Derek Holmes

Tom Birch

Jo Kaye - Network Rail Route Director for London North Western

Born in London and now living in Halifax, Jo read Biology at Imperial College London and followed it up with an MSc in Passenger Transport Management.

Jo joined the Railtrack graduate training scheme in 1995 and has worked on the operational side of the business ever since. She was Head of West Coast 2008 where she was the interface between the project team delivering the west coast upgrade and the train operating companies that use the line, ensuring Network Rail and customers were ready for the introduction of the new timetable. Prior to this, Jo was the area general manager LNW Central, overseeing the day to day operation of the railways in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

David Franks - Acting UK Chief Executive, National Express Group

David Franks joined the Group in January 2003 as Trains Divisional Director (North) and led Midland Mainline's revival to become Britain's best-performing train operator. He was appointed Chief Executive of the Trains Division in February 2004. David is Chairman of the industry's National Performance Task Force and past President of the Railway Study Association. David has previously held senior positions both with First Group and Go-Ahead.

Mark Hopwood - Managing Director at First Great Western

Mark manages a busy, complex network operating 1,500 trains a day across London, the Thames Valley, West of England and beyond. He has over 20 years experience in rail operations and has previously worked in and managed many varying aspects of railway operations. He has successfully led teams to achieve substantial improvements in the punctuality of train services. As a Fellow of the Institution Mark believes strongly in the need to promote and raise the profile of the railway operator throughout the industry.

Sarah Kendall - Production Director at CrossCountry

Sarah is responsible for fleet, planning, performance, control and driver management on the country's most extensive passenger franchise. She joined CrossCountry having led Arriva's successful bid for the franchise in 2007. She has previously worked in a range of operational and safety roles as well as in strategic planning, commercial and communications on the British rail network and for Eurotunnel. She has also been a university academic and consultant on wider transport sector issues. Coming from a family of engineers, Sarah is a firm beliver in the IRO's role in supporting cross-industry personal and professional development for railway operators.

John Fogarty

John joined the IRO board in June 2009 and represents Infrastructure Maintenance. He has worked within the railway industry for over 30 years, beginning his railway career as a traction trainee and later becoming a qualified train driver in Birmingham and Manchester. John then moved on to Eurotunnel in 1992 where he commenced his management career. He has since held different management positions with First Group in Croydon as Operations Development Manager, Connex Ireland as their Head of Operations and most recently with Balfour Beatty Rail ltd where he holds the position of Operations Manager. John is very happy to be working with the Institution and assisting other young railway operators develop and get the most out of themselves.

Mike Donnelly

Mike Hogg

John Glover BSc, FCILT, MIRO, MPWI - Director of the Institution of Railway Operators and Deputy Chairman of the CILT Strategic Rail Forum

Following BR management training, he held operating posts in both freight and heavy suburban areas. He became a County Council transport coordinator responsible for local buses, where he pioneered county-wide concessionary fares for the elderly. He has also been Director of Policies for CILT. As a consultant, he has successfully represented local authority clients in court and advised BAA on surface transport access. A prolific author of transport books, he contributes regularly to the technical press.

John Doyle

Jeff Ellis - General Manager for the Northern Line on London Underground

Jeff Ellis has responsibility for the safe operation of trains, signalling, and stations. He has been an IRO Board member for 4 years, representing Rapid Transit and light Rail Systems. He began his career with LUL 41 years ago, working as a Guard and Train Driver ( Motorman). His management career began in 1980. Most of Jeff’s career has been spent in railway operating, apart from 5 years experience as Fleet Manager on the Victoria Line responsible for Train Maintenance. Jeff Chairs the London Underground Train Operators Negotiating Council. Jeff became involved with the IRO, because like many members he left school and started his career in operations without formal educational qualifications. He believes that the IRO gives members the opportunity to obtain qualifications to enhance their career prospects and gives experienced Railway Operators the opportunity to pass on their knowledge, and experience to others.

Andy Morris

Flying the flag for the light rail industry with the Institution Andy helps ensure that the right balance is struck within the organisation between the interests of both the heavy and light rail/tramways sectors. He is currently responsible for the operations and maintenance of the tram systems in Manchester and Sheffield and is a prominent figure in the industry having been involved in the UK light rail scene since the setting up of the Docklands Light Railway in 1987. Previously he had wide experience of both the footplate and traffic grades within the old British Rail organisation. Not satisfied with the rigours of the day job Andy spends his spare time working as a volunteer driver on the East Lancashire Railway.

Alan Galley - President

Chris Leah - Vice President

Chris is a career railwayman joining British Rail in 1966 after leaving school.

He studied at the University of London and gained the Certificate and Diploma in Transport.

He followed the promotional route through the studentship and management training schemes. Having worked at the coalface being a booking clerk and undertaking other clerical work in the various disciplines, he finally retired in 2004 as the Network Rail Group Board Member for safety and compliance.

His career encompassed senior executive positions in Regional Railways as the Director for Scotrail, and then for North West.

With the disaggregation of the railway industry he became Railtrack’s Zonal Director in North West before taking the position of Group Board member for operations and safety.

He was one of three directors who took Railtrack through its Administration phase.

Following the creation of Network Rail he was appointed a Group Board member.

He was a founding member of the IRO and has been with it since its beginning... being a board director and its chairman. He is currently vice-president.

