Context

Having established the management of the day-to-day Railway operations under the General Manager, it is proposed that the SRC Board concentrates on strategic issues with oversight of the finances. regulatory compliance and safety; and a general brief on Railway operations by virtue of the GM being accountable to the Board. It is proposed that the new SRC Board comprise a minimum of 8 Directors – 7 specific roles set out below and up to 2 further independent directors to fill and or bolster perceived skills gaps. Consideration has been given to which roles require railway experience ideally gained with the SRC. As a result, external appointments may be considered for the positions of Chair, Finance and External Affairs Directors. All roles are voluntary although reasonable expenses incurred on behalf of the Company will be re-imbursed. The Board would meet quarterly with a remit to review finances, safety and strategy as well as consider items put forward for approval from the GM that are not within his delegated authority. In addition, the Board will appoint a Company Secretary.

The current directors, will be actively seeking to fill the positions identified below but -

if you think you could help fill any of the position or know of someone who could be interested please contact John Yule or Duncan Gilmore

Responsibilities and Skills

Each Director should always act in the best interests of the SRC and promote the success of the Railway. In carrying out their responsibilities they should exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence. They should endeavour to avoid conflicts of interest and where these cannot be avoided, declare such conflict.

Skills Required by each Director

Directors will require to have, or be able and willing to develop, a knowledge and general understanding of:

• • Good corporate governance and provisions of the Companies Memorandum and Articles of Association in order to always act within their powers
• • Regulatory and legal requirements for the operation of a Heritage Railway
• • Day-to-day operations
• • Railway finances
• • Risk management as it pertains to the Railway
• • HR as it pertains to the Railway
• • H&S as it pertains to the Railway
• • Sustainability and protection of the environment as it pertains to a Heritage Railway
• • Creation and management of a 5, 10 and 20-year strategic plan for the Railway

Individual Responsibilities and Skills by Appointment

Chairman

• Manages and ensures that the Board functions effectively
• Ensures strategy is developed and objectives are met
• Sufficient understanding of day-to-day operations to be able to liaise with GM and deal with issues raised
• In conjunction with Board sets objectives for GM and on behalf of the Board monitors achievement of those objectives

Finance Director

• Knowledge of accounting and tax requirements for the Railway as a Not-for-Profit Company
• Knowledge of Companies’ House and HMRC filing requirements
• In depth understanding of the Railway’s financial operations through Xero and liaison with GM
• Manage bank accounts and undertake reconciliations
• Production in conjunction with GM of Management Accounts and cashflow forecast for Quarterly Board Meetings and Annual Budget
• Ownership of all Financial Policies
• Liaise with external auditor to produce Annual Accounts, review Accounts and brief Board

External Affairs Director

• Responsible for developing the Board’s Marketing Strategy and implementation in conjunction with the GM
• Responsible for approving communications via press and social media in conjunction with the GM
• POC for media enquiries

Independent Directors

• Business experience plus any missing or weak skillset amongst other Board Members

The above director roles are particularly suitable for external candidates not currently connected to the Railway. The below posts are more likely to suit those already connected with Railways

SRA Representative

• Represent SRA and Members’ views where appropriate
• Lead on volunteer policy and volunteer issues generally

Engineering Interface Director

• In coordination with the General Manager, responsible for oversight of all aspects of the Engineering function and how this is resourced
• A working knowledge and understanding of heritage railway operations, specifically in relation to the disciplines of P Way, Loco Shed, Carriage & Wagon and Engineering
• Be familiar with how these disciplines interlink with other departments across the Railway
• Have a working knowledge of:
  • Safety Management Systems (SMS)
  • Competency Management Systems (CMS)
  • Heritage Operations Processing System (HOPS)
  • Risk Management Maturity Model (RM3)
  • Operating Agreements with owners of locomotives and rolling stock
  • Relevant Regulations such as HSWA, PUWER, COSHH etc
• Have an ability to interact with outside bodies such as:
  • Heritage Railway Association (HRA)
  • Office of Rail & Road (ORR)
  • Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB)
  • Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
• Understand that success of the business as a tourism attraction is essential to support heritage preservation and volunteer engagement
• Coordinate a comprehensive review of all locos and rolling stock to draft a prioritised maintenance and restoration plan
• Prepare budgets for specific projects and submit funding applications
• Participate in and contribute to the Board of the Strathspey Railway Company
• Support and liaise with the General Manager on day-to-day operations
• Participate in the Operations Committee and Competency Assurance Management Committee
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Railway's Safety Management System
• Build supportive relationships with Heads of Departments and key staff
• Lead by example across the Railway and steer organisational culture change when introducing new ways of working and to ensure continual improvement
• Note: The Engineering Interface Director will not be responsible for the management or supervision of staff, for which the General Manager retains full overall responsibility

Operations Interface Director

• Working knowledge of heritage railway operations, specifically Locomotive crew, Guards and Signallers
• Familiarity with how these interlink with other departments
• Working knowledge of:
  • Safety Management Systems (SMS)
  • Competency Management Systems (CMS)
  • Heritage Operations Processing System (HOPS)
  • Risk Management Maturity Model (RM3)
  • Operating Agreements with owners of locomotives and rolling stock
  • Relevant Regulations such as HSWA, PUWER, COSHH etc
• Ability to interact with outside bodies such as:
  • Heritage Railway Association (HRA)
  • Office of Rail & Road (ORR)
  • Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB)
  • Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
• Understand tourism success as foundational to heritage and volunteer goals
• Be able to:
  • Chair the Operations Committee
  • Contribute to the Competency Assurance Management Committee
  • Contribute to the Safety Management System
  • Liaise with the General Manager
  • Contribute to the Board of the Strathspey Railway Company
  • Lead by example and support culture change

Safety and Standards Director

• Knowledge of Regulatory standards and requirements in regard to safety in all aspects of Railway operations. In particular:
  • Safety Management Systems (SMS)
  • Competency Management Systems (CMS)
  • Heritage Operations Processing System (HOPS)
  • Operating Agreements with owners of locomotives and rolling stock
  • The application of relevant Regulations such as HSWA, PUWER, COSHH etc.

• Ownership of all Safety and Standards Policies
• PoC with:
  • Heritage Railway Association (HRA)
  • Office of Rail & Road (ORR)
  • Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB)
  • Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
• Undertake internal audits
• A working knowledge and understanding of heritage railway operations, specifically in relation to the disciplines of P Way, Loco Shed, Carriage & Wagon and Engineering
• Be familiar with how these disciplines interlink with other departments across the Railway, including Train Crews, Signallers, Signals & Telegraph, Catering and Station Staff