CIRO Welcomes New Board Members | Chartered Institution of Railway Operators

CIRO Welcomes New Board Members

The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators (CIRO) is delighted to announce the appointment of six new members to its Board of Governors, following the Institution’s first-ever election process, in accordance with requirements of its Royal Charter. Three new members were elected by CIRO members, with a further three appointed to bring additional expertise to the Board. All appointments were formally ratified at the CIRO Annual General Meeting on 5th October 2024.

The three newly elected board members are:

Karen Duffy FCIRO, Network Rail

Karen brings a wealth of experience in the rail industry, with a focus on infrastructure management and operational safety. She has played a pivotal role in leading projects that have significantly improved operational efficiency and safety across the rail network.

Rachel Heath FCIRO, Network Rail

Rachel has an extensive background in operational leadership and performance management. She is accountable for all aspects of live incident management, contingency and emergency planning, as well as all aspects of railway signalling performance strategy & delivery.

David Davidson FCIRO, Network Rail

David is a highly regarded expert in railway operations and safety management. His contributions to enhancing system reliability at Network Rail have established him as a respected thought leader in rail operations.

 

The following members have been formally appointed by Board of Governors:

Mark Hopwood CBE FCIRO, Great Western Railway

Mark has over three decades of senior leadership experience in the rail industry. He has overseen significant improvements in customer service and operational performance, and his services to transport earned him the CBE.

Nick Dent ACIRO, Transport for London (TfL)

Nick Dent is Director of Customer Operations at TfL, responsible for overseeing operations and customer service across the London Underground. His leadership has enhanced the daily commuting experience for millions of passengers and strengthened TfL’s operational effectiveness.

Tom Desmond MCIRO, Network Rail

Tom Desmond is Operations Director, Wessex at Network Rail, responsible for everything from signalling to control, to stations. His previous roles include Business Manager to the Chief Executive and Operations Manager in the Thames Valley, where he led teams through major projects like Crossrail and HS2. Tom’s operational expertise makes him a valuable addition to CIRO’s Board of Governors.

These appointments mark a pivotal moment for CIRO as it approaches its 25th anniversary and prepares for its next phase of growth and development

Annette Shipley, Interim CEO of CIRO, who oversaw the election process, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome these six exceptional professionals to our Board of Governors. The introduction of elections was a key milestone as part of our Royal Charter, and it is inspiring to see our members directly influence the future of the organisation. With such a wealth of knowledge and experience, this new Board will provide the guidance needed to take CIRO into its next chapter.”

The new board members now join the existing Board of Governors, which includes:

– Ellie Burrows FCIRO, Network Rail, managing Director, Southern Region, who will step down in December

– Jim Meade FCIRO, Chief Executive, Irish Rail

– Andy Joy ACIRO, Managing Director, Story Contracting

– Claire Mann ACIRO, Managing Director, London Overground, TfL

– Phil James FCIRO, Managing Director, Network Rail

– Annette Shipley, Interim CEO, CIRO

As CIRO continues to evolve, the collective governance and strategic guidance of these high-calibre professionals will be invaluable in navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead, while continuing to support the development of the railway operations profession. This is the ideal time for CIRO to welcome its new CEO Phil Sherratt, who joins the organisation formally on the 28th October.