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 over 25 years 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 has been instrumental in modernising processes within Network Rail , particularly around technology integration and workforce management , enhancing overall efficiency .

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 .

12 www . ciro . org