Keele partners with Chartered Institute of Railway Operators to deliver railways leadership programmes

Keele University has partnered with a prestigious railway leadership organisation to deliver their academic programmes, helping workers on Britain's railways with higher level qualifications and continuing professional development.

The Chartered Institute of Railway Operators (CIRO) has announced Keele as the new education partner to deliver its suite of pathways for staff in the railways industry to develop their careers, including its flagship BSc Railway Operations Management pathway.

The partnership will see Keele academics working together with CIRO to help shape their courses for both aspiring and current railways employees, which have been designed to deliver the very best developmental opportunities and industry-recognised qualifications for the future-facing rail industry.

Professor Mark Ormerod OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of Keele University, said: "I am delighted that today we can announce the exciting next stage of our partnership with the Chartered Institute of Railway Operators (CIRO), delivering co-designed courses that will provide excellent developmental opportunities and industry-recognised qualifications for both aspiring and current railways employees for the future-facing rail industry.

"I'm hugely grateful to colleagues at Keele and CIRO, who have worked so productively to make this major new partnership an exciting reality."

CIRO's academic programmes have supported the development of more than 1,000 graduates working across passenger and freight operators, infrastructure organisations and the wider rail supply chain. By combining academic study with real-world operational experience, the programmes help develop the leadership capability and whole-system understanding needed across today's railway.

The new partnership with Keele University will enable CIRO to further enhance its academic provision while ensuring programmes remain closely aligned with the evolving needs of the rail industry.

Keele University already works with CIRO through the Senior Leader MBA programme, providing a strong foundation for expanding the partnership into CIRO's wider academic offering.

Picture caption: (L-R) Lou Taylor-Murison and Professor Mark Ormerod OBE from Keele University, with Adam Fenton and Vicky Johndrow from CIRO.

The close proximity between the two organisations creates new opportunities for collaboration between industry and academia. Being based within the same region will allow CIRO and Keele to work more closely together on programme development, teaching delivery and future innovation in railway education.

This local partnership also reinforces the important role the Midlands plays within the UK rail industry, with the region home to major rail employers, engineering expertise and nationally significant transport infrastructure.

Adam Fenton, Chief Operating Officer of CIRO, added: "This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for CIRO and for the development of railway professionals across the UK.

"Partnering with Keele University allows us to build on the success of our academic programmes while strengthening the connection between industry and higher education. Having both organisations located in Staffordshire also creates new opportunities for collaboration and innovation as we continue developing the operational leaders who keep Britain's railway running safely and efficiently."