The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has appointed experienced regulatory leader Paul Smith as its new Chief Executive, bringing expertise from the aviation, energy and payments sectors as the organisation prepares for significant change across rail and roads.
Smith joins ORR from strategic regulatory and competition advisory firm Fingleton, having previously spent six years at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
His appointment comes as ORR continues its role in supporting rail reform while preparing to take on new responsibilities relating to England’s strategic road network.
Regulatory experience across major infrastructure sectors
Smith brings extensive experience of economic regulation, consumer protection and regulatory policy in the UK and Australia.
At the CAA, he was a board member, Director of the Consumers and Markets group and joint interim Chief Executive.
His responsibilities included leading the economic regulation of major airports and the CAA’s consumer protection team, while he was also part of the executive team responsible for aviation safety and security.
That combination of economic, consumer and safety regulation provides relevant experience for ORR, whose rail responsibilities similarly span economic regulation, infrastructure oversight, competition and health and safety.
ORR Chair Declan Collier said: “Paul is an outstanding appointment for ORR. He has an impressive track record of leading regulatory organisations and shaping policy in sectors that are critical to the economy and to the public.
“His experience, judgement and collaborative leadership style make him exceptionally well placed to lead ORR at a time of significant change and opportunity across the rail and road sectors.
“Paul joins us at a pivotal time for ORR and the wider transport sector, as we continue to support rail reform and take on important new responsibilities in relation to England’s strategic road network. His experience will be invaluable as we deliver for passengers, road users, industry and taxpayers.”
Experience of regulatory change
Before joining the CAA, Smith was Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Market Commission, where he worked with government ministers and companies across Australia and was involved in developing significant regulatory changes for the country’s energy markets.
He has also served as Head of Policy and Regulatory Strategy at the Payment Systems Regulator, leading market reviews and policy initiatives intended to increase the sector’s focus on consumer needs.
Smith moved from the CAA to Fingleton in 2024.
He said: “I thank the Board for its confidence in me and am excited to be taking up this role especially at such an interesting time of change for ORR.
“ORR’s people are highly respected across the transport and regulatory sectors, and its work has an impact on millions of passengers, road users and businesses every day. I am excited to join the organisation to further this work and help ORR play its full role in rail reform, in the effective oversight of England’s strategic roads, and in continuing ORR’s current transformation journey.
“I am looking forward to meeting colleagues across the organisation and the many stakeholders engaged with ORR’s work. I am keen to listen, learn and collaborate to help ORR deliver its important public service mission.”
Rail reform puts focus on ORR’s future role
For the rail industry, the appointment comes during a period in which both the structure of the railway and the regulatory environment surrounding it are evolving.
That makes Smith’s experience of overseeing regulated infrastructure and managing regulatory change particularly relevant as ORR works through how its responsibilities operate alongside a reformed railway.
Collier also thanked Feras Alshaker, who has been leading ORR on an interim basis.
He said: “I’d also like to thank Feras Alshaker for his excellent continuing leadership as Interim Chief Executive, and I know he and Paul will ensure a smooth and well-supported transition.”
Smith takes charge of a regulator with responsibilities spanning rail safety, infrastructure performance, efficiency, competition and consumer interests, alongside its highways functions.
His arrival therefore represents more than a leadership change for ORR. It comes as the regulator itself continues to evolve, with the effectiveness of its oversight remaining an important part of how accountability is maintained through the next phase of change across Britain’s rail industry.
