Rail Innovation Group are delighted to welcome Dr Tilly Collins, Deputy Director at Imperial College London’s Centre for Environmental Policy, as keynote speaker. With a focus on sustainable urban areas and how interconnected systems can promote greener, more liveable cities, Dr Collins will offer a fresh perspective on how rail can embrace innovation at scale.

A panel discussion with industry and skills leaders will follow, examining how rail can embed innovation across the whole supply chain. The session will close with Q&A and networking.

Agenda:

14:00 – Arrival, Refreshments, and Opportunity to view demo materials from partners
14:30 – Welcome and Opening Remarks
14:45 – Keynote Presentation: Dr Tilly Collins, Deputy Director, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London
15:15 – Panel session: Innovation for Net Zero

Topics: Skills for system-wide innovation; Rail within urban systems; Adoption of AI and digital tools; Sustainability drivers; Customer experience as a systems issue; Policy and investment context.

16:00 – Audience QA
16:15 – Networking Reception
17:30 – Close

About the Keynote Speaker

Dr Tilly Collins, Deputy Director, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London

Imperial College London is a leader in climate and transport research. Dr Tilly Collins describes her “core loves” as Sustainable Urban Areas, i.e. how green space, appropriate construction and short-chain urban systems can promote sustainability in cities and will offer a perspective on innovation as a system-wide challenge.

About Skills Beyond Scale

The Rail Innovation Group’s latest report: Skills Beyond Scale reviews the skills base within our community of startups and small digital companies, highlighting the pivotal role that our members play in harnessing innovation to develop solutions for the future of rail. The report shows that these enterprises are already leveraging advanced technologies, including AI and data analytics to develop cutting-edge digital solutions, transform customer experiences and enhance operational efficiency. This is the third of a series of events delivered in partnership with Ovinto.

Driving Operational Efficiency in Rail Logistics through Innovation
Space-Enabled Digitalisation
Smart Technologies for a Green (Rail) Future

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– This event is open to members and non-members of the Rail Innovation Group

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How do we reduce the cost of railway infrastructure, from beneath the wheels to overhead electrification? As well as infrastructure generally we shall give particular attention to freight, which is important in the context of multimodal transport and economic growth, and has its own peculiar infrastructure requirements. Contributions on signalling, digital and rolling stock issues are also invited.

Introduced by journalist Paul Clifton, speakers include Transport Select Committee member Olly Glover MP, Director General of the Rail Freight Group Maggie Simpson, former Network Rail Chief Engineer Andrew McNaughton, and leading railway infrastructure researcher Professor William Powrie.

University-based or associated delegates are invited to make a three-minute presentation on their research, with an emphasis on reducing the cost of infrastructure and facilitating rail freight. All delegates are invited to contribute to a poster display.

The event will run from 11:00hrs to 15:30hrs, with arrivals from 10:30hrs. There will be an optional tour of the National Infrastructure Laboratory at the end of the day.

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A flagship event in the Unlocking Innovation programme, the RIA Innovation Conference brings together inspirational leaders, pioneering engineers, ambitious entrepreneurs and passionate railway professionals. We know, the railway industry has a plethora of interesting events from which to choose, many of which are delivered by our own RIA team. However, the RIA Innovation Conference has a special place in our and, we hope, our members’ calendars. We have already tried several new elements at the last event, such as the TOC Pitch Session, Exhibitor Spotlights, and innovators’ TechTalks. All of these have received positive feedback from attendees, allowing the event to be more interactive and engaging. For RIA Innovation Conference 2025, we are continuing to challenge ourselves on how to deliver a stand-out event for our members and partners. The event will combine an opportunity for you to share your innovations, be inspired by technological and research advancements happening in the UK and around the world, engage with clients and suppliers to overcome barriers and, most importantly, have fun!

