Yarra Trams Names New CEO from Within
Carla Purcell to lead Melbourne's Yarra Trams after parental leave in early 2023
Yarra Trams Names Carla Purcell CEO in Early 2023
Melbourne's Yarra Trams will get a new leader when Carla Purcell takes over as CEO in early 2023, the transit operator announced. Purcell, currently Chief Operations Officer, will assume the role upon her return from parental leave, replacing Julien Dehornoy, who's led the organization for three years. The world's largest tram network delivers 5,000 services daily across Melbourne.
Leadership Transition Reflects National Expansion
The CEO change comes as Keolis Downer, which operates Yarra Trams, expands Dehornoy's responsibilities to a national role. He'll oversee bus, light rail, heavy rail, and on-demand operations across five Australian states starting January 9, 2023. Adele McCarthy, the current Chief Development Officer, will serve as Acting CEO during the transition period. The appointment demonstrates the company's commitment to promoting internal talent while supporting work-life balance, officials said.
New CEO Brings Operations and Customer Experience Focus
Purcell has been with Yarra Trams since 2018, where she's been responsible for service delivery, passenger experience, and operational planning. Before joining the tram network, she worked as a lawyer and served as Qantas' Head of Sydney International Terminal. Her leadership has helped Yarra Trams achieve what officials called the most diverse workforce in its history. The new CEO will focus on leveraging technology and data to transform the network following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transition Takes Effect After Parental Leave
The leadership change will take effect in early 2023, though officials didn't provide a specific date for when Purcell will return from parental leave. McCarthy will lead the organization in the interim, ensuring continuity of operations during the transition. Dehornoy's move to the national role happens January 9, 2023, officials confirmed.
Riders Can Track Service Updates Through Moovit
The CEO transition isn't expected to affect daily tram operations, with the network continuing its 5,000 daily services across Melbourne. Officials said the new leadership will maintain focus on service reliability and passenger experience while pursuing post-pandemic improvements. Riders can access real-time tram schedules and service updates through Moovit, which provides trip planning for Melbourne's transit network.
