Trainor becomes head of a 24-strong internal comms department with Hicks joining as his deputy. The ranks of the railway infrastructure operator have swollen by 16,000 maintenance contractors over the past two years.
Trainor, who joins from the BBC where he held the role of internal communications partner, reports to Network Rail group director of government and corporate affairs Victoria Pender.
He replaces Jayne Farrin, who left in June to join Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust as communications director.
Hicks oversees 14 internal comms staff in regional offices, with the other ten based at the London headquarters.
Pender said: ‘I want to make sure our internal communications supports our business objectives.’