British designer appointed creative director at CSR Sifang

The designer behind the Virgin Pendolino has been appointed as global creative director to Chinese train builder CSR Sifang.

Paul Priestman, one half of the British design group Priestmangoode, described the news as “a significant step for the industry in China”.

Although best known in the UK for the Virgin Pendolino and Mercury high-speed train concept, Priestmangoode has also established itself in China, working with CSR Sifang on high-speed train designs for the past five years.

To date, the partnership has produced the CRH 380A (pictured), the Very High Speed Test Train and the Cinova CHRH 6.


Following the announcement, Paul said: “That such a large company is publicly acknowledging the importance of design is a significant step for the industry in China. It recognises the value of design as intrinsic to the success of global companies today.”

In May, Global Rail News interviewed Paul for a piece about the future of train design.



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