Ex-Cook retail boss to shake up UK sleeper train service

Darbandi was Cook’s head of retail when the group collapsed in September 2019; she took over as managing director of the Caledonian Sleeper in January 2021, which operates overnight trains from London to Scotland.

With the Sleeper typically used for weekend breaks, it hasn’t traditionally run on Saturdays, but The Times reports Darbandi hopes to bring the service into use at the weekend for special charters.

She said the idea stemmed from a woman who booked out most of a Sleeper service to host a 50th birthday party. “It gives us an opportunity on a Saturday evening to potentially think about events and chartering the train for something a bit different," said Darbandi.

The Sleeper completed its roll-out of new rolling stock worth £150 million in autumn 2019 featuring new seating, and cabins with double beds and en-suites.