Board
The Board of the Heritage Railway Association itself is made up of a cross-section from the sector, including some of the most experienced and innovative Chairs, Chief Executives and General Managers of heritage railways and tramways in the UK. The HRA Board exists to be the governance body of the organisation ensuring it is well-run, that members interests are protected, and that members money is spent wisely.
Chair - Peter Hendy
Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, has been the Chair of Network Rail since July 2015, and
Chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation since July 2017.
Vice Chair - Chris Price
Chris has managed three railways working his way up the gauges from 12 ¼in to standard gauge in his present job as Chief Executive of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Director - Brian Simpson
Brian was first elected to the HRA Board in 2014 and served as its Chairman from 2016 until 2023. He was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1989 until 2014.
Director - Andrew Barnes
In 2001 Andrew acquired the majority shareholding in The Bure Valley Railway. In 2014 the railway became debt free and Andrew left his banking role to became full time Managing Director/General Manager.
Director - Simon Marsh
Simonn has been involved in railway preservation from an early age, as far back as the 1970s. He has been Chairman of the Kent and East Sussex Railway since November 2018.
Director - Sarah Piggott
Being offered the General Manager role at Nene Valley Railway back in 2016 was a turning
point for Sarah as it took her outside of her comfort zone applying for the role, but her passion for railways is deep rooted.
Director - James West
James started volunteering at the East Anglian Railway Museum while still at school. A move to Aberdeen in his oil and gas industry career saw him become involved with th Royal Deeside Railway, where he is now chairman.
Director - Jenny Nunn
Seaton Tramway, Jenny started at Seaton Tramway as Commercial Manager and has been Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for more than fifteen years. Her background is in marketing and tourism.
Director - Stephen Clews
Stephen is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Marine Engineering, Science and
Technology. He has worked on the Welshpool & Lllanfair Light Railway since 2004 and has been Chairman since 2015.
Director - Mark Smith
Mark started volunteering at the age of 13 on a narrow gauge railway. After a career in teaching he joined the West Somerset full time in 1990 and was Managing Director until 2006. He is now a Trustee of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Trust.
Director - Noel Hartley
Noel is an experienced heritage rail professional and has been involved in the industry for over 25 years. He is currently the Business and Operations Manager for the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.
Company Secretary - John Bailey
John qualified as a Solicitor in 1971, on retirement in 2006 he started volunteering on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway as a signalman. He is also a trustee and director at the NYMR, including eight years as chairman.
