Alastair Morton facts for kids
Sir Robert Alastair Newton Morton (born 11 January 1938 – died 1 September 2004) was a very important business leader in Britain. He was the Chief Executive of Eurotunnel, which built the Channel Tunnel. He also led the Strategic Rail Authority and was the last chairman of the British Railways Board.
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Early Life and Career
Alastair Morton was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 11 January 1938. His father was a Scottish oil engineer, and his mother was Afrikaner. He went to school in Johannesburg and then studied law at Worcester College, Oxford, in Britain. He stayed in England for most of his life.
He worked in many big companies. From 1976 to 1980, he was a managing director at the British National Oil Corporation. He also led the Guinness Peat Group from 1982 to 1987. In 1993, he helped the UK government find private money for big transport projects.
Leading the Channel Tunnel Project
In 1987, Alastair Morton became a co-chairman of Eurotunnel. This company was building the amazing Channel Tunnel, which connects Britain and France. He held this important job until 1996.
The Channel Tunnel was a huge project. It cost more than double its original plan, reaching over £4.8 billion. The British government at the time wanted the project to be paid for by private companies, not public money. Morton became the group chief executive of Eurotunnel from 1990 to 1994.
Improving Britain's Railways
In 1999, Alastair Morton was asked to lead the British Railways Board. Later, in 2001, he became the chairman of the new Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). The SRA was created to help improve Britain's railway system.
After a serious train accident, Morton famously said that the railway industry had a "collective nervous breakdown." He worked hard to make the railways better and safer. However, he often disagreed with other government departments about how much power the SRA should have. He believed the SRA should control how public money was spent on railways.
He once said, "He who pays the piper should call the tune." This meant that the SRA, which managed public money for the railways, should decide how that money was used. He wanted the SRA to have more control over Railtrack, the company that owned the railway tracks. Morton resigned from the SRA in October 2001.
Later Life and Awards
In 1990, Alastair Morton received an honorary degree from the University of Bath. He was made a knight in 1992, which means he was given the title "Sir" for his important work.
From 1994 until his death, he was the chairman of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. He passed away on 1 September 2004, at the age of 66.
See Also
- Eurotunnel
- Strategic Rail Authority
- Channel Tunnel
Images for kids
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Appearing on television discussion After Dark "Britain – Out on a Limb?" in 1989
