Celebrating Ellie Burrows’ Tenure as Chair of CIRO’s Board of Governors | Chartered Institution of Railway Operators

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Celebrating Ellie Burrows’ Tenure as Chair of CIRO’s Board of Governors

As Ellie Burrows prepares to step down from her role as Chair of the CIRO Board of Governors, we reflect on her contributions and the institution’s achievements under her leadership from 2022 to October 2024. As Regional Managing Director for Southern region, Ellie brought extensive industry expertise and visionary leadership to CIRO, driving the institution’s progress and solidifying its role in the professional development of railway operations professionals. She will be succeeded by Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, who will assume the role of Chair in October 2024.

Under Ellies stewardship, CIRO reached several significant milestones:

Launch of the CIRO Awarding Organisation
Ellie’s tenure saw the successful development and launch of the CIRO Awarding Organisation, leveraging the authority granted by CIRO’s Royal Charter status, achieved in October 2021. This new awarding body has been pivotal in creating industry-specific qualifications, including the introduction of three new capacity planning programmes in partnership with Network Rail.

Expansion of End-Point Assessment Services
CIRO’s End-Point Assessment (EPA) department experienced substantial growth during Ellie’s period as Chair and has now completed over 1500 assessments with a 97% satisfaction rating. Most recently, the EPA team expanded its services by securing Ofqual approval for two new apprenticeship standards: the Level 3 Rail Infrastructure Operator and Level 3 Transport Scheduler (Rail Transport Only). This development allows CIRO to offer a broader range of assessments, supporting apprentices and employers across the rail industry.

Growth of the Rail Ops Conference
Launched in 2021, the annual Rail Ops Conference has grown significantly to become the foremost free online learning conference for rail operations professionals. Focusing on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), it has achieved record attendance, with over 950 participants in 2023. The event has featured many of the rail industry’s most influential leaders.

Expansion of Membership and Engagement
CIRO’s membership grew to over 11,734, reflecting the institution’s growing influence and its crucial role in supporting railway operations professionals. The launch of the new online members’ portal further enhanced member engagement by providing streamlined access to resources, networking, and professional development opportunities.

Apprenticeship Programme Success
CIRO’s apprenticeship programme achieved a significant milestone during Ellie’s leadership, receiving its first-ever Ofsted inspection and obtaining a commendable ‘Good’ rating. This recognition underscores the quality and impact of CIRO’s apprenticeship offerings, which have been crucial in equipping industry professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours to excel in their roles.

Leadership Transition and New CEO Appointment
Ellie successfully managed the transition of CIRO’s Chief Executive Officer from Fiona Tordoff, who left in March 2024 following 12 years as CEO, to Philip Sherratt, who joins in October 2024. Philip brings extensive industry experience from his role as Editor of Modern Railways, where he provided valuable insights into the rail sector’s challenges and opportunities. His vision for CIRO focuses on expansion, inclusivity, and innovation. Philip aims to build on CIRO’s strong foundations and enhance its influence, ensuring the institution remains at the forefront of professional development during a period of significant industry reform?.

Adapting to Industry Challenges
Ellie has successfully navigated CIRO through a period of significant change and challenge, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, industrial actions, and broader industry transformations. Her leadership ensured that CIRO continued to support its members effectively, demonstrating resilience and adaptability throughout.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ellie Burrows for her dedication and leadership which has left a lasting legacy at CIRO. We look forward to welcoming Jim Meade as the new Chair of the Board of Governors and are confident that he will continue to build on Ellie’s accomplishments, guiding CIRO to new heights.