Navy Honorary Captains.

He was arrested by police after allegations were made against him and he was questioned by detectives last month.

Mr Howeson, who grew up in Cornwall, has not been charged and was released on bail until September and he has responded by issuing a vehement denial of the accusations.

Police say the allegations of historical sex abuse go back many years.

A spokesman said: "A 66-year-old man from Plymouth was arrested on suspicion of historical sexual offences and has been bailed pending further inquiries."

Mr Howeson said he refuted the allegations and questioned "the motives behind the accusation".

He made his name at the helm of organisations including First Great Western, NHS South West and the regional arm of the Queen's bank, Coutts and Co.

He is also vice president for life of the Plymouth Drake Foundation, a charity he founded in 2008 to help communities in his home city.

Mr Howeson said: "I can confirm that I've been assisting the police in relation to an allegation of a historical nature against me, which I refute. I would like to make it clear that I have not been charged and question the motives behind the accusation. I look forward to the police completing their inquiries so my family and I can continue with our lives."

Wasn't he Chairman of the company itself a few years ago?

Business leader charged with sex crimes

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Charles Howeson is alleged to have committed serious sexual offences between 1985 and 1994

A captain of industry and former Royal Navy officer has been charged with 15 serious sexual offences.

Charles Howeson, 67, of Stonehouse, Plymouth has held a number of prominent positions in the public and private sector.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the offences are alleged to have taken place against 10 boys and men between 1985 and 1994.

He is due to appear at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on 13 April.

One of the alleged victims was aged between 14 and 15 at the time, another was aged between 16 and 18, and eight were in their early twenties, police said.

Mr Howeson left the post of Chief of the Allied Staff in Gibraltar aged 39 according to the Plymouth Area Business Council, of which he is chairman.

Since then he has worked in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Roles he has held include: chairman of NHS Property Services, regional chairman of Coutts and Co bank, chairman of First Great Western Trains Advisory Board and chairman of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.

So, by my calculation, towards the end of his post in Gibraltar and the few years' afterwards

That is the period the allegations relate to.

Ex-NHS and train company boss 'groped 11 men and boys', including some with learning difficulties

Some of the complaints against former Royal Navy officer Charles Howeson were 'swept under the carpet'

A former Royal Navy officer who held leading roles in Bristol's NHS and train operator abused his position of power to grope 11 boys and young men, a jury has been told.

Some of the complaints against Charles Howeson were made more than 30 years ago - and some were “swept under the carpet,” Bristol Crown Court was told.

Howeson, who now lives in Plymouth, was formerly chairman of First Great Western trains and also chairman of the now-defunct South West Strategic Health Authority, which used to oversee health spending in Bristol.

The jury heard that while in the Navy Howeson, now 67, indecently touched men in the lower ranks, civilians in and around his home and some men working for a charity where he was the boss.

Opening the prosecution case on Tuesday November 14, barrister Paul Dunkels, QC, said: “This was a man who was prepared to risk his success by abusing his dominant position over his victims, seemingly confident he was unassailable because of his status.”

The former lieutenant-commander allegedly touched two men inappropriately on board a Royal Navy ship in 1985.

He went on to grope a young man who lived close to him at a former home in Plymouth and a young workman there, the jury heard.

Howeson, then executive director of the Groundwork Trust, allegedly touched seven men who worked for the charity. Its premises were visited by the Queen in 1992.

Mr Dunkels said some of the alleged victims complained at the time – but because of the culture in the 1980s and 1990s there was a tendency to sweep their claims “under the carpet”. He added that others never spoke out because they felt they would not be believed.

The barrister said Howeson was moved from the ship where the alleged offences took place on health grounds, after the complaints were investigated.

Mr Dunkels said: “Howeson conveniently retired on health grounds (from the Groundwork Trust) after six young men who worked for the trust complained of similar sexual offences.

“One of the young men was told by the trustees that it was pointless taking the matter to the court and that the negative publicity would destroy the Groundwork Trust. The defendant should resign on health grounds and would not work with young people again. In other words, it was swept under the carpet.”

