The sweeping reforms, set out in the recent Williams-Shapps Review, will see the industry’s track and trains brought together under a new organisation known as Great British Railways.
An important part of this involves better engagement and industry participation with the private sector and, in particular, with SMEs. With control of both the infrastructure and the contracting of train operations given to an arms-length public-sector body, it is hoped that private firms will have many more opportunities to be involved at every level of the industry.
Network Rail is already meeting the government target of 33 per cent of its annual expenditure to be spent via SMEs by 2022. HS2 is also aiming for 60 per cent of its supply chain to be with SME organisations. Currently, more than 70 per cent of its contracts are with organisations that meet the criteria.
In a proactive response to this announcement, Mack Brooks and railbusinessdaily.com (RBD) are joining forces to support small to medium enterprises (SMEs) across Britain’s railways during the new Railtex/Infrarail event at the NEC in Birmingham between 07 and 09 September 2021. The event is the biggest and best showcase exhibition and conference in UK Rail.
As part of this landmark partnership, RBD will take a large area within the Railtex/Infrarail event specifically designed for SMEs – giving those organisations that have never exhibited there before an opportunity to participate in the UK’s prime rail event.
Launched in conjunction with the new RBDCommunity, the large floor space will be known as the Eagle Lab (Powered by RBDCommunity) and will include new and innovative exhibition pods. The team from RBD will work with Eagle Lab partners, who will also receive all Railtex/Infrarail exhibitor benefits and marketing opportunities, to help them from an industry advisory, profile enhancement, making connections and work winning perspective.
The senior leadership team from RBD will support in the making of introductions and arranging meetings with/for Eagle Lab partner business prospects throughout the event.
RBD’s Eli Rees-King, Christian Wiles and Sam van Deventer will work with participating organisations to make sure that they get the very most out of the three day event. Contact details are as follows: [email protected]; [email protected] and [email protected].
More about the Eagle Lab (Powered by RBD Community) can be found here.
