Grab your name badge, breakfast and start your networking early.

Across the Midlands there are plenty of projects for industry to be involved with, Midlands Rail Hub, HS2, and freight are just some of the major headline projects for heavy rail and in light rail, there are line expansions as well as upgrades of rolling stock and technology. Listen to Maria, Chief Executive at Midlands Connect explain the opportunities.

The role of Supply Chain in facing the CP7 Efficiency Challenge

Future high speed services have the potential to drive growth in rail connectivity and the local economy across the West Midlands region. How can we collaborate to harness the combined potential of new infrastructure as well as optimising use of the existing West Coast Main Line to drive growth? What station enhancements are required to maximise connections between the existing stations and planned new high speed stations, and what are the priorities? How do we ensure infrastructure and station development lead to tangible benefits for customers?

Importance of rail freight in the Midlands
The Midlands plays a critical role in the UK’s economy with rail freight being a key component and delivery agent of this. Join Gregory March, Freight Business Development Manager at Network Rail as he discusses the importance and diverse nature of the Midland’s rail freight activity, ranging from supporting large scale Nationally critical infrastructure projects such as HS2, to the movement of domestic goods and development of emerging new markets. The session will also focus on some of the key considerations around rail freight when developing and expanding the Network.

Securing scheme funding for rail projects is one of the biggest challenges facing our industry today. SYSTRA deliver business case and passenger demand forecasting for clients throughout the UK. Too often we see scheme scope and costs spiral out of control during design development. Join us to hear how our MVP approach and delivery methodology achieve scheme funding and why ‘design for buildability’ is crucial.

Grab a coffee, mid morning snack and a fist full of business cards during the first networking opportunity of the day.

This event chaired by Arup will discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with decarbonising rail rolling stock, with a particular focus on freight operators. This cross-sector panel will explore why electrification alone is insufficient and examine other solutions. We will highlight innovative proposals that underscore the complexity and potential of various energy solutions and discuss the role of energy and global stakeholders in this transition. We will draw insights from other transport sectors, identifying lessons learned and potential synergies. The discussion will also address strategic approaches and planning necessary to deliver on the Government’s decarbonisation target and operator business objectives.

Apprentices are vital to the industry, but whats attracting them and whats keeping them within this railway family? You've nominated 5 apprentices to take to the stage and share their journey so we can see the rail industry through their eyes.

Learn Live have worked successfully with companies like The BBC, Balfour Beatty, Gatwick Airport, National Apprenticeship Service, Lancashire LEP, Network Rail, IBM, Health Education England and The NHS since 2015 to deliver careers advice, recruitment opportunities and health awareness broadcasts into schools and colleges across the UK.

Collaboration in a new innovation age
The wider supply chain has a long history synonymous with driving innovation and helping to positively change asset delivery within the Railway. In CP7, Network Rail need that spirit even more so as it battles with changing financial landscapes and a more agile policies. This is a call to arms to re-drive the engineering innovation and curiosity in working collaboratively with these challenges.

Trains to Cranes: HS2's stations in the West Midlands
Construction of Curzon St station started in January 2024 with main contractors MACE DRAGADOS forming a JV to move the station's development through many phases until it opens for passengers in 2029 creating a huge opportunity for suppliers now. Join Dave, Project Client Director for Curzon Street and discover the vast requirements of this project and what opportunities exist for a diverse range of suppliers.

Grab your lunch, talk to the speakers about how you can help with their challenges and network with new customers.

The Procurement Act significantly impacts the supply chain by making public procurement processes more transparent, accessible to a wider range of suppliers, particularly smaller businesses, and by introducing stricter oversight mechanisms, ultimately aiming to improve efficiency and value for money within the public sector supply chain; key changes include simplifying bidding processes, creating a debarment system to exclude unsuitable suppliers, and placing greater emphasis on social value considerations when awarding contracts. Join the discussion to understand the key elements and how the Procurement Act will impact your business.

Combinating new technologies opens the door to much lower cost, greener, urban mass transit, offering smarter services to draw riders from their cars into efficient shared public transport. Designing and ‘installing’ (not constructing) the next generation of urban transit challenges conventional thinking, and offers remarkable opportunities to visionary transport authorities. Join John to understand the national and international opportunities for transit authorities, transit operators, and for investors and suppliers.

Steven manages an annual budget of £16m and around 200 members of staff across the Central Route. The team also manage the relationships with not only, the train operators and suppliers but also a footfall of around 1.2m customers every week. With projects pending such as improvement to stations across the Midlands, it is certainly an exciting time to be involved. Join Steven as he explains all.

Tom will share the successes of the West Midlands Rail Programme, a rail industry partnership delivering new stations across the region, and set out the vision of the West Midlands Rail Executive and set out his exciting plans for the future, including the future role within a GBR context, how the WMCA Mayor and Integrated Settlement is an opportunity for greater local accountability and what are our immediate priorities.

Begin the evening by connecting with peers in a relaxed setting.

Lynsey Hooper, a pioneering sports broadcaster and co-founder of The Offside Rule, will deliver an inspirational speech at TransCityRail MIDLANDS. Drawing from her journey in breaking barriers in sports media, she will inspire the rail industry to embrace diversity, challenge conventions, and drive innovation for a more inclusive and dynamic future.

Enjoy a three-course meal accompanied by wine while engaging in meaningful conversations with industry professionals.