In the latest episode from Rail Technology Magazine, we delve into the crucial topic of freight transport and its evolution towards a net-zero railway. With climate change at the forefront of global discussions, the rail freight sector must adapt and innovate to meet ambitious carbon reduction targets. Our expert panel, featuring Phil Smart, Daniel Fredrikson, Joshua Jordan-Boddey, and Toby Rackliff, provides invaluable insights into the importance of freight transport for the UK economy. Phil S...
May 28, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 65
The rail industry faces challenges like an aging workforce and gaps in understanding diversity, particularly for disabled and LGBT+ employees. EDI is essential for a safer, more reliable railway, better service delivery, and attracting diverse talent. The Rail Industry Association and Women in Rail launched the EDI Charter to promote diversity and gender balance, with over 160 companies participating. Network Rail's Everyone Belongs strategy aims to create an inclusive environment and attract to...
Apr 25, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 64
The railway industry stands at a pivotal moment, grappling with the need to adapt its workforce strategies to meet the challenges of the future. In our latest podcast episode, we hear from Brad Smith, the Operations Manager for Wessex Route at Network Rail. As we delve into the complexities of maintaining a 24/7 operational team, Brad highlights the evolving expectations of employees, particularly in light of generational shifts. With Gen Z projected to comprise over 30% of the global workforce ...
Mar 24, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 63
The railway industry is undergoing a transformative journey in how it approaches competence management. In the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast, host Jonathan Dean is joined by Gabriel Stroud, CEO and co-founder of AssessTech, and Emma Lowe, a Occupational Psychologist, to explore the shift from compliance-based competence to a developmental approach. Developmental competence management is about more than just ticking boxes; it's about empowering individuals to take ownersh...
Oct 28, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 62
In the bustling heart of London, beneath the city's streets, a silent revolution is taking place. Transport for London (TfL) is undertaking an ambitious project to bring mobile coverage to the London Underground, transforming the way commuters stay connected. In a recent episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, host Peter Johnson sat down with Matt Griffin, Head of Commercial Telecoms at TfL, to delve into the intricacies of this monumental task. The journey to bring mobile coverage to t...
Sep 04, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Jon Hill and Ben Parrish from Genetec join the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast. The pair explain the current inefficiencies in the rail industry when it comes to retrieving security footage and discuss Genetec’s Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS), Clearance, which helps to streamline the process. Jon explains how the manual method of sharing footage on DVDs and USBs presents serious security issues, while Ben discusses the challenge presented by having a 30-day wind...
Aug 09, 2024•26 min•Ep. 60
Railway Industry Association (RIA) Chief Executive Darren Caplan joins the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast. Darren discusses the future of the UK’s rail industry under the new Labour Government, identifying a certain amount of continuity from the previous Government, including plans for continued devolution and the establishment of Great British Railways. Darren also stresses the importance of incentivising increased passenger numbers and revenue growth, despite a recent r...
Jul 26, 2024•28 min•Ep. 59
W e are joined by the Head of Air Operations at Network Rail, Bradley Sparkes, and National Aerial Survey Specialist, Sean Leahy. Bradley and Sean offer some fascinating insight into how Network Rail patrols the British railway from the sky, identifying faults on helicopter and drone explorations. Sean discusses the technology his team uses, meaning they are capable of observing faults that may otherwise go unnoticed while flying at hundreds of feet. He also gives insight into his team’s thermal...
Jun 21, 2024•45 min•Ep. 58
Chris Gibb is a non executive director of DOHL and was formerly the CEO of Scottish Rail Holdings and COO of Virgin West Coast. He has over 40 years of experience in the rail industry and watched on like the rest of us as Phases 2a and 2b of HS2 were cancelled. Chris joins host Peter Johnson on the latest edition of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast to discuss a personal project he has worked on to maximise the UK rail network with only the London-Birmingham high-speed line being constructed....
Jun 06, 2024•22 min•Ep. 57
In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Vaibhav Puri, Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation at the Rail Safety and Standards Board. Vaibhav discusses in detail the role of the RSSB in how innovation in rail should be regulated and controlled and what needs to be done to make it as much an environment for innovation and technological transformation as possible. But as the industry gets to grips with the changing world around it, it also wrestles with how to lo...
