Chief Operating Officer Johnny Schute OBE to retire in April 2026

Johnny joined RSSB in 2018 and has played a central role in shaping and delivering RSSB’s technical mission. As Chief Operating Officer, he has led our organisation’s work across a broad portfolio, including railway standards, safety strategy, rail research, sustainability, the futures lab, and the business management office. 

Throughout his time with us at RSSB, Johnny has brought deep operational expertise, strategic insight, and a collaborative spirit to some of the most complex and critical challenges facing Britain’s railway. 

Commenting on Johnny’s upcoming retirement, Mark Phillips, Chief Executive of RSSB, said: 

‘It has been a privilege to have Johnny working alongside me for the past seven years. He has brought expertise, energy, focus and good humour to our work and the transformation of RSSB into an important and highly respected technical body supporting Britain’s rail industry. We wish Johnny well in his future retirement.’

Johnny’s career began in the British Army, where he served for 35 years in various senior operational and leadership roles. Before joining RSSB, he held senior posts at the Office of Rail and Road focusing on safety, regulation, and performance. 

Johnny, commenting on his time at RSSB and in the rail sector said: 

‘After a full military career serving across many operational theatres, I have been privileged to spend 10 fascinating and stimulating years in the rail sector. The last seven have been at RSSB which could not have been more professionally rewarding and enjoyable, working with an outstanding team dedicated to making rail safer and better. I will miss both colleagues and friends, and I look forward to observing—as an active rail user—the continued progress of RSSB and the rail industry in their ongoing journey of reform and modernisation.’

Thank you Johnny, from everyone at RSSB.