| Jools Townsend, Chief Executive, Community Rail Network Posted by grahame at 10:38, 23rd April 2026 |     |
Just received ...
Dear Community Rail Network member,
I am writing to let you all know that, with heavy heart, I will be leaving Community Rail Network at the end of June, after nine and a half years in post.
I am so proud of everything we have achieved together over the years, and the incredibly impactful and influential place that the community rail movement has landed in, thanks to the efforts and passion of everyone involved. I know that community rail, and Community Rail Network, has a brilliant future ahead.
However, the time is right for me to move on to pastures new and fresh challenges. I am moving on to become chief executive of the Institute for Social Value, taking an array of enriching experience that I’ve gained influencing a more socially minded and beneficial railway, and growing a national membership organisation. I do hope we will stay in touch and that there will be opportunities to work together again in the future.
continues
I am writing to let you all know that, with heavy heart, I will be leaving Community Rail Network at the end of June, after nine and a half years in post.
I am so proud of everything we have achieved together over the years, and the incredibly impactful and influential place that the community rail movement has landed in, thanks to the efforts and passion of everyone involved. I know that community rail, and Community Rail Network, has a brilliant future ahead.
However, the time is right for me to move on to pastures new and fresh challenges. I am moving on to become chief executive of the Institute for Social Value, taking an array of enriching experience that I’ve gained influencing a more socially minded and beneficial railway, and growing a national membership organisation. I do hope we will stay in touch and that there will be opportunities to work together again in the future.
continues
Searching back on the forum, I'm amazed to find so few references to Jools - only half a dozen public threads. An odd time, on her departure, for me to start a thread, but never mind ...
The time that Jools came on board was the time the organisation moved from ACoRP to CRN, and from its original objectives to the four pillars. As an organisation that was set up in the 90s to get bums on seats on lines that were struggling, it had been so successful that it had worked itself out of the need for that role - look at Barnstaple or Exmouth then, and today.
| Re: Jools Townsend, Chief Executive, Community Rail Network Posted by bobm at 13:58, 3rd July 2026 | |
Just to confirm she left last week. Her replacement, Bill Freeman, starts on 1st August.
| Re: Jools Townsend, Chief Executive, Community Rail Network Posted by grahame at 14:37, 3rd July 2026 | |
From yesterday - where/how is the Community Rail Network looking ahead - my notes
Chris Birks Director of Policy and Communications at the Community Rail Network on the future of CRPs?
Most important people - not in this room?
Success depends on trust, relevance, relation to palce.
78 around country. They are - small community based groups
1300 station adoption groups.
100 community stations.
Partnerships here not just good work but award winning.
Make sure our inputs see through
Insight exists but just does not make its way to where it matters
"feel we can make best impact down at mayoral level". And Community Rail is already there.
"We are already delivering locally".
£18 social value for each £1 spent.
At present - set aside. Moving from "nice to have" to strategic partner.
Just published suite of policy papers - influencing new setups as part of system.
"Let's work together to create a railway that is more responsive"
