Debbie Francis has over 30 years of experience, both in the UK and overseas, across a range of industries from IT to infrastructure maintenance to rail. Debbie now has a varied portfolio career as well as running her own consultancy and training practice. Until recently, Debbie was a City Executive for Arcadis after four years as Managing Director of DRS, a rail freight business, and before that, four years as LNW Route Finance and Commercial Director with Network Rail. Debbie continues to consult for Arcadis as well as being Chair of the Lancashire LEP,  Chair of the Harwich Haven Authority, a non-executive Director of Loram UK and a non-executive Director on the board of the MDC Stockport, as well as a Trustee of Pave The Way. She is named in the Top Northern Power Women List, won the 2019 North West & IOM Director of the Year for Inclusivity, and received the 'Woman with Edge' award - which recognises businesswomen who challenge the status quo - at the 2019 Women of the Year awards. She was recently awarded an OBE for services to women in rail.