Event details

Join us at our upcoming event where with the help of experts from across the rail industry we delve into the transformative power of technology in the rail industry. This event will spotlight cutting-edge advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), innovative maintenance strategies, enhanced passenger experiences, and robust safety measures.

 

Discover how AI is revolutionising rail operations, from predictive maintenance to real-time data analytics, ensuring smoother and more efficient journeys. Learn about the latest maintenance technologies that keep our rail systems running seamlessly, reducing downtime, and enhancing reliability.

 

Experience firsthand the innovations designed to elevate passenger comfort and convenience, making every journey a pleasant one. And explore the state-of-the-art safety protocols that are setting new standards in rail travel, ensuring the well-being of every passenger.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and be part of the future of rail technology. Register now and be a part of this exciting journey towards a smarter, safer, and more efficient rail system!

   

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Who Attends

  • 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM

    Keynote Toufic Machnouk, Managing Director, GBRX

    Toufic heads up an exciting, first of its kind and fully funded scheme that will deliver a higher performing and more productive railway, create a catalyst for the wider network in building the capability and learning for a more digital railway.


    Toufic Machnouk
    Toufic Machnouk Managing Director, GBRX Network Rail

    Toufic heads up an exciting, first of its kind and fully funded scheme that will deliver a higher performing and more productive railway, create a catalyst for the wider network in building the capability and learning for a more digital railway. This is a huge opportunity for suppliers involved in AI, Tech and Digital Transformation to register and listen to Toufic explain what he and his team are looking to achieve with suppliers.

  • 09:55 AM - 10:40 AM

    Utilising AI to increase efficiency

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making waves across industries, and the rail sector is no exception. While AI itself isn’t new, its applications in rail are still evolving, offering remarkable opportunities to enhance efficiency. This panel will delve into how AI is being utilised to optimise operations and what the future may hold. We’ll discuss whether AI can entirely replace human involvement or if a balanced approach is still essential. Industry leaders will share insights on navigating the challenges, reaping the benefits, and minimising risks as we move towards ambitious goals like NetZero. Join us for a discussion that could redefine your approach to rail efficiency.




    Neil Ovenden
    Neil Ovenden Head of Engineering Rail Partners

    Head of Engineering – Rail Partners

    Neil has over 35 years professional engineering experience across the rail, white goods and energy sectors. Neil has worked in rail for nearly 20 years and was most recently Head of Engineering at Rail Delivery Group, where he led a small team of professional rolling stock engineers leading on fleet performance measurement and reporting, fleet safety and standards, innovation and technology across rail.

    Neil brings significant experience in serving and delivering at a sustained high level for a member focussed organisation from his time at RDG and before that at ATOC.

    Milda Manomaityte
    Milda Manomaityte Chief Operating Officer Rail Industry Association

    An accomplished and strategic leader in the railway industry, appointed as the Chief Operating Officer at the Railway Industry Association (RIA) in July 2024. This role encompasses overseeing the Operations, Marketing & Events, and Member Relations teams. Previously held the position of Innovation Director at RIA, leading the Unlocking Innovation programme to drive groundbreaking advancements and fostering collaborative success across the UK rail sector.


    Milda's career tenure includes pivotal roles where AI and digital transformation were championed to improve operational efficiencies and pioneering strategic policy development, delivering industry-leading thought leadership reports, and effecting policy changes through effective lobbying.


    Milda joined RIA as a consultant in July 2018, becoming a full-time member of the team in April 2019, working within both the Technical & Innovation and Public Affairs & Policy functions.

    Prior to joining RIA, Milda founded and led the Global AirRail Alliance, a membership organisation promoting rail access to airports and airline-railway collaborations, especially around ticketing and passenger experience. 

    Milda started her career as a transport journalist in Lithuania, where she worked at a family business, writing for and editing the international transport and logistics publication JURA MOPE SEA.

    Nassar Majothi
    Nassar Majothi Director of Systems Integration HS2

    Simon Goodman (invited)
    Simon Goodman (invited) Chief Information Officer Network Rail

  • 10:50 AM - 11:35 AM

    How technology can help with maintenance

    The future of rail maintenance is upon us, driven by state-of-the-art technology. From predictive analytics to smart sensors, we now have tools that promise to extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure while maintaining safety. This panel will explore how technology is revolutionising maintenance practices, from track monitoring to mechanised inspections. Join us to learn how leading experts are using these advancements to address today’s needs and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges, all while ensuring the human element remains integral.


    Adam Parkinson
    Adam Parkinson Senior Practice Lead - Transport and Infrastructure Digital Catapult

    Robert Amporah
    Robert Amporah Chief Technology Officer Network Rail

    Robert started his railway career as a graduate civil engineer over 29 years ago, gaining a wealth of experience in several technical, managerial and leadership roles in maintenance, renewals, operations, design and engineering management within Balfour Beatty and Network Rail. He leads a diverse Technology team in Network Rail primarily researching and developing solutions to Network Rail’s key challenges expressly using data and digital technology to help improve safety, performance in a cost-efficient way, to drive environmentally sustainable benefits and help make rail more resilient for today and in the future. He is a passionate promoter of people & skills development, celebrating the benefits of working with people from diverse backgrounds, working collaboratively with academia and industry partners in the UK and internationally, including engaging and learning from different sectors.

