This event is now fully booked - please email RIA Policy Executive Dominic Poole at [email protected] to be added to the waiting list.
There are major investment needs to maintain, renew and upgrade transport infrastructure connections, but scarce public funding. This event will ask how the rail sector should approach this challenge, and what future investment models will need to look like, given rail reform, devolution and growing pressures from the wider fiscal position and climate resilience.
The event will bring provocative ideas and new thinking that will stimulate debate:
- How should we prioritise rail investment needs, taking a long-term view?
- How could rail reform and GBR support the railway in securing sufficient investment?
- How could private investment structures help, for example, what is the future of PPPs and concessions for rail?
- How could we leverage a wide range of third party funding for rail schemes?
- What are the choices facing HM Treasury as it sets the long-term infrastructure strategy?
The RIA London and South group will be launching their investment prospectus, highlighting rail schemes in the region which could be brought forward with third party investment.
Agenda
09:30 | Registrations and Networking
10:15 | Morning Session
Welcome - Robert Cook, Policy Director, RIA
The National Wealth Fund – Government as a catalyst
- Dan Mansfield, Director - Transport, Local Authority Advisory and Lending, National Wealth Fund
Panel Discussion - Investment priorities for Government
- Chair: Russell Jackson, Global Transit Director, AECOM
- Dan Mansfield, Director - Transport, Local Authority Advisory and Lending, National Wealth Fund
- Gerry McFall, Director, Labour Infrastructure Forum
- Richard Davies, Director, Rail Strategy and Economics
- Chris Cubitt, Senior Manager, Corporate Finance, Transport for London
Panel Discussion - Making the most of the current rail investment models
- Chair: James McGowan, Public Affairs & PR Director, Railway Industry Association
- Tammy Samuel, Partner, Stephenson Harwood
- Matthew Prosser, Asset Management Director, Angel Trains
- Mike Kean, Chief Operating Officer, Rock Rail
- Further panellists to be announced shortly
Keynote: Jerome Mayhew MP, Shadow Rail Minister and Member of Parliament for Broadland and Fakenham
12:45 | Networking Lunch
13:30 | Afternoon Session
Review of the Investment Framework for Network Rail
- Feras Alshaker, Director, Planning & Performance, Office of Rail and Road
Panel Discussion - The investor perspective: what’s needed to make it work?
- Chair: Catherine Atkinson MP, Member of Transport Select Committee and Member of Parliament for Derby North
- Aarti Gupta, Rail BD & Investments Director, Costain
- Graeme Fyfe, Legal Director, Pinsent Masons
- Hemant Indurthi, Head of Investments, Equitix
- Stephen Layburn, Managing Director, Centrus
- Wayne Butcher, Director, Real Estate and Social Infrastructure, Grant Thornton
Panel Discussion - Launch: RIA London & South Investment Prospectus
- Ray Chapman – Chief Operating Officer, KentSussex Connect
- Chris Stokes, Non-Executive Director, Heathrow Southern Rail
- Chris Whitehouse, Technical Director, WSP
15:30 | Networking drinks
17:00 | Close
About the Future of Rail Series
In RIA’s 150th year, and marking the 200th anniversary of the railway, the RIA Future of Rail series leads and shapes the national debate on the future of the rail sector. Through a programme of dynamic events held across the UK, this series tackles some of the rail industry's most pressing topics, from demand and investment to devolution and exports.
With themes including Demand, Rail Reform, Decarbonisation & Climate Adaptation, Integrated Transport, Investment, Stations, Devolution, Exports, and Whole System Planning, the series brings together thought leaders and industry experts to explore innovative solutions that benefit the sector and the country as a whole. Free for RIA members, these events provide a unique platform for fresh ideas, evidence-based insights, and strategic discussions.
RIA actively invites contributions from organisations with pioneering perspectives and research to shape the conversation, drive progress, and inspire meaningful change for the future of rail.