Super Early Bird Tickets end on 27 July 2025

“Very well organised event for innovators in the rail industry.”
Dominic O’Malley, Tended

“RIC 2024 at Newport was another brilliantly orchestrated melting pot of thinking, direction, ideas, and solutions. Over the years this has become a go to event. Putting Network Rail and all parts of its supply chain in one place together has created a genuine sense of optimism for the next Control Period!”
Ben Blackwall, Capgemini

“As Arcadis we have been a sponsor for 3 years. For us this has been the best event yet. We have had the chance to showcase what we are doing but most importantly learn from and collaborate with other industry colleagues and those from other sectors. It truly is an inspiring event and we come ahead from ICC Wales with renewed vigor and determination to move the industry forward. We recognise that events like this take considerable organisation and a vision. To Milda and the whole of the RIA team. Thank you for organising such a wonderful event. We look forward to supporting you through the other Unlocking Innovation events including Innotrans in Sept”.
Christopher Pike, Arcadis

“Excellent event well run and very enjoyable”.
Andy Cargo, Tended

“Once again, the RIA team managed to exceed all expectations and pull off an event that is as perfect as they come. The conference was full of networking opportunities, inspiring keynotes, exciting demos and more robots than ever! The RIA Innovation Conference has proved yet again to be the yearly must-attend event for innovators in the railway industry”.
Mario Ramos-Garcia, Aegis Engineering

“Attending the RIA Innovation Conference at the stunning Celtic Manor was an absolute delight! The venue provided a refreshing change of scenery, offering ample space to explore the latest innovations in the rail industry. It was fantastic to witness new ideas and technologies taking centre stage, showcasing the exciting future of rail transport. Thanks for inviting the Rail Innovation Group to be a part of this transformative event. Can’t wait to see what surprises next year’s event has in store!”
Johannah Randall, Rail Innovation Group

“Thoroughly enjoyed this year’s Innovation Conference. We were lucky enough to exhibit and catch up with some current contacts as well as making some new connections. Hopefully the event has helped to promote awareness of the charity within the rail industry. Thank you to RIA for an excellent conference and for looking after us so well”.
Suzy Powell, Rail Benefit Fund

“RIA have done once again, a fantastic innovation conference allowing the supply chain to gain much needed exposure moving into CP7 and beyond. As an exhibitor we had meaningful customer interactions as well superb networking opportunities enticing new and potential clients. Overall, an epic profile-raising event that has gained us the much needed revelations and put us in the forefront. Thanks Team RIA!”
Nuno Vasco, Phoenix Contact

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SigEx 2025 is open to everyone involved in railway signalling, along with professionals from related industries, including supply chain experts, clients, and government organisations. The event will feature a mix of informative conference sessions and ample networking opportunities.

Details on the speaker line-up and full event schedule will be released closer to the event date.

We encourage experienced professionals to bring their early-career colleagues along for this valuable experience.

Sponsors
We would like to thank our Event Partners, Network Rail. The event is kindly sponsored by our Platinum Sponsors Sella Controls & Amey and our Silver Sponsors Phoenix Contact. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please visit the sponsorship page for available packages.

Exhibitors
The event includes a large exhibition space. Please see the registration page for pricing and contact @Christina Xaviour for further information.

Networking Social
After the exhibition, join us for a Networking Social from 17:00 to 19:30 at the racecourse lounge. Complimentary refreshments and snacks will be provided. Please plan your travel accordingly

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Winner of the Best Long-Standing Association Event 2023 award and Memcom’s Best Event Award 2024, RIA Innovation Conference is back. It is a flagship event in the Unlocking Innovation programme from the Railway Industry Association (RIA) and brings together inspirational leaders, pioneering engineers, ambitious entrepreneurs and passionate railway professionals.

The event will combine an opportunity for attendees to share innovations, be inspired by technological and research advancements happening in the UK and around the world, engage with clients and suppliers to overcome barriers and, most importantly, have fun!

This year’s conference will include:

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It will provide you with networking time and enable you to connect with innovators across the rail supply chain.

Register now to secure your place at the Rail Innovation Exhibition 2025.

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Carlisle Support Services’ Innovation Lab provides an annual opportunity to interact with emerging cutting-edge innovations and assess their viability within day-to-day operations before committing to substantial capital investments. Therefore, adapting in a flexible and cost-effective manner to thrive within any given market conditions.

The event will welcome innovators, thought leaders and expert speakers from across the industry to challenge the status quo and provide tangible strategies that help future-proof organisations.

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This event aims to share knowledge and identify further potential use of existing space-based technologies for innovative applications/services in railways. For example, to improve infrastructure monitoring, operations and attractiveness of the railway. It’s focused on highlighting the opportunities in the Space4Rail call to encourage smaller suppliers to consider funding and support opportunities available through the European and UK Space Agencies, either directly or in collaboration with larger commercial organisations.

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