Minds are like parachutes – they work when open

For the first time Infrarail hosted an interactive discussion forum, where a panel of industry experts led various open discussions in partnership with Railnews and Rail Champions.

Railnews is the leading publication for the rail industry. Published monthly and with a readership today of over 200,000, which includes everyone from board room executives to track side staff, Railnews plays an important part in communicating what's going on in the railways to a wide ranging audience.

Rail Champions provides a neutral platform for new business development, debate and discussion to which suppliers, maintainers and end users can work collaboratively to ‘share knowledge’ and develop the ‘transport infrastructure’ of the future. Working closely with universities, government and industry, Rail Champions integrate the ‘best thinking’ in new technology, design, market insight and through ‘whole life’ cost modelling, able to create exciting new ideas that can be brought to market more efficiently.

Platform Session 1: Collaborative Business Relationships (BS 11000)

Tuesday 1st May
Time: 14:30 to 15:00    

Key Points:

Improved time, improved resource and risk management.
Delivery of incremental business value and innovation.
Share knowledge, skills and resources to meet mutually defined objectives.
Market insight and guidance identifying the right ‘alliance’ partners.

PANELISTS

Andy Harrison   (Director at Daventry Business & Consultancy Services)
Katie Ferrier   (Head of Supplier Engagement at Network Rail)
David Hawkins (Operations Director at PSL)
Chris Williams-Lilley   (Founder and Managing Director at Rail Champions)

Platform Session 2: HS2 Birmingham Interchange Station

Wednesday 2nd May
Time: 11.30 to midday

Key Points:

This session will examine - together with representatives of Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Greengauge 21 - how the Birmingham HS2 Interchange could be planned, developed and operated (perhaps even as a combined rail and air terminal for international travellers using HS2 or the nearby airport) and become the focus of a new commercial employment centre.  Greengauge 21 has already estimated the station will be a catalyst for the creation of 3,750 new jobs.

PANELISTS

Alex Burrows, Head of Strategy at Centro
Paul Watson, Strategic Director for Regeneration & Development at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Neil Rami, Head of Business Birmingham at Birmingham City Council
Neil Bennett, Partner at Sir Terry Farrell & Partners
John Morris, Head of Industry and Government Affairs at Birmingham Airport

Platform Session 3: Innovation in the Rail Sector

Wednesday 2nd May
Time: 14:30 to 15:00    

Key Points:

Innovation in the rail sector.  How can this be achieved?
Is innovation restricted to products or can services be truly innovative too?
How do you measure cost and return on innovation?
What are the risks associated with NOT being innovative?

PANELISTS

Jon Bentley   (Presenter, The Gadget Show – Channel 5)
Adam Woods (M2M Global Programme Manager, Logica)
Chris Williams-Lilley   (Founder and Managing Director at Rail Champions)

Platform Session 4: Bridging the Skills Gap

Time: 15:30 to 16:00    

Key Points:

Current and future skills needs within the UK Rail Sector.
Attracting new talent to the rail sector (e.g. engineering, research and design)
Bridging the skills gap, a positive way to engage with young people (e.g. apprentices, employment, careers)

PANELISTS

Gil Howarth   (Chief Executive Officer at NSARE)
Pete Waterman (Co-Founder and Patron of the NSARE)