David Franks is the Chief Executive Officer of Keolis Downer, a leading private provider of multi-modal public transport in Australia, delivering rail, tram, bus, ferry and on-demand services across the country. A seasoned transport professional with over four decades’ experience in the industry, David has held senior executive roles across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.
David previously served as CEO of a UK transport organisation, overseeing national train, tram, coach, and bus services. He went on to lead the Stockholm Metro as CEO, before moving to Ireland to head Iarnród Éireann, the national rail operator, where he focused on improving efficiency and service reliability. David later joined Keolis Downer as CEO, leading its operations across Australia, and subsequently served as Managing Director of Dubai’s Metro and Tram networks before returning to his current role.
Beyond his executive roles, David has contributed to the broader transport sector through governance and advisory positions. He served as a non-executive director of the UK’s Office of Rail and Road and was a member of the British Transport Police Authority. He also chaired the Institution of Railway Operators, where he championed industry best practices and professional development. David has served on the Board of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ) and has also been a member of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) Board. His expertise in transportation planning, operations, and innovation has had a lasting impact on public transport systems globally.
