Network Rail Consulting’s Post

FS Group’s Q1 2024 results are in, showing the strength and solidity of our group and the dedication and passion of our people. #GruppoFS #100AmbassadorxFS #InternationalAmbassadorxFS #mobility #innovation #sustainability

Two speaking events on the same day! This one was to the Railway Industry Association SME network on the subject of 'Communicating Value' when bidding for public sector work. With #sustainability and #climatechange set to drive profound change over the coming years, it more important than ever that you can demonstrate how your organisation is tackling the challenges and delivering value to a broader range of stakeholders. #socialvalue is no longer a 'nice-to-have'! I showed how #diversity can drive both better business performance, including more #innovation and better #resilience, and how the businesses that can support the transition to #circularity are the ones that will succeed over the long term. It was a huge privilege to speak alongside Martin Traynor OBE, who gave us some background on the development of the Procurement Act 2023 and the effort that has gone into listening to SMEs' feedback. Christopher Robinson (MCIPS) outlined the work being done by Turner & Townsend and Tom Blacker had some great ideas about how we could work better as a network to deliver more value to the rail industry. It was great to meet some fantastic new contacts and huge thanks to Isabella Lawson for the invitation. railbusinessdaily.com Russell Simpson Andy Norris Oi Ki Cheung CEng MICE

Last year, I was encouraged to hear that Juergen Maier CBE FRS FREng was leading a review on the UK’s Rail and Urban Transport Sector. With the review now published, it offers a promising roadmap for public-private partnerships, focusing on long-term strategies essential for success. The emphasis on a 50-year vision is a crucial shift, especially for infrastructure planning and effective public-private collaborations. However, the workforce challenge needs urgent attention—30% of the workforce is retiring soon, and only 4% are under 25. A sustainable, long-term approach to workforce development is non-negotiable if these partnerships are to thrive… Effective supply chain performance is crucial but long-term planning is key to achieving it and that means long term investment: A collaborative approach between the government and private sector is key to enhancing local supply chain capabilities, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget while setting out and driving realistic economic benefits across the UK. The real test will be in the investment and action of the long-term strategies outlined - Our UK rail industry more than ever needs the commitment outlined in this review to ensure a future where our transport network truly serves passengers and taxpayers whilst making U.K. infrastructure a tangible, attractive investment. #Rail #Planning #investment #infrastructure

Many thanks to Board Level Investor SEDA-Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority for #investing in the mission of Focus Central Pennsylvania! SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA), owner of six short line railroads in Central Pennsylvania is investing $3,750 for 2024 to support the mission of Focus Central Pennsylvania to attract investment that cultivates economic growth in Central Pennsylvania. Recognition of the investment with SEDA-COG JRA’s Executive Director Steven Beattie, MBA, RLA and Board Chair Russ Graham to Lauren Bryson, Focus Central PA’s Executive Director and Jennifer Wakeman, CEcD, Executive Director of DRIVE, Chair of Focus Central PA Board of Directors. “The JRA is proud, once again, to support the good work of Focus Central PA to help us locate more rail-served industries on our system and contribute to economic investment and growth in the region” said Steven Beattie, Executive Director, SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority. The Lewisburg, PA based JRA is an eight-county municipal authority offering the best of public ownership of the trackage and fixed facilities, while freight service to customers is handled by the private sector through an agreement with the North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates. The SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority’s mission is to preserve and foster rail service in Central Pennsylvania and to further economic development through retention, improvement and expansion of the infrastructure and the rail service it supports. In the last ten years, The Rail Authority has reinvested over $50 million into upgrades and replacement of rail facilities and development of additional tracks to serve new industrial sites. #SmartGrowth #Investment #CentralPA #Rail #RailInfrastructure

Excellence in cost management has vaulted to the top of the agenda of #Transportation companies and it is the same in the rail industry. 🚂 #Rail companies need to find ways to strategically contain costs.   I've just read Boston Consulting Group (BCG)'s latest report on this topic : most of the Rail top executives interviewed, in passenger, freight, and #infrastructure cited the reduction of operating costs as their top priority for the next five years.   Unlike other industries, many rail players have not consistently managed costs strategically, although a systematic approach can bring substantial cost savings - in the range of 10% to 20%.   I strongly encourage you to read our latest BCG article: https://lnkd.in/e8bkZ9qr Dr. Yehia A. Mirko Pahl Dr. Felix Benz Maximilian Roth Felix Reszewski Dr. Peter Ullrich

Heads up: over the last four years there have been "£1.5 billion in efficiencies and counting." That was a message from Susan Millington MBA ChPP FCMI CMgr RPP MAPM of Network Rail at yesterday's 'Shaping the Future through SPEED Industry Partnership Conference (Part 1)'. And the Director of the Rail Investment Centre of Excellence at Network Rail Christian Irwin OBE advised that, looking ahead, the opportunities are so much greater. SPEED is a set of guiding principles for government, infrastructure managers and suppliers to deliver better projects and programmes - that in turn deliver value outcomes to investors and passenger & freight customers. Cav Elithorn the Director of Rail Infrastructure Central at the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom spoke of the potentially huge prize at stake, but cautioned that the sector has to own its responsibility to the tax payer. This can't be ducked now we've entered Control Period 7, as Network Rail's Capital Delivery Director Tim Walden explained that they would have to be around 10% more efficient than at the end of Control Period 6 (March 2024) just to stand still. Hence the £2.5 billion CP7 capital efficiency challenge and the need for minimum viable product to be at the heart of investment decision making. The journey continues, and so does the SPEED Industry Partnership Conference - Part 2 will be in October.

Just read through @BCG's latest insights on global rail, and it's quite interesting. Excellence in cost management has vaulted to the top of the agenda in the rail industry. Rail companies must find ways to curb costs strategically. In recent interviews with BCG, most executives of passenger, freight, and infrastructure companies cited reducing operating costs as their top priority for achieving performance and growth objectives during the next five years. What I found interesting was BCG’s benchmarking reveals stark variations in cost structures between and within rail industry segments, reflecting the need for a tailored approach to cost cutting.

Just read through @BCG's latest insights on global rail, and it's quite interesting. Excellence in cost management has vaulted to the top of the agenda in the rail industry. Rail companies must find ways to curb costs strategically. In recent interviews with BCG, most executives of passenger, freight, and infrastructure companies cited reducing operating costs as their top priority for achieving performance and growth objectives during the next five years. What I found interesting was BCG’s benchmarking reveals stark variations in cost structures between and within rail industry segments, reflecting the need for a tailored approach to cost cutting.

Just read through @BCG's latest insights on global rail, and it's quite interesting. Excellence in cost management has vaulted to the top of the agenda in the rail industry. Rail companies must find ways to curb costs strategically. In recent interviews with BCG, most executives of passenger, freight, and infrastructure companies cited reducing operating costs as their top priority for achieving performance and growth objectives during the next five years. What I found interesting was BCG’s benchmarking reveals stark variations in cost structures between and within rail industry segments, reflecting the need for a tailored approach to cost cutting.

Just read through @BCG's latest insights on global rail, and it's quite interesting. Excellence in cost management has vaulted to the top of the agenda in the rail industry. Rail companies must find ways to curb costs strategically. In recent interviews with BCG, most executives of passenger, freight, and infrastructure companies cited reducing operating costs as their top priority for achieving performance and growth objectives during the next five years. What I found interesting was BCG’s benchmarking reveals stark variations in cost structures between and within rail industry segments, reflecting the need for a tailored approach to cost cutting.