RIA Update 109

Update

109

Summer 2019

London Transport Chief: Rail must do more to represent those it serves Florence Eshalomi AM, Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, has called for the rail industry to better represent the people it serves. She made the statement at the RIA and Young Rail Professionals TrailBlazers Reception at the KIA Oval Cricket Ground on 11 July.

The Reception brought together existing rail industry leaders with leaders of the future from a wide range of backgrounds to network, learn from each other and discuss diversity and skills in the sector. The day included a pre-reception workshop, speeches from Ms Eshalomi, RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan and National Chair of Young Rail Professionals David Westcough, and networking at one of the UK’s landmark sporting venues.

L - R: David Westcough, Young Rail Professionals National Chair, London Assembly Transport Committee Chair Florence Eshalomi AM & Darren Caplan, Chief Executive, RIA

Ms Eshalomi said that the industry needed “to invest in the next generation of staff and challenge the perceptions that the rail and transport sector is only for men by encouraging more females and other underrepresented groups to study STEM subjects”.

The Reception was preceded by a workshop, the findings of which will be developed into a Diversity Guide to be published at RIA’s Annual Conference.

RIA wins Conference of the Year Award & launches its 2019 edition The award judges said: “RIA’s Annual Conference ticked all the boxes for the TAF Best Practice Awards Conference of the Year. The judges were particularly impressed with the very measurable strategic approach and the inclusive nature of the event. RIA are continually raising the bar with their events in general and winning this award is in recognition of this."

The award win marks the second consecutive year RIA has taken home the prize and came as RIA launches its 2019 Annual Conference.

This year, the Annual Conference will take place over two days on 7 and 8 November, with a great line up of political and industry speakers. For the first time, there will also be an awards dinner on the evening of 7 November.

Team RIA collecting the award at the Trade Association Best Practice Awards [Read more on page 7] RIA was presented with the Conference of the Year Award at the Trade Association Forum Awards on 9 July.

RIA received the accolade for its Annual Conference held in October 2018 which brought together RIA member companies of all sizes with clients, political decision makers, and influencers for a day of informative discussions and networking.

22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

1

Sir Patrick McLoughlin: Next PM must back HS2

The former Transport Secretary and Chief Whip Sir Patrick McLoughlin MP has given a message to all Tory leadership candidates: that if they want to be Prime Minister, they must back HS2.

Sir Patrick made the remarks while on a site visit to key rail suppliers in Derby, as part of the Rail Fellowship Programme, with the visit organised in partnership with Rail Forum Midlands (RFM).

He visited the rail manufacturer Bombardier and received a tour of the production lines on site. He also went to the Network Rail East Midlands Control Centre and was shown how the control centre operates and the recently completed Derby Resignalling Project.

Sir Patrick McLoughlin (right) with Phil Hufton, Bombardier on the Rail Fellowship Programme visit

ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

A busy time for developments impacting the rail supply sector Dear colleagues,

Deal. And, Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald is this Update's guest writer see opposite.

Hope you’re well and enjoying the summer. It is fair to say that since the last Update in April, it has been a particularly busy time of developments impacting on the rail supply sector.

However, first we should remember the tragic events in Wales on 3 July, resulting in two fatalities on the railway. It brings in to sharp focus the need to maintain the UK’s strong safety record; and RIA will support Network Rail’s new Safety Task Force as it does its work in the weeks and months ahead.

All of us in the rail supply sector send our condolences to those affected.

Q2 2019 has been an eventful time for the rail industry.

We have seen the commencement of CP6, the delivery phase of Network Rail’s devolution plans kick-started, further announcements from and submissions to the Williams Review, further pressure from Government to deliver a more decarbonised and digitalised rail network, controversies around major rail projects like HS2 and Crossrail in trade and mainstream media, and contestability and Market Led Proposals rising up the agenda again.

We have seen developments around British Steel and the accompanying supply chain hitting headlines, as well as bearing directly on an organisation which is a valued RIA member.

On top of this, one Prime Minister, Theresa May, has resigned and a new one, Boris Johnson, taken over. And, at the time of writing, a radical Cabinet and front bench Government reshuffle is set to take place which could see a change in Transport Secretary and Ministers in – amongst others – the Departments for Transport, Industrial Strategy, International Trade and, of course, the Treasury. All departments which set the context for rail and the supply community. Oh yes; and then there’s Brexit. RIA will continue to do all we can to help you, our members, navigate this issue-rich political environement.

• Making significant progress on decarbonisation and digitalisation with the publication of the Long Term Deployment Plan for Digital Railway and the Rail Industry Decarbonisation Report, as well as spearheading a new ‘Rail Innovation Family’, where RIA, together with the Birmingham Centre for Rail Research & Education / Rail Alliance, and Rail Forum Midlands have all pledged to work collaboratively in the innovation space.

• Pushing forward with our Exports activity, a full programme of Outbound missions and Inbound visits; we provided a Meet the Commercial Officers service at Railtex involving an impressive 133 meetings, 14 Department for International Trade (DIT) representatives and 51 companies; we also presented to the Rail Baltica Global Forum.

• And, Q2 2019 has seen the Operations team add some 20 new members, and we are now on 293 members (compared to 190 in 2017. And on the events front, we are particularly excited at winning the Trade Association Forum’s ‘Conference of the Year’ Award for RIA’s Annual Conference 2018. Don’t forget to book your tickets for the Conference 2019, on 7-8 November. More details on Page 7.

