Southeastern Railway’s Post

The rail industry is forever changing and evolving. Last week, we had the chance to hear from industry experts at the RIA Annual Conference about the current state of the UK rail industry and where it is moving. Here are our key takeaways from the event: 👉 The transition to Great British Railways presents an opportunity to fix the railways and take great strides forward in progress. 👉 The industry needs to push the adoption of innovation from the supply chain across all areas of the network. 👉 There is concern surrounding the outlook of the UK Rail Market. A slow start to Control Period 7 and uncertainty surrounding Great British Railways are factors in this. 👉 Increasing diversity in the rail sector starts with better inclusion, company culture and hiring practices. This coupled with having more role models in the industry should help to champion change. Thanks to the Railway Industry Association for organising this insightful event and to everyone who came and met us. We look forward to continuing our conversations.

Australia’s rail industry is transforming. Huge investments are being made to improve safety and productivity with 21st century technologies and major infrastructure projects. To make this happen, the sector needs an extra 70,000 people with both digital and traditional skills and to attract a younger workforce with enthusiasm and innovative ideas. Finding and keeping new generation talent is not easy in today’s competitive labour market. To help develop industry-wide strategies that give rail an edge, the NTC in partnership with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and its Young Leaders Advisory Board (Y-LAB) want to hear from the industry’s younger workers about what attracts them to rail. Where did they first hear about the opportunities rail offers? How can rail better promote itself? And what more can organisation do to convince them to stay? If you’re a young worker, or keen to hear from this up-and-coming cohort join our latest webinar 'Attracting a new generation of rail talent'. Speakers include Ben Cribb from One Rail Australia, Kelly Douglas from Metro Trains Melbourne, James Forrest from John Holland and Charlotte Robinson from Alstom. Register today at https://shorturl.at/6PPp6

A breif post, having just attended the Innovating Rail Through International Collaboration event was really insightful and asked some fundamental questions, Thanks go to Ian Evley for his his chairing the webinar. The event highlighted how vital it is for the UK rail sector—particularly the TOCs, Network Rail, and other key players—to embrace their role in guiding and advising SMEs, especially as we look to welcome suppliers from new and diverse sectors beyond our traditional supply base. But with the support trade associations and the likes of ERCI for example we can aim further and build strong relationship and deliver credible innovaiton. The speakers provided good insights that underscored this need. Gareth Evans from Network Rail offered a strategic perspective on rail development and challenges; Dan Piner from South Western Railway discussed how innovation and collaboration can help address pressing issues faced by TOCs; AJ Cronin shared Irish Rail’s approach to sustainability and infrastructure transformation; Catherine Appleby from Rail Forum focused on connecting innovators with TOCs; and Dirk-Ulrich Krueger, CFA of ERCI showcased the power of European cluster networks to drive cross-sector partnerships. The message was clear: To create meaningful innovation, all players must engage openly, with TOCs and Network Rail positioned as essential facilitators and mentors. This isn’t solely about leveraging existing suppliers; it’s about breaking down barriers to bring in fresh ideas and solutions from a broader range of industries. Now, it’s up to us—the SMEs and suppliers—to take these insights forward. We have the ideas, the ambition to collaborate, and the drive to make rapid progress. This is outcome-driven work that can deliver genuine value for all stakeholders in the rail industry. Not forgetting the importance and guidance of industry leaders and a collective commitment to innovation, we can shape the future of rail with solutions that are as diverse as they are impactful. Really enjoyed it and now for the B2B meetings.... #Innovation #InnovateUK #Networkrail #Railforum #ERCI #BelvoirRail

I’m delighted to be invited to speak at the House of Commons on 14 November for this BITA event. #ConstructionLaw #DisputeResolution #Arbitration #ConstructionDisputes #ContractManagement #ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) #Mediation #ConstructionClaims #ConstructionContracts #ArbitrationLaw #CommercialArbitration #DisputeAvoidance #Litigation #ConstructionIndustry #ClaimsResolution #ArbitrationServices #DisputeManagement

Looking forward to attending the RIA Annual Conference 2024 – A Fresh Start for UK Rail – alongside my colleague, James Brown (Managing Director) Belvoir Rail Ltd. It is a privilege to be participating in our capacities as Vice Chair of the SME Group and representative of the Midlands & East Group respectively, within the Railway Industry Association's special interest groups. As a dedicated supplier to UK rail, I am committed to supporting the SME Group and our Chair, Cath Leech, in voicing the perspectives of SMEs and the broader UK rail supply chain. This conference provides an invaluable platform to gain insights from industry leaders and collaborate on addressing the complex challenges we face in today’s landscape. Key points from the RIA Manifesto 2024: - Publish a long-term rail strategy - Deliver on industry reform - Accelerate new train orders and low-carbon network upgrades - Support a sustainable supply chain - Leverage private investment Seeing how the speakers and leaders attempt to answer these objectives to enable the vision we all need. Looking forward to engaging speakers and discussions, where leadership is needed so suppliers can map and navigate their way forward. Its a great industry, its an innovative sector, with signifciant changes on the horizon. So we need to remain optimisitc and realistic, lets see what is said and rest assured the headlines will be relayed. Not forgetting the opportunity of course, to catch up with friends and colleagues in the industry, which is always a bonus. If your attending, please do touch base. See you there. #RIAConference2024 #UKRail #SMEs #RailSupplyChain