The barrister said the complainants working on Drake’s Island through the charity were vulnerable and two had mental health or learning difficulties.

Howeson, of Craigie Drive, Stonehouse, has gone on trial at Bristol Crown Court to answer 12 charges dating from 1985 and 1994.

He denies 11 counts of indecently assaulting nine boys and young men, and one count of attempted buggery.

One of the men he allegedly touched on board HMS Cleopatra and another in the Groundwork Trust are not subject to any charge.

Mr Dunkels said Howeson was second-in-command of HMS Cleopatra in 1985.

He added the lieutenant commander would initiate physical contact with a particular sailor, touching his hand and leaning into him.

Mr Dunkels said that Howeson touched the legs and lower back of the man as he walked up stairs on the ship. He then touched his crotch over his uniform, the barrister added.

Mr Dunkels said the man was “shaken and upset” and complained to a petty officer and the ship's Master at Arms.

The barrister said another man on board the ship also said that Howeson had touched his bottom. He also complained to a senior officer.

Mr Dunkels said Howeson denied the allegation and claimed it was a misunderstanding. He was moved on to another ship on health grounds.

The barrister said Howeson also befriended a teenager near his former Plymouth home. He lent the youth a motorcycle to ride and taught him to shoot an air rifle. Mr Dunkels said that while he was lying in a field Howeson attemped to have anal sex with him.

Mr Dunkels said a second man in his 20s did odd jobs at the defendant’s home and cleaned his car.

He added that Howeson asked him to go up a ladder to do some work and touched him indecently three times.

Mr Dunkels said that in the early 90s, Howeson was executive director of the Groundwork Trust, based in the Royal William Yard at Devonport. He added that the charity would help “vulnerable” young people or those who were finding it hard to find jobs. He added that the trust was doing environmental work on Drake’s Island, in Plymouth Sound.

Mr Dunkels said: “His method was to take them individually to an isolated place, often a tunnel on Drake’s Island, and make up some reason for him to lift the man up to check a cable or to put on some lights.”

The barrister said Howeson would stand close behind the man and touch him indecently, often over but sometimes under his clothing.

He described how seven men were touched in this way – six of them are subject of the charges.

The court heard how a Groundwork Trust official spoke to six of the men in February 1993. The matter was not reported to the police.

Mr Dunkels said the victim of the attempted buggery came forward only in in 2015, later picking an image of the defendant from a video identification parade.

The barrister said that following a report in the Bristol Post's sister paper in Plymouth, the Herald, a second man allegedly assaulted doing work at the defendant’s house, came forward.

Police were also told of the investigations in the Royal Navy and the Groundwork Trust and tracked down the notes of the official who carried out the investigation.

Howeson denied all allegations put to him in police interview.

Howeson, wearing a smart dark suit and tie, spoke only to confirm his identity at the start of proceedings today.

As well as his roles at First Great Western and the South West Strategic Health Authority, he also held a role as a senior staff member at the Queen’s bank, Coutts and Co.

The trial, before Judge Mark Horton, continues and is expected to take four to six weeks.

The case has been moved from Plymouth because of Howeson’s high profile.

He was raised in Mevagissey in Cornwall and joined the Royal Navy in 1967, before making his fortune as a property developer and launching a long career in the public, private and voluntary sector.

From the Bristol Post (http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/ex-nhs-train-company-boss-776877):



hmmm.....

Prominent businessman guilty in sexual offences trial

A disgraced former Navy officer and senior member of staff at the Queen’s bank Coutts has gone on trial accused of further historic sex offences.

Prominent businessman Charles Howeson, who was convicted last year of indecently assaulting eight young men, also attempted to sexually abuse another boy in a field, a jury has been told.

The former Navy commander appeared at Bristol Crown Court where he faced one count of attempted buggery of a boy aged between 14 and 15 during a summer in the mid-1980s.

Howeson, 68, of Plymouth, Devon, also faces an alternative count of indecent assault of the boy. He denies all charges.

