After 12 years as the Executive Director, Andy retired from employment with the Railway Heritage Trust in 2023, but was promptly appointed as its Chair. Andy’s long involvement with the RHT has involved not only the restoration of the industry’s built heritage but also finding new uses for redundant railway property. Andy is also Chairman of the National Railway Heritage Awards, of which he has been a Trustee for 13 years. Previously Deputy Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents, Andy has always had an interest in railway heritage, with well over fifty years working on the Ffestiniog Railway, nearly forty of which were as a director.

Anita David is a dedicated community engagement leader, educator, and advocate with over a decade of experience supporting migrant and refugee communities across the UK. In her current role as Director of Community Engagement at Work Better Innovations, Anita leads strategic outreach and partnership efforts that promote migrant integration and inclusive service delivery.

Anita also serves as a specialist in harmful cultural practices at Stop Domestic Abuse, where she provides expert training, guidance, and one-to-one support to professionals and survivors across Hampshire. Her work bridges the gaps between policy, frontline service, and community voices.

With a background in education, Anita has held roles with the Workers’ Educational Association, Action Asylum-Portsmouth City of Sanctuary, and the British Red Cross. In February 2025, the Equality and Human Rights Commission invited Anita and her team to attend the United Nations’ review of the UK’s implementation of a major human rights treaty in Geneva and share their recommendations with the UN Committee.

Anita brings a unique, intersectional perspective to issues of social justice, integration, and community resilience.

Brian was the Senior Operations Manager and Deputy CEO of Community Rail Network until April 2024.

Having been involved in community rail for more than twenty-three years, he brings his extensive community rail knowledge to the judging process,

Brian’s early involvement was as a volunteer for the Penistone Line Partnership, the community rail partnership for the Huddersfield – Penistone – Barnsley – Sheffield line, in Yorkshire. He subsequently became the full time coordinator, staying in that role for 4 years, before moving to Community Rail Network more than 17 years ago.

Since retiring he has been working to maintain and secure the future of the Penistone Paramount 111-year-old community venue in Penistone where he lives.

Clare is a behaviour change expert with 17 years’ experience in sustainable and active travel at Sustrans. She has significant experience of managing community-based transport projects, including Community Rail. Clare champions co-designing projects with communities. She designs and delivers evidence-based programmes to enable societal change.

Clare recently presented in parliament at the APPG for Walking and Cycling, for the launch of the first ever Children’s Walking and Cycling Index report. Clare helped to amplify children’s voices around travel and transport, showcasing how taking onboard young people’s perspective improves their experiences around travel.

Dominic has worked in transport policy since 2012, on a variety of challenges, both customer and strategy focused. As a person with lived and professional experience, Dominic focuses on inclusive solutions that empower customers to control their journey with confidence and dignity. Recent projects include the Passenger Assist Improvement Programme and supporting Greater Anglia with the design and implementation of the new Stadler Flirt vehicles.

As Community Rail Network’s communications and marketing officer, Erin takes a lead on creating and curating content for the website, newsletter and social media, as well as providing advice and support to our members on communications and marketing. She also provides communications support for our biggest annual campaigns, including Community Rail Week and the Community Rail Awards, helping to spread the word about the incredible ways community rail changes people’s lives for the better.

Jim has been involved with both tourism and community rail for many years. When working as tourism manager for Lancaster City Council, he was heavily involved with the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership and spent over seven years as an ACoRP (Community Rail Network) board member. In 2010 he became the Community Rail Officer for the Furness and Lakes lines, working closely with local station groups, councils, and Cumbria Tourism. Jim retired in April 2018, but remained involved for another couple of years as the vice-chair of the Lakes Line.

Mark is a career railwayman now retired after lengthy service, latterly as client & stakeholder manager for Northern Rail. He is now chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, a group that recognises, promotes and rewards the work of volunteer and community groups at stations in the former county of Cheshire.

Nicky has an extensive background in developing business and marketing plans for railways. In 2018 she completed a PhD at the University of York which explores how rail industry managers know what they know, and why new timetables fail in implementation. Alongside her continued research she teaches marketing, business planning and entrepreneurship at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Paul is a well-known photographer and writer whose career spans 21 years. He works for both the national and international media and companies within the rail industry.

With a career in transport spanning more than fifty years – public and private sectors, bus and train – Peter has been active in community rail at all levels for the past twenty years. Awarded an MBE for services to rural transport, he was chair of ACoRP from 2003 to 2018. As a writer and historian, he continues his research and publications on rural transport.

Riona is the Head of Grants at the Architectural Heritage Fund, she is responsible for overseeing the AHF’s core grant-funded programmes across the UK. Riona has a wide range of experience, having worked in a variety of diverse roles across the heritage sector for 20 years. As an archaeologist, she worked with learning teams at the National Library of Ireland and at Archaeology Scotland. She also spent seven years in a number of different roles at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, including as the Head of Investment for the Scotland Team. Riona came to the AHF from Historic Environment Scotland, where she was Deputy Head of World Heritage.