10 August 2012
Industry builds rail innovation team
The rail industry is creating a new capability to accelerate and champion innovation.
Headed by David Clarke, a new innovation team will support the industry in capitalising
on the latest thinking. It will fund demonstration projects to test new technologies and
business approaches, so that the industry can adopt these with confidence. It will help
transform innovative concepts into tangible applications, products and processes rapidly
and efficiently. The team will also provide entrepreneurial and technical know-how to
enhance the industry’s innovation capability.
The team will manage an innovation fund, with initial pilot funding from the Department
for Transport of £16m. The team will also be looking to leverage further funds. It is
expected that the team will administer the innovation fund announced in July by the
Secretary of State for Transport in the High Level Output Specification for the railway,
for 2014 to 2019 (http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/statements/greening-20120716a).
The agenda to transform the approach to innovation has been driven by the rail
industry’s Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG), strongly supported by the Rail
Delivery Group, Planning Oversight Group, and RSSB Board.
TSLG chair and Network Rail Director of Engineering, Steve Yianni said:
‘On behalf of TSLG I am delighted to announce the appointment of David Clarke to help
us create and lead a team to support the industry on innovation. Britain’s railways are a
success with growing demand in the passenger and freight business, and huge
potential to contribute to the growth of the national economy. Industries and
companies that innovate grow faster and deliver more solutions into the market. The
rate at which the rail industry innovates and adopts new ideas and technologies was
identified as one of the barriers to improved customer satisfaction and reduced costs in
the Rail Value for Money report. Helping transform ideas and technologies from
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research into full commercially available applications is what the railway needs.
This is
what the rail innovation team, which we will now start building, is designed to achieve.’
Recruitment of the team is now underway with the search on for the right blend of
innovation skills and experience to join the team. More details about the opportunities
available can be found on the Future Railway website
(http://www.futurerailway.org/pages/RailInnovationTeam.aspx).
In preparing to take up the new role, Rail Innovation Team director-designate David
Clarke said:
‘I’m honoured and excited about this new role and the new team. Industry leaders have
approved the management of the fund and the arrangements for the team, now my
work begins to secure the right experts and secondments to deliver.’
The team will create its own unique identity and brand, and will be hosted by RSSB, on
behalf of the industry.
For more information about the rail innovation team, go to:
http://www.futurerailway.org/pages/RailInnovationTeam.aspx
-EndsThis press release is issued by RSSB on behalf of TSLG.
For media enquiries, please contact:
RSSB press office
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Notes to Editors
1. David Clarke, currently Deputy Director Rail Technical, Department for Transport is a chartered
engineer, project manager and executive with over 25 years rail sector experience. Prior to
joining DfT he was a Director for one of the major rail infrastructure contractors having started his
career with British Rail. He has been responsible for large operational and project delivery teams,
securing major contracts, corporate restructuring and innovation. Since joining DfT in 2008, David
has led the DfT Technical Team who provide technical advice to some of the largest projects
being undertaken by Government. He is also responsible for technical strategy and led the 2009
work which made the case for further electrification of the rail network. David takes up his new
role in late October.
2. The Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG), is an RSSB-facilitated cross-industry
expert body made up of senior executive staff, charged with developing and championing the
Rail Technical Strategy, supporting communication, managing strategic research, identifying
opportunities, barriers and actions. TSLG has a remit to address future opportunities over a 30year horizon and works to a strategic direction agreed with the Rail Delivery Group. For more
information please visit: www.futurerailway.org
3. RSSB manages the rail industry’s research and development programme, which covers
‘systems’ issues across the railway, engineering interfaces within the railway, and interfaces with
other parts of the community and society. RSSB is also instrumental in supporting the
development of a future vision for the railways through its Technical Strategy Leadership Group,
and assessing how that vision can best be delivered. For further info: www.rssb.co.uk.
-Ends-
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Telephone: +44 (0)20 3142 5300 Facsimile: +44 (0)20 3142 5301www.rssb.co.uk
Rail Safety and Standards Board Limited Registered Office: Block 2 Angel Square1 Torrens StreetLondon EC1V 1NY Registered in England No. 04655675