HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting Wednesday, 26th February 2020 at 12 00 hrs Director Biographies Richard Barnes Richard has actively served on the Board of the HRA since first being co-opted in 2014, and subsequently being elected at the following AGM. He became Finance Director in March 2019 Professionally, Richards’ business interests involved running a variety of electrical, audio, events and presentation companies in the leisure industry. Through this he developed a close interest in the safety of ‘theme park’ rides quickly emerging as one of only a handful of acknowledged global consultants holding responsibility for certifying major leisure attractions including the London Eye, the Singapore Flyer and many of the large roller coasters and giant theme park rides around the world. During this time, Richard was also a long-standing Chairman of relevant BSI and CEN committees. Separately, Richard’s events industry experience led to him being seconded for many years to a senior political party press office role, leading Ministerial events, press relations, and conferences. Following retirement, Richards’ longstanding interest in heritage rail led to him being appointed chairman of the Helston Railway and, since becoming a Director of the HRA, he has been actively involved in several HRA projects. Working with the chairman, he led proposals to begin reshaping the HRA leading to the appointment of its first staff and now assist the chief exec with reviewing the Association’s finances. He has provided mediation for members, deals with member queries on general insurance matters, and he leads the organisation of the HRA’s successful and growing Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony. Page 1 of 5 HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting Wednesday, 26th February 2020 at 12 00 hrs Director Biographies Mark Smith My first experience of heritage railway volunteering was with the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway at the age of thirteen. I took time away to pursue my career as teacher and later head teacher. I joined the West Somerset Railway first as a volunteer dining train steward, and then volunteer managing director, a post I combined for two years with the headship of a Taunton Primary School before joining the WSR full time from 1990 until 2006 followed by work as an employment outplacement consultant until 2010. A period as voluntary WSR Company Chairman ended in 2010. I was able to renew my involvement with the narrow gauge when invited to become a Trustee of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Trust. Other interests include young entrepreneur volunteer with the Princes Trust, barbershop singing and retired membership of the Institution of Railway Operators and family roles with children and grandchildren. In November 2018, the West Somerset Railway was struggling, I joined a “new” board and after a turbulent year the future looks bright again as we return to sustainability and prosperity. It will be here for my grandchildren to enjoy. The WSR encouraged my interest in the Heritage Railway Association. I have been Vice Chairman until I stepped down from that role last year. I believe the HRA has a vital role to play in maintaining the integrity and independence of the heritage sector. We need to keep our members’ profile high, to lobby on their behalf, to offer the widest range of support from Guidance Notes interpreting endless Regulation to help with the business issues of running a successful heritage railway and provide forums for discussion and debate. Current Directorships: Heritage Railway Association; Heritage Rail Charitable Trust (Trustee); West Somerset Railway Plc; Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Trust (Trustee); Ffestiniog Railway Holdings Ltd. Page 2 of 5 HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting Wednesday, 26th February 2020 at 12 00 hrs Director Biographies Stephen Oates MRICS Steve Oates is the Chief Executive of the Heritage Railway Association (HRA) - the national trade association for the heritage rail industry. HRA member railways and tramways attract some 13 million visitors each year; employ some 4,000 people; provide interest and participation for 22,000 volunteers; and together they contribute £400million of economic impact to the national economy. As chief exec Steve represents and promotes the benefits and value of the industry to government, the media and other bodies. He manages events for member training, development and knowledge-sharing; and co-ordinates support across every aspect of heritage rail ownership, management and operation to a wide membership of 156 operational railways and tramways, plus 26 steam centres and museums, and over 100 locomotive and rolling stock owning groups. Professionally Steve is a chartered surveyor but, after working in the property sector, he moved into commercial radio, founding and managing three successful commercial radio stations. During this time, he also represented a sector of local commercial radio on the board of the Commercial Radio Companies Association alongside the (then) Capital Radio Group, EMAP and others. Moving out of commercial radio after 20 years in the industry, Steve then headed-up an economic development service for a local authority, before taking up the post of Chief Exec for the HRA. Brought-up on the Isle of Wight, Steve first developed an interest in heritage railways after joining the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at the age of 13, beginning a lifelong engagement as an active volunteer both on footplate duties and, behind the scenes, contributing to the administration and development of the Railway. For 10 years he led the Railway as chairman of its’ board of directors and trustees and still serves on the board as a non-executive director and trustee. For five years, he also represented the Railway on the board of Visit Isle of Wight. Separately, Steve has volunteered on the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway in North Devon and was actively involved in the reconstruction of the line from Woody Bay to Killington Lane. Page 3 of 5 HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting Wednesday, 26th February 2020 at 12 00 hrs Director Biographies Stephen Clews My background is as a Marine Engineer rising to the rank of Chief Engineer with Shell and then BP. Coming ashore in 1997 and initially working on ship construction and culminating in managing 40% of BP’s fleet – 23 ships. This gave me knowledge and experience of managing safety management systems in high risk environments. I then moved into standardisation running BP’s engineering standards function. I was on five international technical committees, including ISO, and chaired one BSI committee. I have an in-depth knowledge and experience of the development and management of standards, practices and guidance. I have recently joined the HRA Operations and Safety Committee. I am a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology. I have worked on heritage railways, predominantly the W&L, since 2004 and have been its Chairman since 2015. I am also a driver and mechanical inspector. I am line manager to the railway’s General Manager which keeps me very close to the management of the railway, both operational and commercial. I believe that we are entering a crucial phase in the life of heritage railways. For them to survive they must get the mix of commercialism and nostalgia/heritage right. The public now expect a lot more then just a train ride and environmental expectations and regulation have increased. I think the HRA has a role to play in the future as the single face to the regulators, as lobbyist on behalf of our membership and providing guidance and best practice. I hope that my experience of safety management systems, standards development and railway management and operation would be thought a useful contribution to the HRA Board. I would be pleased to serve on the board for the benefit of the membership. Page 4 of 5 HERITAGE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION Annual General Meeting Wednesday, 26th February 2020 at 12 00 hrs Director Biographies Stuart Williams My introducing into Heritage Railways was purely by accident. I started my own Marquee Hire business in 1990 and in 2006 I was approached by the Dean Forest Railway to provide a marquee for Princess Anne to re-open Parkend Station. During conversations was foolish enough to offer my help as a volunteer on the retail & marketing side! Within months I was drafted onto the society committee and soon moved onto the Board and was made Chairman in 2016. As my marquee business had become ‘mature’ and I had other directors who were able to run it, I was tempted by a job advert for General Manager at the Talyllyn Railway. Having never even been to the TR, on visiting I was at once drawn in by the whole area and the set up in Tywyn and could see how I could make a difference. I was successful in getting the job in 2017 and have focussed on the commercial aspect of the role which has so far shown very positive results. I do not have any operational qualifications – but I do have ‘hands on’ management experience in business. I think it’s extremely important for the HRA to have representation from people ‘doing the job’ and I hope to bring a common sense approach to the organisation. Page 5 of 5 .