James Blake, incoming chief executive officer (CEO) of Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) vowed to put the management row behind and restore the company's reputation.

Emphasizing that both he and Chairman Michael Tien shared the same views - of greater transparency and providing the best possible service to the people of Hong Kong, Blake said he was confident of teaming up with Tien.

On Thursday, the government announced Blake, KCRC's former senior director for railway projects, would take over as CEO from Samuel Lai who resigned, owning up for the aborted "coup" against Tien.

In the company of Lai, Blake yesterday met the press to speak on subjects such as the reason for his return, his immediate plans, his relation with Tien and the merger of the two railway companies.

It was Tien who phoned him on Wednesday to inform him of Lai's decision to resign, Blake said. Tien also conveyed the KCRC board's decision to want him back, this time as CEO.

Blake said: "The fact that I have spent seven years with the corporation and know most of the staff gave me the confidence to accept (the appointment) without hesitation. "My heart has always been and still will be with KCRC, and my previous seven years with KCRC was one of the most fruitful and satisfying days of my 40 years in Hong Kong."

Talking about the "coup", he said he admired Lai's courage to resign and to accept responsibility, saying: "I think that's behind us as it has all been dealt with by the board.

"My immediate objective is to meet my former colleagues, understand their concerns, and then discuss with the senior management what the best course of action is."

Refusing to be called a "caretaker CEO" during the transitional period, Blake did not think KCRC was in a disadvantageous position in the merger negotiation (with MTRC) in spite of the recent incident.

He said the merger of two strong corporations having their own technical strengths and expertise would benefit Hongkongers.

The two corporations, he believed, can offer a degree of technical expertise to the great advantage of Hong Kong and also overseas countries.

Speaking about Chairman Tien, Blake said they had worked together during Tien's initial two years with KCRC and praised him as a quick-learning person despite the lack of railway experience.

"Of course his style is to know the details so that he can respond to the public. When I worked with him, I found that if we gave him the details on time, he would give us his support. That is the way I would hope and believe that will take us forward and the re-definition of roles and powers of the chairman and the CEO is the right way forward," he said.

Tien, well known for his outspoken and no-nonsense style, is best remembered for openly embarrassing former CEO K.Y. Yeung a few years ago by refusing to be called a very good friend of Yeung.

(HK Edition 03/18/2006 page2)