Newly appointed Minister for Rail & HS2, Huw Merriman MP, to open RIA Annual Conference on Thursday 10 November

Following the appointment of Huw Merriman MP as the new Minister for Rail & HS2 at the Department for Transport, the Railway Industry Association can announce that the Minister will open the RIA Annual Conference on Thursday 10 November.

RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan said, “We welcome Huw Merriman to his new role as Minister for Rail & HS2. The Minister was a respected and accessible Transport Select Committee Chair previously, and will bring a huge amount of knowledge and experience to the role. He takes on this Ministerial position at a challenging time and we wish him well in the weeks and months ahead.

“We are delighted that Huw Merriman has agreed to open the two-day RIA Annual Conference & Dinner, which commences on Thursday 10 November. It will be good to get the Minister’s initial thoughts on both the short-term and longer-term issues facing UK rail, at a time when the post-pandemic return to rail – both passengers and freight – has been so positive. The Minister joins a stellar cast at the conference, including Network Rails Sir Peter Hendy CBE and Andrew Haines OBE, HS2’s Mark Thurston, and Kate Nicholls OBE, of UK Hospitality.

“All with an interest in rail are welcome to attend, for what promises to be two days of essential debate – book your place now if you haven’t already!”

1. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK; for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). www.riagb.org.uk
2. For more information on RIA's Annual Conference, including how to book, please visit: https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/Events/RIA_Annual_Conference_2022.aspx