Team RIA… We have some news on the personnel front. Sadly for RIA, Membership Engagement Manager Monica Barbosa is leaving us to join RIA members X-Rail as Director of Business Development & Communications, though we should say congratulations to both Monica and the team at X-Rail! Monica has been fantastic for us, working with the membership, helping to deliver our new SME ‘Inclusive Membership Level’ and recruit new members, and spearheading our sponsorship activity.

On a positive note we are strengthening our Exports function, with Amalia Murray, who is currently Operations Executive, set to spend 20% of her time working on Exports activity. She becomes ‘Operations & Exports Executive’.

Finally, I would like pay tribute to the team for its participation in the Big Rail Diversity Challenge, in Newark last month. We may have finished joint 54th out of 61 teams, but this beat last year’s effort where we came second last. And the Diversity Dance off was second to none!

All this and more can be found in the Update. Enjoy, and have a good summer.

Darren Caplan, RIA Chief Executive

What we’ve been up to This quarter's Update is jam-packed full of details on what RIA has been doing on the Public Affairs & Policy, Exports, Technical & Innovation and Events & Information fronts. It is not possible to cover all the activities here, but some key highlights include: • Continuing to meet with key political decision makers and influencers, including BEIS Minister Andrew Stephenson MP, independent Rail Review Chair Keith Williams, ORR’s new Chairman Declan Collier and Interim Chief Executive John Larkinson and Henrik Hololei, Director-General for Mobility & Transport (DG MOVE). Our Public Affairs & Policy team continue to make considerable progress on 'boom and bust' spending profiles, the visibility of enhancements, campaigning for major projects and the Rail Sector 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

2

ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Rail can lead transport green revolution Each Update, RIA publishes a Guest Editorial from a key industry figure. This quarter, we hear from Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald MP Four months into Control Period 6 and I know many companies across the UK rail supply chain are concerned about the lack of clarity around the Government’s new approach to rail enhancements. I’m aware some suppliers have warned this has ‘reduced visibility of actual upcoming work’ and made ‘planning and efficient delivery’ harder.

Rail Investment It’s yet another short-term manoeuvre from the Department for Transport which is at odds with any sort of long term thinking or strategy for rail. It adds a totally inappropriate level of political oversight into the rail enhancement process. It goes against the calls from the Railway Industry Association to end the feast and famine approach to rail infrastructure investment.

In contrast, Labour’s plans for rail will ensure a guiding mind for the industry to ensure that all enhancements are integrated into, and mapped across, our strategic plan. We will extend control periods to seven years and make them rolling plans, reviewed and re-set to provide a renewed seven year planning horizon for the industry after, at latest, five years. In addition, we will set out a 30 to 40-year long-term vision for the railway, enshrining the programme for operations, maintenance and enhancements. Central to our approach will be decarbonising rail to meet Britain’s climate change objectives.

Tackling Climate Change This is particularly urgent because transport is the UK’s single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and the 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

worst-performing sector when it comes to reducing carbon emissions.

Earlier this year I announced that the next Labour government will align the priorities of the Department for Transport with our commitment to tackle climate change. I will want to see the Department set a carbon budget consistent with the aspirations of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Each sector – rail, road, aviation and maritime – will have carbon reduction targets in line with that departmental budget.

“

Labour’s plans for rail will ensure a guiding mind for the industry to ensure that all enhancements are integrated into, and mapped across, our strategic plan.

”

RIA members will recognise that the greening of transport, particularly rail, is an industrial opportunity. That’s why the next Labour government intends to drive a Green Industrial Revolution. Transport, and the railway in particular, was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. And so those greenest forms of transport with the railway at the forefront, are critical to our plans for a Green Industrial Revolution.

For example, we will instigate a rolling programme to progressively electrify the railway. I commend the RIA report earlier this year which showed that very substantial cost reductions to

3

electrification can be achieved. It’s vital that the industry moves from the present stop-start approach to electrification to a continuous programme which can reduce costs by nearly a half as well as building skills, knowledge and capacity.

Network Rail & Rail Review I was pleased to see Network Rail now has a plan to have a third of its work delivered by small and medium sized enterprises by 2022. I very much hope the new devolved structure will help local and regional firms.

More broadly, as we await the recommendations from the government’s rail review there’s a near universal consensus that the structure of UK rail needs to change. That means achieving a cross-party long-term vision for the railway, which I do think is achievable, even if there may be differences in view on the route to getting there.

About Andy McDonald MP Andy McDonald was elected in a by-election for the Middlesbrough Constituency on 29 November 2012 and re-elected to serve as MP in the General Election on 7th May 2015, and again on 8th June 2017. He was born in Middlesbrough where he still lives with his wife Sally. Before his election to Parliament, he was a partner in Thompson’s Solicitors leading on Catastrophic Injury cases. He has chaired two local charities: The Davison Trust supporting children with special needs and the Teesside Branch of Headway, helping the survivors of brain injuries. He was appointed as Shadow Rail Minister in January 2015 and as Shadow Transport Secretary in July 2016. ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Public Affairs & Policy Rail Fellowship Programme sees MPs welcomed to member sites RIA’s Rail Fellowship Programme continues to go from strength to strength as a series of visits take place, showing MPs the value of rail supply in the UK. Visits so far this year include Treasury Select Committee Chair Nicky Morgan MP visiting Loughborough University to see the Repoint project, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone visiting the new Caledonian Sleeper locomotives at Alstom’s Wembley Depot, Sir Patrick McLoughlin visiting Bombardier, Network Rail and Porterbrook in Derby and Shadow BEIS Minister Chi Onwurah MP visiting Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe site.

