Collier set to replace Glaister as head of ORR

Declan Collier is to take over as new chair of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), replacing the current Chair of three years, Professor Stephen Glaister, who will return to being a non-executive director on ORR’s board.

Following standard parliamentary procedures for a public appointment, the Transport Select Committee will hold a public scrutiny hearing with Collier later this year. The final decision on the appointment will be subject to the outcome of that hearing and he is expected to start work as chair on 1 January 2019.

The Department for Transport said the former airport chief executive “demonstrated an outstanding range of skills” and a distinguished record in delivering for transport users following a career in aviation.

Collier has recently stepped down as CEO of London City Airport, a role which he held since 2012, and prior to that he was CEO of Dublin Airports Authority for seven years. 

He is currently a non-executive board member of The Royal Schiphol Group and TCR International NV. He has broad experience in transport and business and has served as President of the World Association of Airports, Airports Council International (ACI); Deputy Chair of the Airport Operators Association (UK); and as Director of London First; Allied Irish Banks Ltd, and The Dublin Theatre Festival. 

Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: “The ORR performs an important role as the rail regulator and roads monitor for England and I look forward to Declan Collier taking up this position.

“Declan brings a wealth of transport sector knowledge, and I am confident he will be able tackle the diverse range of issues that the regulator covers.

“I would like to thank Stephen Glaister for his work, he has played a distinguished role as Chair, bringing important leadership during the 2018 periodic review process, which will set the regulatory framework and funding for Network Rail for the next five-year control period.”

ORR is the UK’s independent rail regulator and strategic roads monitor for England. Accountable to Parliament, it is required to protect the interests of rail and road customers through its regulation of railway safety, and the performance and value for money of the rail and road networks, where government remains committed to major investment to improve outcomes for users.