Declan Collier is to be reappointed as chair of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for a further five-year term, transport secretary Mark Harper has announced.
The ORR, which regulates the rail industry and is the ‘monitor’ for the strategic road network, said Mr Collier had ensured that it ‘remains a significant, respected and independent regulator, protecting the interests of rail and road users and improving the safety, value and performance of railways and roads’.
Mr Collier (pictured) was first appointed to the role in 2019 and his second term runs from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2028.
He said: ‘My first term has seen seismic challenges for the rail and road sectors, with ORR playing a key part in overseeing the recovery from the pandemic.
'I look forward to continuing this important role at such a time of change for the rail and road sectors.’
ORR chief executive John Larkinson said: ‘This is an important and welcome appointment [that] represents stability and continuity for us as we head into a continued uncertain period for the rail industry, in particular, with rail reform still to be settled and a general election within the next 18 months.
‘Declan’s continued leadership is very welcome and we congratulate him on securing a second five-year term.’
Mr Collier is a former CEO of both London City Airport and Dublin Airports Authority and is currently a non-executive board member of the Royal Schiphol Group and chair of TCR International N.V. and of George Best Belfast City Airport.
He is also senior advisor to the Oaktree Transport Infrastructure Fund and was appointed to the expert advisory panel of Active Travel England in 2022.
He has also served as president of the World Association of Airports, Airports Council International; as deputy chair of the Airport Operators Association (UK); and as director of London First, and The Dublin Theatre Festival.