There are a number of visits planned too including with Shadow Rail Minister Rachael Maskell in York and Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson Baroness Randerson.

Shadow BEIS Minister Chi Onwurah MP meets apprentices at Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe

Progress on ‘boom & bust’ funding

Following the Transport Select Committee’s recommendations last year, a programme of Roundtable meetings has been initiated with DfT, ORR, and NR with the aim of smoothing the renewals profile.

RIA will be producing a briefing pack, agreed by stakeholders, for presentation to the Treasury. This will: • Show the impact of boom and bust on the industry; and • Suggest possible solutions, such as establishing a baseline level of renewals for each Control Period (CP) once the relevant SoFA has been agreed, or a rigorously policed ring-fenced fund in each CP for design and development work for the subsequent one.

RIA meets with new BEIS Minister to discuss Sector Deal

Delivery Organisations have now been identified for each of the four Sector Deal pillars. Darren James (Costain) is Industry Champion for the Sustainable Industry pillar, for which RIA is the key delivery body. There is an outline programme RIA met with new BEIS Minister Andrew for 2019, with a view to commence Stephenson MP on 1 July to discuss the implementation from Summer onwards.

Rail Sector Deal and priorities for the The full delivery team will be meeting rail industry. The Sector Deal is making in mid-July to identify workstream strong progress. Industry Champions and leads. As part of that, we will be continuing the Rail Supply Group’s work to develop and launch a balanced scorecard for rail procurement to be used across the industry. SME development and integration will also be a core element of the delivery plan.

Neil Ridley has now been appointed to manage the programme. He is setting up a meeting with all pillar delivery leads to ensure consistency and share best practice across the L-R: David Clarke & Peter Loosley from RIA, BEIS Minister Andrew programme.

Stephenson and Darren Caplan, RIA 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

4

RIA responds to Williams Speech RIA responded to Independent Chair Keith Williams’ speech announcing the five key areas his Rail Review will look at.

These areas are: • A new passenger offer; • Simplified fares and ticketing; • A new industry structure; • A new commercial model; • A focus on people.

RIA’s Chairman David Tonkin said that the “supply sector is essential if we are to deliver the future rail improvements our network needs, and to do so, the industry will require a consistent and visible profile of work and long-term policy certainty over infrastructure and rolling stock investment.”

David Tonkin and RIA’s Chief Executive Darren Caplan met with WIlliams ahead of the speech on 2 July. ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

RIA meets with EU Director-General for Mobility RIA met with Henrik Hololei, DirectorGeneral for Mobility and Transport at the EU Commission on 3 July. The meeting was organised by UK Transport in Europe (UKTiE) and was used as an opportunity to maintain a regular dialogue with key stakeholders in Brussels on future trade relations post Brexit.

The discussion covered the role of the UK rail industry following our departure

from the EU, the sustainability of the transport sector, RIA’s Snr Policy Manager Damian Testa (left) and Chief Executive Darren Caplan digitalisation and infrastructure (right) with Director-General Henrik Hololei (centre) capacity. deal’ planning. RIA continues to work On Brexit, in recognition of this closely with the DfT and BEIS on this, not fluid situation, RIA is continuing to least to inform the Government’s own send members regular emails to keep planning. In the coming months, RIA will them informed of developments on the continue to meet DfT regularly to review negotiations and to update the industry their ‘no deal’ Brexit preparations. on the progress of the Government’s ‘no

Six events planned London Roundtable RIA presents to for Party Conference sees rail issues in the APPG and Transport Capital discussed Committee season RIA is partnering with High Speed Rail Industry Leaders and Rail Delivery Group to hold six events at Labour Party Conferences this year.

On the Sundays, there will be the Rail Interviews with Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald MP (at Labour) and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling (at Conservative). The Guardian’s Transport Correspondent Gwyn Topham will interview both, and the events are supported by ABB, Angel Trains, Porterbrook, Siemens and VolkerWessels.

On the Mondays, there will be panel discussions during the day and receptions in the evening, with a range of key politicians invited to speak. There are still opportunities to sponsor the two Rail Interview events - to find out the benefits of sponsorship, please contact Max Sugarman (details to the right).

On 7 May, RIA held a regional roundtable in London with key industry leaders and politicians in attendance.

Speakers included incoming and outgoing London Assembly Transport Committee Chairs Florence Eshalomi AM and Caroline Pidgeon AM (respectively), TfL Director of Major Projects Stuart Harvey, London Underground Managing Director Nigel Holness and Crossrail Chief Executive Mark Wild.

The session included discussion of how the rail industry can deliver planned rail projects, including finishing Crossrail, HS2, Crossrail 2 and the Deep Tube Programme. Nigel Holness also spoke about London Underground’s work with RIA on developing a Standards Challenge whereby suppliers can question technical standards they deem as onerous.

A key topic that came up was the need for greater diversity in the industry.

RIA has presented to the Transport Select Committee on 21 May and to the All Party Parliamentary Rail Group on 9 July, speaking about electrification and 'boom and bust' in the rolling stock market.

Contact our Policy & Public Affairs team Peter Loosley Policy Director peter.loosley@riagb.org.uk

Damian Testa Senior Policy Manager damian.testa@riagb.org.uk

Max Sugarman Senior Public Affairs & PR Manager max.sugarman@riagb.org.uk

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling at last year’s Conservative Party Conference Rail Interview event

22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

Crossrail Chief Executive Mark Wild speaks to attendees at the RIA London Roundtable

5

Contact us on +44 (0)20 7201 0777 www.riagb.org.uk ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Why Britain needs HS2 In a guest article, Deb Carson, Head of Operations at High Speed Rail Industry Leaders (HSRIL) sets out the organisation’s new report, Why Britain needs HS2.

