Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Maggie Simpson OBE.
Director General.
Rail Freight Group.
Part 1: Latest policy updates and progress with rail reforms
09:40 to
13:25
A message from the Minister
09:40 to
09:50
Speaker:
Lord Hendy CBE.
Minister of State (Minister for Rail).
Network Rail update and plans for the network
09:50 to
10:20
- Infrastructure and development plans
- Platform 4 and unlocking increased international rail freight
Speaker:
Guy Bates.
Head of Freight Development.
Network Rail.
ORR update: regulating a reformed rail sector and supporting freight
10:20 to
10:45
Speaker:
Feras Alshaker.
Interim CEO.
Office of Road and Rail.
Morning refreshments
10:45 to
11:15
Panel discussion: What do reforms mean for rail freight? Understanding the changes and ensuring freight is a key part of a changing rail structure
11:15 to
12:00
- Progress with rail reform – what is the latest updates and what do these mean for freight?
- What are the timelines and next steps for reforms?
- Access and use under the new system
- How can freight ensure it’s a key element of an updated system – representing freight views
Speakers:
Peter Graham.
Policy & Government Affairs Director.
Freightliner.
Kathryn Oldale.
Commercial Director.
DB Cargo.
Liam Day.
Interim Managing Director.
GB Railfreight.
Martin Fleetwood.
Consultant.
Addleshaw Goddard.
Operator perspective: identifying areas to focus on for investment and target for growth
12:00 to
12:25
- Growth areas and opportunities
- Innovation and rolling stock
Speaker:
Dave Penney.
CEO.
Heavy Haul Rail.
Networking lunch
12:25 to
13:25
Part 2: Opportunities for rail freight in infrastructure and construction
13:25 to
14:15
Understanding the pipeline of new strategic infrastructure projects – the 10-year infrastructure plan and which projects are moving forward and expected timelines
13:25 to
13:50
- Plans for energy, transport and water schemes
- Strategic infrastructure planning and identifying where project clusters will be
- What are timelines for these infrastructure projects?
- When does freight need to be involved in conversations about construction
Speaker:
Steven Hart.
Associate Director.
WSP.
How can rail freight be involved in supporting the pipeline of infrastructure projects?
13:50 to
14:15
- Delivering construction via rail – showcasing rail freight services
- How to bid and showcase freight as the best option
- How to work on big infrastructure
- Where has freight recently supported large infrastructure delivery
- Rail freight as a greener construction option
Speaker:
Gregory March.
Freight Business Development Manager (South).
Network Rail.
Part 3: Looking to the future – identifying new markets and the role of innovation and data in supporting improved freight operations
14:15 to
16:45
The current rolling stock market and changes needed to improve sustainability
14:15 to
14:40
- Meeting rail decarbonisation targets
- Current investment in wagons and locos
Speaker:
Giles Pettit.
Associate Director - Head of Rolling Stock.
Arup.
Afternoon refreshments
14:40 to
15:10
Optimising infrastructure and how innovation is supporting this
15:10 to
15:35
- Current changes to the sector and what these mean
- New innovations and how they are being applied
Speaker:
Adam Parkinson.
Founder and CEO.
GoExpress.
Panel discussion: Identifying and maximising new markets for rail freight – where are the opportunities?
15:35 to
16:20
- The increase of green energy and hydrogen – where are the opportunities?
- Optimising supply chains to support increased use of intermodal
- Working with retail – where is rail freight the best choice?
- Where are the international opportunities for rail freight?
- Showcase the benefits of rail freight as a greener choice
- What decision making is behind choosing rail freight?
Speakers:
Mathis Edwards.
Policy Manager.
Rail Freight Group.
Gary Clements.
Director of Sales.
Peel Ports.
Adam Parkinson.
Founder and CEO.
GoExpress.
Chair’s closing remarks
16:20 to
16:30
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:30 to
17:30