Making the connection: Rail and the growth opportunity

Please note that you need a pass for Labour Party Conference to attend this event.

Monday 29 September | 15:00 – 15:45

ACC Riverside Balcony (within the secure zone)

Report launch and panel discussion

Rail is a vital engine of economic growth – supporting jobs, connecting communities, boosting productivity and enabling sustainable journeys. Join us for the launch of this new report, supported by West Coast Partnership, at Labour Conference, where we will explore the contribution the rail industry makes to the UK economy today. Drawing on recent case studies and growth projections, this report highlights where targeted investment and policy support can unlock even greater value in the years ahead.

Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport will join Shamit Gaiger, Managing Director of West Coast Partnership Development and Chair of Campaign for Better Transport, and Andy Mellors, Managing Director of Avanti West Coast and Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Welsh Government.

This is a 'silent seminar' style event, all attendees and speakers will be wearing headsets. There are limited spaces available, please arrive early to ensure admittance.

Speakers

Ben Plowden – Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport

Ben Plowden is a highly experienced leader in the transport and charity sectors, with over 30 years of involvement. He was the founding Chief Executive of the national charity Living Streets and has held senior roles at Transport for London, including Director of Smarter Travel and Director of Strategy and Networking Development. Before joining Campaign for Better Transport, Ben was with PA Consulting, Chair of the Transport Planning Society, a visiting professor at UCL, and a Senior Associate at LSE Cities.

Andy Mellors – Managing Director, Avanti West Coast

Andy Mellors joined Avanti West Coast as Managing Director in March 2023, after serving as Managing Director for Non-Franchise Businesses at FirstGroup plc. His extensive career started at British Rail in 1988 and includes leadership roles at South Western Railway, First North Western, First ScotRail, and First Great Western. Andy holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London.

Shamit Gaiger OBE – Managing Director, West Coast Partnership Development

Shamit Gaiger OBE, is Managing Director of West Coast Partnership Development and Chair of Campaign for Better Transport. She has more than two decades of experience in rail, having developed the National Rail Skills Strategy and shaped sustainability and health initiatives across the sector. Shamit is recognised for her strong leadership, sector strategy expertise, and commitment to innovation and inclusion.

Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Welsh Government

Ken Skates MS is the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales in the Welsh Government and has represented Clwyd South in the Senedd since 2011. A former journalist and political adviser, he has held a number of senior ministerial portfolios including Economy, Infrastructure, Skills, and Tourism. Throughout his career he has championed investment in transport, skills, and regional development, with a strong focus on connecting communities and supporting economic growth across Wales.

Please note that you need a pass for Labour Party Conference to attend this event.