Our latest report, Why Britain needs HS2, details how HS2 will address the north-south divide - by tackling the significant disparities in wealth and opportunity between the UK’s cities and regions.

Without HS2 the country has no strategy to dismantle the north-south divide. The HSRIL report sets out beyond question how HS2 will bring the country back together.

The key findings of the report include: • HS2 will bring Britain’s towns and cities closer together; reducing the 40% productivity gap between London and the north; • Business connectivity figures show benefits from HS2 range from 19-23% in the city regions of the North and Midlands, compared to only a 9% improvement for London.

compared with flying the same route, even with today’s electrical power generation mix. When electrical power generation is fully decarbonised, this will be 100%; • HS2 is crucial to tackling the capacity crunch on our north-south railways – every time it is assessed, HS2 comes out as the most effective and affordable way to do so. In addition HS2 frees up capacity on existing railway lines, with at least 22 towns and cities benefitting from better rail services, in addition to the 25 places on HS2’s line of route; • Cutting HS2 would cost thousands of jobs – 9000 people work on the project already, with tens of thousands more set to do so.

“

About HSRIL

Pitting HS2 against Northern Powerhouse Rail is a false choice – HS2 itself delivers a key part of the NPR ambition; choosing between them would be akin to choosing between the M1 and M62.

HSRIL was established several years ago as a business and industry expert voice to promote the far-reaching benefits of high-speed rail and its role in securing sustained economic growth in the UK. The group continues to actively seek new members to support its wide and varied programme of activity.

Membership provides the opportunity to engage with key rail influencers and decision makers, attend events with ministers, senior government officials, MPs, mayors, council leaders as well as the HS2 leadership, wider rail industry, Network Rail and projects including Northern Powerhouse Rail and Midlands Connect.

”

• Cancelling HS2 would jeopardise city strategies and investments (for example Birmingham and Leeds) that are currently predicated on HS2; • Dozens more towns benefit than may be realised – some 47 towns and cities are either on HS2 line-of-route or will get better rail services using capacity released on the existing network; • Pitting HS2 against Northern Powerhouse Rail is a false choice – HS2 itself delivers a key part of the NPR ambition; choosing between them would be akin to choosing between the M1 and M62; • The costs are affordable and good value – at just 0.4% of public spending and a comparable cost to the fuel duty freeze; • HS2 is essential to achieving net zero emissions and tackling the climate emergency – a two hour high-speed rail journey results in 90% reduction in CO2 emissions 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

HSRIL’s new report, Why Britain needs HS2, can be found at: www.rail-leaders.com/whybritain-needs-hs2 To find out more about how to join HSRIL visit: www.rail-leaders.com/ membership Or contact Deb Carson: deborah.carson@ greengauge21.net

6

ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

RIA launches award-winning Annual Conference RIA’s award-winning Annual Conference is back, and this time will be held over two days in November.

The Annual Conference - RIA’s flagship event - will this year take place at the Hilton London Bankside on 7-8 November.

The Conference will see a number of high profile industry leaders speak, including (those listed are confirmed unless otherwise stated): • Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP (invited) • Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald MP • Andrew Haines, Chief Executive, Network Rail • Keith Williams, Independent Chair, Rail Review (invited) • Mark Wild, Chief Executive, Crossrail • Ruth Hannant and Polly Payne, Directors-General for Rail Group, Department for Transport

22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

• Anthony Smith, Chief Executive, Transport Focus • Barry White, Chief Executive, Transport for the North • Philip Hoare, President, SNC Lavalin Atkins and Rail Supply Group Chair • Noel Travers, Managing Director, Unipart Rail • Anna Ince, Chief Executive Officer, Resonate • Caroline Murdoch, Director Corporate Communications, Network Rail • Kaspars Brisken, Head of Business Development, Rail Baltica • And many more!

This year’s Conference focuses on the theme of “Building customer-focused rail, at home and abroad”. For the first time, RIA’s Annual Conference programme will run over two days, combining keynote speeches, panel discussions, interview sessions and unique networking

7

opportunities as well as providing the chance to meet with key industry leaders.

We are inviting several international speakers, including representatives from the Baltic States, Sweden and Turkey, to introduce a stronger global approach.

There will also be an Awards Dinner & Entertainment evening on 7 November, hosted by the well-known travel writer and broadcaster Simon Calder. The inaugural RISE Awards, celebrating Railway Industry Supplier Excellence, will showcase the achievements of RIA’s supply chain members in a range of categories.

You can book your place today by visiting:

www.riagb.org.uk/AC1911 Early bird tickets are available, but with limited availablitly - so we'd recommend booking soon!

ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Exports RIA presents to Rail Baltica Global Forum RIA in partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT) in the Baltics arranged a rail mission to the Rail Baltica Global Forum along with a networking reception on 3 & 4 April for 12 UK suppliers.

The forum comprised a political and a separate rail suppliers day event in Vilnius (Lithuania) showcasing the potential opportunities from Rail Baltica. The forum addressed important The Rail Baltica Global Forum attracted around 700 attendees on 3 & 4 April 2019 questions such as the financing of the EU flagship infrastructure projects and the discussion on developing business partnerships with the future management model of the Rail Baltica infrastructure railway industry in Europe along with six other European Rail programme.

