North East

North East Area Council

The North East Area Council prides itself on being an active part of CIRO, with regular events, comprising of a mixture of guest lectures and outdoor visits. We have an exciting programme planned for the year ahead, we are keen to see events directly link into the modules being studied as part of the education courses offered by CIRO, which will help support students in their studies. If you are a student in our area, we would welcome you at our events, or if you wish to have a chat about your studies, please get in touch.

We also actively participate in the CIRO mentor programme and if this is of interest to you, please get in touch and we will set this up for you. Remember, it’s your Institution, make sure you get the most out of it!

The best way to achieve an outstanding rail service across the North East is together. Joining the CIRO North East Area Council is a great way to make those connections, to expand our network of rail operators who can share their expertise and innovative ideas for our sector. Enquire about becoming a member and help us to further the rail industry in our area.

If you wish to contact us, please send an email to ne.chair@railwayoperators.co.uk

“Your Area Council really is your Area Council – we are there to make CIRO come alive for you in your local area. Whether it’s attending an event, networking with industry colleagues, seeking a contact to help you with making a difference in your role or wanting to learn more about CIRO, your council are here to help.“

Council Members

Adrian Caffrey – Chair                                                   Richard Henderson

Paul Daly – Secretary                                                     Jason Wade

Jim Dedicoat – Treasurer                                              David Court

Mark Glenister – Annual Events Planner                      Phil Thickett

Paul Snowden – Publicity and Events                          Jamie Sutherland

Ed Knapton

Events planned for 2026/27

Please see below for details of our 2026-27 area events programme. These events are subject to change, but offer a rough guide of what we have planned.

Past Events

You can read about some of our recent events here:

Jan-2026: The Power of Open Access

Upcoming Events