Membership
Profile : Justin Willett - A Lifelong Journey in Rail Operations & CIRO Fellowship
Justin Willett - Director - Operational Capability , Network Rail
Justin Willett ’ s career in rail , spanning over three decades , is a story of passion for learning , leadership , and operational excellence .
From starting as a train driver to becoming Director of Operational Capability and Professional Head of Operations at Network Rail ( NR ), Justin ’ s journey exemplifies dedication and professional growth . His recent decision to upgrade his CIRO membership from ‘ Member ’ to ‘ Fellow ’ reflects his commitment to personal development and the future of railway operations .
From Trainman to Leadership
Justin began his career in 1992 as a “ Trainman D ” in Brighton , quickly moving to Littlehampton to start his driving career at 22 . Despite enjoying the role , he sought more variety and joined Thameslink in 1997 , helping to establish the Brighton Thameslink depot . He soon progressed to Driving Instructor and then Depot Manager , gaining valuable experience in setting up operations and managing teams . “ This was a brilliant time , full of challenges , but I learned a lot ,” Justin recalls of his early experiences in leadership .
Norfolk and New Opportunities
In 2003 , Justin moved to Norfolk with his family , taking on the role of Driving Standards Manager at Anglia Railways . This required him to quickly adapt to new signalling systems , routes , and types of traction . He trained drivers on specialist systems and investigated operational irregularities , deepening his understanding of signalling interlocking systems .
With the merger of Anglia Railways into National Express East Anglia ( NXEA ), Justin ’ s career continued to rise . By 2005 , he had become Head of Driver Training at Stratford , leading the creation of a new training centre and introducing train driving simulators . His aim was to make the centre a “ centre of excellence ” and set a high standard for interactive media in training .
His leadership was also evident in major projects such as the introduction of Class 379s on the Stansted Express and the rollout of GSM-R . “ We developed ground breaking training material that paved the way for interactive media used today ,” Justin says .
Transitioning to Standards Management In 2010 , Justin joined Southwest Trains ( SWT ) as Operations Standards Manager , later advancing to Head of Operational Standards . His leadership extended to overseeing critical projects , including the introduction of Class 707s and new signalling schemes . Notably , he played a pivotal role in Waterloo ’ s signalling upgrade and the investigation of the 2017 derailment .
Following the end of the Stagecoach franchise for SWT , Justin moved to the Rail Safety and Standards Board ( RSSB ) as Professional Lead for Operations and Performance Research and Development . This national role allowed him to lead impactful research projects alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry .
“ It was a fantastic experience working with people I ’ ve often described as ‘ unintentionally intellectually intimidating .’ The R & D projects I worked on had the potential to make a real difference in railway operations ,” Justin reflects .
Returning to Operations and Engaging with CIRO
In 2020 , Justin returned to operations at Govia Thameslink Railway ( GTR ) as Head of Safety and Standards . Here , he managed broader responsibilities , including safety certificates and leading projects such as the implementation of the European Train Control System ( ETCS ) and Automatic Train Operation ( ATO ). His involvement in the rollout of ETCS and ATO on the Thameslink core was a career highlight . “ Being one of the first to get ETCS and ATO operational on a mainline railway was incredible . It felt like coming home to Brighton , Littlehampton , and Thameslink ,” he says .
During the COVID-19 pandemic , Justin was part of a team that developed national guidance for maintaining operations , training , and assessments . This challenging time further demonstrated his adaptability and problem-solving skills .
It was also during this period that Justin upgraded his CIRO membership from ‘ Associate ’ to ‘ Member ’, a decision he now wishes he ’ d made earlier . “ I regret leaving this so late . I should have engaged with CIRO many years ago . It would have helped me understand some of the broader areas of the railway that took me years to learn ,” Justin admits .
For Justin , upgrading his CIRO membership symbolises the importance of professional recognition in railway operations . As someone involved in managing operational graduate and apprenticeship programmes , he emphasises the value of being recognised by a chartered institute : “ It ’ s critical that we formally recognise professional operators through demonstrable achievements and knowledge .”
Mentorship and Giving Back
Now , as a CIRO ‘ Fellow ’, Justin is keen to give back to the rail industry through mentoring . He sees it as a responsibility for experienced professionals to share their knowledge and support the next generation of railway leaders .
“ We need to grow our operational leaders of the future . I ’ ve encouraged my team to upgrade their CIRO memberships and contribute to the profession through mentoring and writing for publications ,” he says .
Looking ahead , his goal is clear : to leave the railway in a better state than when he found it . With a focus on continuous improvement and a commitment to supporting emerging professionals , Justin Willett is well on his way to achieving this legacy .
Advice for CIRO Members
For those considering upgrading their CIRO membership , Justin offers practical advice : “ Start early , do it progressively , or make lots of really good notes and evidence . It ’ s worth it , and operations is awesome — we don ’ t say that enough .”
Justin Willett ’ s career is a testament to the values of continuous learning , leadership , and dedication to enhancing railway operations . His journey serves as an inspiration for both current and future members of CIRO , highlighting the importance of professional growth and recognition in the industry .
Interested in Upgrading Your CIRO Membership ?
If you ’ re considering taking the next step in your career , upgrading your CIRO membership is the perfect opportunity to showcase your expertise and commitment to the rail industry . The upgrade process helps you reflect on your experiences and achievements , while gaining valuable insights from the CIRO team .
For any questions or guidance , the CIRO membership team is here to support you every step of the way . Contact them at membership @ railwayoperators . co . uk or call 03333 440523 . You can also explore helpful resources and begin your application at www . ciro . org / upgradeyour-membership . Take action now and elevate your professional standing !
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