Paul Dunkels QC, prosecuting, told the jury of seven men and five women that Howeson stood accused of pushing himself up against the naked buttocks of the boy in a field in Plymouth in the late 1980s.

Mr Dunkels said the man only disclosed this information to his own partner in 2015, who urged him to go to police.

While not able to give the name of his alleged abuser, the information he provided enabled police to identify and arrest Howeson.

Mr Dunkels told the jury the arrest “attracted local publicity” and because of this police learned that a number of other men had made previous claims of being indecently assaulted by Howeson.
 
The jury were told the men alleged the offences took place when Howeson was a senior officer in the Royal Navy in the mid-1980s.

He also ran the Groundwork Trust charity in the early 1990s.

Mr Dunkels told the jury that Howeson was convicted last December of 10 counts of indecent assault on eight men following a six week trial.

He added this witness couldn’t have known that the person he was describing to police in 2015 was the man who had indecently assaulted others in the 1980s and 1990s.

“[The witness] did not know that this man [Howeson] had a propensity to abuse men in this fashion,” he told the court.

He said the witness gave a video interview to police in which he had a “clear memory” of what was done to him although his recollection “was inaccurate” as to his age at the time and year it is alleged to have taken place.

Mr Dunkels said Howeson did not buy the property the alleged victim believed belonged to the Royal Navy officer until 1987, which suggested the alleged incident could only have happened after this year and not in 1985, as the man recalled.

He also noted that while the alleged victim did not know the name of the man, he was able to identify him “without hesitation” during a photo identification parade which took place in April 2016, nearly 30 years later.

The jury were shown a video interview where the complainant explained how the man in question “started being friendly” with young lads from the nearby naval estate, allowing them to ride motorbikes in the field near his home.

He alleged Howeson offered to teach him how to shoot and took him into the field after retrieving his rifle from his home.
 
The pair laid down on the grass and began to shoot the rifle, with no indication of anything to follow.

However, after several minutes of shooting he claimed Howeson rolled onto his side up against him before rolling on top of the boy’s back.

Speaking to police, the alleged victim said: “I thought it was a bit odd but I didn’t think anything of it. Then he laid on top of me and put all his weight on me and I couldn’t move.

“He pulled down my trousers and tried to rape me and I couldn’t even move, he was so heavy.

“The second he took his weight off me I squirmed out and took off. I was so naive. I didn’t shout or cry out. I didn’t move. He tried to put his […] in me.

“I didn’t say anything, I didn’t even make a noise when he climbed onto me. It was just a shock. I didn’t expect it in any way. I thought this was not right but I still didn’t think this was going to happen.”

The man said he did not tell anyone until he told his partner two weeks before going to the police in 2015.

He told the officer: “If it was three weeks ago I would never have said anything. I hate talking about it. It’s hard enough talking to my partner who I’ve known since I was 14. It’s only because I’ve spoken to my partner a lot that I can even speak about it now.

“In the years immediately afterwards I thought about it a lot and I was really really angry and dealt with it by drink and drugs and violence.

“I don’t remember thinking about it for years and years and years until this last year. In the last year, everything that’s happened in the news, all about paedophiles has made me think about it.
 
“About a month ago my partner told me something that happened to her when she was 13. Not similar but close enough to make me really think about it.”

He said the revelation made him think more about this incident which left him “feeling really angry about it”.

He told the detective that for a while afterwards he believed he knew the name of the man, but as time passed by he could not recall.

However, he was adamant about the naval property and that it happened during the summer of 1985. He also recalled the man had dark hair and was “overweight”.

He said he also recalled the man had let him and a friend ride his motorbike which he claimed had been a 250cc Honda Superdream in blue and silver.

He said they were amazed they were allowed to ride this powerful bike around the field, in comparison to their own small 50cc scooters, noting “we were all little kids… it was odd that someone was being friendly to us”.

Howeson denies the charges.

The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, continues.

Hmmm, I think you're wrong....