Non-Executive Directors - Office of Rail and Road
- Body
- Office of Rail and Road
- Appointing Department
- Department for Transport
- Sectors
- Regulation, Transport
- Location
- Board meetings are usually held in our London office (Cabot Square, Canary Wharf), but with occasional travel around the UK, including to five regional offices in Glasgow, Manchester, York, Birmingham and Bristol.
- Number of Vacancies
- Up to 3
- Remuneration
- £20,000 per annum
- Time Requirements
- 3.5 days per month
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
02/06/2021
-
Closed for Applications
05/07/2021 at 12:00
-
Panel Sift
TBC
-
Final Interview Date
TBC
-
Announcement
19/01/2022
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
The Transport Secretary has appointed Xavier Brice, Dr Daniel Ruiz and Catherine Waller as Non-Executive Directors of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) following an open competition. The 5-year appointments are until 16 January 2027.
Vacancy Description
Do you know about data analytics or infrastructure operation or sustainability or digital technology? Have you got the ability to help steer a national organisation to work robustly and with agility and to respond positively to the challenges facing the rail and strategic roads sectors?
We are seeking up to three Non-Executive Board Members to strengthen our board’s capability across the following areas:
- Data Analytics and understanding the application of big data
- Infrastructure operations and delivery programme management
- Sustainability and Decarbonisation
- Digital technology and innovation
- Consumer interests and promoting the use of the networks
Our current board members are from a range of disciplines and sectors and we are keen to receive applications from individuals who are also able to represent the diverse views of rail passengers, freight customers, road users, and their representatives. Previous executive experience across the transport (aviation, marine, rail or road) and infrastructure sectors and operation of other infrastructure networks may be helpful.
The role
Our Board is responsible for overseeing the executive delivery of the business plan to meet our strategic objectives. Board members do this by:
- Scrutinising and challenging, holding our executive to account for delivery against the strategy and agreed business plan
- Making important regulatory decisions
- Taking an active role in our sub-committees and supplying particular expertise or focus when that is necessary
- Identifying, debating and overseeing long term plans and monitoring progress while being realistic about short-term pressures and industry concerns
- Applying an objective approach to sensitive or complex issues and a demonstrating commitment to evidence-based decision making
We will prioritise candidates who can help ensure we maximise value for money from the Government’s continuing significant programme of infrastructure investment while promoting speedy and effective delivery. It is more important than ever that the boards of public bodies are able to respond robustly and with agility to the significant challenges facing our public services and the country as a whole.
Person Specification
The successful candidates will be able to demonstrate through a written application and at interview how they meet the criteria set out below. They will demonstrate an objective approach to sensitive or complex issues and a commitment to evidence-based decision making and transparency, as well as strategic awareness and an ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholder interests.
The final selection will be made by the Secretary of State from among those candidates who can apply their knowledge to the issues and back it up with good skills as a board member.
EXPERIENCE – KNOWLEDGE
We wish to further develop the board’s experience and perspective in some or all of the following areas:
- Data Analytics and understanding the application of big data
- Infrastructure operations and delivery programme management
- Sustainability and Decarbonisation
- Digital technology and innovation; and
- Consumer interests and promoting the use of the networks
Current or previous executive level experience in these areas may strengthen your application:
- rail, road or other transport infrastructure operations
- efficient delivery of infrastructure investment;
- economic regulation of public bodies;
An understanding of how devolution affects regulatory decision-making and an ability to work with government, including the governments in the devolved nations, during periods of industry change would also be advantageous.
TECHNICAL – BOARD SKILLS
- ability to communicate clear, balanced views, sound judgement and professional leadership at board level on strategic, sensitive and complex issues, providing effective, constructive challenge where necessary;
- a strategic outlook – able to identify, debate and oversee long term plans and monitor progress while being realistic about short-term pressures and industry concerns;
- able to build effective relationships with stakeholders in industry and government, including Ministers, and amongst users while at the same time preserving the independence of the Board.
BEHAVIOURS
- resilient, independent and open – prepared to constructively challenge and take public responsibility for decisions;
- personal and professional demeanour, integrity and credibility which commands the confidence of our staff and stakeholders;
- a flexible, collaborative style;
- able to distil key issues out of complexity; and
- highly motivated and able to motivate others.
Additional Information
Who we are
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is a non-Ministerial Government Department and protects the interests of current and future rail and road users. It does so in the public interest, by overseeing the safety, value and performance of the railway and monitoring the performance and efficiency of England’s strategic road network. We are a balancing mechanism at the heart of the rail industry; providing assurance and oversight, tempering the monopoly power of Network Rail, determining fair charges and access for passenger and freight operators. We look out for the long-term national interest in an environment where, given the state-backed nature of rail and road industries, there is inevitably a strong political dimension.
In May 2021, Government published an ambitious white paper setting out its plans for rail reform. The Covid-19 pandemic created new and unanticipated challenges for both the rail industry and Highways England, some of which may persist for years to come. In rail particularly, passenger demand will remain uncertain, at least in the short term. ORR will have an important role working with the Department for Transport and others in the rail sector in facilitating policy reform through changes in the regulatory framework, and as part of this will continue to ensure that change considers the interests of current and future users.
Given the need to stimulate recovery across the rail sector, the significant investment that has been committed to both the rail and strategic roads sector and the desire for rail reform, it is important that the ORR is properly skilled to provide oversight and assurance to ensure that the needs of the users of the rail and strategic roads sector are fully met and that government investment is effectively and efficiently delivered. Recruiting the right resources to the ORR Board is a necessary part of meeting the above challenges.
How to Apply
You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process.
The panel will then assess all the applications to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence provided.
The timeline indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all longlisted and shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. These are public appointments under ministerial oversight, so the timelines can be protracted.
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are not able to provide specific feedback on why you have not been shortlisted.
July – Shortlisting
July/August – Initial telephone interviews and referencing
September – interviews with panel
October – Meetings with Secretary of State (if required) and appointments made
Please note, the final selection will be made by the Secretary of State from among the candidates who can apply their knowledge to the issues and back it up with good skills as a board member.
For further information about the role and details about how to apply, please download the application pack. For an initial discussion about the role, email or call ORR’s Board Secretary, Tess Sanford tess.sanford@orr.gov.uk or +44 (0) 20 7282 2175 (during office hours).
Diversity and Inclusion
The Office of Rail and Road is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all.
Understanding, respecting and representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society is important to us. We know that diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective organisation.
We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and ethnic minorities, as these groups are currently under-represented.