The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators is proud to announce Adam Fenton as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process and marks an exciting chapter in CIRO’s leadership evolution under new CEO Phil Sherratt.

Adam has been an integral part of CIRO for over eight years, most recently serving as Learning and Development Manager. Under his leadership, CIRO’s academic programmes have grown to achieve a level of professionalism and seamless delivery that has earned glowing feedback from learners and employers alike. Adam’s tenure has been marked by operational improvements year-on-year and pioneering initiatives, including the launch of the new CIRO Connect programme, recently shortlisted in the Training Excellence category of the 2025 Spotlight Rail Awards.

As a final accomplishment within the Learning and Development department before his promotion, Adam spearheaded the development of CIRO’s rail-centric Senior Leader MBA programme in collaboration with Keele University. Set to launch in February 2025, this flagship programme offers rail professionals an industry-specific Level 7 qualification, filling a critical gap in rail education by combining advanced leadership training with sector-focused expertise.

In his new role, Adam will oversee the strategic direction and operational improvement of some of CIRO’s most critical services including Learning and Development, Apprenticeships, the Awarding Organisation, and End-Point Assessment (EPA). He will be responsible for driving innovation across the organisation, streamlining operations, developing new partnerships and ensuring CIRO remains at the forefront of professional development in the rail industry. Working closely with CEO Phil Sherratt, Adam will play a pivotal role in delivering ambitious strategic initiatives that align with CIRO’s mission to advance the knowledge and skills of rail professionals.

Commenting on the appointment, CEO Phil Sherratt said: “During a rigorous recruitment process, Adam clearly articulated his vision for taking CIRO’s highly successful educational offering to the next level. In his eight years at CIRO, Adam has demonstrated his capability and expertise leading our academic programmes and short courses, forging strong partnerships, and ensuring successful delivery. I am looking forward to working with him as we lead CIRO into an exciting future.

“I would also like to thank Annette Shipley, both for her ongoing work leading our educational offering and supporting me as Deputy CEO, and for her hard work and invaluable support throughout this recruitment process.”

Adam Fenton added: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer at CIRO during this exciting time. Having been part of CIRO’s evolution for more than eight years, I look forward to driving forward its mission to empower rail professionals through innovative and high-quality learning opportunities. Together, we will continue to strengthen CIRO’s standing as a leader in rail operations education.”

Poppy Tuppenney, Learning and Development Coordinator within Adam’s team said: “Adam has already led so many great educational developments for both CIRO and the wider rail industry. It will be exciting to see what he does next in this new role.”

Adam’s appointment as COO marks a significant milestone in CIRO’s journey toward advancing professionalism in rail operations. With his proven track record, deep understanding of the organisation, and passion for education, Adam is well-positioned to help lead CIRO into its next phase of growth and innovation. As the Institution approaches its 25th anniversary in 2025, his contributions will be instrumental in building on CIRO’s successes, expanding its impact, and continuing to serve the rail industry with excellence and integrity.

Reflecting on this milestone and the exciting future ahead, CEO Phil Sherratt remarked:

“2025 is set to be an exciting year for CIRO as we mark our 25th anniversary and seek to further grow our membership and develop our educational programmes. Our mission is to lead and accelerate the development of skilled rail professionals to meet the changing demands of the industry, and we look forward to working with our many industry partners to bring this to life.”