Comment
RBA
The IRO leads the way for railway operators
The Institution of Railway Operators returns as the sponsor of the Young Professional of the Year Award
L
aunched last year, the Young Professional of the Year Award aims to recognise ‘the most outstanding young manager working within the UK rail industry’.
Open to those whose 35th birthday falls
before 31 December 2010, the first award saw an impressive array of applicants, leaving the judges with a challenging decision on their hands. In the end it was Daniel Williams, head
of customer service delivery for First Capital Connect, who picked up the inaugural Young Professional of the Year Award. As IRO chief executive Chris Daughton
said at the time, Daniel was an impressive young man who had constantly achieved new highs in his career, making him a deserving winner of this award. After such a successful first year, the
judges will once again be looking for someone who has a proven ability to achieve a level that is beyond that which would normally be expected for someone of their age or experience. Daughton says: ‘We are delighted to
return as sponsor of the Young Professional
of the Year Award. Promoting an award such as this, which recognises personal and professional development in the railways, is exactly what the institution is all about.’ ‘We had a great response to the award last
year and I look forward to seeing as many, and maybe more, applications this year as a testament to some of the young talent there is in the industry. ‘We’ve come a long way in 10 years
and our commitment to the professional development of those wishing to progress in the railway industry remains our key objective.’ Currently celebrating its 10th
anniversary, the IRO has grown its membership in that time to 2,000, and has enlisted more than 40 Corporate Members. This summer, 17 IRO members graduated
from Glasgow Caledonian University, with eight receiving the IRO Diploma in Railway Operational Management and nine achieving the IRO Degree in Railway Operational Management. The degree and diploma courses, along
with the certificate course, form part of the IRO’s Professional Development Programme (PDP), which aims to equip those wishing
to pursue a career in the railway industry with the relevant skills. Now in its sixth year, the PDP has already seen 86 IRO students successfully complete their courses. Earlier this year, the IRO announced
that it would be offering one lucky member, from the rail industry, the chance to take a special place on its degree course, courtesy of Network Rail. This bursary place is being offered in memory of former IRO Chairman and Network Rail’s director of operations Derek Holmes, who died at the beginning of the year. Following many worthy applications,
the bursary has now been awarded to two candidates, Kath Carroll and Richard Perrin. The fact that two winners were selected is testament to the standard of those that applied. In October, both Carroll and Perrin will start the IRO’s two year Degree in Railway Operational Management. Also this year, John Lanchester became
the 200th member of the Young Professional programme. Lanchester is currently halfway through a four-year masters in Planning and Transport at Sheffield Hallam University, and looking to pursue a career in the railway industry.
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