04.11.16
An incredible journey
Source: RTM Oct/Nov 16
Firstly, I would like to warmly welcome you to this special edition of RTM. As you have seen on the front cover, we have reached a milestone for the magazine with this being our 100th issue.
I would also like to thank all those readers and contributors who have been with us for the journey so far, and all those who have joined us along the way. We have included a two-page round-up starting on page 24 that reflects on RTM’s development as Britain’s rail industry media leader, the prestigious UK Rail Industry Awards (UKRIA) and much more.
As RTM went to press, the deadline for the 2017 edition of UKRIA had closed. I am proud to say that we have had more entries than ever, and our cross-industry panel of judges are now whittling their way through the hundreds we received to form the shortlist.
UKRIA 2017 will, once again, be held at the very impressive Battersea Evolution in London, with the awards ceremony taking place on Thursday 11 February. If you would like to attend or learn more about the awards, either call the team on: 0161 833 6320 or visit ukria.com.
This is also the last edition of RTM before we host the must-attend TransCityRail North networking dinner on Thursday 10 November. The event, which has solidified its place on the rail industry’s calendar over the last few years, brings together the leaders responsible for delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail for a lively and engaging networking dinner and panel discussion.
Due to the success of TransCityRail North, we have also launched the Northern Powerhouse Rail Conference, where Transport for the North (TfN) will outline its rail transport strategy for the north of England and senior managers from Network Rail will be presenting their strategy for procurement and supply chain engagement.
Both the dinner and conference will provide an unrivalled opportunity for the supply chain to engage with senior decision-makers, who will be outlining what future opportunities there will be on the north’s major infrastructure projects.
This edition of RTM is also jam-packed with contributions from rail political heavyweights. We have an exclusive piece from the new rail minister Paul Maynard on the need for rail to innovate (page 11), the leaders of TfN and Rail North explain how the two organisations are uniting to drive a transport revolution (page 50), and we talk to ScotRail Alliance’s Phil Verster about the future of investing in Scottish rail.
The 100th issue of RTM is full of fantastic content, and I hope you enjoy reading it. I also look forward to seeing many of our dedicated readers at UKRIA, the Northern Powerhouse Rail Conference and TransCityRail North.
David Stevenson
Editor