Features 3 the Youth Training Scheme , into signalling , operations supervision and management and led a Maintenance Delivery unit .
Oliver Bratton Director , Network Strategy & Operations , Network Rail Oliver Bratton has worked in operations across the railway industry , both in the UK and abroad . His career so far ( currently 24 years ) includes working with metros , suburban and mainline railway operators , with signallers and control rooms , and in performance and timetabling . He regards ‘ an operator ’ as someone who understands how the railway fits together to provide passengers and freight with the service they need . He has yet to work in other sectors ( including freight and stations ) and thus still aspires to being a ‘ true railway operator ’. His current role is Director , Network Strategy & Operations for Network Rail where his remit is to consider how the railway works as a system to give the best outcomes to our passenger and freight users .
Fiona Tordoff CEO , CIRO Fiona has been CEO of the organisation for ten years , having taken over from Chris Daughton in 2011 . Previously she had run her own consulting business for 13 years , working extensively within the transport sector , where she applied her broad knowledge in human resources , organisation development and project methodology . In her time as CEO , Fiona has overseen incredible growth of the Institution , developing and diversifying its offering to include academic and online courses , apprenticeships , end point assessment and much more , whilst growing its membership to over 10,000 rail operations professionals . Fiona is currently a part time Doctorate student in systems thinking for rail .
Stone Based Artist Helps CIRO Celebrate Chartership
On 1 October 2021 the Institution of Railway Operators was awarded Chartered status and celebrated this with an exclusive lunch and presentation at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel with over 200 delegates joining .
Whilst a physical charter wasn ’ t able to be presented due to the Covid-19 pandemic , a stunning piece of artwork was created to mark the occasion by Stone based artist Emma Joustra .
Renowned for her stylish , colourful and detailed portraits , Emma was tasked with creating a piece which encapsulated what CIRO meant and stood for as well as celebrating the many men and women who helped make the institution what it is today .
For the Inaugural lunch , Emma ’ s art was printed onto postcards as a subtle reveal of the project and to give the guests an additional keepsake alongside a commemorative book which was created especially for the occasion .
Emma ’ s bright and incredible art will be printed large scale ( 5x2m approx ) and will be proudly displayed in CIRO ’ s brand new premises . As another nod to CIRO ’ s achievements , the Institution has outgrown its current premises and has relocated to Beacon Building 2nd Floor , Stafford Enterprise Park West , Weston Rd , Stafford .
It is at this new location that Emma ’ s piece will be displayed for all CIRO staff , guests and delegates to come and admire . It is an excellent symbol of the Institutions achievement and marks a significant moment in history for CIRO .
Emma uses modern techniques to create
her art . For CIRO ’ s landmark art installation , Emma sketched , inked and coloured it with a digital pen . It ’ s an amazing process which allowed for additions and amends to be made if necessary . She takes a lot of time on her digital art , incorporating many subtle and intricate details into each individual piece to create a truly bespoke design .
Fiona Tordoff commented : “ Emma ’ s work for us is absolutely spectacular . She ’ s met and delivered above our expectations , and we are incredibly proud to display her artwork for all to see at our new premises .
“ Emma took the time with us to understand what this project meant to CIRO . She learned about the Institution , its history , did hours of research in the CIRO archives to locate images of particular people and consider references such as the South African National Flower and the Queens dog next to the Charter .
On behalf of everyone at the institution , I want to thank Emma for her contribution to our historical celebration . She ’ s helped to mark the chartership beautifully .”
The Chartership marked a new chapter for the Institution , one of continued growth and a commitment to the professional development of all in the industry . With this in mind , the artwork installation at the CIRO offices will be left with space to be extended in future years as further milestones in the Institution ’ s evolution are achieved .
Howard Smith ’ s Charter Award Speech - Highlights
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At the celebratory lunch to mark the awarding of the Royal Charter to the Institution of Railway Operators on 1st October , Howard Smith – Chair of Trustees delivered a speech to the 200 attendees . He thanked all those who have had a hand in the Institutions ’ development over the years and touched on some of the organisations ’ major achievements to date . Here are some extracts of his speech .
The Growing CIRO Family
“ On a historic occasion I just wanted to thank the whole IRO ( or should I say CIRO !) family and note just how wide that family is and how deep IRO ’ s involvement is , in ways that continue to surprise people - our membership , our Areas , our academic programme , apprenticeships , End Point Assesment and our operations – literally across the globe .
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The IRO represents all groups , across the whole of the UK and considerably beyond - and is playing its full part in increasing the diversity that is so vital as we move forward .” |
Contributors to Success
“ So why has IRO been successful in growing its membership in an age which has seen a general reduction in membership organisations , and how have we grown our student alumni , our corporate members our tutor group and other volunteers and maintained our relevance in the changing landscape of rail ?
Well , we had a strong foundation to build on so thanks again to our founders and the early staff .
We have stayed close to our members and potential members – thanks again to our Area Councils .
Our tutors and our Board members have kept the channels open to ensure the Institution was only ever purposeful .
But also , we have had loyal and consistent financial support of our 40 + Corporate Members – which allowed IRO to put resource into different product developments and gradual growth .
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Also , dedicated professionals of influence and good faith who have become Members and Fellows and proudly showed off that credential next to their own name – so a particular thank you to our Fellows and Members .”
The Board
“ Up to this week IRO had a Board of Directors – today we turn into Trustees . I won ’ t name them individually ( and they are far too modest !) but they here today and hosting several tables – I ’ d like to thank each and every one of them for their service in what has been a challenging - if ultimately momentous year .
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There have been many previous Board Members too – each one carrying the IRO flame a little closer to Charted status – with every turn of office another stakeholder consultation to find out what the industry wanted next from the organisation as it grew .”
Moving Forward
“ Last – but the very opposite of least – thanks to Fiona Tordoff and to all of the team at the IRO HQ , who have been instrumental in getting us to where we stand today . As we move forward once again as an organisation , an industry and as a profession , CIRO – new name , new offices and new status is more relevant than ever .”
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www . ciro . org
The Bulletin | Issue 48 | November 2021