With the recent announcement of Mark Hopwood CBE, Managing Director of Great Western Railway, as the new Chair of the CIRO Board, succeeding Jim Meade, former Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, we were fortunate to catch both leaders together at our recent CIRO Board Strategy Day.
Between busy schedules and demanding roles, opportunities like this are rare — so it was the perfect moment to bring the two together to reflect on CIRO’s journey, celebrate its progress under Jim’s leadership, and look ahead to the next chapter under Mark’s stewardship.
As Jim prepares to step down after six years as Chair, he leaves behind an Institution transformed.
Under his leadership, CIRO achieved one of its most significant milestones — the transition from the Institution of Railway Operators to the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators, marking a major step forward in professional recognition across the sector.
That period also saw CIRO grow in influence, membership, and reach, establishing itself as the professional home for rail operations and for those who make the railway run safely and efficiently every day.
“We’ve evolved together as an Institution,” Jim reflected. “Becoming Chartered was a defining moment, it set us up for the future and showed the strength of our community.”
Taking over as Chair, Mark Hopwood inherits an Institution that is proud of its progress, but ambitious for more.
For Mark, the priority is clear: putting people at the heart of CIRO’s journey and ensuring the Institution continues to help railway professionals develop, connect, and grow in a changing industry.
“The railway is about people,” Mark said. “Our passengers, our colleagues, and everyone who keeps the network moving. CIRO’s role is to support them, giving people opportunities to develop their careers and strengthen the future of our industry.”
Mark also emphasised the importance of strong communication and visibility, ensuring CIRO remains a trusted voice for operational excellence, both in the UK and internationally.
Both leaders share a deep respect for the Institution’s purpose: promoting professionalism, collaboration, and lifelong learning across the railway.
As Mark takes on the role and Jim returns his focus to leading Iarnród Éireann, both expressed confidence in CIRO’s direction and optimism about its continued growth and impact.
“We’ve got great foundations,” Mark added. “Now it’s about building on that success and ensuring CIRO continues to represent and support the people who make rail operations what it is.”
Catching both leaders in the same room was more than a scheduling success, it was a symbolic handover between two of the sector’s most respected figures.
Both spoke with genuine pride in what CIRO stands for, and with a shared belief in its importance to the future of rail.
Their conversation captured not just a change in leadership, but a continuity of purpose, ensuring CIRO continues to grow, evolve, and represent the very best of railway operations.
Watch the full interview with mark & Jim here:
