New chair for ORR

18/12/2015 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

 

Professor Stephen Glaister has been appointed as the interim chair of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for a 12-month term.

Professor Glaister will replace the current chair, Anna Walker, when she steps down as planned at the end of this month after more than six years in the role. He will be responsible for leading the independent regulator as it continues its role in holding Network Rail and Highways England to account, and ensuring safety and efficiency.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has chosen to appoint a chair for an interim period of 12 months while work continues on a government project looking at the future role and responsibilities of the ORR, following the recommendations of an independent report by Dame Colette Bowe earlier this year.

Mr McLoughlin said: “A strong, independent regulator is essential in maintaining the safe and smooth running of the UK’s transport network and I am confident that Professor Glaister will bring continuity and stability to the ORR as we consider the broader shape and structure of the rail industry.

“His wealth of experience will ensure the organisation is best placed to respond to the challenges ahead and able to deliver both value for money for taxpayers, and improvements for passengers. I would also like to thank Anna Walker for her dedication to the role over the past six years.”

Glaister, who has served as a non-executive director on the ORR board since April 2015, is Emeritus Professor of Transport and Infrastructure at Imperial College London.

He has previously served as a member of a number of transport boards including Transport for London, as well as acting in an advisory role to the government and the Transport Select Committee. He has recently retired as director of the RAC Foundation.

He said: “I am honoured to be leading ORR as chair at this time of both rejuvenation and enhancement for rail and road, working with ORR’s expert staff – all of whom are committed to serving the public interest.

“The UK transport sector continues to expand, demanding a stable, secure and well-governed regime to enable it to provide adequately for the needs of a growing economy. This includes strong and independent economic and safety regulation which protects the interests of investors, taxpayers and users – not least, the travelling public. ORR will continue to be dedicated to this task.

“Our transport and infrastructure sectors are recognised as important. But they are complex and ever-changing. They naturally undergo reviews of how their institutions work effectively. ORR welcomes the review of the longer-term future shape and financing of Network Rail and the separate review of ORR’s future role. We will make a positive contribution in helping both reviews arrive at a successful conclusion.”

Glaister will start work on 1 January 2016.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Civil Enforcement Officers x 2

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
Parking Services are looking to recruit 2 full time Civil Enforcement Officers to complement its existing workforce. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Senior Street Cleanse Technician x 3 (CDC)

Grade 6 £25,981 - £26,815
We are about to embark on an ambitious programme of change in our city. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Development Officer

£37,280 - £40,777
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Development Management Co-ordinator. Gloucester
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Principal Highways Development Officer

£48,226 - £51,35
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Principal Development Management Co-ordinator . Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Street Lighting Project Engineer

PO2 - £41,442 to £44,331
Help us keep our streets safe, efficient and ready for the future Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Principal Engineer - Highways Development Management

£47,181.00 - £50,269.00, Grade 11, 37 hours, Permanent
We are seeking a dedicated Principal Highways Development Management Engineer to join our team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Development Management Engineer

£32,061.00 - £46,142.00, Career Grade 7-10, 37 hours, Permanent
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through HIghways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Project Engineer

£31,537 - £42,839 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, welcoming Highways team, proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Boroughbridge, York
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Project Engineer

£31,537 - £42,839 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, welcoming Highways team, proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader (Maintenance Operations)

Grade 10 - £48,226 - £51,356
Cardiff is growing faster than any other capital city in Europe. Cardiff (Caerdydd)
Recruiter: Cardiff Council

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor Forfar, Angus
Recruiter: Amey

Tree Surveyor

£Competitive
We are excited to offer fantastic opportunities for Permanent Tree Surveyors Scotland
Recruiter: Amey

Chief Operating Officer – South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee

£Competitive
We’re looking for a bold, visionary leader to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)
Recruiter: Carmarthenshire County Council

Clerk of Works - Highways

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Clerk of Works to join our dynamic NMC SW Account team at Polmadie. Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor to join our NMC NE account in Kinross. Perth and Kinross
Recruiter: Amey

Planner - Highways

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for Permanent Planner – Highways to join our NMC SW Account. Glasgow City
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Manager

£51,356 - £55,539 per annum
We are looking for an experienced Engineer to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Selby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW