Linbrooke Services Ltd (Linbrooke), a leading contractor providing advanced signalling, power, and communications solutions across the UK Rail Network, has welcomed Miriam Cates MP to its headquarters in Chapeltown, Sheffield, as part of the Railway Industry Association (RIA) Rail Fellowship Programme.
Ms Cates’ visit, which was attended by Rail Business Daily on Friday 16 June, was led by Linbrooke’s recently appointed CEO Will Wilson and provided valuable insights into the techniques employed by the company to reduce costs for the taxpayer on the Midland Mainline and the wider work the company does in training and supporting the local economy.
Linbrooke, known for its innovative technology, has developed solutions that have been instrumental in cost reduction efforts on the signalling of the Midland Mainline.
The company takes pride in the fact that the technology was developed in the company’s founding location of Sheffield reflecting the city’s longstanding expertise in the rail industry.
During the visit Ms Cates met Jason Garside, a former Marine who now leads Linbrooke’s scheme supporting those with ties to the Armed Forces. Remarkably, 10% of the company’s workforce has links to the military, reflecting Linbrooke’s dedication to providing employment opportunities to people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Ms. Cates also took the opportunity to meet with the dedicated workforce at Linbrooke’s distribution centre. The discussions highlighted the company’s emphasis on training and employing local talent, ensuring that the community benefits from job opportunities and skills development in the rail sector.
Linbrooke’s commitment to empowering the local workforce resonated with Cates, who sits on the education committee, and has spoken of the need to create sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
The visit also included a presentation delivered by Linbrooke’s CEO Will Wilson and Director of Rail Ben Lynch, who discussed the company’s work on the West Hampstead Life Extension project, which involved a collaborative approach to life extending the railway assets without the need for a wholesale renewal.
The presentation also explored Linbrooke’s approach to employment, upskilling and creating opportunities for ex-forces personnel, of which over 1000 have been supported by the firm since its inception.
Commenting on the visit, William Wilson, CEO, Linbrooke, said: “I was delighted to welcome Miriam Cates MP to Linbrooke so that she could meet some of our employees, tour the Optical Networks ISO Class 7 Clean Room facility, and see the tremendous work we do to support the wider community not just in Sheffield but nationwide. Linbrooke is vital to the economy, preparing next-generation talent to lead the reform of British railway upgrades and maintain Britain’s infrastructure network. I was very proud to show Miriam what Linbrooke is all about. After all, we are located on her doorstep, and who is better to champion SMEs in the Parliament than an MP that has seen the great impact we are making first hand.”
Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: “It was a privilege to visit Linbrooke in Chapeltown and witness the impressive techniques they employ to reduce costs for the taxpayer on the Midland Mainline. I was particularly impressed by the commitment shown to the local community, with 10% of the workforce having connections to the Armed Forces. Linbrooke’s dedication to training and employing locals is commendable and contributes significantly to the economy of our region.”
Ruby Sampson, Public Affairs & PR Executive at the Railway Industry Association (RIA), commented: “We are delighted to have Miriam Cates MP participate in the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme and visit Linbrooke in Chapeltown. The programme aims to foster closer ties between parliamentarians and the rail supply sector, enabling them to gain valuable insights into the industry.
“We thank Linbrooke for hosting and demonstrating to Miriam Cates their dedication to reducing costs on the rail network through innovation, while supporting and training the local workforce. They exemplify the reason we run the programme.”
