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
Supporting rail freight growth and development
09:40 to
09:55
- Enabling freight growth in a reformed rail sector
Network Rail update and plans for the network
09:55 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.
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
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
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
Afternoon refreshments
14:40 to
15:10
Innovation and adoption of new technologies and AI – identifying what solutions are needed and successfully utilising data to drive efficiencies
15:10 to
15:35
- New innovations in the ports sector and how they are being applied
- Cutting through the noise - identifying the priorities and what data is actually needed
- How is increase data monitoring helping with intermodal and freight operational efficiencies
Speaker:
Adam Parkinson.
Commercial Rail Development Director.
DP World.
Latest global supply chain and trade trends – understanding the impacts of shipping changes and implications for rail freight
15:35 to
16:00
- Impacts of geopolitics on supply chains
- How are trade movement changing worldwide?
- Which markets are facing risk, and which are growing?
Panel discussion: Identifying and maximising new markets for rail freight – where are the opportunities?
16:00 to
16:45
- 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:
Robert McIlveen.
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs.
Mineral Products Association.
Raphael Doutrebente.
Chair.
Europorte.
Closing address
16:45 to
17:05
Chair’s closing remarks
17:05 to
17:10
Close of conference and networking drinks
17:10 to
17:30