Road to Rail: Supply Chains for the Future of Light Vehicle Manufacturing
10th July 2024 10:30 to 12:00 Online Virtual Meeting Room Free
As towns and cities grow and environmental worries increase, finding affordable, sustainable and efficient transport solutions is more important than ever before.
Very Light Rail has the hugely promising potential to transform small city transport and create a connection between other modes of transport, whilst Light Electric Vehicles will transform how we move within and between local places.
Join the brand-new Business Growth West Midlands ‘SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSITION PROGRAMME’ for an online event to help SMEs develop an understanding of the emerging technologies required for the future of light vehicle manufacturing.
Very Light Rail and Electric Light Vehicles represents a vital crucial step towards connecting West Midlands communities in a safer, greener way, giving people a more eco-friendly transport choices for the future.
They also provide huge opportunities for local suppliers as our local economy changes to embrace emerging technologies and new markets.
With the support of OEMs and Key Customers, C&W Business Solutions, alongside partners, The West Midlands Growth Company and the Finditin Network, is delivering the Supply Chain Transition Programme to explore the emerging concept of Very Light Rail and Electric Light Vehicles and the associated procurement opportunities for local suppliers.
This event will kick-start the programme to help equip West Midlands’ businesses with the knowledge, tools and contacts they need to become suppliers of the future for light vehicle manufacturing.
Join us on Wednesday 10th July at 10:30am to hear from industry experts and sector specialists at a FREE, online session.
From pioneers in Very Light Transport, to regional businesses set to change the way people travel, this is an event not to be missed in this emerging sector.
SPECIALIST SPEAKERS:
- Event Compere: Nicholas Owen, Journalist, Presenter & Rail Enthusiast, BBC - Nicholas is an experienced event host and facilitator and has a close interest in transport matters, especially railways and light rail schemes. His publications include a history of the British trolleybus.
- Sandeep Shingadia, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Integration at Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) - Sandeep has over 25 years’ experience in the transport sector. He is responsible for leading the development of strategic partnerships at regional, national and international levels to facilitate the development of integrated transport programmes ready for delivery.
- Annick Roetynck, Managing Director of Belgium-based LEVA-EU - The only trade association in Europe to work exclusively for light, electric vehicles (LEVs). Hear how the EU is embracing the importance of LEVs for the most sustainable modes of transport in urban areas.
- James Hammett, Managing Director of UKTram - The voice of Very Light Rail, UKTram has stepped up to the challenge of helping the sector to grow collaboratively, and become more relevant and vibrant across the country as a whole.
- Angus Brummit-Brown, Senior Project Manager at Coventry Very Light Rail - The CVLR project is leading the way in emerging, new light rail technology. Spearheaded by Coventry City Council and shaping up to be a local success story, hear how the project uses the latest automotive expertise developed in Coventry and will transform Coventry city transport.
- Neil Fulton, CEO, BCIMO - Rail development and testing services – What innovations and programmes are there to support the next generation of VLR for local suppliers.
Online Virtual Meeting Room,
Event Speakers
Nicholas Owen
Event Moderator at BBC
Nicholas Owen has worked for many years for TV News and Classic FM radio. Starting as a reporter on the Surrey Mirror in 1964, he moved on to national newspaper, including the Daily Telegraph and the Financial Times, before joining the BBC in 1981. He switched to ITN where he spent 23 years, his roles including anchoring News at Ten and Channel Four News. Between 1994 and 2000 he was also ITN's Royal Correspondent. He played a major part in covering the death and funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. He rejoined the BBC in 2007. His other activities have included appearing in many TV and radio programmes, among them Strictly Come Dancing in 2006. He is an after-dinner and after-lunch speaker, gives talks and lectures at home and abroad, hosts many corporate and charity events and has toured in a light-hearted one-man show based on more than half a century in the media. His memoirs, 'Days Like This' were published in 2012. He has a passionate interest in railways and the development of modern transit systems; he has presented the annual Global Light Rail Awards for more than a decade.'
Sandeep Shingadia
Director of Strategic Partnerships and Integration at Transport for West Midlands
Sandeep has over 26 years' experience in the transport sector and is responsible for leading the development of strategic partnerships at regional , national and international levels to facilitate the development of integrated transport programmes ready for delivery. Sandeep works strategically with partners to deliver the right transport solutions that benefit a wider investment, economic growth, creating great vibrant places and supporting our residents and business through greater connectivity through sustainable transport options. Alongside his role at TfWM, Sandeep is Vice-President of METREX (the Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas), Board Director for Colmore Business Improvement District and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Annick Roetynck
Managing Director at LEVA-EU
Annick Roetynck is the manager of LEVA-EU with decades of experience in two-wheeled and light electric mobility. She has been working in the business since 1987 in various positions, among which secretary general of the European Two-wheel Retailers' Association (ETRA). Her long career has allowed her to gather a unique insight into European rules and regulations for LEVs and to establish a very extensive network. She has a master's degree in political science.
James Hammett
Managing Director at UKTram
James has been involved in the Light Rail Industry for over 30 years and has spent the majority of his 28-year working career in this sector. In 2013 James joined the Metro team of West Midland Combined Authority (Centro) as Integration Manager for the Birmingham City Centre extension project team and was seconded part-time to UKTram as General Manager to leaf the development and reconstitution into the Trade Body for Light Rail. With the growth of UKTram, James permanently joined UKTram in 2015 and became Managing Director in 2017. UKTram is the trade body for Light Rail and Other Guided Transport systems in the UK and British Isles. James' duties include overseeing and ensuring delivery of the UKTram Boards requirements in the operation and delivery of its business plan and objectives. This includes ensuring the efficient running of all functional elements of UKTram and supplying the link between the industry, DfT, ORR and RAIB, overseeing all of UKTram's working groups and functional groups and supporting its subsidiary company of the LRSSB (Light Rail Safety and Standards Board) - which James was a founding Director.
Angus Brummitt-Brown
Senior Project Manager at Coventry Very Light Rail
Angus has extensive experience in business improvement and innovation programme delivery, Angus is also a small business owner that has developed innovation ideas from concept through to market products. Coventry City Council has a determination to develop low cost, high quality integrated public transport infrastructure that will help address the issues of congestion, air quality, connectivity, modal shift from the private car. This innovation will also generate employment opportunities and produce a market leading product in the light rail industry.
Neil Fulton
CEO at Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO)
Neil began his career as an apprentice with Cummins Engines in Darlington graduating with a Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, followed by engine development and then regional customer engagement roles. In 2000 he joined Millbrook Proving Ground, leading their automotive powertrain engineering activities. In 2013, Neil joined the Transport Systems Catapult delivering connected and autonomous vehicle programmes and eventually became Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for all project delivery. He is now the Chief Executive Officer at BCIMO – establishing this unique, national rail research asset, growing a credible customer base and supporting innovation and economic growth across the Black Country and beyond.
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