    Nick Millington MBE (invited)
    Nick Millington MBE (invited) Route Director Network Rail

  • 11:50 AM - 12:35 PM

    Technology to assist with passenger experience

    In a time when passenger expectations are higher than ever, delivering a flawless travel experience is crucial. This panel will discuss the latest technological innovations designed to improve passenger satisfaction, from real-time communication platforms to apps assisting with multimodal travel. We’ll also tackle the vital question: Are we truly accommodating all passengers? Discover how rail operators are overcoming challenges to provide outstanding experiences and why technology is key to keeping passengers satisfied and engaged.


    Kerry Phillipson
    Kerry Phillipson Retail Product Manager Arriva Rail

    Kerry has commercial responsibility for solutions that enable retail, revenue management and customer experience enhancements for Arriva’s UK trains division, which includes four train operating companies – Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, Grand Central and Arriva Rail London.  Responsibilities span across both traditional and digital retail solutions that maximise commercial opportunities and enhance customer experience. This includes optimising the companies' systems and exploring new product developments and market innovations, as well as bolt-on enhancements. Working closely with suppliers, Kerry ensures their business strategies are aligned with Arriva’s long-term objectives by tracking future trends and exploring ideas and new-to-market products that could be deployed across multiple businesses.

    Steve Close
    Steve Close Technical Lead Station Innovation Zone Programme Connected Places Catapult

    A research and insight specialist currently leading social research and insight projects at Connected Places Catapult. A strong advocate for stakeholder collaboration to generate impact using creative approaches to better understand data and insight to inform strategy, measure impact and drive forward new initiatives. Steve applies a multi-disciplinary approach to enable smarter and more human-centred decisions to understand problem spaces and develop solutions. He is currently the Catapult technical lead for Station Innovation Zone at Bristol Temple Meads and has used techniques such as segmentation and personas to understand the market for new mobility solutions within the West Midlands and to increase public acceptance of drones. Steve has previously worked extensively in the social housing sector, with local authorities and central government, and in commercial market research.

    Matt Smallwood
    Matt Smallwood Head of Connected Mobility Transport for the North

    We still have a lot of hurdles to jump to get it right, especially in integrating different transport modes and how to merge a complex load of industry data. Breaking down this complex area in the context of demands on local authority capacity and capabilities remains a challenge. Helping our public sector colleagues take on this complex task is central for Transport for the North; as is maximising the operational impact of national strategies the national Transport Data Strategy. Similarly, is the strategic need to balance the private sector’s technical skill and innovation with what the public purse can afford, and the policy objectives we collectively wan to, meet will be key to ensuring that advancements in ticketing technology benefit everyone. 

    Stewart Fox-Mills (invited)
    Stewart Fox-Mills (invited) Fares, Ticketing and Retail Programme Director GBRTT

    Stewart is Director of Fares, Ticketing & Retail at GBRTT.  The programme he leads is delivering transformational change and improvement to customer experience. An experienced commercial leader, Stewart has led successful marketing, digital, product and customer experience strategies in media, retail, financial services, technology, and rail industries – most recently as Commercial Director at Abellio.

  • 12:45 PM - 13:00 PM

    Keynote - Darren Jowett, Head of Technical Policy and Strategy, Network Rail

    Darren will be discussing how technology can be used to tackle the issue of over speeding - the technology of how drivers are informed of speed restrictions on the network hasn’t changed in 150 years.


    Darren Jowett
    Darren Jowett Head of Technical Policy and Strategy Network Rail

    A signalling and assurance expert with over 30 years’ experience in leading innovation-focussed engineering projects and programmes. A highly skilled and respected industry leader excelling in helping the rail industry implement technology improvement and support its people through both process and governance change.

     

    Working in the Network Rail System Authority Darren chairs and provides industry expertise to a number of industry groups including the Drivers Advisory System Board (chair), Future Control Command Signalling Guiding Body, Overspeed Management Task Group and the Vehicle Train Control & Command Signalling Interface Committee.

     

    The System Authority owns, and maintains the industry agreed Digital Rail Requirements suite leading on their support and ongoing maturity development. Additionally, the System Authority is leading on the Speed Management and absolute train positioning concept where Darren is the technical lead.

  • 13:00 PM - 13:45 PM

    Technology to aid staff safety

    Safety is at the heart of rail operations, and technology is offering new ways to protect staff, from station personnel to trackside engineers. This panel will examine how innovations such as AI-powered risk assessment tools and advanced surveillance systems are enhancing safety protocols. Experts will discuss the shift from reactive to proactive safety measures, using real-time data to prevent incidents before they happen. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of safety in the rail industry, and learn how technology can help create a safer working environment for everyone.

     

     


    Laura Bolton
    Laura Bolton Technical Head of System Safety Network Rail

    Caroline Meek (invited)
    Caroline Meek (invited) Head of Health and Safety, Route Services Network Rail

    Donna Reigate (invited)
    Donna Reigate (invited) Head of Track Workforce Safety and Planning Western Route Network Rail

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