Feb 20, 2024•32 min•Ep. 56
In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Suzanne Donnelly, Director of Passenger Revenue at Great British Railway Transition Team. Great British Railways has a remit to fundamentally change the way that rail in this country is run. It has at its core, a programme of change for the network, and how it can be the best in class for passengers and the industry. Suzanne discusses the role that GBRTT will play in this change, and the steps that are being put in place to ensu...
Feb 06, 2024•27 min•Ep. 55
In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Alicia Andrews, commercial director at Southeastern. Alicia is in charge of the commercial arm of one of Britain’s biggest operators on one of the Britain’s busiest lines. How can operators innovate and keep nimble in such a cost driven environment? Alicia explains how Southeastern tackle this and its plans to keep their focus on innovation. Revenue generation and passenger habits also take centre stage as we discuss how Southea...
Jan 18, 2024•27 min•Ep. 54
In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Rail Director at STEM recruitment specialists, Matchtech about the challenges facing the industry in recruiting across the multiple different sectors currently and how the industry and the specialisms within rail have changed over the years and how it is still evolving. But we also discuss what can be done to alleviate the talent crunch that is affecting rail, how the industry can become more attractive to prospective talent and...
Jan 03, 2024•32 min•Ep. 53
This episode brought to you by Arup takes a further look at how the industry is tackling decarbonisation and managing the competing voices and interests when deciding on how to manage it. This panel discuss how the rail sector asks if the industry is doing everything it can to hit the targets set from across the wider rail sector – From civils and construction, through the supply chain and the operators. It also details how decarbonisation is tackled currently and how suppliers can become part o...
Dec 14, 2023•29 min•Ep. 52
This episode brought to you by West Coast Partnership brings together some of the leading voices in regional rail for another one of TCR North’s Leader’s Debate. This panel discuss how the rail sector can collaborate with regional economies to drive growth and increase productivity and take a further look into how transport infrastructure can play a vital role in connecting people, businesses, and communities. It also explores how the session can increase the voice of rail when policy makers dis...
Dec 07, 2023•31 min•Ep. 51
The needs of customers and the industry at large forms the heart of this debate, as the panel discuss where ensuring the industry needs are in sync with the passengers needs. Of course, to deliver on these improvements, requires budget – And the panel produce a lively debate on where and how spending should be prioritised in a time of restricted budgets and a stiff economic climate. Panellists on this debate are; James Corker, Rail Sector Director, Skanska UK PLC Paul Harwood, Programme Director...
Nov 30, 2023•32 min•Ep. 50
Join us in our first leaders debate from TransCity Rail North 2023, brought to you by Mott MacDonald, where our panellists discuss how putting passengers first can reframe the conversation for the North and deliver better outcomes for both the industry and the passengers Panellists on this debate are; Karen Heppenstall, Head of Rail, Midlands Connect Tricia Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Northern Trains Darren Oldham, Rail and Road Director, Transport for the North Ken Norbury, Transportatio...
Nov 23, 2023•28 min•Ep. 49
In the final episode of our TCR South 2023 Leaders Debate series, we take a look at one of the hottest topics – AI Technology Digitising the railway, complex route networks, tight timetables and growing passenger numbers, IoT and AI artificial will play a major role in the future of the rail industry. This discussion covers all of the major talking points on how AI will affect and eventually change rail. Panellists on this debate are; Brad Smith Head of Public & Passenger Safety, Network Rai...
Nov 07, 2023•29 min•Ep. 48
In episode three of our TCR South 2023 Leaders Debate series, the ambitious Southern Integrated Delivery takes centre stage. The debate looks at the southern regions huge £9 billion renewals programme and the trailblazing alliance that has been brought together to achieve it. The detailed conversation looks at how it was formed, its approach and the opportunities across the whole of the region that the programme aims to deliver. Panellists on this debate are; Tim Coucher, Alliance Director, Netw...
Nov 01, 2023•28 min•Ep. 47
In episode two of our TCR South 2023, Leaders Debate series, we explore collaboration and what needs to be done within the industry to adopt new solutions. The debate, brought to you by LNER was titled “How do we encourage industry collaboration and the spread and adoption of new solutions to cross-industry challenges” It touches upon the need for an industry so used to working in silo’s to begin working together to push forward innovation, especially in the space of new technologies. Buit also,...
