RAILTRACK Group has made boardroom changes to prepare for its battle with the Government over compensation for its shareholders.

As was expected, the group, which unlike Railtrack plc is not in administration, said chairman John Robinson was stepping down.

Railtrack also announced that group chief executive Steve Marshall, who gave six months' notice of his decision to leave last October, was also stepping down.

Railtrack said both men would remain as non-executive directors and would "continue to fight actively to secure value for shareholders".

The new group chairman will be Geoffrey Howe, who was formerly managing partner of international law firm Clifford Chance.

"Geoffrey Howe brings a wealth of legal and business experience that will be invaluable to the group as it pursues its claim for compensation following the Government's decision to put Railtrack plc into administration," said Railtrack.

Railtrack also announced that finance director David Harding will be the group's new chief executive. He joined Railtrack last April and has had extensive experience of litigation in the US