Who we are
As an independent regulator, ORR operates within the framework set by UK and EU legislation and is accountable through Parliament and the courts. We are an independent statutory body, with powers vested by Parliament in our board. The ORR board consists of ten members: six non-executives (including a non-executive chair) and three executive directors. All members of the board are appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport, for a fixed term of up to five years.
ORR is a non-ministerial government department with around 280 staff and a budget of about £30m each year. We are funded by the rail industry. Our staff work from six offices across Britain, giving us the flexibility and coverage we need to perform our functions efficiently. Many of our people work away from the office, for example by conducting on-site inspections across the rail network.
Executive directors
Our staff are organised into eight directorates and led by a team of executive directors.
The directorates are:
- Chief executive's office
- Corporate operations
- External affairs (communications)
- Legal services
- Strategy and policy
- Railway markets and economics
- Railway planning and performance
- Railway safety
Read more about our executive directors
The board
We are governed by a board responsible for setting strategy and overseeing its delivery. Board members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport for a fixed term of up to five years.
Last updated - 28 January 2014