IRO


Taking British expertise overseas n


UK railway operational know-how is well prized and valued outside the country – probably more so than it is within. That’s the view of Nick Brown, the Serco group strategy and business development director who, when he was managing director of the company’s rail division, was responsible for the hugely successful project to build and operate the Dubai Metro. ‘The Metro’s operational practices are based


on the British model,’ he says, ‘a move backed by the Dubai government, because they, too, subscribe to the generally held view from abroad that our transport services are good.’ Brown explained that those commissioning the Dubai Metro wanted the best. ‘They understand and respect our experience as railway operators and were prepared to invest in true quality, so we provided a system that we believe is exactly that.’


Serco engaged Japanese and Turkish


infrastructure firms during the building of the railway and commissioned Japanese rolling stock


and French control systems to work within the British operational model. With a directive to make the Metro totally


reliable, Brown developed and trained his operators – some of whom are members of the Institution of Railway Operators – to create, evolve and implement the best operational processes. And it’s worked. Metro’s figures are enviously good, with performance figures averaging over 99.6 per cent. The IRO has, through its members working


within the metro team, played a small part in this success. It’s an organisation whose work and aspirations are supported by Brown. ‘I believe the IRO has always taken the view that they have a stewardship role with an objective to make railway operations better for the next generation,’ he says. ‘Bottle what’s known and pass it on!’ Brown’s opinion has weight. From relatively


humble beginnings on the British Rail training scheme, his hugely successful public and private sector railway career has seen him work his way through top train operator positions with


Nick Brown


National Express, as managing director of Midland Mainline, Central and ScotRail. He joined Serco as managing director of its


rail businesses in 2005. Two years later, in 2007, the company won the contract to operate and maintain the driverless, Dubai Metro which opened on 9 September 2009.


Irish Area


For information on Irish Area events, contact Hilton Parr at: hilton.parr@railwayoperators.org Scottish Area


For further information on IRO Scottish Area, contact Ross Campbell on 0141 242 8620 or email Jim Gillies at:


scottish@railwayoperators.org 5 December: Visit to National Air Traffic Control. Meet at Prestwick at 14:30. Limited spaces are available, please contact: scottish@railwayoperators.org if you wish to attend. Further available on the IRO website.


North East Area


13 December: Christmas Social. Venue: York Taps. Time: 1730 onwards. To book a place contact:


northeast@railwayoperators.org 10 January: Talk: Network Rail perspective on freight and freight opportunities. Time: 17:30 for 18:00. Location: East Coast Academy, Platform 9, York Station. For information on North East Area events, contact David Monk-Steel at: northeast@railwayoperators.org or by telephone on: 01751 473 799 during office hours. North East Area meetings normally take place at 17:30 for 18:00, in York.


North West Area


7 December: Joint CILT / IRO event discussing the Northern Hub. Time: 17:00. Location: Samuel


Alexander Building, University of Manchester. 13 December: Talk: Station Management and Customer Service. Time: 17:00-18:30. Location: Manchester Piccadilly Station, Conference Room. 13 December: Christmas Social event. Time: 18:30-21:30. Location: Waldorf pub (six minutes walk from Piccadilly). Refreshments provided. 11 January: Master Class: Train Planning Part 2. Time:18:00. Location: TfGM Conference Room, Manchester City Centre. Contact: ironw.booking@railwayoperators.org All events and enquiries should be via Roy Chapman at: ironw.booking@railwayoperators.org General membership enquires to Carl Phillips at: northwest@railwayoperators.org


Midlands Area


9 January: Pendolino lengthening project. Location: Network Rail Mailbox offices, Birmingham. Time: 17:30. Contact: midlands@ railwayoperators.org 23 January: Ratcliffe Power Station. Time: 17:00. Details will be confirmed in due course. For information on Midlands Area events, contact Julia Stanyard on: 0121 345 3833 or email: midlands@railwayoperators.org


South West Area IRO AGM


5 December: Annual Pub Quiz. Time: 17:00 for 17:30. Location: Queen’s Tap Hotel, Swindon. View IRO Website for details. Contact: chris.prior@firstgroup.com 30 December: Annual Christmas visit to West Somerset Railway. Please meet at Bishops Lydeard station for 10:25 train to Minehead. Bus


8 December: IRO 2011 AGM at 40 Melton Street, London, NW1 commencing at 17:00. Please notify Claire Wickes by email at: admin@railwayoperators.org or Jo Lane by email at: jo@railwayoperators.org to attend, as security measures at this venue are very strict.


DECEMBER 2011 PAGE 33


connections are available from Taunton station. 9 January: Train Planning Master Class Time: 17:00. This event will be taking place in Swindon; details will be confirmed in due course. Contact: chris.prior@firstgroup.com For information on South West Area events contact Chris Prior by email: chris.prior@firstgroup.com


South East Area


23 January: Joint IMechE/IRO event – Driver Advisory Systems. Location: IMechE HQ, 1 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ. Time: 17:30 Contact:


glen.merryman@londonmidland.com 27 January: Third Annual Golden whistle Awards. Time: 12:15 for 12:45. Location: The Brewery, 52 Chiswell Street, London EC1. Contact: glen.merryman@londonmidland.com South East events take place at London Underground’s HQ, 55 Broadway, St James Park, SW1. For further information on the IRO South East Area, contact Jonathan Leithead at: jonathan.leithead@networkrail.co.uk


More details of area events are listed on the website at www.railwayoperators.org/Events.aspx


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