Hitachi announced yesterday that the headquarters of Hitachi Rail Global would move from Japan to London 'to further accelerate the globalisation of the rail systems business'.

The head of Hitachi Rail Europe Alistair Dormer will be appointed to the new post of Global CEO, Hitachi Rail, from April 1.

Kentaro Masai has been named as Global Chief Operating Officer and Shinya Mitsudomi as Global Chief Strategy Officer.

Hitachi's rail business is expected to grow from 2 500 people today to 4 000 in the next 2½ years, and the company aims to grow rail turnover from €2 billion to €3 billion in the next few years.

Alistair Dormer said:

'Today's announcement is a significant sign of intent by Hitachi to grow its business in the rail market and I am excited by the level of trust placed in me to lead our growing business in this next phase of expansion. Both the UK and Japan remain important as markets for Hitachi Rail, and with our train factory in the northeast of England now under construction, we will work to realise our export potential from the UK, expanding into Europe and emergent markets.'

He said:

'Both the UK and Japan remain important as markets for Hitachi Rail, and with our train factory in the North East of England now under construction, we will work to realise our export potential from the UK, expanding into Europe and emergent markets.'

The move is  seen by many as a pre-emptive bid to build the 180mph trains for the UK Government's controversial £50 billion HS2 line.