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.

Richard O'Brien - Network Rail Route Director for Wessex

Richard O'Brien is Network Rail's Route Director for Wessex. He is accountable for the strategic direction and service delivery for rail services in the South West of the country and has led the business to record levels of safety and punctuality.  A degree qualified Civil Engineer, Richard has worked both here in the UK and in Africa. He joined the UK rail industry over a decade ago, with previous roles including General Manager and Head of Planning and Industry Performance. He lives in Berkshire with his wife and four daughters. 

Neil Henry - Head of Operational Planning and Performance, Network Rail

David Franks

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 - Operations Director, East Coast

Mike has worked widely within the railway industry, since first joining British Rail as a graduate operations trainee in 1978. His experiences include station and signalling management and infrastructure project development of both routes and terminals across the UK. Mike was also heavily involved in freight train operation, spending fifteen years working within railfreight at both local and policy-setting levels. Following extensive franchise bid work, as well as working in several TOCs, he is now Operations Director at East Coast. Mike was one of the first to join the IRO on its inception in 2000 and he chaired the North East Area Council for its first five years, joining the board in 2005. Throughout his career, Mike has sought to encourage managers and staff to improve the breadth of their operations knowledge across the TOC/Network Rail boundary, recognising that the British Rail training scheme delivered something that, without the IRO, would now be lacking within the industry. Mike lives near York with his wife and two daughters. 

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

As General Manager of the Victoria line John has responsibility for the provision of service through the safe operation of trains, signalling, and stations. He began his career with the Underground 29 years ago, joining the organisation as an operations graduate trainee. While on the training scheme John worked as a Guard, Booking Clerk and on various head office assignments. Since completing the scheme John has worked on many of the Underground’s lines in operational posts including Area Manager, Duty Operations Manager, Service Control Manager and Business Manager.   John has promoted education and development in operations during his career, being particularly proud to have revived the modern apprentice scheme for Signal Operators on the Underground. John supports the IRO’s objectives of advancing education in the industry and sharing of best practice. 

Andy Morris - Managing Director, Stagecoach Metrolink

After 14 years with British Rail, both on the footplate and then in the traffic department, Andy switched to the light rail industry in 1987 when he joined the new Docklands Light Railway in East London as one of its first operations managers. In October 1990, he moved north as Operations Assistant for Greater Manchester Metro Ltd, before forming his own light rail consultancy and then joining join Travel West Midlands as Operations Manager for the new Midland Metro tram system. In April 2002, Andy joined Stagecoach to head up the group’s light rail interests and has been instrumental in Stagecoach winning the operations and maintenance contract for Manchester’s Metrolink system in 2007, for which he currently has executive responsibility. Andy was one of the founding members of the Institution of Railway Operators, for whom he is currently a Board Member and also a council member for the Midlands Area. In addition, he currently serves as the Chairman of the Confederation of Passenger Transport’s Fixed Track section, is a Board Member for UKTram and is a qualified safety practitioner.

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.

Jeff Ellis - Chairman

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.

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.

Richard O'Brien - Network Rail Route Director for Wessex

Richard O'Brien is Network Rail's Route Director for Wessex. He is accountable for the strategic direction and service delivery for rail services in the South West of the country and has led the business to record levels of safety and punctuality.  A degree qualified Civil Engineer, Richard has worked both here in the UK and in Africa. He joined the UK rail industry over a decade ago, with previous roles including General Manager and Head of Planning and Industry Performance. He lives in Berkshire with his wife and four daughters. 

Neil Henry - Head of Operational Planning and Performance, Network Rail

David Franks

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 - Operations Director, East Coast

Mike has worked widely within the railway industry, since first joining British Rail as a graduate operations trainee in 1978. His experiences include station and signalling management and infrastructure project development of both routes and terminals across the UK. Mike was also heavily involved in freight train operation, spending fifteen years working within railfreight at both local and policy-setting levels. Following extensive franchise bid work, as well as working in several TOCs, he is now Operations Director at East Coast. Mike was one of the first to join the IRO on its inception in 2000 and he chaired the North East Area Council for its first five years, joining the board in 2005. Throughout his career, Mike has sought to encourage managers and staff to improve the breadth of their operations knowledge across the TOC/Network Rail boundary, recognising that the British Rail training scheme delivered something that, without the IRO, would now be lacking within the industry. Mike lives near York with his wife and two daughters. 

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

As General Manager of the Victoria line John has responsibility for the provision of service through the safe operation of trains, signalling, and stations. He began his career with the Underground 29 years ago, joining the organisation as an operations graduate trainee. While on the training scheme John worked as a Guard, Booking Clerk and on various head office assignments. Since completing the scheme John has worked on many of the Underground’s lines in operational posts including Area Manager, Duty Operations Manager, Service Control Manager and Business Manager.   John has promoted education and development in operations during his career, being particularly proud to have revived the modern apprentice scheme for Signal Operators on the Underground. John supports the IRO’s objectives of advancing education in the industry and sharing of best practice. 

Andy Morris - Managing Director, Stagecoach Metrolink

After 14 years with British Rail, both on the footplate and then in the traffic department, Andy switched to the light rail industry in 1987 when he joined the new Docklands Light Railway in East London as one of its first operations managers. In October 1990, he moved north as Operations Assistant for Greater Manchester Metro Ltd, before forming his own light rail consultancy and then joining join Travel West Midlands as Operations Manager for the new Midland Metro tram system. In April 2002, Andy joined Stagecoach to head up the group’s light rail interests and has been instrumental in Stagecoach winning the operations and maintenance contract for Manchester’s Metrolink system in 2007, for which he currently has executive responsibility. Andy was one of the founding members of the Institution of Railway Operators, for whom he is currently a Board Member and also a council member for the Midlands Area. In addition, he currently serves as the Chairman of the Confederation of Passenger Transport’s Fixed Track section, is a Board Member for UKTram and is a qualified safety practitioner.

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.

Jeff Ellis - Chairman

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.