Innovation Beyond Scale: Rail’s Role in System-Wide Sustainability

Innovation in rail isn’t confined to individual projects or technologies, it is a system-wide challenge that touches on skills, sustainability, digital transformation, and customer experience. This event, the final in our Skills Beyond Scale series, will explore how rail can think and act systemically to deliver long-term resilience and adaptability.

We are delighted to welcome Dr Tilly Collins, Deputy Director at Imperial College London’s Centre for Environmental Policy. Dr Collins insights will help us consider how rail can act as a key enabler of sustainable urban transformation.

Building on Dr Collins’ keynote, our panel will explore how rail’s role within the wider system of cities, logistics, and infrastructure can evolve to meet today’s sustainability challenges. We’ll discuss how innovation - digital, operational, and cultural - can help the sector decarbonise at scale, integrate with other modes, and support circular economy goals.

And, reflecting on the expertise of our sponsor Ovinto, we’ll consider how smarter data use and predictive technologies can make rail operations both more efficient and more environmentally responsible, showing that innovation and sustainability are not competing priorities, but complementary drivers of long-term value.

The session will formally close at 16:15, with optional networking to follow.

- This is an opportunity for you to promote how your company is drawing on its pool of talent to develop solutions in the field -

Agenda:

14:00 – Arrival, Refreshments, and Opportunity to view demo materials from partners

14:30 – Welcome and Opening Remarks

14:45 – Keynote Presentation: Dr Tilly Collins, Deputy Director, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London

15:15 – Panel session: Innovation for Net Zero

Topics: Skills for system-wide innovation; Rail within urban systems; Adoption of AI and digital tools; Sustainability drivers; Customer experience as a systems issue; Policy and investment context.

Panel members:

• Frederick Ronse, Founder, Ovinto
• Neil Franklin, Workforce Planning Advisor, NSAR
• Tom Davies, Head of Rail, Jacobs
• Jessica Williams-Boot, Environment and Sustainability Manager, Siemens Mobility
• Colin Appiah, AI Solutions Architect, Thompson Moore Group

16:00 – Audience QA

16:15 – Networking Reception

About the Keynote Speaker

Dr Tilly Collins is the Deputy Director of the Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) at Imperial College London and a Director of Energy Garden. The CEP is a leader in climate and transport research and Dr Collins convenes the MSc programme in Urban Sustainable Environments. She describes a “core love” as understanding how green spaces, appropriate construction and short-chain urban systems can interlink to promote sustainability in cities and will offer a perspective on innovation as a system- wide challenge.

About Skills Beyond Scale

The Rail Innovation Group’s latest report: Skills Beyond Scale reviews the skills base within our community of startups and small digital companies, highlighting the pivotal role that our members play in harnessing innovation to develop solutions for the future of rail. The report shows that these enterprises are already leveraging advanced technologies, including AI and data analytics to develop cutting-edge digital solutions, transform customer experiences and enhance operational efficiency. This is the third of a series of events delivered in partnership with Ovinto.

1. Driving Operational Efficiency in Rail Logistics through Innovation
2. Space-Enabled Digitalisation
3. Smart Technologies for a Green (Rail) Future

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- This event is open to members and non-members of the Rail Innovation Group -

About the Rail Innovation Group

The Rail Innovation Group is committed to building a sustainable rail ecosystem by driving innovation and fostering collaborations. Through partnerships with UK rail suppliers, we connect businesses with growth opportunities and enhanced efficiency. We lead the way in shaping the future of rail transport by supporting start-ups and small digital companies, boosting rail supply chain innovation, and championing cutting-edge technologies that drive industry progress. Find out about membership here..

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