Jim Gillies: Area Chairman
E-mail: Jim.gillies@networkrail.co.uk

Jim began his railway career in Fort William in 1984 as a guard on the West Highland Line. He has since held a number of operations posts in Scotland working for British Rail, Railtrack and now Network Rail. He is currently a Project Operations Interface Specialist based in Glasgow and has been a member of the IRO since its beginnings. Jim is also Chair of the IRO’s Scottish Area Council.

Ross Campbell: Area Secretary
E-mail: Ross.Campbell@invensysrail.com

Ross is currently Operations Manager with Invensys Rail, with 15 years railway experience, principally in Operations and Engineering Management. His career started with Railtrack as a level crossing keeper and lampman, before he became a relief signaller in Perth and then a signaller at Glasgow Central. Five years in signalling was followed with a transfer to Operations Planning, firstly as a Possession Planner, then Isolation Planning Manager, before moving from Railtrack to Westinghouse Rail Systems (now Invensys Rail) in 2002, where he manages the team of engineering access planners across UK mainline projects. Ross has used the IRO’s Professional Development Programme to enhance his industry knowledge, graduating this year with the BSc degree in Railway Operational Management.

Richard Shaw: Treasurer
E-mail:

Richard joined British Rail in 1962 as a booking clerk in the Dover area, followed by roles as Relief Station Master and Assistant Station Manager at various stations in the South East. Following management training, he was appointed Station Manager at Gatwick Airport, where he presided over rapid development and growth of the rail air link, and then became Area Manager at Sutton. A move north of the border then beckoned, where Richard became Business Manager for ScotRail Express services, Retail Manager for the West of Scotland and Quality Manager for ScotRail. Following privatisation, Richard became a self employed consultant, working for companies across the UK and in Australia. He currently works for Glasgow Prestwick Airport supporting their rail operation interests as a licensed station operator.

Donald MacPherson: Council Member
E-mail: donaldmacpherson736@btinternet.com

Donald’s career within the rail industry started in 1982 as an Operations Management Trainee with British Rail in Glasgow. He held a number of posts in Scotland, working in Dumbarton, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Perth and Glasgow, where he was Head of Operations and Operations Manager for ScotRail. In 2000, Donald became Head of Personnel for ScotRail and four years later, Human Resources Director for First ScotRail. Since 2006, he has been a self-employed consultant. Donald is on the membership committee of the IRO and is a tutor for railway modules on the IRO Certificate programme. 

Jim Summers: Council Member
E-mail: JimSummers@btinternet.com

Jim began his railway career with British Rail at Liverpool Street as a Traffic Apprentice in the old Kings Cross District. After spells in Whitemoor Yard in East Anglia and Harwich with Train Ferries and Containers, he returned to his native Scotland to become an Area Manager. Jim was Railway Liaison Officer when the Greater Glasgow Passenger Transport Executive was established and was involved with re-opening the Argyle Line and the integration of buses and trains. Later roles at headquarters included Train Planning, Total Quality and Safety and Regional Operations Manager for British Rail’s Scottish Region. Jim left BR just prior to privatisation, spending 13 years as a rail consultant working in Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Malaysia, as well as in the UK with London Underground. Jim was also involved with setting up the IRO and is currently a member of its Education Management Group and undertakes tutoring and lecturing.

Chris Owen: Council Member
E-mail: caowen7@aol.com

Currently a driver instructor with ScotRail, Chris has almost 30 years operational and project management experience in both light and heavy rail. He has held a number of roles, including working as Senior Controller for Manchester Metrolink and as Driver Team Manager for EWS. Chris takes a keen interest in heritage railways, where he is a member of the signalling team and also finds time to fulfill the role of Squadron Commander in the Air Training Corps. As part of his Continuing Professional Development, Chris has recently passed the IRO Diploma of Higher Education in Railway Operational Management and is currently studying on the IRO Degree course. 

Jim Gillies: Area Chairman
E-mail: Jim.gillies@networkrail.co.uk

Jim began his railway career in Fort William in 1984 as a guard on the West Highland Line. He has since held a number of operations posts in Scotland working for British Rail, Railtrack and now Network Rail. He is currently a Project Operations Interface Specialist based in Glasgow and has been a member of the IRO since its beginnings. Jim is also Chair of the IRO’s Scottish Area Council.

Ross Campbell: Area Secretary
E-mail: Ross.Campbell@invensysrail.com

Ross is currently Operations Manager with Invensys Rail, with 15 years railway experience, principally in Operations and Engineering Management. His career started with Railtrack as a level crossing keeper and lampman, before he became a relief signaller in Perth and then a signaller at Glasgow Central. Five years in signalling was followed with a transfer to Operations Planning, firstly as a Possession Planner, then Isolation Planning Manager, before moving from Railtrack to Westinghouse Rail Systems (now Invensys Rail) in 2002, where he manages the team of engineering access planners across UK mainline projects. Ross has used the IRO’s Professional Development Programme to enhance his industry knowledge, graduating this year with the BSc degree in Railway Operational Management.

Richard Shaw: Treasurer
E-mail:

Richard joined British Rail in 1962 as a booking clerk in the Dover area, followed by roles as Relief Station Master and Assistant Station Manager at various stations in the South East. Following management training, he was appointed Station Manager at Gatwick Airport, where he presided over rapid development and growth of the rail air link, and then became Area Manager at Sutton. A move north of the border then beckoned, where Richard became Business Manager for ScotRail Express services, Retail Manager for the West of Scotland and Quality Manager for ScotRail. Following privatisation, Richard became a self employed consultant, working for companies across the UK and in Australia. He currently works for Glasgow Prestwick Airport supporting their rail operation interests as a licensed station operator.

Donald MacPherson: Council Member
E-mail: donaldmacpherson736@btinternet.com

Donald’s career within the rail industry started in 1982 as an Operations Management Trainee with British Rail in Glasgow. He held a number of posts in Scotland, working in Dumbarton, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Perth and Glasgow, where he was Head of Operations and Operations Manager for ScotRail. In 2000, Donald became Head of Personnel for ScotRail and four years later, Human Resources Director for First ScotRail. Since 2006, he has been a self-employed consultant. Donald is on the membership committee of the IRO and is a tutor for railway modules on the IRO Certificate programme. 

Jim Summers: Council Member
E-mail: JimSummers@btinternet.com

Jim began his railway career with British Rail at Liverpool Street as a Traffic Apprentice in the old Kings Cross District. After spells in Whitemoor Yard in East Anglia and Harwich with Train Ferries and Containers, he returned to his native Scotland to become an Area Manager. Jim was Railway Liaison Officer when the Greater Glasgow Passenger Transport Executive was established and was involved with re-opening the Argyle Line and the integration of buses and trains. Later roles at headquarters included Train Planning, Total Quality and Safety and Regional Operations Manager for British Rail’s Scottish Region. Jim left BR just prior to privatisation, spending 13 years as a rail consultant working in Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Malaysia, as well as in the UK with London Underground. Jim was also involved with setting up the IRO and is currently a member of its Education Management Group and undertakes tutoring and lecturing.

Chris Owen: Council Member
E-mail: caowen7@aol.com

Currently a driver instructor with ScotRail, Chris has almost 30 years operational and project management experience in both light and heavy rail. He has held a number of roles, including working as Senior Controller for Manchester Metrolink and as Driver Team Manager for EWS. Chris takes a keen interest in heritage railways, where he is a member of the signalling team and also finds time to fulfill the role of Squadron Commander in the Air Training Corps. As part of his Continuing Professional Development, Chris has recently passed the IRO Diploma of Higher Education in Railway Operational Management and is currently studying on the IRO Degree course.