Three events over three weeks, challenging how the industry can deliver a more effective railway. Meeting today’s challenges with radical, practical, and
positive ideas.
Britain is facing significant economic, social and affordability challenges. Traditional approaches to how we think, plan and manage our railway may no longer be sufficient to deliver an effective, resilient railway fit for today’s needs and tomorrow’s aspirations.
These three events questioned how we operate our rail network to incentivise, innovate and engage more effectively with rail’ users, funders and stakeholders. We examined what ‘recalibrating our railways’ means through the lens of three different perspectives:
• economic growth & productivity
• connecting & sustaining communities
• serving Britain’s rail passenger markets
Birmingham, Tuesday 03 October
We kicked off our 'Recalibrating Britain’s Railways' event series live from the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham. This session put the spotlight on what Britain's economic and growth challenges mean for the shape and use of the network. Find out more and watch the event recording.
Manchester, Wednesday 11 October
The second event in our 'Recalibrating Britain's Railways' event series took us north to Manchester. Moving on to communities, the Manchester part of our 'Recalibrating Britain's Railways' event series explored what role the current rail network can play in developing new and more sustainable communities. Find out more and watch the event recording.
London, Wednesday 18 October
The third and final event of our 'Recalibrating Britain's Railways' series was held at King's Place, London, and focused on how the industry can best realise the unique opportunity it has to grow industry revenue to reduce the affordability challenge to taxpayers. Find out more and watch the event recording.
Britain has a record of slow economic growth and productivity rates behind those of its competitors. Any Government is likely to have sustainable and equitable growth as a primary objective in their strategy for the country. The railway needs to be fit and effective to support that goal and demonstrate assured delivery. Traditional railway goals and approaches may no longer be sufficient to a changing Britain.
Hosted by Mike Goggin, Director, Steer
Andrew Haines, CEO, Network Rail
Chief Executive of Network Rail, leading the 40,000+ colleagues across the UK to build and maintain a railway Britian can be proud of.
Alistair Gordon, CEO, Keolis UK & Eire
CEO of Keolis UK since 2010, successfully bidding for and operating some of the UKs busiest and iconic public transport networks including Manchester Metrolink, London Docklands and the Wales and Borders rail franchise.
Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General, Rail Freight Group
Director General of the Rail Freight Group, working to promote growth in rail freight and to support member companies of the Group in their activities.
Mal Drury-Rose, Executive Director Rail, West Midlands Rail Executive
More than 30 years’ rail experience, having held senior roles with Virgin Trains, First Great Western, National Express, the Rail Delivery Group and having spent more than ten years as Head of Rail with the Welsh Government.
Britain’s transport system seeks to connect communities and people with employment, education, health and wellbeing opportunities. But what is the optimal role for rail within that transport system? How should we prioritise finite resources and energies to best effect? What contribution can the existing rail network make to delivering new and more sustainable communities?
Hosted by Richard Harper, Director and Rail Lead, Steer.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner, Greater Manchester
Senior executive and leader in the transport and financial services industries with a deep knowledge of customer service innovation, communication, stakeholder engagement, people leadership, change/transformation, technology/data, local and national politics and city/urban planning.
Tricia Williams, COO and Managing Director (designate), Northern
Leads the team responsible for the safe day-to-day operation of Northern’s trains, stations, engineering and control. Improving journeys for customers is her key focus.
Dan Coles, Director, Community Rail Network
Specialising in Stakeholder Management, Community Engagement, and corporate communications, with over ten years’ experience at Network Rail.
Martin Tugwell, CEO, Transport for the North
20 years experience working as a senior member of corporate management teams in complex environments at national and local level. A specialist in transport and infrastructure planning whose strategic vision provides nationally recognised leadership.
Paul McMahon, Director, Planning & Regulation, Network Rail
How can industry best realise the unique opportunity it has to grow industry revenue to reduce the affordability challenge to taxpayers? What will the rail passengers expect of a competitive and attractive mode? How can potential markets for the railway best be identified and served?
Hosted by Hugh Jones, CEO, Steer
Mark Hopwood, MD, Great Western Railway
Chaired the UK rail industry National Task Force and sits on the Rail Delivery Group Planning and Production Board. Mark was awarded a CBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Railway Operators.
Helen Hamlin, Chief Network Operator of Network Rail
Chief Network Operator for Network Rail responsible for helping route and regional colleagues deliver daily for our customers. Providing coordination and leadership from our response to weather, to day-to-day operations through the Network Operating Centre (NOC) and strategic activities to keep improving performance.
Geoff Hobbs, Director of Public Transport Service Planning, Transport for London
Director of public transport service planning for Transport for London covering London Underground, London buses, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and trams. Responsible for planning, development and justification of ideas to improve TfL’s services.
Suzanne Donnelly, Revenue Programme Director, GBRTT
With 16 years of rail experience, Suzanne’s main focus lies in the development of customer focused, competitive commercial strategies, and products to grow customer volumes, spend and drive modal shift from less sustainable modes of air and car.
David Sidebottom, Director, Transport Focus
Consumer advocate with widespread experience in statutory watchdog organisations. David has extensive leadership and change management experience within both the private and public sectors.
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