Last chance to get tickets to the RIA Innovation Conference 2023!

The Agenda and speakers have been announced for RIA’s 13th Innovation Conference! View the agenda here.

Speakers include:

• Anit Chandarana, Lead Director, Great British Railways Transition Team
• Robert Ampomah, Chief Technology Officer, Network Rail
• Achila Mazini, Industrial Engagement Fellow, University of Birmingham, UKRRIN
• Howard Mitchell, Head of Innovation, HS2
• Rufus Impey, Lead Strategic Partner, Great British Railways Transition Team
• Matt Chuter, VP Commercialisation, Defence and Security, Ploughshare
• Will Reddaway, Head of Innovation, East West Rail,
• Barry Lloyd, Head of Customer Experience and Innovation, Transport for Wales
• Paul Butterworth, Engineering Director, DB ESG Prof
• Andy Doherty, Chief Technology Officer, Global Centre of Rail Excellence

This year, the RIA Innovation Conference will explore the benefits of rolling out innovative solutions on the operational railway system under the theme Realising the Benefits of Innovation. Our exhibitors will showcase ready to be deployed innovations and our keynote speakers will share their success stories and tangible benefits they’re seeing because of a successful rollout of innovative technologies and processes. We will also invite young innovators to share their vision for the future railway as part of an integrated transport and mobility system.

Key features at RIA’s Innovation Conference

Keynotes

RIA have invited major railway clients to share their challenges, priorities and opportunities for the supply chain to engage. Speakers from Network Rail, Great British Railways Transition Team, HS2, East West Rail, Transport for Wales, Operators, and major contractors will share their innovation programmes and investment plans. There will be examples of how clients from other countries and industries adopt innovation. If you are a supplier looking to understand the industry needs and opportunities for your innovation, the Keynote sessions are an absolute must for your to visit!

TechTalks

For those of you interested to understand how the UK railway industry is innovating, the TechTalk sessions will feature suppliers that have rolled out their solutions on to the operational network and have success stories to share evidenced by data.

Exhibitor Spotlight

The main feature of the event, however, is RIA’s new Exhibitor Spotlight session. From attendees feedback RIA knows that you get the most value at events from networking and interacting with other attendees, exhibitors and speakers. So, RIA have created more time in the agenda for guests to explore the exhibition and the innovations ready to be scaled up! Each day seven different exhibitors will deliver 10-minute spotlight presentations at their stands, which means you will be able to learn about different innovations from either following the spotlights or approaching other exhibitors showcasing their products.

Data and Digital Technologies paper launch

Speaking of data, at the conference we will launch our next thought leadership paper looking at Data and Digital Technologies for Railways. This is a result of a cross-sector work done over the past 5 months and the document will outline RIA’s six key asks to ensure our railway system is ready for the digital future.

Network Rail R&D Showcase

Both Exhibition Spotlight sessions will culminate with a special spotlight on the Network Rail R&D Showcase, located in the Atrium just beyond the registration desk. As a Strategic Partner of the Unlocking Innovation programme, Network Rail’s R&D Portfolio team will showcase their work with the suppliers to roll out innovations in CP6 and share their thinking for CP7 priorities.

UKRRIN Showcase

Another Strategic Partner of the Unlocking Innovation Programme, UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) will highlight the value of working with Universities on R&D projects and showcase their work happening at the different Centres of Excellence across the country. UKRRIN can be found in the main exhibition hall.

TOC Pitch Session

RIA has partnered with the Train Operating Companies (TOC) Innovation Community to host a supplier pitch session offering the opportunity for innovators to pitch their ideas to TOC Innovation Managers in the hope of securing contract opportunities with them. Selected suppliers have been invited to pitch in two private sessions taking place on both conference days. All other attendees, however, will benefit from bumping into the TOC Innovation Managers during the conference sessions and the evening networking dinner.

Evening Networking Dinner

And finally, after a long day of learning, RIA Innovation Conference attendees are invited to join a relaxed networking dinner, taking place the at the De Vere hotel lobby. This will be another opportunity to engage with speakers, exhibitors and guests and enjoy the much-deserved goodies from the Chef’s kitchen! We will also be running a casino evening and a RIA Quiz with an amazing prize to be won!

RIA thank their Platinum Sponsors Arcadis, Capgemini, Knorr-Bremse and PA Consulting. Their Gold sponsor Thales. And their silver sposors eviFile, GCRE and Transmission Dynamics.

Click here for more details.

Photo credit: RIA

Download article