RIA Annual Conference 4 - 6 November 2020
Chief Executive’s foreword Now, more than ever, we need a strong rail supply sector to reboot our economy. Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association
At last year’s Annual Conference, giving my speech to a crowded room of members, I launched our annual theme for 2020: “Building customer-focused rail at home and abroad.”
the rail supply sector, the focus on the past few months has been squarely on getting work done in a difficult situation – ensuring passenger and freight rail services could continue to run for key workers and resources, whilst supporting employees and the public to go about their work safely. Along with other parts of the rail industry, RIA members were pivotal in keeping the UK running at a critical time. The industry should be proud of itself for this.
The theme aimed to capture the role of the rail supply sector in the changing industry landscape. “Building customer-focused rail” alluded to the shortly due Williams Rail Review and Network Rail’s restructure, both of which were to herald a new relationship with passengers and freight users, whilst “at home and abroad” sought to highlight the changing relationship the UK would have with international partners post-Brexit. Looking back, it seemed 2020 would the year of new beginnings for the industry, both domestically and internationally.
As we approach the end of 2020, thoughts now turn to what part the railway industry can play in an uncertain future. Some challenges and opportunities remain from last year – we still await the Williams Rail Review, we are yet to leave the EU transition period and the Government is yet to set out its Infrastructure Strategy or its plan for the decarbonisation of transport.
However, 2020 was certainly not the year we expected it to be. The Coronavirus pandemic took us all by surprise, and meant that many political priorities, like industry restructure, were postponed as the Government and UK rail dealt with the immediate situation. For businesses in
22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0)20 7201 0777
But some challenges – and opportunities – are new. We face a world where customer confidence will need to be restored for
2
ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk
