Elizabeth Umoke

Head of Revenue Protection and Security - Arriva Rail London

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Elizabeth Umoke

Head of Revenue Protection and Security - Arriva Rail London

Elizabeth has spear headed the E,D, I agenda at Arriva Rail London for the past 3 years before handing over. Being ARL’s EDI Steering Group lead during that time she fostered strategic external partnerships (such as Excellerate Black Futures) and trialled new approaches (such as reverse mentoring) to lead best practice EDI for ARL, Arriva Group and the industry as a whole. Passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, her work directly impacted ARL’s win of ‘Great Place to Work’ at the National Rail Awards in 2022.She worked with the Ipswich Council for Racial Equality before joining ARL as a Customer Host in 2010.The mum of two has worked her way through the ranks to management positions in customer service, In March 2022 she was appointed as the Head of Revenue Protection and Security for ARL. She was the winner of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Individual Award at the Women in Rail Awards 2023.

Andrew Haines

Chief Executive and Board Member - Network Rail

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Andrew Haines

Chief Executive and Board Member - Network Rail

Andrew Haines was appointed as Chief Executive and Board member of Network Rail in August 2018. Following the publication of the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail in May 2021, Andrew was also tasked with establishing interim arrangements for the creation of Great British Railways, alongside his role in Network Rail. 

Prior to joining Network Rail, Andrew was the chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority from 2009-2018. He has also had a wide-ranging career within the rail industry, having started his career with British Rail and followed on to work for Railtrack, Network Rail’s predecessor. He served as managing director of South West Trains and managing director FirstGroup plc where he led the rail division which included intercity, commuter, rural, freight, open access and tram services in England, Scotland and Wales. In addition, he was a non-executive director at a rolling stock leasing company.

Andrew was awarded an OBE in the 2016 New Year Honour’s list for services to transport and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Institute of Railway Operators and the Permanent Way Institute.

Fi Westcough

Consultant (Strategic Rail) - AtkinsRéalis

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Fi Westcough

Consultant (Strategic Rail) - AtkinsRéalis

Fi is a Chartered Engineer at AtkinsRéalis who manages a wide portfolio of projects, predominantly with a digital rail focus (ETCS, cyber security, IT). As National Chair and Director of the Young Rail Professionals (YRP) in 2022/23, Fi set the strategy for YRP, and led a team of over 70 volunteers to deliver 80+ networking and development events. Now a member of the Women in Rail/RIA EDI Charter for Rail Working group and IMechE Education and Skills Strategy Board, she is passionate about talent retention within the industry, particularly engaging and inspiring the next generation of female engineers. In 2021, she won the Future Leader Award at the Railway Industry Association Supplier Excellence Awards, and was shortlisted for the ‘Young Professional’ and ‘Rising Star’ awards at the Rail Business & Women in Rail Awards respectively.

Anit Chandarana

Lead Director - Great British Railways Transition Team

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Anit Chandarana

Lead Director - Great British Railways Transition Team

Anit Chandarana is the Lead Director of the Great British Railways Transition Team and oversees the whole operation of the GBRTT, working with Andrew Haines and team on the interim arrangements for the railway following the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail in May 2021. Since August 2023, Anit has been undertaking a secondment at the Department for Transport, as Director General for the Rail Infrastructure Group.

Prior to taking on this role, Anit was Chief of Staff at Network Rail where he led Network Rail’s involvement in the building of the white paper. Anit has worked in the rail industry for over 18 years and joined Network Rail after completing his training at Sainsbury’s, he then went on to spend five years at Shell where he worked in the retail part of the business.

 As well as his full-time role, he is also a Non-Executive Director for East London NHS Foundation Trust, on the National Railway Museum Advisory Board, and has previously Chaired the Trustee Board for two of Network Rail’s pension schemes.

Jacqueline Starr

CEO - Rail Delivery Group

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Jacqueline Starr

CEO - Rail Delivery Group

Jacqueline Starr has been the CEO of the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) since December 2020 and leads the organisation to create a simpler, better railway for all customers. Delivering key whole-industry services such as national ticketing, train information and reservations. Jac is a dedicated customer champion, advocating future proof change in support of evolving customer needs. 

Jac has worked in the railway for over 8 years and has previously held the roles of Chief Operating Officer and MD of Customer at the RDG. Before joining the railway Jac worked in senior leadership positions in the banking and telecommunications sector. Holding the roles of internal consultant as Director of Experience in Barclays Design Office, Head of Experience at O2 UK and Head of Customer Experience and Loyalty at Orange France. 

Jac became Chair of LiveWest (Housing Association) in September 2023 following a number of years as a Non-Executive Director (NED) on the Board. She lives at her home in North Somerset with her husband and 3 children.

Huw Jones

Executive Director - BAM Nuttall

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Huw Jones

Executive Director - BAM Nuttall

As Executive Director for BAM Nuttall, Huw leads one of the UK’s leading infrastructure and civil engineering businesses. Huw has spent his career as a champion for sustainable delivery and innovation across infrastructure delivery, and as a past winner of Women in Rail’s ‘Inpirational Man of the Year’ award, has been a leader for equality, diversity and inclusion across the industry. 

Jo Gretton

CEO - Telent

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Jo Gretton

CEO - Telent

Jo Gretton is Telent’s Chief Executive Officer responsible for leading the company to deliver excellent customer service, continued growth and ensuring that Telent is a great place to work.

Jo was a member of Telent’s founding management team in 2006. Previously she was Telent’s Chief Operating Officer and before that Head of Legal and Commercial which also included responsibility for Telent’s QEHS and Company Secretarial functions.

Jo is an Exeter University law graduate and practised as a barrister before joining Marconi in 2000. She held various commercial and legal roles at Marconi and was Head of Legal for AsiaPac and the Americas prior to Telent’s formation.

James Holmes

Rail Sector Director - Amey

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James Holmes

Rail Sector Director - Amey

James joined Amey in 2022 to lead the rail infrastructure operations, working with the largest rail infrastructure providers and operators to solve complex challenges and deliver bespoke customer-centric solutions. James has led on complex, challenging infrastructure, such as the Core Valley Lines in Wales and the Transpennine Route Upgrade, to leading the operations on light rail franchises through Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Manchester Metrolink. 

His career spans over 20 years, managing large teams and businesses in the transport, water and energy sectors. James passionately leads on safety, embedding a progressive people and safety culture. He plays a prominent role in the Women@Amey affinity group and is currently developing a male allyship group across the business.

James is a leader, a mentor, a sponsor and a role model for many men and women in his company and beyond, creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can prosper. 

Joanne Maguire

Chief Operating Officer - ScotRail

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Joanne Maguire

Chief Operating Officer - ScotRail

Joanne joined ScotRail Trains on 1 April 2022, leading the business through the transition to the new public body.

Before joining ScotRail, Joanne was Vice Principal of Resources at the University of the West of Scotland, where she was responsible for, among other things, Finance, HR and industrial relations, health and safety, sustainability, and information services.

Joanne was previously Executive Director for HR at the university and has held senior leadership roles at City of Glasgow College, as well as in the manufacturing and retail sectors.

Neil Blagburn

Programme Delivery Director - Northumberland Line Programme - AECOM

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Neil Blagburn

Programme Delivery Director - Northumberland Line Programme - AECOM

Neil is an experienced and accomplished project management professional with 20 years’ experience in delivering high profile, complex, multidiscipline projects within challenging railway and construction environments. Neil started out as an apprentice traction fitter on the Tyne and Wear Metro and undertook various roles in rolling stock maintenance before making a move into infrastructure maintenance. In 2003 Neil launched his career in project management with a move into infrastructure projects and within 10 years he had progressed to running a £400m railway investment programme. He then moved on to deliver a £700m train fleet and depot investment programme before taking up his current role as the Programme Director of the Northumberland Line Programme – a transformational railway construction programme to restore passenger rail services between Ashington and Newcastle.

Kamini Edgley

Director of Safety and Engineering for North-West and Central - Network Rail

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Kamini Edgley

Director of Safety and Engineering for North-West and Central - Network Rail

An experienced and motivated industry leader with a wide range of expertise in the rail industry spanning over 25 years. Kamini became Director of Engineering for North-West and Central Region in September 2019, having previously acted as Chief Engineer for Network Rail.

Since November 2021, she has taken on the role of Director of Safety and Engineering for North-West and Central, after the merger of the HS&E Directorate.

In her current role she is the guiding mind for Safety, Sustainable Growth, Engineering and Asset Management for the region which includes the West Coast Main line running from London to Carlisle, also known as the backbone of Britain and the highest yielding route nationally.

She directs the development and implementation of the North-West and Central regional engineering strategy and through engineering excellence delivers a whole railway system that puts passengers first.  She leads on all engineering including technology matters and interaction with Technical Authority, other railway industry companies, third parties and regulators. 

She has delivered complex engineering solutions, having played a key role in delivering the West coast Route Modernisation Programme.  She has also delivered transformational programmes enabling the business to deliver significant efficiencies in her role as a change leader.

Kamini joined the Rail Industry as a graduate trainee straight after privatisation of British Rail working for one of the infrastructure maintenance companies. She graduated from the University of Leeds with a BEng(Hons) in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, followed by a post graduate in Strategic and Business Leadership at the University of Warwick. She is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of The Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Kamini is passionate about STEM, having sponsored the creation of the first STEM lab in Network Rail. She is an excellent role model for young engineers and a champion of Diversity and Inclusion. She enjoys creating a high-performance culture and has a proven track record of coaching, mentoring, and supporting staff in helping them maximise their potential and deliver outstanding results.

Richard McClean

Former Managing Director - Arriva TrainCare

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Richard McClean

Former Managing Director - Arriva TrainCare

Richard joined the railway industry as an Engineering Management Trainee in 1982, working in various parts of the network, mainly in the London area.  He spent 18 months acting as Personal Assistant to the Chairman of the British Railways Board at the time of Railtrack’s vesting.  Richard joined GNER in 1998, as Production Director, having previously been Production Director on LTS Rail.

Richard then performed the role of Development Director including leading on Franchise Bids and delivering GNER’s major Franchise investment commitment projects, including rolling stock/station remodelling schemes.

In December 2007, Richard became the Production Director of National Express East Coast, leading the transformation of operational performance for the business and the continued development of its timetable and fleet.

Immediately prior to joining DB Regio UK in February 2010, Richard was the National Express Project Director for the Intercity Express Programme with responsibility for ensuring that these DfT procured trains entered service successfully without impact on the East Coast Franchise.

Richard has undertaken the role of Chair of ATOC’s Engineering Council – a cross industry body looking at all aspects of railway rolling stock activity. He also served as Chair of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Division.

As of 1st April 2010, Richard became Managing Director of DB Regio Tyne and Wear who operated Metro trains and stations on behalf of Nexus under a Concession Agreement. In this role Richard was responsible for the launch of the new Concession and the ongoing deliver of all services to passengers on the Metro network.

In February 2012, Richard took up the role of Managing Director of Arriva’s Grand Central open access operator.

Richard was seconded to the role of Arriva’s Mobilisation Director preparing for the commencement of the new Northern Franchise but returned to Grand Central following the successful completion of that project.

Having led Grand Central through the period of the pandemic, Richard took on the role of Interim Managing Director of Arriva TrainCare before retiring at the beginning of 2024.

Richard lives in North Yorkshire and is married with 2 children.

Kathryn Oldale

Head of Strategy, Policy & Communications - DB Cargo UK

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Kathryn Oldale

Head of Strategy, Policy & Communications - DB Cargo UK

Kathryn joined DB Cargo UK in 2016, having previously worked as a Commercial Manager at the multinational pharmaceutical giant, Johnson & Johnson.

In her current role as Head of Strategy, Policy and Communications, Kathryn is responsible for managing all the company’s domestic, international, governmental and industry stakeholder relationships.

She was responsible for developing and delivering the company’s high-profile ‘Freight Belongs on Rail’ campaign aimed at promoting rail freight over road haulage and encouraging the UK Government to set a target for modal shift.

