Purple Transform has announced the appointment of Simon Atterwell as Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Atterwell will focus on overseeing day-to-day business operations and enhancing the operational capabilities of the company in order to seize new opportunities and expand existing projects.
With over 30 years in the telecommunications and technology sectors, Atterwell brings substantial expertise to his new position. Before joining Purple Transform, he served as the Managing Director at Network Rail Telecom for eight years. In that capacity, he managed a budget of GBP £1.3 billion to maintain and renew national assets and infrastructure and led a team of over 500 technical and service experts to ensure the smooth operation of the UK’s railways. His tenure also saw the development and execution of improved telecoms support to enhance the performance of both national passenger and freight services.
Atterwell will be taking on a broad range of responsibilities at Purple Transform, which include optimising internal processes and delivering increased efficiency and performance for the company’s customers. His focus will be on three primary areas: managing the company’s day-to-day operations, driving both UK and international growth, and advocating for ethical and compliant practices. Given his background and passion for the rail sector, he will also sponsor activities targeting both domestic and international rail networks and operators.
Atterwell expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “When approached by Purple Transform, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to build on the great work my team at Network Rail had initiated to create better environmental and situational awareness across rail in the UK. After an enjoyable 8 years at Network Rail, I was ready for a new challenge and the opportunity was an appointment not to be missed. I am captivated by the remarkable offerings and capabilities of Purple Transform. I am ardently committed to deploying this cutting-edge technology across various industry sectors and keenly anticipate the positive impact it can have beyond rail operations.”
Gregory Butler, CEO of Purple Transform, highlighted the unique contributions Atterwell is expected to make to the company. “Simon is unique, he has such a creative and strategic mind which is so well structured as a result of his extensive operational experience. He is always thinking forward, so when we saw the window of opportunity to bring him on board, we seized it, especially given his innovative and impactful work at Network Rail. I'm thrilled to welcome Simon as another great addition to our incredible and talented team of Purple People,” Butler stated.
Purple Transform’s AI-driven platform integrates machine intelligence with existing cameras, sensors, and third-party data to detect, alert, and provide insights tailored to specific needs. This includes applications like monitoring UK rail lines for trespass, station overcrowding, and obstructions. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Oxfordshire, the company's core platform, SiYtE, leverages a combination of AI, Machine Vision/Learning, and Human Intelligence to enhance human decision-making capabilities.
