RIA, CECA & YRP join forces for ‘Plus 1’ Rail Reception

2 August 2018

The Railway Industry Association (RIA), Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and Young Rail Professionals (YRP) are coming together to hold the ‘Plus 1’ Rail Reception, a new event that aims to bring together young rail professionals with experienced industry leaders to enable them to learn from each other and celebrate a vibrant and diverse rail workforce.

The Reception, which will be held at will at the KIA Oval Cricket Ground in London on Tuesday 4 September 2018, asks that for anyone attending over the age of 30, they bring with them a ‘Plus 1’ under 30. By doing so, the Reception will help to promote a new generation of rail leaders by networking with current leaders.

Speakers will include Transport Select Committee Chair Lilian Greenwood MP, CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner. RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan and Young Rail Professionals National Chair Michael Charteris.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association said: “The aim of the new ‘Plus 1’ Rail Reception is to bring together young rail professionals with experienced industry leaders to enable them to learn from each other and celebrate a vibrant and diverse rail workforce. By encouraging those over the age of 30 to bring someone working in rail who is under 30, we hope to ensure there is a real blend of youth and experience at this exciting event! As well as hopefully having fun, this will be an opportunity for existing and future rail leaders to meet and engage, helping senior players promote what is a fantastic rail industry to a new generation as well as enabling younger professional to meet people who can help nurture and develop their careers. It should be a great evening!”

Alasdair Reisner, Chief Executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association said: “We can see a bright future for the UK rail sector, with industry working together to deliver greater capacity and better performance for users. But we will only achieve this if we inspire the leaders of the future, supporting them to develop their careers. We hope that the Rail Plus 1 event will play a part in this, bringing together senior figures from across UK rail with those who will drive our sector forward in the future.”

Michael Charteris, National Chair of Young Rail Professionals said: “We are excited to be involved in this Plus 1 Rail reception event in conjunction with RIA and CECA. The event will give YRP members the opportunity to meet, network and learn from other people in the industry and develop links that will hopefully benefit them in their future careers. One of YRPs main objectives is to develop future rail industry leaders and events such as this one play an important role in helping us achieve this. We look forward to seeing you there!’’

Notes to Editors

  1. Media passes are available for the event and can be secured from Max Sugarman at [email protected]
  2. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the representative body for UK-based suppliers to the UK and world-wide railways. It has more than 200 companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people—more than the workforce of Birmingham. It is also a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too.  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). RIA works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry.
  3. About CECA: The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) represents over 300 contractors of all sizes, covering approximately 80% of the civil engineering market in Great Britain. Our members build infrastructure that provides the basis for economic sustainability and quality of life in communities across the country.
  4. About YRP: Young Rail Professionals (YRP) was founded in 2009 to promote the railway industry as a great place to work and to inspire and develop the next generation of railway talent. YRP brings together people from all aspects of the industry, whether they are involved in engineering, asset management, train operations, strategic planning, maintenance, franchising, regulation, marketing or human relations. YRP is open to any young rail professional.