An open discussion panel with movers and shakers in the rail industry, including a mix of topical discussion points and audience questions. Expect lively and insightful analysis, cutting to the heart of the fundamental questions that will shape the future of the railway.

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 (𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗕𝗖)

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝟮 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝟭 𝟯𝗕𝗚 (𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻)

𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁

• Anna-Jane Hunter (Partner, Winder Phillips Associates)

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀

• Tim Shoveller (CEO, Freightliner UK & Europe)
• Shamit Gaiger (Managing Director, West Coast Partnership Development, and Chair of Trustees, Campaign for Better Transport)
• Simon Elliott (Network Director Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester)
• Paul Staples (Engineering, Safety & Sustainability Director, TransPennine Express)
• One more panellist to be confirmed.

This is our biggest event of the year so far so spaces will be given first come first serve. Get yours now now!

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As part of the final phase of the Women in Rail Scotland Ascent series, this breakfast celebrates confidence, authenticity, and the freedom that comes with experience.

Hosted in partnership with Dentons, the session explores how women can take control of their careers, challenge bias and misogyny in the workplace, and define success for themselves.  Recognising that there are no right answers, only fulfilling paths shaped by our values and choices.

Speaker:
Johannah Randall, Co-Chair, Women in Rail Scotland

Johannah will share her unconventional career journey, from the early days of hospitality and rail operations to leading national programmes and mentoring others. She’ll reflect on resilience, authenticity, and what it means to thrive and stay true to yourself in the face of workplace challenges

Join us at The Social Hub, Glasgow, breakfast included.

Sponsors:
This event is proudly sponsored by Dentons, a leading international law firm committed to diversity, inclusion, and leadership development across transport, infrastructure, and energy sectors.

The post Women in Rail Scotland: Ascent: Breakfast with Purpose, Power and Perspective: Thriving in the Later Stages of Your Career. appeared first on RBD.

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We’ll share a toast to our successes over the year and celebrate our community’s positive vision for the future.

– Open to members and non-members –

Note: this networking social follows-on from our Supplier Challenge event with Heathrow Express. Please register your interest for that event separately if you’d like to join The Rail Innovation Group for the afternoon as well: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heathrow-express-supplier-challenge-tickets-1707685486259

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Expect live pitches, roundtable discussion, and networking with industry leaders.

Note: this event will lead into our Christmas networking social. If you would like to join  only for the social event, please register here..

Event Overview

Join Heathrow Express and the Rail Innovation Group for a unique supplier challenge, bringing together start-ups, small suppliers, and innovators to pitch solutions to real-world challenges in one of the UK’s flagship rail links.

This curated “Dragons’ Den”-style roundtable will take participants on a Heathrow Express journey from London Paddington to Heathrow Airport, where shortlisted suppliers will present their ideas directly to Heathrow Express decision-makers. The event will also be attended by industry colleagues, creating a platform for new voices in rail to be heard.

The session will focus on practical, data-driven innovation and the role of SMEs in shaping a smarter, greener passenger experience — reflecting the Rail Innovation Group’s mission to diversify rail’s supply chain and support smaller companies to thrive.

– This event is open to members and non-members of the Rail Innovation Group. The event is subject to capacity constraints, please register your interest to secure your place –

Challenges include:

• A digital solution to enable seamless staff travel through the network: a secure and user-friendly access solution that removes the need for staff intervention, ensures only eligible staff receive free travel, ensures accurate data collection.
• Proving, Promoting & Positioning Heathrow Express as the Smart, Green Choice: an innovative solutions to shape customer perception by highlighting Heathrow Express’ core strengths of speed, space, and premium service, while reinforcing its position as the smartest and greenest choice for airport transfers.
• First and Last Mile Connectivity: solutions that integrate Heathrow Express with other transport modes and services to deliver a seamless and stress-free end-to-end journey, while also helping passengers confidently understand their travel options.

Who Should Attend?

• Start-ups and small digital suppliers looking to showcase their solutions.
• Rail and transport professionals seeking to learn from new suppliers.
• Influencers, trade press, and industry stakeholders interested in rail innovation

Why Attend?

• Pitch directly to Heathrow Express and industry stakeholders.
• Gain visibility with trade press and influencers.
• Be part of shaping solutions around sustainability, customer experience, and future-ready rail services.

About the Rail Innovation Group

The Rail Innovation Group is committed to building a sustainable rail ecosystem by driving innovation and fostering collaborations. Through partnerships with UK rail suppliers, we connect businesses with growth opportunities and enhanced efficiency. We lead the way in shaping the future of rail transport by supporting start-ups and small digital companies, boosting rail supply chain innovation, and championing cutting-edge technologies that drive industry progress. Find out about membership here..

– This event is open to members and non-members of the Rail Innovation Group. The event is subject to capacity constraints, please register your interest to secure your place. 

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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

________________

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

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A day of keynote talks and networking!

ASAVRail are now welcoming sponsors and exhibitors to join them in shaping the future of rail.

More information to come!

Get involved: rtc@asavrail.com

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In this event, we will focus on developing solutions for the priorities highlighted at last year’s event:

Supporting and enhancing recent train performance improvements
Improving safety for colleagues and partners
Delivering greater financial efficiency
Climate adaptation and resilience

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RIA are excited to welcome you to their next Member’s Connect session on 15 September 2025 at the Mott MacDonald’s offices, 10 George St, Edinburgh. This event is an opportunity to connect with fellow RIA members and the RIA team.

RIA’s Member’s Connect events are designed to bring RIA members together to network, share experiences, and strengthen industry connections. Engaging with peers allows you to exchange best practices, gain valuable insights, and maximise the benefits of your RIA membership. We’ll also take this opportunity to highlight the wide range of member benefits available; from policy-driven opportunities to innovation insights, and welcome your feedback on what else would enhance your membership experience.

What to Expect:

Key updates on RIA’s main activities

Insights into industry initiatives and market developments

A chance to meet the RIA team, ask questions, and network over drinks and nibbles

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Rail Link’s intimate annual Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony celebrates the Rail Industry workforce, honouring everyone from station staff and drivers to designers, installers, managers, newcomers, and lifelong contributors. These awards truly embrace everyone in rail.

Rail Link will be recognising recent achievements, newly completed and ongoing projects, and the invaluable contributions of staff from graduates to seasoned professionals. Rail Link’s events are open to participants from the UK, Ireland, and Europe, reflecting our belief that significant accomplishments are often born from collaboration. We celebrate these great achievements together, fostering closer ties and establishing lasting industry bonds!

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