28.08.15
Network Rail’s Phil Hufton to give keynote speech at UKRIA 2016
Attendees at the UK Rail Industry Awards 2016 will enjoy a keynote address from Phil Hufton, Network Rail’s managing director of Network Operations.
Hufton, who replaced Robin Gisby in the post earlier this year, joined Network Rail from London Underground, and brings a wealth of experience of running railways, maintenance, assets and other major infrastructure around the world.
UKRIA director Roy Rowlands said: “We look forward to welcoming Phil at UKRIA 2016 and what will no doubt be a scintillating and informative speech.”
Hufton started his career in the transport industry in his home town of Derby as a craft apprentice with a train manufacturing company, before getting promoted through the ranks. In 1997, he assumed responsibility for global train car body and locomotive manufacturing across eleven sites in Europe and Australia. He later spent some time in the power and automation sector, as part of a $38bn company.
He re-joined the transport industry in 2006 when he joined Metronet to manage the reintegration of maintenance activity back into London Underground. He joined London Underground itself two years later as chief maintenance officer and headed up the organisation’s reliability improvements in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
In 2013, Hufton became chief operating officer and was responsible for integrating all of London Underground’s maintenance and operations functions. He joined Network Rail as MD for Network Operations in January 2015.
2016’s event will be the third UK Rail Industry Awards. The previous headline speakers were then Network Rail chair Richard Parry-Jones, and Peter Wilkinson, the managing director for passenger services at the DfT’s Rail Executive.
To find out more about entering this year’s awards in one of the 23 categories, click here. It is free to enter, but act quickly – the deadline for entries is 4 October 2015.