Trade Associations. Other speakers included Henrik Hololei, The forum helped suppliers identify key procurement Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European milestones and updates on a number of key projects, with a Commission and Saulius Skvernelis, Prime Minister of Lithunia. selection of studies and upcoming tenders discussed on the All 23 presentations from the event are available to RIA Suppliers Stage. RIA's Export Director took part in a panel Members and held on the Members Export Community page.

Sector Deal Update

RIA continues to work as the delivery arm of the Rail Supply Group Sector Deal exports pillar, which is being led

by Exports Sector Deal Champion Noel Travers, Managing Director of Unipart Rail.

The overall aim of the Exports workstream is to double export performance by 2025, through: • A UK rail supply chain capability map to identify strengths and weaknesses; • An analysis of overseas opportunities, barriers and to provide local market rail sector overviews; and • An export mentoring and secondment programme.

RIA is running an Exports Survey and would be grateful if Members could ensure someone from within their 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

organisation completes the online survey, accessible via www.response.questback. com/railwayindustryassociation/ rsgexports2019 The Exports Pillar have identified a need to appoint an Exports Sector Deal Coordinator (secondee) to undertake some specific roles for the pillar. This is to initially help kickstart some of the focused research we need to undertake in a short space of time, linked to the UK supply chain and overseas mapping.

The role is aimed at someone relatively early in their career looking for a project to undertake or a dynamic graduate, with some rail export knowledge or interest.

A job description has been developed and we are looking to industry to nominate an appropriate candidate from within for this great development role, initially for 2 or 3 days a week for six months. Please contact Neil Walker if you are interested.

8

RIA Team join DIT’s Expert Group RIA’s Exports Director Neil Walker and Senior Policy Manager Damian Testa have been invited to join the DIT’s Transport Services Expert Trade Advisory Group on behalf of the rail sector. The group will formalise engagement between government and the transport services sector providing an expert forum for dialogue on matters relating to international trade with the rest of the world.

Neil and Damian will rotate attendance at the group’s meetings depending on their scheduales and expertise requirements. The aim of the group is to provide expert, independent advice on the development and delivery of relevant elements of UK trade policy. ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

133 meetings were booked over two days at Railtex’s ‘Meet the DIT Commerical Officer’ run by RIA

‘Meet the DIT Commercial Officer’ at Railtex is big success As part of RIA’s range of activity at Railtex, working with DIT, RIA arranged short one-to-one meetings for Members and UK Suppliers with the 13 visiting DIT Commercial Officers, whom all cover rail in their home markets.

Upcoming Activity AusRail Plus

UK rail suppliers are invited to sign up to exhibit on a RIA arranged UK Pavilion at AusRail PLUS 2019. The event (www. ausrail.com) is Australia’s leading railway exhibition and conference and takes place this year in Sydney between 3 – 5 December. It will be supported by 12 DIT Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) grants worth £2,000 per UK SME company.

It is the Australasian rail event, supported by the major Australasian rail associations including: ARA (which RIA has now signed a partnership agreement with), RTAA, IRSE and RTSA.

IREE, 2019

RIA is working to potentially arrange a mini mission to India and to form a UK Pavilion at the International Railway Equipment Exhibition (IREE 2019), Asia’s 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

Over 2 days, 133 meetings were booked by 54 companies with DIT officers from Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, India, Ireland, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and UAE. A number of attendees spoke about

how valuable they found the sessions.

If Members wish to be introduced by email to any of the DIT officers, please contact RIA’s Export Director Neil Walker to find out how you can take advantage of this new partnership.

largest event for rail, held on 22 - 24 October 2019 in New Delhi.

IREE is being held concurrently with the confederation of Indian Industry organised 4th edition of Urban Mass Transit Expo (UMTE) 2019. The mission will provide delegates the opportunity to exhibit on a small DIT funded pavilion and take part in a range of group meetings in Mumbai and Delhi. The exhibition claims to be the second largest rail show in the world.

Middle East Rail, 2020

Trako 2019

To find out more about any of these exhibitions, or to book places at them, please contact Exports Director Neil Walker using the details below.

RIA in partnership with Intec will be forming a UK Pavilion at Trako, Poland, on 24 - 27 September, with 24 companies registered to attend.

The Pavilion is close to full, although DIT Midlands are running a trade mission wrap around. The UK’s Rail Minister, Andrew Jones has accepted a RIA invitation to attend the event in order to support UK exhibitors.

There will also likely be seminars, a reception and support from local and regional DIT officers at Trako.

9

RIA in Partnership with Intec is again arranging a UK Pavilion at Middle East Rail, 25 – 26 February 2020, held in Dubai.

We have 14 DIT SME grants available for the exhibition, worth £2,407 per UK SME. It is envisaged that we will also be running a UK reception at the exhibit, interest from potential UK sponsors is welcome.

Contact Exports: Neil Walker Exports Director +44 (0) 207 201 0777 neil.walker@riagb.org.uk

www.riagb.org.uk

ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Meet the team who can help you innovate In a special interview, RIA asks Rob Forde, Programme Manager and David Rowe, Head of Strategy, at Network Rail’s Research, Development and Innovation team , how rail suppliers can get their innovative products and services into the network. Here’s what they said: Tell us a bit about your roles at Network Rail and what your key priorities are for the coming years.

We are part of the team co-ordinating and driving Network Rail’s contribution to an industry-wide effort to deliver better passenger and freight customer outcomes through Research, Development and Innovation.

Rob: I manage the R&D programme for track, maintenance and plant. This covers a wide range of projects from developing robotics to inspect and maintain infrastructure to piloting a digital twin for part of the railway. I also oversee the team that manages product acceptance.

