26 September 2023
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) can announce that the Chair of HS2 Ltd, Sir Jon Thompson, will address its award-winning RIA Annual Conference & Dinner 2023, which takes place on 1-2 November at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London. He will close Day 1 of the conference.
Sir Jon was appointed Chair of HS2 Ltd in February earlier this year after standing down as CEO of the Financial Reporting Council. He has a wealth of experience in the delivery of major projects, serving as a Permanent Secretary at both the Ministry of Defence and HM Revenue & Customs. Given the recent reporting over HS2 Phase 2 between Birmingham-Manchester, Sir Jon’s participating in the conference is clearly very timely.
This year’s Annual Conference theme focuses on “Promoting the case for rail and investment in uncertain times”. Over the space of two days, the programme will combine keynote speeches, panel discussions, interview sessions, spotlight exhibitor pitches and unique networking opportunities for rail suppliers, clients, policy makers and influencers, stakeholders and media. The conference Dinner will include live music and an address by Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, DL, multi-gold medalist Paralympian, and independent crossbench member of the House of Lords, who has championed the rights of disabled people, including access to rail.
Sir Jon joins an array of influential speakers at the conference, including:
- Rail & HS2 Minister Huw Merriman
- Andrew Haines OBE, Network Rail CEO
- John Larkinson, ORR CEO
- Beth West, East West Rail CEO
- Claire Mann, South Western Railway MD
- Steve White, Southeastern MD
- Martin Tugwell, Transport for the North CEO
- Maggie Simpson OBE, Rail Freight Group Director-General
- David Camerlengo, Australian High Commission, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner (Austrade)
- Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner
- With more to be confirmed.
RIA Senior Marketing & Events Manager, Grace Smithen, said: “We’re pleased to announce that Sir Jon Thompson will be making a keynote speech to close Day 1 of RIA’s Annual Conference & Dinner 2023. Conference attendees will undoubtedly be very keen to hear his views on the issues of the day, given this is such a critical time for HS2 amid all the political uncertainty.“RIA’s Annual Conference on 1-2 November has an incredibly strong speaker lineup, with the addition of Sir Jon making it even more impactful. The Conference & Dinner will also deliver excellent networking opportunities with some great entertainment included too. There really isn’t long left to get a ticket so if you haven’t booked yet, please do so before it’s too late.”