🚆🌟🚆 #ConnectingScotland Yesterday I attended the #Rail #Scotland #Conference, bringing together industry leaders and stakeholders from across Scotland's Railway. Cabinet Secretary for Transport in Scotland, Fiona Hyslop MSP, opened the conference with an emphasis on delivering a #betterfutureforrail, with a strong commitment to contributing to a #netzero future and emphasising their determination to continue to integrate #track and #train seamlessly, ensuring a more efficient and passenger-centric rail system. It was good to hear from Transport Scotland, Network Rail, ScotRail, and other stakeholders discuss Scotland's strategic priorities and future challenges. #Decarbonisation was a central theme, with a clear commitment to replacing diesel trains and promoting sustainable modes of transportation although this is not without its challenges. The focus on enhancing the #passenger #experience makes it clear that Scotland's rail sector is dedicated to delivering a step change in how passengers perceive and interact with rail travel. For future rolling stock procurement the #comfort of the #trainseat and #level #boarding are going to be a focus. In addition to strategic discussions, there were interesting presentations safety highlighting the industry's commitment to ensuring the #wellbeing of both passengers and staff, the importance of fostering a positive #employee experience, and, attracting new #talent to the rail sector emerged as a priority, underscoring the need for a diverse and skilled workforce for the future.   And, last but not least, hearing from the very passionate Heather Waugh advocating for the future of freight and its importance to a greener economy. On a final note, I am also looking forward to travelling on TransPennine Express and trying their new on-board catering offer.  Jools Townsend from Community Rail Network emphasised the integral role of railways in connecting communities, fostering local engagement, and the importance of collaboration between rail operators, local authorities, and community groups in driving positive social impact. Beyond the insightful panel discussions and presentations, the networking opportunities were invaluable. I had the pleasure of connecting with many industry leaders and exploring potential collaborations. Alex Hynes Bill Reeve Greg Larkin Lewis Murray GMICE Anna Gray David Taylor Mark Lawton Alex Dobbie Martin Bignell Angus Thom John MacQuarrie Alex Stewart Magnus Conn

Colas Rail one of the leading providers of rail infrastructure services in Europe, have shared insights from their C-me journey. Thank you Colas Rail UK and Gemma Simmonds for sharing your experience. In their success story, Colas Rail discusses how C-me’s tools helped them improve communication, foster teamwork, and create a more cohesive work environment. The insights gained from the profiling process led to a more inclusive and understanding workplace, driving efficiency and innovation. Read about their story and discover how C-me might help your organisation build stronger teams and boost performance. https://hubs.ly/Q02wmDbr0

Discover our trajectory and in the railway sector in this special feature. #RailwaySector #BusinessStrategy

This week, we attended Mrs Ribera’s hearing at the European Parliament. The Commissioner-designate Mrs Ribera, who is the proposed executive vice-president for clean, just and competitive transition, highlighted some key principles, that resonate deeply with ALLRAIL's mission:   ➡️During her address, Ribera emphasised the importance of fair competition, highlighting that there is no competitiveness without fairness. This aligns with our belief that the rail sector thrives, when fair access, and equal opportunities are guaranteed. Anti-competitive practices, such as exclusionary abuses, must be addressed effectively, to ensure a level playing field.   ➡️Mrs Ribera also emphasised that focusing exclusively on domestic champions, is not the answer. Indeed: ALLRAIL believes that, instead, a broader, Europe-wide approach is essential, to drive growth, and innovation, across the rail sector.   At ALLRAIL, we fully support these perspectives. Rail reforms must put passengers first, by promoting choice, fair competition, and cross-border connectivity for a sustainable and inclusive future.   #EU #CompetitionPolicy #Sustainability 

🚂 Navigating the Future of Rail Talent! The UK's rail industry is at a pivotal crossroads, with the dual tracks of heritage and innovation set to converge. As Heads of Talent, the onus is upon us to steer the sector into a new era of connectivity and sustainable growth. But how do we align the rich history of our railways with the urgent need for a modern, low-carbon network? 🔍 Our latest white paper, "Talent on Track," delves into this conundrum. Faced with an evolving landscape of customer expectations, the climate crisis, and the pressing need for wider connectivity, rail reform isn't just a goal—it's a necessity. Despite supporting over 62,000 full-time jobs and boasting a healthy industry income, our sector stands before an array of challenges—from workforce planning to the integration of STEM skills—all within the throes of digital and green innovation. With government investments ushering in a wave of job creation, it's clear: now is the time to cultivate the talent that will carry us through. Our research indicates a gap—a series of systemic challenges inhibiting the construction of robust talent pipelines needed to propel the rail sector forward. Skills planning has often lacked inclusivity, and as we grapple with diversity and an ageing workforce, the scales of supply and demand risk tipping into troubled waters. 🚀 At Rullion, we embrace these challenges head-on. With decades of experience in shaping the industry's workforce through cycles of transformation, we're poised to share our insights on reskilling, upskilling, and adapting to demographic shifts. Our white paper isn't just a compilation of issues; it's a repository of actionable solutions. These are not quick fixes, but strategic approaches requiring immediate attention. We are championing the deployment of predictive analytics and strategic workforce planning as essential tools for the recruitment of outstanding rail talents, both for permanent roles and contingent workforces. 📥 Download white paper: https://lnkd.in/eDZ9HUWG #RailIndustry #TalentManagement #SustainableGrowth