David: And I manage a programme to improve the way we innovate. Innovation is as much about culture as it is about technology. My focus is to take every opportunity to build tools and approaches, embed innovation into processes and work with teams that are motivated to up the pace and effectiveness of innovation and realise the benefits from R&D.

It is clearly very important to develop innovation in rail. What would you say to a supplier looking to get their product onto the network?

Be clear on what your product can do for us. Are you solving one of our issues or providing us with an efficiency? It might not be as obvious to us as it is to you!

Be clear about who you need to be selling to – is it NR or is it others in the supply chain. It’s important to recognise that, as the infrastructure manager, we are focused on how we can improve the core infrastructure as part of the overall system to deliver better outcomes for passengers and freight customers more cost-effectively, safely, securely and with a reduced carbon footprint. Be clear on what you need from us, is it funding, technical guidance, resources or just some feedback?

Whether selling directly to NR or selling through the supply chain a good place to go to understand the value that your product could bring is by browsing our challenge statements which you find by simply searching “Network Rail challenge statements”. These frame the majority of opportunities.

You’ve both spoken and engaged with different suppliers at several RIA events in the past. Can you tell us what are the key take-aways from these events?

There are many products that have the potential to be used in different ways or adapted to offer benefits. A consistent issue seems to be bridging the gap between opportunity and bringing new products into use.

At the end of the day, those at the sharp end who actually use new products need to be convinced that its worth changing.

This presents a challenge for all of us – clients, tier 1 suppliers and smaller suppliers alike - to find ways to surface, structure and make the case for these opportunities. That is, of course, a major role for Unlocking Innovation events and why Network Rail is keen to support RIA’s innovation activities.

What can suppliers do to best help achieve your aims?

David Rowe, Head of Strategy, Network Rail RDI 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

In terms of what you offer, products that meet our challenges as outlined in our challenge statements or will support us in providing passengers with improved performance.

10

ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

How can suppliers engage with you?

By getting in touch through our mailbox (R&D@networkrail. co.uk) or speak to us at events such as Unlocking Innovation. There are dedicated means to engage with NR for specific opportunities such as product acceptance (through our online application form), standards challenge (standardsmanagement@networkrail.co.uk) and ideas that contribute to our Performance Innovation Fund (PerformanceInnovationFund@networkrail.co.uk).

What advice would you give to suppliers looking to introduce new products into UK rail?

Understand what you have to offer from an operational perspective. How does what you have to offer fit with current practices and equipment, how could it enable our regions and routes to deliver better outcomes and what would need to change to make that happen? Be realistic about a compelling business case – is change really likely to be worth it to use one new product or does this need to form part of a bigger more ambitious plan. That should drive your strategy for uptake by the supply chain and NR. Attend some of the events that are run by the industry bodies including RIA, they are great opportunities to meet clients such as NR and other suppliers. My product acceptance team also attend many of these events to provide guidance and support to suppliers who want to introduce new products on to the network. These events are part of a shared journey to build belief that investing more time and resources to innovate is beneficial. We have seen strong take up of opportunities to work under current R&D programmes such as Shift2Rail. We believe this has prepared the ground to encourage more companies to get involved in delivering our R&D portfolio in CP6 and we will be actively contributing to these events going forward.

Rob Forde, Programme Manager, Network Rail RDI In terms of how you work, a key challenge for all of us is to become less ready to accept the current pace of innovation and embrace a willingness to explore new ways of working and new collaborations. From the early autumn you will see R&D procurement arrangements designed to help this.

Working through our partners including the Connected Places Catapult and Innovate UK, we ask for your support in striving to get the best from these new approaches.

What do you see as the biggest challenges for the rail network in CP6?

What do you have planned in your programme for CP6? Is the programme published and how can innovators get to see it?

Making the transition from an industry that manages infrastructure and operates trains and stations to an industry that provides transport services. A specific challenge for NR is achieving the means to keep the network running safely in future Control Periods without relying on increased public funding and without disrupting services. A further key challenge is growth. We need to evolve the network to accommodate this growth and provide passengers the services they expect.

What are the biggest opportunities you are most excited about?

CP6 sees by far the biggest dedicated investment in R&D for infrastructure management since privatisation of the railway.

This, combined with the rapid pace of general technology development and the open door created through policy initiatives such as the Government’s industrial strategy (including the rail and construction sector deals), paves the way for the fourth industrial revolution to transform rail.

Specifically, the development of a digital twin will take us from exploring and optimising the railway in the physical world to a virtual world meaning that suppliers can be far more bold and experimental with exploring ideas and those using the railway will get a more reliable and better quality experience.

22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

We have outlined the CP6 R&D portfolio in presentations made available through RIA including the Innovation Conference in March. We have now also published a simple guide to the portfolio which is available in hard copy or digitally [contact RIA to recieve this]. Our web pages are currently being revised to make this material accessible but you can find our challenges now by searching “Network Rail challenge statements”.

What is the best way for SMEs to engage with you?

It depends what an SME is trying to achieve. Our standards challenge process, for example, is open to any company to identify where current standards block innovation and propose change. And our R&D portfolio provides managed opportunities (competitions) for a wide range of suppliers including specialist companies to explore the application of technologies and evolve new products. But translating technologies and products into services is for companies to work through together using the support and brokerage of RIA and the Rail Innovation Family.

11

ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Technical & Innovation Rail Industry Decarbonisation Report published The Rail Industry Decarbonisation Taskforce has published its final report to the Rail Minister showing how the railways can help the UK achieve its net zero-carbon goal by 2050.

