Carlisle Support Services launched Innovation Lab in 2017. Since then, the popular day-long event has grown considerably, attracting leaders from industries like FM and rail. Each year, they come together to network, collaborate, and explore the ideas shaping transport and infrastructure.
Speaking to RBD, Steve Cere, Director of Rail Strategy for Carlisle Support Services, explained what visitors could expect from 2026’s lab, which takes place on 5 March at ACC Liverpool. This year, practical innovation, sustainability, people-centred approaches, and highly advanced solutions will all be on the agenda. And as proud “railway man” Steve added, the event promises to be a must-visit for anyone interested in the future of rail.
Tell us about the Innovation Lab. What is it, in a nutshell?
The lab brings together hundreds of industry leaders, stakeholders, innovators, and supply chain representatives. Exhibitors showcase their forward-looking solutions and technologies, while guest speakers share insights on everything from AI to leadership and people management.
More than half of the event’s attendees are rail professionals. And while it covers a broad range of themes, there are sector-focused talks and demonstrations, too. In the past, we’ve shared ideas about the future of rail, revenue protection and “Safeguarding the Customer experience”, to name a few.
In short, Innovation Lab is an opportunity for delegates to connect and network, all while discovering the latest technologies, future-proofing strategies, sustainable solutions and emerging trends.
Why is Innovation Lab 2026 an important event for the rail industry, and why should rail leaders be part of it – particularly at this point in time?
The rail industry is on the brink of transformative change. The DfT Operator Ltd already runs seven train operators and, while others are yet to transition to public ownership, they’re preparing for the move.
As this transition takes place, we’re starting to see publicly owned operators collaborating more closely. Events like the Innovation Lab are an opportunity for them to come together, discovering new ideas and emerging technologies. Attendees can feed this intelligence back to their peers and colleagues.
But it’s not just about collaboration. As UK rail strives to unlock the potential of its station estates, Innovation Lab 2026 will explore new approaches to facilities management. And security remains a priority for the industry, which is why we’ll also be bringing attendees updates on issues like counter terrorism.
Furthermore, the event is a valuable opportunity for rail professionals to network with delegates from different sectors. At a time of change, it’s important that we become more outward looking, collaborating with and learning from other industries.
Could you tell us more about the operational and commercial pressures rail operators are currently facing? How will this year’s Innovation Lab address them?
We recognise there are currently three key areas of focus for train operators: improving performance, improving the customer experience, and delivering a reduction in net subsidy.
The Innovation Lab 2026 will address these issues. For example, delegates will learn more about how they can make better use of their workforces, employing technology and AI solutions to free up resource for higher-value tasks.
There’ll be talks on SQR (Service Quality Regimes), and the impact cleaning and facilities management can have on customer experience.
Safety and security also have an impact on passenger experience and satisfaction. Some individuals might feel vulnerable when travelling by train, particularly early in the morning or late at night. At Innovation Lab, visitors will discover tools and solutions that address this issue, ensuring passengers feel safer on the rail network.
And they will learn more about AI solutions, which can support everything from cleaning and facilities management to railway security and revenue protection.
One of the highlights is the Innovation Challenge. It sees us invite our contract management community to come up with innovative ideas that benefit our customers and the wider industry, offering a £50,000 prize to the idea that delivers the greatest impact. This money is used to develop the winning solution.
Shortlisted entrants present their ideas to attendees in a dragon’s den setting, before taking part in a live Q&A session. Last year’s winner proposed a Bluetooth solution that would deter vandalism, minimise operational downtime and reduce costs. His innovation will soon be deployed in stations.
Ultimately, attendees should leave the event with actionable insights – new ideas that will help them respond to those commercial and operational pressures.
Rail has ambitious decarbonisation targets. How will the lab move the conversations from ambition to delivery?
Sustainability is a key focus for the rail industry, and it’s important to everyone. Quite rightly, ESG is often built into the criteria of today’s tenders.
At the lab, visitors will discover technology designed to support the industry’s decarbonisation efforts. Suppliers will showcase solutions that improve energy efficiency, as well as sharing the latest ideas on condition monitoring. This kind of monitoring is often associated with asset management. But it can also be used to manage facilities, helping operators establish how often they should clean offices or even change bin bags.
And, once again, we’ll be delivering a completely carbon-neutral event.
The rail industry is facing a skills shortage. How will the Innovation Lab address this issue?
This year, our expert speakers will be exploring issues like inclusive workforce planning – a priority for the industry, as it welcomes newly qualified rail professionals with different attitudes and perspectives.
There’ll also be thought-provoking talks on employment trends, talent acquisition, and effective leadership.
Another area of focus is customer service. In the past, we’ve even hosted speakers from Disney! At least one operator subsequently applied some of their forward-looking ideas about customer service to its own operation.
That’s the beauty of Innovation Lab – attendees come away full of enthusiasm, and with new ideas that will help them tackle these challenges efficiently.
For rail companies, adopting new technology can be complex and time consuming. How does Innovation Lab help operators to learn more about the latest solutions and make better-informed decisions?
Reading about the latest technology can only get you so far. Innovation Lab gives people the opportunity to touch and feel advanced equipment, learning more about how it works and enjoying real-life demonstrations. It’s also a chance to talk to the specialists and discover new solutions.
Take robotic scrubber-driers, a rapidly developing innovation in facilities management. Operators might have reservations about deploying these products on platforms. But they are programmable and fitted with sensors, ensuring they won’t bump into passengers. Seeing technology live can help to reassure stakeholders, giving them a clearer understanding of how it operates in real-world scenarios.
Peer-to-peer conversations are equally important. At the event, attendees can connect with people from other organisations, sharing lessons on technology adoption and learning more about what’s achievable.
How will the Lab showcase collaboration between rail operators, suppliers, and local communities?
As the industry moves towards Great British Railways, we’re seeing more collaboration between operators, and relationships often begin at events like Innovation Lab. Once you’ve broken the ice in person, it’s easier to connect again. In the past, we’ve seen introductions lead to real solutions, going beyond the show.
Collaboration lies at the heart of Innovation Lab – it’s all about meeting people who can help you, or who’ve experienced similar challenges and are willing to share their experiences. It’s great to see attendees have those ‘lightbulb’ moments, gaining insights they can take away and share with their peers.
And in a very real sense, the event was founded on collaboration – Carlisle Support Services collaborating with its supply community.
And finally, what will the major takeaways be for rail leaders – learnings they can apply straight away?
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore and test the latest technologies. And, whether they’re looking to strengthen their safety strategy, improve the customer experience, develop their workforce, or operate more sustainably, they’ll discover new ideas and solutions that could have a quick impact.
The event has grown year-on-year, and little wonder – it’s a great day out!
Registrations remain open at: https://innovationlab.carlislesupportservices.com/delegates/
0113 2082620
5th Floor, 2 Bond Court, Leeds LS1 2JZ
