News

14 March 2007
IRO Highly Commended In Rail Supplier of The Year Award

The Institution of Railway Operators (IRO) was ‘Highly Commended’ for their undergraduate education programme at the recent HSBC 2006 Rail Business Awards, achieving second place for the Fraser Eagle Management Services Rail Supplier of the Year Award.

The 2006 HSBC Rail Business Awards were presented on 28 February 2007 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, and was attended by just over 800 people representing all parts of the railway industry.
Chris Daughton, Chief Executive of the Institution of Railway Operators said: “It was the ‘railway Oscars night’; the good and the great assembled to honour those judged by their peers who have contributed something special to the industry in the preceding year. We are delighted to have been named as runner up.”
Chris continued by paying tribute to the hard work undertaken by Tom Birch and other members of the Education & Professional Development Committee.
He added: “None of this would have been possible without the support so readily given by the late Sir Alistair Morton, Chairman of the former Strategic Rail Authority, who also authorised a grant for the courses to be developed.”
Ends


Note to editors:
• Jpg of awards (image will open in separate window). Right click to download. File size: 734 KB. Pictured in the photo is Event Organiser, Paul Lawson of Woodhouse Communications, presenting the certificate to Chris Daughton.
• The IRO was set up in 2000 to fill a gap in the professional recognition of operating staff.
• It can provide: The opportunity for individuals to plan their professional development and gain experience which they are unable to obtain in their workplace.
• Skills development opportunities and access to education programmes to enable individuals to develop all round competency in the theory and practice of railway operations.
• A network of industry professionals committed to mutual learning and personal development.
• Nationally recognised and transferable qualification for all its members – a BSc Degree course and a Diploma in Higher Education course in railway operations
• A focus for raising standards and enhancing the professional standing of those directly involved in the safe and reliable operation of railways.
• For all information on the IRO, membership benefits and activities, go to the IRO’s website: www.railwayoperators.org

Woodhouse Communications distributed this release on behalf of the Institution of Railway Operators. For more information contact Woodhouse on 01444 473588 or email paul@woodhousecommunications.co.uk

10 July 2006
Top prize for IRO’s Diplomas and Degrees

The Institution of Railway Operators carried off a major rail industry award winning the People Development category at the Railway Industry Innovation Awards.

Presented for the Institution’s achievement in creating Diploma and Degree courses in railway operating, performance and safety, the Anderselite Award for Innovation in People Development was accepted on the Institution’s behalf by Chief Executive Chris Daughton.
The Bachelor of Science and Diploma in Higher Education courses, run in conjunction with Glasgow Caledonian University, are designed to afford railway operators similar recognition and status as that given to professional engineers, lawyers or accountants. They were launched in October 2005.
Paying tribute to the original group of senior railway managers who in 2000 had the vision and inspiration to create an Institution for railway operators, Chris said: “Without their resolve together with the support of the late Sir Alistair Morton, then Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, the education programme that has won this prestigious award could not have been developed.”
Chris went on to praise the hard work undertaken by Tom Birch and Tony Cousins and their colleagues on the Institution’s Education Committee who had turned the vision to reality.
Finally, Chris paid tribute to the Institution’s corporate members for their continued backing and financial support. “The Institution, and therefore our courses, would not exist without our corporate members,” said Chris. “I thank them wholeheartedly for their faith in our ability to deliver.”
Chris Green, chairman of the judging panel for The Railway Industry Innovation Awards, which are sponsored by The Railway Forum and Modern Railways, said: “Both the quality and the quantity of entries are up on last year, and the freshness and energy behind the new entries has made them a pleasure to read – but hard to judge. I would like to congratulate the rail industry for the sheer variety of entries – which demonstrate an industry that is alive with energy and ideas”
Ends


Note to editors:
1. Jpg of awards (image will open in separate window). Caption in file info. Right click to download. File size: 600 KB
2. The IRO was set up in 2000 to fill a gap in the professional recognition of operating staff.
It can provide:
• The opportunity for individuals to plan their professional development and gain experience which they are unable to obtain in their workplace.
• Skills development opportunities and access to education programmes to enable individuals to develop all round competency in the theory and practice of railway operations.
• A network of industry professionals committed to mutual learning and personal development.
• Nationally recognised and transferable qualification for all its members - a BSc Degree course and a Diploma in Higher Education course in railway operations
• A focus for raising standards and enhancing the professional standing of those directly involved in the safe and reliable operation of railways.
3. For all information on the IRO, membership benefits and activities, go to the IRO’s website: www.railwayoperators.org
4. Woodhouse Communications distributed this release on behalf of the Institution of Railway Operators. For more information contact Woodhouse on 01444 473588 or email paul@woodhousecommunications.co.uk

Back to top

10 July 2006
George Muir of the Association of Train Operating Companies made Fellow of the Institution of Railway Operators

George Muir, Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), has accepted an Honorary Fellowship of the Institution of Railway Operators (IRO).