RIA’s Technical Director David Clarke was on the Taskforce that developed the report, which dovetails with RIA’s own Electrification Cost Challenge. The Report sets out how the UK rail network needs to utilise electrification, as well as hydrogen and battery technology for routes where there is no business case to electrify.

The Rail Minister Andrew Jones MP welcomed the report and said it “sets out a clear and ambitious strategy for the rail industry to go further and faster in decarbonising the rail network”. David Clarke said the report has been “a superb,

The Rail Industry Decarbonisation Taskforce collaborative effort, bringing together thinking from across the industry”. He added that “electrification must remain at the top of the hierarchy of options for decarbonisation.”

Unlocking Innovation finishes with Automation

Northern Rail Leaders look to delivery

Delegates at the Unlocking Innovation: Automation event

Northern Rail Industry Leaders (NRIL) - a group of more than 40 rail businesses in the North of England, supported by RIA held an event on 2 July looking at how it can deliver its White Paper, ‘Building the North’s New Railways’.

The whole day workshop at the National Railway Museum was attended by nearly 80 people and has started the process of delivering the recommendations in each workstream.

The event identified volunteers to lead the five workstreams; delivering value, decarbonisation, digitalisation, people and skills and innovation.

The event also saw an AGM with the group now confirmed as a RIA-run organisation. It is envisaged that this model can be replicated in other regions and nations in the UK.

This year’s Unlocking Innovation events have focused on the theme of M.A.D.E in Britain, which stands for Materials, Automation, Data and Energy - the key areas where the UK rail industry could develop a competitive advantage through innovation.

On 30 May, RIA held its final Unlocking Innovation event on Automation, hosted by the iconic ‘Factory 2050’ facility in Sheffield. The event attracted over 110 delegates and a very high-quality roster of speakers from the rail industry and other sectors.

Thanks to ABB for sponsoring the event.

22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

12

Rail Innovation Family announced The UK’s major representative organisations in the rail supply sector have joined forces in collaboration to form a ‘Rail Innovation Family’ that will help provide greater and clearer support for suppliers seeking to bring innovation into the rail industry.

The Rail Innovation Family brings together RIA, Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE)/ Rail Alliance and Rail Forum Midlands.

It will contribute directly to delivering even more value from the rail supply sector through stimulating innovation and encouraging diversification among other relevant sectors.

Organisations within the Rail Innovation Family ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Digital Railway Managing Director Stuart Calvert presents to the Digital Railway Industry Conference in Birmingham on 26 June On 26 June, Network Rail published its Long Term Deployment Plan for Digital Railway, a framework that sets out the long-term delivery of digital signalling The Plan is in response to a Department for Transport announcement last year that all future signalling renewals should be digital or digital ready beyond Control Period 6. The Plan was developed in partnership with RIA and the supply chain with several

RIA members embedded in the Digital Railway team. The plan shows how the industry can move from c.1000 Signalling Equivalent Units (SEUs) per annum of conventional signalling in recent years to c.3000 SEUs of digital signalling from the start of CP7.

In support of the announcement of the plan, RIA published an open letter from the major signalling suppliers welcoming the plan but highlighting

Recent Technical Interest Groups We have again been busy delivering a range of informative and inspiring events for members and the wider industry. These included seven Technical Interest Groups, involving 226 people from member and stakeholder organisations. Three of these events were outside London.

Thank you to our hosts NCHSR, Balfour Beatty Rail, Ricardo Rail and Tratos that

Long Term Deployment Plan for Digital Rail announced

opened their facilities to RIA members and organised site visits, which are very valued by the attendees. If any members are interesting in hosting a TIG and showcasing their activity please contact: milda.manomaityte@riagb.org.uk We would need a room which can accommodate at least 40 people theatre style, a projector and refreshment breaks.

the need for the whole industry to collaborate to build up capability to ensure effective delivery.

This challenge is being taken forward

by RIA and by the Sector Deal ‘DR pillar’ championed by Industry Leads, Rob Morris of Siemens, Shaun Jones of Thales and Toufic Machnouk of Network Rail.

The Plan was announced at the twoday Digital Railway Industry Conference organised by Network Rail, BCRRE & RIA.

Contact our Technical & Innovation team: David Clarke Technical Director david.clarke@riagb.org.uk

Richard Jones Senior Technical & Innovation Manager richard.jones@riagb.org.uk

Milda Manomaityte Technical & Policy Manager milda.manomaityte@riagb. org.uk

Balfour Beatty Rail hosting the 02 May Infrastructure group in Derby 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

Tratos hosting the 25 June Electrification group at their Knowsley factory

13

Contact us on +44 (0)20 7201 0777 www.riagb.org.uk ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Events & Information RIA out in force at Railtex RIA was out in force at this year’s Railtex - one of the UK’s biggest rail trade shows held from 14 -16 May in the NEC Birmingham.

This year, RIA had a dedicated hub – an area of RIA Member stands, located together with RIA’s own stand – supplemented with a programme of activities including a RIA-hosted Knowledge Hub, a one-day Future Focus Conference, networking drinks reception and a dedicated platform for SMEs to showcase their products and services. RIA also held a ‘Meet the Commercial Officer’ (more information in the Exports Section).

Twelve members joined the RIA hub, from which seven were SMEs who

had the chance to pitch their products and services as part of the Knowledge Rail Minister Andrew Jones MP, gave the keynote address at RIA’s Hub programme. Future Focus Conference, before touring a number of exhibiting companies As with previous years, the industry, including high speed rail, digital Knowledge railway and decarbonisation.