She is also coordinating the company’s drive to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Rob Morris

Joint Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Mobility and Managing Director for the Rail Infrastructure and Software Businesses

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Rob Morris

Joint Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Mobility and Managing Director for the Rail Infrastructure and Software Businesses

Rob is Joint CEO and Board member of Siemens Mobility Limited, the UK and Ireland Rail Infrastructure and Rolling Stock company. He is Managing Director responsible for all of its UK rail signalling, digital, automation and electrification activities.

His career spans five decades in multi-disciplined major projects working for mining, power, general construction, rail and technology-based businesses both internationally and in the U.K. His achievements include transformational change culturally, organisationally and at industry level. 

Rob is passionate about the Rail Sector, its reputation, the health, safety & wellbeing of all, driving efficiencies and improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

As part of his passion towards making the industry a more diverse sector, with all the benefits that brings, Rob is an Executive Champion for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Siemens Mobility businesses.

Kelly Warburton

Chief Commercial Officer - GCRE

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Kelly Warburton

Chief Commercial Officer - GCRE

Kelly Warburton is the Chief Commercial Officer at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE), leading the commercial strategy as it constructs a purpose built world-class £multimillion rail innovation, testing and certification facility in Onllwyn South Wales.  Having started her Railway career at Alstom Transport, Kelly has spent nearly 25 years in the Industry working across the sector in both the Rolling Stock and Infrastructure supply chain. Previous to her role at GCRE, Kelly was Managing Director UK & Europe for Unipart Rail.  A Railway Industry Association (RIA) Board Member and Chair of the RIA Finance Committee, Kelly holds a Degree in International Business with Languages, as well as an MBA in Management.

Mary Grant

Chief Executive Officer - Porterbrook

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Mary Grant

Chief Executive Officer - Porterbrook

Mary joined Porterbrook in 2017 and has over 25 years’ experience working in the UK and international transport sector. 

Previous roles include Divisional Managing Director bus and rail FirstGroup, Managing Director ScotRail, Managing Director National Express and Business Change Director Eurostar.

She has a proven track record of developing transformative business strategies, improving operational performance and delivering financial success as well as driving positive culture change within organisations.

Mary is a Board member of the National Skills Academy for Rail.

Tim Danvers

Head of Business Development Rail - AtkinsRéalis

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Tim Danvers

Head of Business Development Rail - AtkinsRéalis

Tim leads business development for rail at AtkinsRéalis, a world leading design, engineering, and project management organisation.  A trained engineer, Tim has contributed to major projects including the Channel Tunnel, Class 92, Intercity Express Project (IEP) and, more recently, HS2. Tim has built influential relationships across the industry, academia, in government and with clients and uses his platform as a spokesperson to promote our future generations of talent, skills, apprenticeships and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Nia Mellor

Detective Chief Inspector - British Transport Police

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Nia Mellor

Detective Chief Inspector - British Transport Police

I have almost 24 years’ experience of policing in both Uniform and Detective roles, both in London and beyond. I currently lead our criminal investigation teams across the South East of England and specialise in sexual offences and violence and intimidation against women and girls, having National responsibility for BTP’s response to these offence types. As a part of this portfolio I am very proud to have lead BTP’s White Ribbon accreditation and am passionate about working collaboratively to tackle male violence against women and girls.

Suzanne Tarplee

Partner & Co-Head of Rail - Stephenson Harwood LLP

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Suzanne Tarplee

Partner & Co-Head of Rail - Stephenson Harwood LLP

Sue is a partner and co-head of the Stephenson Harwood’s Rail Team. Sue started her career at Connex South Eastern and now has over 25 years’ experience in the rail industry. She advises on all aspects of heavy and light rail and has worked on many of the UK’s most transformative and strategic rail infrastructure projects including being seconded to HS2 as General Counsel, working with TfL on Crossrail, with the National Infrastructure Commission on the rail needs assessment, and DfT and other rail industry bodies.

Her vast experience ranges from rolling stock (including manufacturing and maintenance arrangements), infrastructure development (including station and depot construction), and regulatory regimes and advising both bidders and authorities on franchises and concessions.