One of the Midlands' leading specialist rail sector lawyers and a partner in the Commerce & Technology Group at law firm Nelsons, Michelle Craven, has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the Derby and Derbyshire Railway Forum (DDRF).
Established in 1993 and incorporated as a limited company this year, the DDRF is a business led association which aims to promote Derbyshire's expertise as a world class centre of rail excellence. There are in the region of one hundred members of the DDRF which include Bombardier Transportation UK Limited, Collis Engineering Limited, East Midlands Trains, Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited and many more.
Chairman of the DDRF, Colin Walton of Bombardier Transportation UK says: "I am particularly pleased that Michelle has accepted the position of Vice-Chair of the Forum. Michelle has been a dedicated member of the Forum's Executive for some time and always has the best interests of the members at heart. I know that she is looking forward to the challenge of the role, especially now that we are a limited company and in this extremely challenging time for our members in the current difficult financial climate."
Michelle Craven has been a member of the executive board since May 2007. She also provides advice and support to DDRF members in relation to changes in legislation and Government policy that directly affect the industry in the form of seminars and practice notes which are published on the DDRF's website.
Commenting on her appointment as Vice-Chair, she says: "Derby enjoys an international reputation of excellence in railway consultancy, design, engineering and manufacture and has the capacity to supply rail solutions for every size of project. It is a great honour to be asked to accept the vice chair appointment and play a key role in these difficult times in promoting the world class rail capability which its members have to offer."
