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 a patron and former Chair of the National Railway Heritage Awards, of which he was a Trustee for 16 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 Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly 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.

Daniel has a keen interest in transport design and infrastructure, and railway architecture in particular. He holds a first class honours degree in transport from Aston University. In 2012 he created transport design and architecture website The Beauty of Transport, which he continues to write, as well as writing for other clients in the public transport industry and the community rail sector.

He recently published “Trackside Transformation”, a book on inter-war railway station architecture. Daniel has worked as a transport journalist and editor, public transport planner, and for Community Rail Network from 2018 to 2024 as support officer with a special interest in advising non-profit organisations on the reuse of redundant railway buildings. He is a member of the Railway Heritage Trust’s advisory board.

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.

Laura is England Development Manager at the Architectural Heritage Fund, leading on delivery of a £50 million grants programme rescuing and repurposing neglected historic buildings.

She has worked with a range of national and regional funders developing policy and guidance, assessing projects and evaluating impact. This builds on more than 20 years of experience in the heritage and charitable sector, with a particular focus on developing and delivering major projects including at the Volk’s Railway in Brighton, Valentines Mansion and two new museums in London, and for the Royal Pavilion and Museums, Brighton & Hove.    Laura studied history at Swansea University and also has a Masters and PhD.

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.

Taija is a Diversity and Inclusion Specialist with a strong background in the social impact sector, having led and delivered education and community-based projects on the ground, alongside supporting initiatives from a corporate partnership perspective.

In her current role, she works closely with Community Rail through the Hitachi Rail corporate partnership, coordinating staff volunteering initiatives with Community Rail Partnerships across the UK. Taija holds an MSc in Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability and is a committed advocate for inclusion and accessibility within the railway sector. She is passionate about supporting projects that strengthen the livelihoods of the communities they serve.

Taija brings a practical, insight-driven approach to inclusivity and is dedicated to delivering sustainable community impact through the initiatives she champions.