The chief executive of a railway preservation charity has left after five years and said board changes made it “impossible” for him to continue.
Clive Hetherington announced last week his departure as CEO of the Great Western Society (GWS), which operates Didcot Railway Centre, alleging that the charity’s trustee board had taken control of the organisation.
Speaking to Civil Society, Hetherington elaborated that he left the charity because board changes six weeks ago had caused a “breakdown” and meant he could not carry out his duties.
“I just couldn’t do my job because they were basically undermining what I was trying to do,” he said.
“I delivered the last five-year plan exactly as promised so I was intending to play on for at least another two years.
“As soon as these director changes started, it just became impossible.”
There was a disagreement between Hetherington and the remaining trustees about opening the railway centre up to family visitors to generate income.
“The trustees come to enjoy the weekend here as guards, they’re all enthusiasts – the one or two businessmen on the board have left, it’s no longer balanced,” he said.
“They seem to think we’re more of a museum than a family visitor attraction and hate to see change, and so they fight against change when it’s necessary.”
Hetherington, who said the charity would soon receive a £3.7m national lottery grant, also alleged that the board had sought to buy materials without his permission.
In a statement on its website, Didcot Railway Centre confirmed that Hetherington was leaving after five years and that interim arrangements were being made.
It credited Hetherington with expanding educational offerings, event organising and the visit of steam train the Flying Scotsman last year.
The charity also credited him for building an entrance ramp to provide access to all visitors.
Didcot Railway Centre did not respond to a request for further comment.
Recent income growth
In GWS’s most recent accounts for the year to January 2025, it said a governance review took place to ensure directors were confident in their responsibilities.
The accounts also state that new articles of association were approved that year and that a “potential governance issue was addressed to ensure that members who put themselves forward for the board meet certain criteria”.
Since Hetherington took over in 2021 the charity’s income almost tripled from £1.32m in 2020-21 to £3.85m in 2024-25.
Meanwhile, the charity’s total expenditure increased from £1.39m in 2020-21 to £2.15m in 2024-25.
Hetherington did not predict the charity to maintain healthy finances: “I just don't think they'll get the visitor numbers.
“I think there'll be a decline because that cannot just survive as a museum. It has to be somewhere the family goes.
“The whole plan has just fallen out of the window. They’re going to have to start again and literally draw up another five-year plan.”
GWS registered as a charity in 1977 and has eight listed trustees on its Charity Commission page including its chair.
Civil Society understands the commission is not currently assessing any concerns about GWS.
