Tracks to Tomorrow: Rebuilding Rail for the 21st Century

Name: Tracks to Tomorrow: Rebuilding Rail for the 21st Century
Start: 2026-03-19T09:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-19T13:30:00+00:00

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Welcome to Tracks to Tomorrow: Rebuilding Rail for the 21st Century where ambition meets infrastructure, and where the future of UK rail begins to take shape.

Rail has always been more than a mode of transport—it’s a backbone of economic growth, social connection, and environmental responsibility. But today, our rail system stands at a crossroads. Ageing infrastructure, shifting passenger needs, and the urgent demands of decarbonisation call for bold decisions and transformative action.

This is not just about upgrading tracks or modernising stations. It’s about reimagining rail as a public good fit for the 21st century—accessible, reliable, sustainable, and digitally enabled. It’s about building a network that serves communities, supports industry, and earns public trust.

Over the course of today’s discussions, we’ll hear from engineers, policymakers, operators, and passengers. We’ll explore what it takes to deliver a rail system that’s resilient, inclusive, and future-ready—and how collaboration across sectors can turn vision into reality.

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09:30 AM - 09:45 AM Live NOW Available On Demand

Keynote
09:55 AM - 10:40 AM Live NOW Available On Demand

High-Speed Rail & Regional Connectivity
High-speed rail is more than a transport upgrade—it’s a catalyst for regional growth, economic rebalancing, and national cohesion. As the UK re-evaluates its infrastructure priorities, the question is no longer just how fast we can travel, but how well we can connect communities, unlock opportunity, and deliver inclusive growth across the country.

This panel brings together transport planners, regional leaders, rail operators, and infrastructure experts to explore the evolving role of high-speed rail in shaping the UK’s future. We’ll examine:
- The economic and social case for high-speed rail beyond London and the South East
- How to integrate high-speed services with local and regional networks for seamless connectivity
- Lessons from international models and UK projects—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what’s next
- The policy, funding, and delivery frameworks needed to ensure high-speed rail benefits all regions
This is a conversation about speed, yes—but also about strategy, equity, and ambition. Join us to explore how high-speed rail can help build a more connected, competitive, and cohesive United Kingdom.
Michael Brinkley Infrastructure Director Network Rail

Andrew Dixon Head of High Speed Rail - Infrastructure Delivery & Development Programme Manchester City Council
10:50 AM - 11:35 AM Live NOW Available On Demand

Smart Rail Systems & Tech Innovation
The future of rail is intelligent, connected, and data-driven. As the UK rail network faces rising passenger expectations, operational pressures, and climate challenges, smart systems and technological innovation offer powerful tools to transform performance, safety, and sustainability.

This panel brings together transport technologists, rail operators, infrastructure experts, and digital innovators to explore how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping the rail experience. We’ll examine:
- The role of AI, IoT, and predictive analytics in improving reliability, maintenance, and network efficiency
- How smart ticketing, real-time data, and passenger apps are enhancing customer experience
- Innovations in signalling, automation, and control systems that support capacity and safety
- Challenges around interoperability, cybersecurity, and scaling innovation across legacy infrastructure
This is a conversation about progress, possibility, and the power of technology to reinvent rail. Join us to explore how smart systems can help build a more responsive, resilient, and future-ready UK rail network.
Gareth Evans Head of Technology Network Rail

Susan Millington Head of Programme Management Network Rail

Susan Millington – Head of Programme Management (Capital Delivery) Network Rail

Susan Millington is a strategic leader in infrastructure delivery, currently serving as Head of Programme Management (Capital Delivery) at Network Rail. With a railway career spanning over 3 decades, Susan has led some of the most ambitious efficiency an innovation programmes in the UK rail sector.

At the heart of Susan’s work is a commitment to unlocking efficiencies and embedding technology into capital delivery programmes. Her leadership of the SPEED efficiency programme, which delivered £1.6bn savings during control period 6, saw SPEED become a cornerstone of Network Rail’s approach to smarter delivery – streamlining governance, challenging standards and embedding a mindset of continuous improvement across regional portfolios. Her work has been instrumental in shaping national reporting frameworks and strategic health checks that drive accountability and performance.

Susan is the architect behind the Innovation Acceleration Forum, a cross industry initiative that empowers suppliers, operators, engineers and programme teams to challenge traditional ways of working with a view to streamlining processes and delivery and embed lessons learnt into future investment strategies. Her leadership has been instrumental in launching on going technologies aimed at improving site safety and operational co-ordination nationally.

She is a key contributor to a number of steering groups, including the track community of practice – where she continues to champion boots off ballast surveying – her work includes the introduction of RILA and subsequently championing the use of drones.

Susan is a vocal advocate for collaborative working, having chaired panels and working groups that bring together suppliers, delivery teams and policy leads to tackle systemic challenges. Her development of the national lessons learnt framework has helped reduce project overspend by sharing knowledge and best practice across industry capital programmes.

Known for her inclusive leadership and strategic clarity, Susan brings a system thinking approach to programme management, regularly collaborating with the Department of Transport, regional delivery teams and industry partners to align investment with outcomes and ensure that technology adoption is both effective and sustainable.

At the On Track Technology panel, Susan will share her perspective on integrating emerging technologies into legacy infrastructure, fostering cross sector collaboration, and building delivery models that are fit for the future.
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Live NOW Available On Demand

Rethinking Rail Infrastructure
As the UK faces growing demand for sustainable transport, economic connectivity, and regional regeneration, the time has come to rethink rail infrastructure—not just as steel and stone, but as a strategic enabler of national progress. From ageing assets and capacity bottlenecks to digital signalling and climate resilience, the challenges are complex—but so are the opportunities.

This panel brings together infrastructure planners, engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how we can reimagine the foundations of Britain’s rail network for the 21st century. We’ll examine:
- How modern infrastructure can support modal shift, decarbonisation, and inclusive growth
- The role of digital technologies, electrification, and station redesign in improving performance and passenger experience
- Strategies for integrating rail with housing, freight, and regional development plans
- Funding models, delivery partnerships, and governance reforms needed to unlock long-term investment
This is a conversation about ambition, integration, and transformation. Join us to explore how rethinking rail infrastructure can help build a network that’s not only fit for purpose—but fit for the future.
Ian Puckrin Route Infrastructure Engineer, North and East Network Rail

Rebecca Rathore Route Strategy Director Network Rail

Dan Holder Head of Engineering and Asset Management (Infrastructure & Systems) Programme Delivery Director - Capital Investments Network Rail
12:40 PM - 13:25 PM Live NOW Available On Demand

Financing the Future of Infrastructure
Delivering a modern, resilient, and sustainable rail network requires more than engineering excellence—it demands bold, innovative approaches to financing. As the UK faces rising costs, shifting passenger patterns, and ambitious decarbonisation goals, traditional funding models are under pressure. The question is no longer if we invest in rail infrastructure, but how we fund it—fairly, efficiently, and for the long term.

This panel brings together transport economists, government officials, private investors, and infrastructure leaders to explore the evolving landscape of rail finance. We’ll examine:
- The role of public-private partnerships, long-term funding settlements, and value capture mechanisms
- How to align investment with regional growth, levelling up, and net zero priorities
- Strategies for de-risking infrastructure projects and attracting sustainable capital
- Lessons from international models and UK case studies on financing major rail programmes
This is a conversation about ambition, accountability, and unlocking the capital needed to build the railways of tomorrow. Join us to explore how we can finance infrastructure that delivers lasting value—for passengers, places, and the planet.