International award-winning advisor to businesses with extensive corporate memory and expertise in the implementation of strategic business development underpinned by social value impact. Chris’s ethos is simple; the prosperity of business and society are intrinsically linked. One cannot succeed without the other.
Recognised for developing strong data driven collaborative partnerships across transportation, communities, and government departments, which have significantly driven the responsible leadership agenda in UK transportation. 2002 Created the first TOC Community engagement programme post privatisation which was then accelerated across the UK creating a collaborative framework with stakeholders which culminated in reducing youth route crime by 54% across the UK.
Co-Author of The Guide to Responsible Business which supported the blueprint to the Sustainable Rail Strategy. Architect for the Personal Safety Badge for UK Scouting and Founder of Rebuilding Futures Alliance created to break the cycle of re-offending through employment.
Chair of the UK Scouts Association Fundraising Committee (Voluntary) and NED. Recipient of 17 national and International Awards including ITV Yorkshire Society Special Award and The Queens Award for Innovation for a KTP with Education.
Ellie has over 25 years of experience in the UK rail industry, working in a variety of route and regional roles within Network Rail and Southeastern. Prior to joining Eastern region in March 2025, Ellie was Regional Managing Director in Southern Region. An experienced senior leader, Ellie has a has led several business improvement programmes both for Network Rail and across the industry, most recently Ellie has supported the introduction of the Southern Renewals Enterprise, a trailblazing model for delivery of capital works and has previously supported the introduction of the Elizabeth Line.
James leads the rail infrastructure sector for Amey, working with the UK’s largest providers and operators to deliver complex, challenging infrastructure projects, such as the Core Valley Lines transformation in Wales and the Transpennine Route Upgrade, improving connectivity for communities across the north. His multi-disciplinary rail systems team also operate light rail franchises through Docklands Light Railway and Manchester Metrolink, and undertake critical asset examinations on significantly important structures to ensure the railway runs safely and smoothly. His career spans over 20 years, managing large teams and businesses in the transport, water and energy sectors. James passionately leads on safety, embedding a progressive people and safety culture, which empowers employees to excel and contribute to Amey’s success. As a leader and mentor for many at Amey and beyond, James believes in creating environments where everyone is recognised for their achievements, enabling them to prosper professionally and personally.
Joe Parkes is Business Design and Organisation Director for West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD), the shadow operator for future high-speed services. Before joining WCPD, Joe held several senior HR leadership positions within logistics, manufacturing and engineering industries spanning the UK and Europe, including Chief People Officer at ERIKS UK & Ireland and People Director of NRS Healthcare. He is also Chairman and a Non-Executive Director for a Multi-Academy Trust of Schools and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.
Kirsty has 30 years’ experience in UK and global businesses including leadership roles at Network Rail, East Midlands Railway, 2 Sisters Food Group and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Kirsty joined the rail sector in 2015 and joined Network Rail in 2021. In her role as People & Transformation.
Director Kirsty has led the strategic transformation of industrial relations to deliver significant business benefits and is supporting the industry’s transition to Great British Railways. A longtime supporter of skills, training and supporting the next generation into rail careers, Kirsty has been Chair of the Train Driver Apprenticeship standard since 2017 and overseen the launch of the new apprenticeship. With more than 1,000 apprenticeships underway, over £1 million of apprenticeship levy has been released back to fund further training for the sector. Kirsty also undertakes voluntary work as a non-executive board member for NSAR, mentors for Women In Rail and served on the pension benefits committee for Network Rail.
RailStaff Editor, Matt Atkins, has worked in journalism and publishing for over 15 years. In that time, he’s worked for numerous trade publications focusing on sectors as diverse as high finance, recruitment, maritime shipping, and now rail.
Matt joined Rail Media from the academic publisher, Taylor & Francis, where he edited leading journals covering the humanities, science and technology, and medicine.
Monica Barbosa has worked in the transportation sector for over 15 years, officially joining the railway industry in 2018. She has played a vital role in the rail supply community, actively promoting SMEs and apprenticeships. Now serving as Client Services Director at RSS Infrastructure, Monica is instrumental in building and maintaining long-term client relationships, supporting business operations teams across the UK. She is a passionate advocate for social value, driving initiatives that create lasting community impact and support client ESG objectives. Monica is deeply committed to the rail industry and its people. She champions gender equality, inclusion, and diversity, and is especially focused on empowering the next generation, particularly women, to pursue rewarding careers in the transport sector.