Hub was held over the 3 days, focusing on updating the supply chain on new Rail Minister Andrew Jones MP was and upcoming business opportunities, the keynote speaker at the Future Focus project updates and created a forum for Conference, before being taken on a tour discussion with industry leaders.

by RIA of companies exhibiting at the show. During his speech, the Minister was In addition, a one day Future Focus questioned about the projects contained Conference was held on the Wednesday, within the Enhancements Pipeline. focusing on future trends in the rail

RIA on display at first Rolling Stock Networking

Big Rail Diversity Challenge

Following the very successful Rail Infrastructure Networking (RIN) events, Jobson James, with RIA, held the first Rolling Stock Networking (RSN) event on 11 July in Derby.

The event was a sell-out, with more than 1,200 people in attendance and a total of 130 exhibitors. There were also a number of conferences, including a Trade Association area where RIA presented on a range of different topics.

RSN will be back in 2020 on Thursday 2 July - places can be booked at info@rsnevents.co.uk 22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777 The

On 27 June, a team from RIA took part in the Big Rail Diversity Challenge, the ‘It’s a Knock-Out’ style challenge to promote diversity and inclusion in rail.

Team ‘I Predict a RIA’ came 54th out of 59 teams, better than last year when we came second last. Well done to the team!

Team ‘I Predict a RIA’ taking part

first Welcome to RIA event

14

Dates for your diary RIA has a number of dates for your diary: •

Railway Infrastructure Networking (RIN) | 5 September 2019, Derby Arena

•

RIA Unlocking Innovation Conference | 24 September 2019

•

RIA Annual Conference 2019 | 7-8 November 2019, Hilton Bankside, London

•

Parliamentary Reception | 26 November, London

•

RIA Gala dinner | 13 February 2020 The Landmark Hotel, London

Keep up to date with upcoming events by visiting www.riagb.org.uk/events ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Changes to Team RIA

will be receiving handover comms from Operations Director Gaynor Pates and Monica herself shortly.

Firstly, Membership Engagement Manager Monica Barbosa is moving to We also are delighted to announce pastures new after a year and a half as that Amalia Murray, who is currently RIA’s popular Membership Engagement Operations Executive, will now be Manager. She will be joining RIA members spending 20% of her time working with our X-Rail as their Director of Business Exports function, led by Exports Director Development & Communications, starting Neil Walker. Her job title has now changed there in late August / early September. to ‘Operations & Exports Executive’, and no doubt the exporters amongst you will be In her time at RIA, Monica helped hearing from her soon! us implement our new SME ‘Inclusive Membership Level’, helped drive up RIA membership growth from around 200 to almost 300 members, and also led our sponsorship activity to ensure RIA can put on strong events for members. We hope you’ll join us in thanking her for her hard work whilst at RIA and wishing Amalia Murray Monica Barbosa her the best of luck for the future. You

My time at RIA

Gaynor Pates Operations Director gaynor.pates@riagb.org.uk

Katherine Anchorena Events & Marketing Manager katherine.anchorena@riagb.org.uk

Monica Barbosa

Abigail Carson from Ricardo is the second secondee to join RIA’s Technical and Innovation team. She joined at the beginning of May and leaves mid-July. Here’s what she found at RIA. I have been on Ricardo’s graduate scheme A key project during my time at RIA since September 2017, as Graduate was building the content for a new Consultant Engineer, and I have been on innovation section of the website, various placements and large projects, providing a self-assessment tool, and expanding my skills and developing strategy information on how to develop my experience within the rail industry. your innovation capability. This should Including working for Bombardier, provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ style area for Freightliner, and projects rail industry members, an within Ricardo’s business, easier way to find the wealth my experience so far has of information available been very technical. for industry innovators.

Another highlight was being Following a chat with invited to observe RIA and David Clarke, Technical RSSB give evidence to the Director at RIA, I was Transport Select Committee invited to be a part of for the 'Trains Fit for the the team from May to Future' inquiry. I also hosted July. Over the threea rolling stock interest group month secondment I have Abi (centre) visiting at Ricardo’s offices, as well been involved in high Parliament as assist with the variety of level industry meetings, events throughout the summer including with the DfT, across the UK. On a more personal note, Digital Railway Programme Board, and I participated in the Big Rail Diversity standards committees and steering Challenge which was a brilliant way to groups. This provided me with context get to know the team better. I have loved within the industry, and the importance living in London, in particular, commuting of representing the supply community through Hyde park, and befriending the and members at such influential industry local parakeets and squirrels. meetings.

22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

Contact our Events & Information team:

15

Membership Engagement Manager monica barbosa@riagb.org.uk

Ann-Marie Esiaka Business Administration Manager AnnMarie.Esiaka@riagb.org.uk

Amalia Murray Operations & Exports Executive amalia.murray@riagb.org.uk

Isabella Lawson EA & Operations Executive isabella.lawson@riagb.org.uk

Contact us on +44 (0)20 7201 0777 www.riagb.org.uk ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk

RIA Update 109 Summer 2019

Welcome to New Members

Interested in Membership?

Find out about the benefits of becoming a RIA Member by contact Operations Director, Gaynor Pates on Gaynor.Pates@ riagb.org.uk All RIA Members can be found on the RIA website. Š 2019 Railway Industry Association Produced by: Railway Industry Association Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions on this Update. Please circulate to your colleagues.

22 Headfort Place, London SW1X 7RY +44 (0) 207 201 0777

16

ria@riagb.org.uk www.riagb.org.uk