NORTH 2026.

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

Welcome to the event. We'll be kicking off shortly.

Rachel is a Project Director on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, Network Rail's £11.5bn programme transforming the railway between York and Manchester via Leeds and Huddersfield, delivering faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys across the North. She opens TransCityRail North with a keynote on the programme's progress and what it means for the region.

Efficiency and excellence are paramount when delivering projects; these qualities are vital, starting at the design phase and continuing through to programme delivery. With the establishment of SID that is set to deliver the Southern Region's up-to £9bn estimated renewals portfolio over the next ten years, how can we ensure that complex problems are met with innovative and invaluable solutions? Bringing lessons and insights from the delivery of other major programmes, this panel session will focus on how the integration of infrastructure, operations, digital systems, and governance can result in more effective and reliable solutions, delivering better whole‑network out comes

Sevadis designs, supplies and supports EV charging infrastructure across the UK, from single home chargers to multi-unit, load-balanced systems for fleets, workplaces and large developments. Their AC and DC charger range, backed by Sevadis Cloud management software and UK-based technical support, is built for organisations electrifying vehicle fleets and depots at scale, making the case directly relevant to rail operators and infrastructure owners as they decarbonise their own fleet and estate operations. Their session at TransCityRail North will set out how this experience can support the sector's transition to electrified fleets and smarter charging infrastructure.

Charlie leads on integration and strategy for the North of England at Network Rail's System Operator function, working to align regional rail priorities with national strategy and support delivery of a more connected, reliable network across the region. He joins TransCityRail North to share insight into how collaboration between public and private stakeholders can accelerate the North's rail transformation.

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

Chris is Major Projects and TRU Director at TransPennine Express, where he has led major infrastructure and project delivery since 2016, including the operator's work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade. He has overseen milestones such as the reopening of Huddersfield station, the rollout of ETCS digital signalling on the Class 185 fleet and the extension of electric services into Greater Manchester, and he is currently leading the procurement of TPE's next generation of trains. Chris began his career at First North Western and Northern before moving into performance and programme roles at FirstGroup, and he holds an MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School alongside fellowships with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Chartered Institute of Railway Operators. He speaks at TransCityRail North on progress and delivery on the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

SLC is a rail development and delivery consultancy that makes third-party and local authority-led rail schemes happen, from strategy through to construction, with a portfolio including Worcestershire Parkway, the Northumberland Line and Waterbeach station. WW+P (Weston Williamson + Partners) is an international architecture and masterplanning practice with a strong transport portfolio, including the RIBA award-winning Paddington Elizabeth Line station and Old Street station. The two have worked together on the Shrewsbury Moves vision, where WW+P produced early concept designs for a proposed new Parkway station in Shropshire, with SLC leading development and delivery alongside Shropshire Council and open-access operator WSMR. Their joint panel at TransCityRail North will draw on that experience to explore how design and delivery expertise can combine to bring new rail infrastructure to life.

Dan O'Riordan will explore the key trends shaping the future of transport and aviation, from evolving security and regulatory pressures to workforce challenges, resilience and changing customer expectations. Drawing on experience across rail, aviation and critical infrastructure, he will share insights into how organisations can build safer, more resilient and higher-performing environments through collaboration, innovation and investment in people.

The session will also examine the future of integrated transport services, the opportunities presented by rail reform, and why strong partnerships between operators, government, policing and industry will be essential to meeting the challenges ahead. Delegates will leave with practical insights into the leadership, skills and approaches needed to succeed in an increasingly complex transport landscape.

Jake is Managing Director of Network Rail's North West and Central region, covering the West Coast Main Line and serving major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Glasgow. He has recently also taken on the role of Deputy Chief Executive of Network Rail. With over 25 years in the rail industry, Jake returned to lead the region in March 2025 having previously served as NW&C's Passenger Director, Group Director for Network Rail's System Operator function, and Regional Managing Director for Network Rail's Eastern region. 

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

Simon is Network Director for Rail at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), heading up the Greater Manchester rail team and the Station Partnership model. A programme manager by training, he has over 15 years of rail experience, including work on the Birmingham Gateway Project, delivery of two new stations on the East West Rail Project, and support for Network Rail's Civils Assessment Framework. More recently, he has led Greater Manchester's Trailblazer deal with central government to integrate rail into the region's Bee Network, and has overseen major station upgrades such as the £21m works at Salford Crescent. He also leads on TfGM's emerging rail freight strategy for the city region. Simon speaks at TransCityRail North on integrating rail into Greater Manchester's transport network and delivering for a growing region.

This session addresses the critical engineering and strategic interventions needed to fix the North’s most congested and fragile rail corridors. Industry experts will delve into targeted infrastructure upgrades, bottleneck relief strategies, and asset resilience programs designed to eliminate systemic delays. The discussion will highlight how predictive maintenance and robust infrastructure design can protect vulnerable routes against extreme weather and high-frequency wear. Participants will learn how funding allocation, route modernisation, and cross-regional collaboration are being leveraged to restore passenger trust and deliver a resilient, high-performing northern network.

Rick Lawrence, Partnerships Director at Platform4, will present a morning keynote on how infrastructure-led regeneration is transforming surplus railway land into thriving communities. Representing Network Rail's newly integrated property company, he will outline Platform4’s ambitious national roadmap to unlock 40,000 homes and 10 million square feet of commercial space over the next ten years. He will discuss how planning and investment reforms can accelerate station development, maximizing the societal and economic value of brownfield assets. Highlighting key regional opportunities across the south, Rick will address how Platform4 is actively assembling land and collaborating with both public and private sectors to drive investment. Finally, he will outline critical pathways for supply chain partners, local authorities, and developers to engage with these long-term placemaking projects to deliver sustained community growth.

This session explores how advanced signalling, integrated traffic management, and data-driven operations are revolutionising rail infrastructure across the North of England. Industry leaders will discuss the deployment of Next-Generation signalling technologies and European Train Control Systems (ETCS) to boost capacity and reduce delays. Panelists will examine how real-time data analytics and automated traffic management systems optimise fleet scheduling, predict maintenance needs, and improve passenger journeys. Attendees will gain critical insights into the collaborative frameworks and digital innovations required to deliver a highly reliable, safe, and modern northern rail network.

Join us for post-conference drinks — a great opportunity to connect with speakers and fellow delegates.

Continue the conversation over drinks at the evening networking reception.

Round off the day with dinner, the after party, and more networking into the evening.