Jim Meade was appointed Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail in May 2018.  He had previously been Director, Railway Undertaking since 2013 responsible for all passenger and freight services.  

Jim began his railway career as an apprentice fitter in 1979, joining the company as a fitter in Limerick Locomotive Shed upon completion of his apprenticeship in 1983. 

Since then Jim has worked in a range of roles including fleet maintenance management, strategic change programmes, District Manager in Limerick, and Regional Manager in the west of Ireland, before becoming Director of Train Operations. 

 Jim leads the management team in ensuring that the railway is operated and maintained in a manner that prioritises safety for passengers, employees and third parties; provides a quality customer service to all who use the rail network; strengthens the productivity and performance gains that have been achieved in recent years to secure a sustainable financial position; and delivers rail’s contribution in support of the Government of Ireland’s policies on sustainable development.