The IRO, which was founded in 2000, provides a focus for raising standards and enhancing the professional standing of those directly involved in the safe and reliable operation of railways.
The IRO’s Board of Directors award Honorary Fellowships to acknowledge special services rendered or support given to the education of railway industry operational employees.
George has been a leading figure in Britain’s rail industry since he became managing director of Connex South Eastern in 1998. A year later he was appointed Director General of ATOC.
Chris Daughton the IRO’s chief executive, presented George with his Fellowship certificate at the IRO’s South East area meeting at the Union Jack Club, London Waterloo, on July 10.
In accepting the Fellowship, George Muir said: “I am delighted to accept the IRO’s offer of a Fellowship. It is a real honour. The Institution is an excellent organisation and I will do what I can to promote it. Railway operators have a central role in the new agenda for the industry: getting more from the existing railway.”
Chris said: “The opportunity to recognise individuals who contribute much to the Institution’s endeavours arise from time to time, and this is one of those occasions. I am most happy to be able to make this presentation which is well deserved.”

Ends

Note to editors:
1. Jpg of the certificate presentation (image will open in separate window). Caption in file info. Right click to download. File size: 550 KB
2. The IRO was set up in 2000 to fill a gap in the professional recognition of operating staff.
It can provide:
• The opportunity for individuals to plan their professional development and gain experience which they are unable to obtain in their workplace.
• Skills development opportunities and access to education programmes to enable individuals to develop all round competency in the theory and practice of railway operations.
• A network of industry professionals committed to mutual learning and personal development.
• Nationally recognised and transferable qualification for all its members - a BSc Degree course and a Diploma in Higher Education course in railway operations
• A focus for raising standards and enhancing the professional standing of those directly involved in the safe and reliable operation of railways.
For all information on the IRO, membership benefits and activities, go to the IRO’s website: www.railwayoperators.org
3. The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is the official voice for the passenger rail industry - representing train companies to the government and other opinion formers on transport policy issues. Britain's train operators are working together to change rail travel for the better.

ATOC manages many joint activities for train operators including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, National Rail Enquiries, Railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing.
For further information about ATOC, contact the ATOC Press Office on 020 7841 8020 or visit
www.atoc-comms.org

Woodhouse Communications distributed this release on behalf of the Institution of Railway Operators. For more information contact Woodhouse on 01444 473588 or email paul@woodhousecommunications.co.uk

Back to top

July 2006
Mike Donnelly joins IRO Board

Mike Donnelly, Director at Balfour Beatty Management has been appointed to the Board of the Institution of Railway Operators as its Infrastructure Maintenance representative.

Mike’s appointment is for three years, until June 2009. He takes on the role in replacement of John Campbell of First Engineering, who stepped down recently upon retirement.
Chris Daughton, the Institution’s Chief Executive, said he was delighted that Mike and Balfour Beatty had agreed to the appointment. “Mike brings a wealth of experience that will further strengthen the Institution.”
Mike, who has over 35 years experience with British Rail and industry-related companies, said he was ‘over the moon’ at his appointment.
“I am thoroughly looking forward to working with the Institution. I have been involved in personal development my entire career. In my early days in Newcastle I led movements and ops planning courses and have always enjoyed helping young people get the most out of themselves.”
Mike spent over 22 years with British Rail. His career saw him take on a range of senior operational roles including: Area Manager, Cambridge; Train Crew Planning and Resources Manager, Eastern Region; Operations Manager, South Central Division and Safety Audit Manager Network South East.
Mike left BR in 1992 to join WS Atkins on the Channel Tunnel Project as the Operations Technical Advisor to the Maitre d’Oeuvre. He was seconded to Eurotunnel in 1994 as the company’s first Director of Railway Operations.
In 1997 he became Managing Director of WS Atkins Rail Control and Systems Division, moving later to Business Development Director of Atkins Rail.
He became Director, Balfour Beatty Management in 2003 to help set up its professional services focusing on the management of major infrastructure projects and technical consultancy.

Ends

Note to editors:
The IRO was set up in 2000 to fill a gap in the professional recognition of operating staff.
It can provide:
• The opportunity for individuals to plan their professional development and gain experience which they are unable to obtain in their workplace.
• Skills development opportunities and access to education programmes to enable individuals to develop all round competency in the theory and practice of railway operations.
• A network of industry professionals committed to mutual learning and personal development.
• Nationally recognised and transferable qualification for all its members - a BSc Degree course and a Diploma in Higher Education course in railway operations
• A focus for raising standards and enhancing the professional standing of those directly involved in the safe and reliable operation of railways.

For all information on the IRO, membership benefits and activities, go to the IRO’s website: www.railwayoperators.org

Woodhouse Communications distributed this release on behalf of the Institution of Railway Operators. For more information contact Woodhouse on 01444 473588 or email paul@woodhousecommunications.co.uk

Back to top