23 Jan 2026

ARISO takes the next steps in building the new rail technical standards body

 

The Chair of the Australian Rail Industry Standards Organisation (ARISO), Dr Gillian Miles has welcomed the appointments of Mr Matt Longland, Mr Steve Butcher, Ms Sally Stannard and Mr Jeroen Weimar, to the ARISO Board.

They join our Independent Chair, Dr Gillian Miles and Independent Directors Dr Tim Kuypers and Tony Braxton-Smith who collectively will form ARISO’s Board for a 2-year transition period from 1 February 2026.

These new appointments mark the implementation of a decision by Members at the AGM in November 2025.  Members recognised and supported ARISO’s transition to be the industry-led national rail standards setting organisation and its strengthened role leading rail standards development, ensuring the adoption of rail standards in driving harmonisation and interoperability across Australia’s rail network. ARISO’s strength is in its ability to bring industry and government together and its new processes will advance safety and productivity outcomes for the rail sector.

Over the next two years, the Board will lead ARISO’s transformation in supporting mandatory standards, leading harmonised standards and supporting local standards where required.

Building the new ARISO is underway, with industry consultation occurring on the design and implementation of a new standard prioritisation framework, focussing ARISO’s work on standards of national importance. Work is also underway to refine our standard development process that will deliver standards with greater authority and technical competence leading the way to greater implementation and harmonisation.

Dr Miles acknowledged the leadership of outgoing Board members Ms Kylie Gallasch, Mr Mark Carling, Ms Genevieve Nix, Mr Scott Cornish, Ms Amy Lezala and Mr Garry Taylor for their commitment to governance excellence, strategic insight, and dedication to the company’s purpose particularly in guiding the company through key decisions and shaping ARISO’s future direction.

“This is a significant next step in shaping and building ARISO starting with the governance and leadership of the organisation as we take on a stronger role in implementation of the national rail standards framework that will focus on greater consistency across the entire network and deliver greater safety and productivity.” Dr Gillian Miles, Chair ARISO

“We’ve started the new year with real momentum, with a new prioritisation framework now at industry consultation and work to refine our standards development process underway.” Alan Fedda, Chief Executive Officer ARISO 

 

Industry Directors

  • Mr Matt Longland – Matt leads Sydney Trains which provides train services throughout the Sydney CBD and metropolitan area. He leads the agency’s focus on patronage growth, increasing customer satisfaction, reduction in peak incidents and improving safety performance. He is a deeply experienced senior executive in transport, infrastructure and planning roles and an experienced company director
  • Mr Steve Butcher – Steve is responsible for the Rail & Transport division of John Holland along with the infrastructure plant and facilities division, with all individual businesses in a fully integrated model that covers train operating companies and track and civil works. Steve is an accomplished and highly experienced Executive and Board Director with extensive knowledge of UK and International rail – transport operations and Customer Service delivery. Through various roles, he managed large scale projects and businesses involving Operations & maintenance for heavy Rail / light Rail / ATO Metro.

Government Directors:

  • Ms Sally Stannard – Sally is the Director General, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). She leads the delivery of transport services and infrastructure, the shaping of current and future transport systems, and management of the Queensland’s transport regulation, marine, and road safety functions. Her leadership includes overseeing the delivery of customer-focused passenger transport services and managing the Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group.
  • Mr Jeroen Weimar – Jeroen is the Secretary, Department of Transport and Planning Victoria (DTP). He leads the Department of Transport and Planning, serving over 7 million Victorians who rely on the state’s roads, buses, trams and trains every day.  Jeroen has overseen the delivery of major network changes, such as the opening of Metro Tunnel and the Westgate Tunnel and implementing once-in-a-generation reforms to Victoria’s transport, planning, and land use systems.