Derek Holmes

Tom Birch

Jo Kaye - Network Rail Route Director for London North Western

Born in London and now living in Halifax, Jo read Biology at Imperial College London and followed it up with an MSc in Passenger Transport Management.

Jo joined the Railtrack graduate training scheme in 1995 and has worked on the operational side of the business ever since. She was Head of West Coast 2008 where she was the interface between the project team delivering the west coast upgrade and the train operating companies that use the line, ensuring Network Rail and customers were ready for the introduction of the new timetable. Prior to this, Jo was the area general manager LNW Central, overseeing the day to day operation of the railways in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

David Franks - Acting UK Chief Executive, National Express Group

David Franks joined the Group in January 2003 as Trains Divisional Director (North) and led Midland Mainline's revival to become Britain's best-performing train operator. He was appointed Chief Executive of the Trains Division in February 2004. David is Chairman of the industry's National Performance Task Force and past President of the Railway Study Association. David has previously held senior positions both with First Group and Go-Ahead.

Mark Hopwood - Managing Director at First Great Western

Mark manages a busy, complex network operating 1,500 trains a day across London, the Thames Valley, West of England and beyond. He has over 20 years experience in rail operations and has previously worked in and managed many varying aspects of railway operations. He has successfully led teams to achieve substantial improvements in the punctuality of train services. As a Fellow of the Institution Mark believes strongly in the need to promote and raise the profile of the railway operator throughout the industry.

Sarah Kendall - Production Director at CrossCountry

Sarah is responsible for fleet, planning, performance, control and driver management on the country's most extensive passenger franchise. She joined CrossCountry having led Arriva's successful bid for the franchise in 2007. She has previously worked in a range of operational and safety roles as well as in strategic planning, commercial and communications on the British rail network and for Eurotunnel. She has also been a university academic and consultant on wider transport sector issues. Coming from a family of engineers, Sarah is a firm beliver in the IRO's role in supporting cross-industry personal and professional development for railway operators.

John Fogarty

John joined the IRO board in June 2009 and represents Infrastructure Maintenance. He has worked within the railway industry for over 30 years, beginning his railway career as a traction trainee and later becoming a qualified train driver in Birmingham and Manchester. John then moved on to Eurotunnel in 1992 where he commenced his management career. He has since held different management positions with First Group in Croydon as Operations Development Manager, Connex Ireland as their Head of Operations and most recently with Balfour Beatty Rail ltd where he holds the position of Operations Manager. John is very happy to be working with the Institution and assisting other young railway operators develop and get the most out of themselves.

Mike Donnelly

Mike Hogg

John Glover BSc, FCILT, MIRO, MPWI - Director of the Institution of Railway Operators and Deputy Chairman of the CILT Strategic Rail Forum

Following BR management training, he held operating posts in both freight and heavy suburban areas. He became a County Council transport coordinator responsible for local buses, where he pioneered county-wide concessionary fares for the elderly. He has also been Director of Policies for CILT. As a consultant, he has successfully represented local authority clients in court and advised BAA on surface transport access. A prolific author of transport books, he contributes regularly to the technical press.

John Doyle

Jeff Ellis - General Manager for the Northern Line on London Underground

Jeff Ellis has responsibility for the safe operation of trains, signalling, and stations. He has been an IRO Board member for 4 years, representing Rapid Transit and light Rail Systems. He began his career with LUL 41 years ago, working as a Guard and Train Driver ( Motorman). His management career began in 1980. Most of Jeff’s career has been spent in railway operating, apart from 5 years experience as Fleet Manager on the Victoria Line responsible for Train Maintenance. Jeff Chairs the London Underground Train Operators Negotiating Council. Jeff became involved with the IRO, because like many members he left school and started his career in operations without formal educational qualifications. He believes that the IRO gives members the opportunity to obtain qualifications to enhance their career prospects and gives experienced Railway Operators the opportunity to pass on their knowledge, and experience to others.

Andy Morris

Flying the flag for the light rail industry with the Institution Andy helps ensure that the right balance is struck within the organisation between the interests of both the heavy and light rail/tramways sectors. He is currently responsible for the operations and maintenance of the tram systems in Manchester and Sheffield and is a prominent figure in the industry having been involved in the UK light rail scene since the setting up of the Docklands Light Railway in 1987. Previously he had wide experience of both the footplate and traffic grades within the old British Rail organisation. Not satisfied with the rigours of the day job Andy spends his spare time working as a volunteer driver on the East Lancashire Railway.

Alan Galley - President

Chris Leah - Vice President

Chris is a career railwayman joining British Rail in 1966 after leaving school.

He studied at the University of London and gained the Certificate and Diploma in Transport.

He followed the promotional route through the studentship and management training schemes. Having worked at the coalface being a booking clerk and undertaking other clerical work in the various disciplines, he finally retired in 2004 as the Network Rail Group Board Member for safety and compliance.

His career encompassed senior executive positions in Regional Railways as the Director for Scotrail, and then for North West.

With the disaggregation of the railway industry he became Railtrack’s Zonal Director in North West before taking the position of Group Board member for operations and safety.

He was one of three directors who took Railtrack through its Administration phase.

Following the creation of Network Rail he was appointed a Group Board member.

He was a founding member of the IRO and has been with it since its beginning... being a board director and its chairman. He is currently vice-president.