When Kirsten Dempster moved from South Africa to Glasgow, a career in the railway industry wasn’t part of the plan. Having previously worked as a high school teacher, she initially applied for a Tour Guide role at Glasgow Central Station while completing the process of registering as a supply teacher in Scotland. Although she wasn’t successful in securing that position, an alternative opportunity soon opened the door to an entirely new career path.
Kirsten joined the railway as a Station Receptionist before moving into a Shift Station Manager role just three months later. After spending around two years in station management, encouragement from a mentor led her to apply for a role within the performance team, where she became a Performance Improvement Manager. Eighteen months later, she was seconded into the Head of Performance role before progressing to her current position as Programme Manager at Network Rail, supporting the delivery of improvement initiatives through the Targeted Performance Fund.
For Kirsten, the decision to volunteer with CIRO’s Scottish Area Council came down to one simple reason: the people.
“The Scottish Area Council is made up of a welcoming and knowledgeable group of railway professionals,” she explains. “It felt like a great opportunity to contribute while continuing to learn from others across the industry.”
That sense of collaboration and shared learning continues to be one of the things she enjoys most about being involved with CIRO.
As a member of the Scottish Area Council, Kirsten brings creativity and fresh ideas to events and member engagement activities.
Earlier this year, she organised what is hoped will become an annual Railway Pub Quiz, creating a relaxed and enjoyable opportunity for members to network and connect outside of their usual working environments.
She has also helped promote CIRO to the next generation of railway professionals. Alongside fellow Area Council member Maureen Gallagher, Kirsten presented to a cohort of Network Rail graduates, showcasing the benefits of CIRO membership and encouraging future involvement.
The council is continually exploring new ways to engage members, and Kirsten is currently helping to develop a railway-themed “Would I Lie To You?” event, where attendees will hear railway stories and decide which are genuine and which have been cleverly adapted.
One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering with CIRO, according to Kirsten, is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships across the railway industry.
While many industry interactions take place through emails and virtual meetings, she believes getting to know people personally can make a real difference when it comes to collaboration.
“When challenges or opportunities arise, having those established relationships helps conversations happen more quickly and effectively,” she says.
Kirsten believes CIRO plays a valuable role in creating opportunities that bring railway professionals together.
Whether through professional development, networking, or unique member experiences, she sees CIRO as an organisation that helps people broaden their perspectives and learn from others across the industry.
She also highlights the role Area Councils play in bringing membership to life locally, creating opportunities for networking, learning and professional development, while helping forge connections between individuals and organisations that may not otherwise have the chance to work together.
For members considering volunteering or joining an Area Council, Kirsten’s advice is straightforward:
“Just give it a go. You don’t need to be the most experienced person in the room or have a long history with CIRO to contribute.”
She believes volunteering offers an excellent opportunity to expand professional networks, develop new skills and learn from people with a wide range of experiences across the railway industry.
Professionally, Kirsten’s focus remains on supporting her team, delivering meaningful improvements for the railway and continuing to learn and make positive contributions along the way.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling when the opportunity arises, and taking part in the occasional quiz night. During the warmer months, she plays touch rugby and has previously played rugby through the winter seasons too, although after a concussion last year, she jokes that it may be time to explore some less physical hobbies.
