Awards, contracts & appointments

10.04.17

David Tonkin appointed as RIA chairman for second time

The Rail Industry Association (RIA) has announced that it has appointed David Tonkin as its new chairman for the second time.

The new chairman has held the position before, as he was also selected for the role at the end of 2012.

Tonkin will lead the RIA board, which is made up of senior representatives of its member companies and direct the activities of RIA.

He has previously worked as a cost and management accountant and was Atkins’ UK CEO with experience in financial and non-financial roles both nationally and internationally.

He will take over from Gordon Wakeford, managing director of Siemens Mobility, who has been chairman since 2014 and spent two years in the role.

Tonkin said: “I would like to thank Gordon for his hard work and dedication to the RIA, steering the change from its historical unincorporated status to be a registered company, as well as overseeing the appointment of new RIA chief executive, Darren Caplan, earlier this year.

“I am delighted to be back formally within the rail industry, an industry that I have always held a particular passion for,” Tonkin added. “I am equally excited to be working with new RIA chief executive Darren Caplan and the Board to ensure RIA is front and centre in driving the case for a thriving and successful rail industry, fundamental to enabling the government’s ambition for the UK.”

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