Rail regulator Tom Winsor will become a partner at the London office of US firm White & Case when he steps down from the job next week, but he must comply with strict government conditions to prevent him exploiting his powerful links with the rail industry.

Mr Winsor - formerly a partner in the energy department of City firm Denton Wilde Sapte - was appointed rail regulator for a five-year term in 1999 by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.


His period as regulator saw the collapse of Railtrack and its replacement by Network Rail.


Mr Winsor will advise on private finance initiative and public/private partnerships relating to rail at White & Case. He will also advise generally in relation to regulatory issues.


But for the first two years of his appointment, he must abide by a string of conditions imposed by the Cabinet Office. These include a year-long prohibition from advising companies favoured by his determinations as a regulator.


In addition, for two years he must not advise Network Rail or its subsidiaries, and where advice may cause a conflict or ‘proprietary issue’ with his work as regulator, he must first obtain clearance from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.