08.04.08
The Rail Alliance
A new rail business network has been launched with the promise of helping the industry make the most of a billion pound pool of opportunities over the next decade.
The Rail Alliance is set to become a hub of activity for a wide variety of suppliers and consumers. Its membership has grown to 350 in just 3 weeks and executive director Colin Flack is confident that his team will be able to make a real difference. “The mission statement says it all really, to provide a forum where members can network, collaborate, innovate and thrive in order to maintain and grow the prosperity and sustainability of their business.”
The corporate vision is also a typically confident and robust statement. “The Rail Alliance is the natural place to do business. It has a membership base that spans all aspects of the railway and supporting industries, both in terms of current involvement and aspirations. It is a unique blend of suppliers and customers, Public and private sector, all united in the common goal of trading and working with each other. It provides impartial information and advice, and signposts members to the wide range of assistance that is available. The Rail Alliance provides its members with an extra advantage.”
At the launch he was joined on the platform by Ian Baxter of Chiltern Rail and Bob Docherty from UKT&I. They both welcomed the initiative, which has been brought to life by Advantage West Midlands in partnership with the West Midlands Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS-WM). The region has been very successful in promoting and developing its rail business through a wide variety of programs which have seen many tangible benefits, including MAS-WM’s Ron Adams guiding Hepworth International to becoming the UK’s first IRIS accredited company, a number of very successful technology transfer projects led by Dr Michael Burrow of Birmingham University and significant export contracts being won by Midlands based companies through their involvement with Sue Barnes of UKT&I.
It is clear that the Rail Alliance offers a fresh approach to business networking and development. It is looking to complement the activities of the more established trade associations rather than to cover the same ground. At its heart are SMEs and companies that are new to the sector alongside existing providers. It has already signalled its intentions with the development of a new website, which will provide links to other support organisations, online advice and tools and a weekly bulletin on the latest news and industry opportunities. Colin takes up the story:
“Developing the current and future skills and knowledge base is going to be vitally important for the industry and we are looking at ways of putting on breakfast-based networking opportunities and also a number of educational and development events. We are in detailed discussions with Worcester University Business School regarding a groundbreaking railway MBA programme and a number of other education providers regarding what we believe to be a unique ‘cradle to grave’ training and education package.”
He added: “This will involve keeping companies aware of new legislation and training opportunities, with a real focus on making sure the sector retains its people and attracts the next generation of engineers and professionals”.
As Colin said at the launch, his team will be judged by their ability to improve your bottom line. First and foremost that is what the Alliance is all about!
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