Oct 25, 2023•33 min•Ep. 46
How does rail manage in a world where every resource comes at a premium? How does it improve and drive changes in the way it does things? These are questions posed in the first Leaders Debate at this year’s Trans City Rail South event; In an era of scarce resources, where does the rail industry focus efforts to modernise and drive productivity? – Brought to you by Arup. Guests for the panel discussion included; · Chris Myers, Associate Director Digital Services, Arup · Phil Harrison, Director, A...
Oct 18, 2023•27 min•Ep. 45
In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we take a look back at this years TransCity Rail South event, review some of the key speeches and discussions with highlights from Tim Walden, Rob Thomas, Rubina Greenwood. Collaboration, technological advances, digital evolution and capital investment were key themes discussed over the one-day event, held in the centre of London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 06, 2023•21 min•Ep. 44
Climate change and how the rail industry is tackling it, is a key question which the industry is needing to confront. But as we look towards an unpredictable future, rail is beginning to get ahead of the challenge with its continued technological advance. Network Rail is at the forefront of this, and in this episode of Rail Technology Magazine, we chat with Mona Silhota, Technical Head of Drainage and Lineside for Network Rail as well as Michael Brown, Head of Delivery for Intelligent Infrastruc...
Sep 15, 2023•27 min•Ep. 43
This month’s podcast is with the Head of Digital Ticketing Services at the Rail Delivery Group, John Backway. The podcast covers some of the most pressing issues within the sector currently. John chats about how digital ticketing is changing how people interact with the rail network around them and how the advancing technology is making printed ticketing a redundant practice. Efficiencies for customers is at the heart of work that Rail Delivery Group does and this is a key part of John’s remit. ...
Aug 17, 2023•38 min•Ep. 42
The latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast features Danny Vaughan, the Head of Metrolink in Manchester. Danny has worked in light rail for 25 years and has overseen expansion projects across the city – Including the recently opened Trafford Park Line. He discusses how light rail offers options and flexibility where mainline rail cannot, the hopeful future of TfGM’s all encompassing Bee Network, which hopes to change and simplify how transport in Manchester works and Metrolink’s p...
Aug 01, 2023•30 min•Ep. 41
On the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast features Will Doyle, CEO of Rail Diary. Will has grown Rail Diary since its inception into a key project management tool that uses data and intelligence to help site and commercial managers make decisions with all of the information in front of them. We look at how data is changing the landscape for both on-site project management within the rail industry and how digitalisation is helping commercial decisions to be made. Will shares h...
Jun 13, 2023•22 min•Ep. 40
The latest episode of Track Talk, the rail industry podcast is now available, bringing you closer to the leaders responsible for building, shaping and delivering transformational rail services and infrastructure across the UK. The new episode of the podcast, released today, features Andrew Haines, Chief Executive at Network Rail, and Richard Hill, Local Operations Manager at Network Rail. They offer their key industry insight as to how the role of business leaders helps drive action to combat cl...
Apr 17, 2023•42 min•Ep. 39
In this latest edition of the Track Talk we sat down with Malcolm Holmes, Executive Director at West Midlands Rail Executive, to discuss his current role and the state of the rail sector within the Midands, then focusing the conversation on Malcolm’s “radical shift” as he transitions into his new role, helming operations for a heritage steam railway. Acting as the current new General Manager of the Great Central railway, an eight-and-a-half-mile stream railway in Leicestershire, Malcolm will be ...
Mar 07, 2023•36 min•Ep. 38
This episode of Track Talk sees a discussion with Conservative MP for Milton Keynes South Iain Stewart, Chair of the Transport Committee. The focus of this episode revolves around disruptive technologies within the rail sector, specifically the impact that the new, innovative advancements and trends might have across all modes of transport. The Transport Committee are taking proposals from people in the sector who are in the know about innovations that deserve more attention, so we have given th...
Feb 03, 2023•29 min•Ep. 37
During the TransCityRail North event in Manchester, Skanska led a panel discussion that included Ruth Todd, Chief Commercial Officer at HS2, Andrew Wilson, Regional Manager at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, Ciara Pryce, Chief Operating Officer at VGC Group and Andrew Spencer, Head of Procurement & Supply Chain HS2 at Skanska. The discussion was aimed to highlight how, as the UK UK continues to deliver world leading rail infrastructure projects whilst maintaining and upgrading the ex...
Dec 06, 2022•28 min•Ep. 36
