The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has established the Champions of Change Rail Group to advance gender equality in the rail industry in response to a key recommendation of a joint report with the National Women in Transport.   

The group comprises of 10 high-profile CEOs and senior executives of rail organisations with 32,000 employees collectively dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.   

It is the first major step towards implementing the recommendations of the Progressing gender equality in the Australasian rail industry: challenges and supportive practices released in July.   

Improving gender diversity in the Australasian rail workforce is a key priority for the ARA.  

The group represents senior leaders from passenger and freight rail operators and providers of integrated rail infrastructure networks and includes: 

  • Caroline Wilkie, CEO, ARA  
  • Kat Stapleton, CEO, Queensland Rail  
  • Michael Hopkins, CEO, NTC  
  • Wayne Johnson, CEO and Managing Director, ARTC  
  • Matthew Longland, CE, Sydney Trains  
  • Brendan Lane, General Manager, Bowen Rail Company  
  • Brian Brennan, CEO, Trasndev Australasia  
  • Julien Dehornoy, CEO, Keolis Downer  
  • Sarfaraz Samnakay, Managing Director and Country Director, Hitachi Rail Australia  
  • Stephen Kakavas, COO Rail and Transit Systems, Downer Group  

For more information or to join the Champions of Change Rail Group.