Nina started her journey in the rail industry in 2015. During her career in rail Nina has managed the CSR and Social Value commitments on UK’s biggest train build and services contracts including Elizabeth Line, London Overground and more recently the HS2 Project. Providing strategic input and direction within projects and wider business Nina works across Alstom’s UK and Ireland business identifying and delivering successful CSR and Social Value work. Nina is passionate about diversity and inclusion and prides herself on her infectious passion to make a real tangible difference, supporting communities and widening access to opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Phil has over three decades of experience working in the UK rail industry, starting his career as an apprentice engineer with British Rail, before joining the management programme with English Welsh & Scottish Railways (EWS). During his time with EWS, which became DB Cargo (UK), he managed engineering depots, capex investment projects and organisational change programmes, before moving into risk management in a senior HSE role. Secondments to operations as an Area Manager gave Phil a well-rounded view of how a rail organisation operate before he was appointed Head of Safety for DB Cargo (UK). In 2017, after 25 years in the rail freight sector, Phil joined the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), where he worked wide range of organisations, helping shape their strategies through the adoption of products and services. In 2024 he joined Transport UK Group, providing leadership in risk management and sustainable development. Phil is a member of Parliamentary Advisory Committee for Transport Safety and the Vice-Chair of the IOSH Railway Group.
Suzanne Donnelly leads the Industry Customer & Revenue Growth directorate (formally within GBRTT). Suzanne’s focus is on supporting the rail industry to use its collective clout to become more customer centric and drive revenue growth in the here-and-now, bringing together siloed efforts to make them more effective. In doing so, the team is helping to lay the foundations for Great British Railways. With 20 years of rail experience in various commercial roles – most recently commercial director for LNER – and 11 years prior in the airline sector, Suzanne’s brings a wealth of expertise in the development of customer focussed, commercially viable and competitive commercial strategies, as well as products to grow customer volumes, frequency and spend and drive modal shift from less green modes of air and car.
Tom has been Head of Public Affairs at GWR since February 2025, having first joined the business in 2019. He is responsible for GWR’s stakeholder engagement across the entirety of its network from Cornwall to Carmarthenshire, working with Government, MPs, councillors and community groups to demonstrate the value of rail and the role it plays in the communities it serves. Tom also spearheaded GWR’s introduction of Rail to Refuge in early 2020 which was later adopted by the Rail Delivery Group – the scheme has gone on to help save thousands of women and children from violence. Prior to his time in the railway he worked in frontline politics, both in the House of Commons and European Parliament, and studied for his undergraduate degree at the University of Leeds. He lives in Bristol and is an avid Gloucester Rugby and Forest Green Rovers fan.
Daniel Blackwood is the Managing Director of ResponSec. ResponSec is a competent security provider, with a management team boasting decades of experience in the security sector. ResponSec has a growing railway division.
With a career spanning over 20 years, Daniel has built his company into a leading security provider that delivers top-notch security services for stadiums, festivals, and large-scale events.
Daniel's passion for the railway helped form the railway division in 2019.
Daniel is also the Project Lead for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, for UKCMA (UK Crowd Management Association), and is very passionate about the values that many organisations need to embody to help meet the needs of people from all walks of life.
Daniel has always loved trains and often works shifts with his staff to help keep the Railway safe.
ResponSec’s involvement in the rail industry has gone from strength to strength, driven by its ethos of being professional, friendly, and considerate delivering quality services. In recent years it has supplied travel safety and welfare officers for Govia Thameslink Railway, ASB patrol officers for Network Rail and SSEOs’ s for London Overground.
The rail sector is an industry that Daniel wants to build on, especially when it comes to dealing with antisocial behaviour elements, and offering a higher level of security service. ResponSec has a proven track record of supporting railway staff and passengers and making people feel safe.
Daniels's hobbies are playing padel, reading and holidays of which he does not have enough unfortunately.
Daryl began his journey with the company in 2007 as a service engineer and has since progressed to become an integral member of Readypower’s senior leadership team as Head of Engineering. He has played a vital role in fostering the growth of the business and developing the engineering department. Recognizing the significance of apprenticeships, Daryl established the Readypower apprenticeship program in 2017, offering young individuals a pathway to success within the organization. Throughout his time at Readypower, he has consistently supported and inspired his colleagues to step beyond their comfort zones and achieve their full potential.
Glynis Appelbe joined the G&W UK/Europe region in March 2016 as HR Director – UK/Europe Region.
Prior to G&W UK/Europe she was the Head of HR for a FTSE listed global diversified mining company, Eurasian Natural Resources (‘ENRC’) PLC, spanning Europe, South America, Africa and Kazakhstan. Prior to RNRC she spent 16 years working in financial services related environments in subsidiaries of Barclays, ABN Amro and Hitachi Capital.
Ms Appelbe earned a business degree from University of Limerick, Ireland and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.
Dedicating his 35-year career to the Rail Industry he has a wealth of knowledge in Customer Service, Learning and Development and Operational Management.
For the past 5 years leading a team that delivers apprenticeships to a range of Train Operators, Freight Operators, and other service providers within the Rail Industry. Working with over 80% of the Operators in England he is responsible for the teams that are delivering award winning apprenticeships in Train Driving, Customer Services, Management, Learning & Development, and support staff for nearly 900 Apprentices.
Previous roles have included Train Driver, Trainer, Operations Manager and Training Manager with responsibilities including competence management, training of railway personnel and the management and investigation of rail operational incidents.
With a career spanning over two decades in rail, Steve is an industry leader that champions outstanding passenger experiences, staff welfare and safety across the network. Driven by a passion for rail's potential, Steve believes integrated transport holds the key to significantly reducing the environmental impact of travel.
