RECRUITMENT
A New IRO chairman wants to recruit fresh talent
lifelong railwayman has taken the helm at the
Institution of Railway Operators – with a passion to recruit young professionals into the world of trains.
David Franks, now 53, came into the industry at age 16 and brings a wealth of experience and managerial talent to the role of IRO chairman.
He has been a member of the IRO board for almost six years
and is a former head of National Express, First North Western and Southern, and was until January last year interim CEO of the Stockholm Metro.
He takes over as chairman from board member Jeff Ellis who stepped in following the death of Derek Holmes at the start of the year.
An ardent supporter of the IRO from the outset, he has a clear vision of where he would like to take the organisation and what he would like to achieve, he says. He wants to encourage young people in the industry and wants to see young rail professionals playing a greater role in the IRO.
David Franks
He is a strong supporter of the IRO Degree, Diploma and Certificate courses run in conjunction with Glasgow Caledonian University, which he
believes are playing a vital role in filling the skills gap that has resulted from the fragmentation of the industry following privatisation.
He said: “They are fantastic because they give people a realistic and achievable goal. I think it is really important that rail operators encourage
everyone to acquire and expand their skill set. Having the right skills is becoming critical to running a successful operation.
“Providing the right education, training and qualifications for people to achieve that is a key element of the IRO’s role in the development of the rail industry.”
82 | rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 11
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