Stakeholder
Conference

2026​

Tuesday 8th September 2026  |  9:30 – 15:45

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

About the event

West Coast Partnership’s annual stakeholder conference brings together rail leaders, policymakers and regional partners to discuss performance and collaboration, how we can deliver more reliable journeys, strengthen regional connections and build a more integrated, customer-focused network – while reflecting on the context of industry nationalisation.

Location: The Midland Hotel, Manchester

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Speakers

Andy Mellors

Managing Director,
Avanti West Coast

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Craig Wakeman

Head of HS2 and Strategic Partnerships, West Midlands Rail Executive

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Mark O’Connor

Portfolio Director,
GBRX

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Simon Elliot

Network Director for Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester

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Robyn MacNamara

Head of Programme Integration, Network North Wales

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Jamie McGowan

Superintendent,
British Transport Police

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Katie Day

CEO,
Transport for the North

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Huw Merriman

Chair of Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board and Chair of High Speed Rail Group

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Anna-Jane Hunter

Chair, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK)

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Clare Waller

Area Director, Manchester,
Network Rail

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Russell Evans

Train Services Director, West Coast Partnership Development

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Neil Chadwick

Director,
Steer

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Ben Plowden

Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport

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Agenda

Morning

09:30 – 10:00 - refreshments and arrivals

10:00 – 10:30 - Andy’s speech and Q&A

Performance is a shared responsibility. A focused discussion on the challenges behind current performance and the actions being taken to improve reliability, maintain the highest standards of safety, and deliver more consistent journeys for passengers. 

  • Andy Mellors, Managing Director, Avanti West Coast
  • Clare Waller, Area Director – Manchester, Network Rail
  • Superintendent Jamie McGowan, British Transport Police
  • Ben Plowden, Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport

11:30 – 11:45 - Break

How can stronger alignment between transport, government and local partners unlock growth, improve connectivity, and deliver better outcomes for communities and customers? This session will focus on practical collaboration, exploring how joined-up decision-making can enhance the customer experience while supporting regional economies. 

  • Robyn MacNamara, Head of Programme Integration, Network North Wales
  • Simon Elliot, Network Director for Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester
  • Katie Day, CEO, Transport for the North
  • Neil Chadwick, Director, Steer

Afternoon

12:30 – 13:00 - Ignite a Change workshop

13:00 – 13:45 - Lunch

13:50 - 14:20 – Ignite a Change workshop

14:20 – 14:50 Russell Evans, Train Services Director, West Coast Partnership Development keynote and Q&A

What should the future railway deliver, and how do we design a system that gets us there? This session will explore how policy, infrastructure and new voices across the industry can come together to create a more integrated, customer-focused network. It will also examine the critical role of skills, capability and the next generation of talent in shaping that future. The conversation will focus on turning big-picture thinking into practical changes that improve journeys, build a stronger workforce, and rebuild confidence in rail. 

  • Mark O’Connor, Portfolio Director, GBRX
  • Craig Wakeman, Head of HS2 and Strategic Partnerships, West Midlands Rail Executive
  • Huw Merriman, Former HS2 Minister and Chair of Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board and Chair of High Speed Rail Group
  • Anna-Jane Hunter, Chair, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
  • Ian Coles, Head of Marketing and Fares Development, West Coast Partnership Development

 

15:35 – 15:45 – Closing remarks by Andy Mellors

The Midland Hotel, Manchester

From Manchester Oxford Road (approx. 10-minute walk): Exit the station onto Oxford Street and walk towards St Peter’s Square. Continue straight onto Peter Street, and The Midland Hotel will be on your left.

From Manchester Piccadilly (approx. 20-minute walk or 10 minutes by tram): Walk to the Metrolink stop at Piccadilly Station and take any tram towards St Peter’s Square. From there, it’s a 2-minute walk to The Midland Hotel on Peter Street.

From Manchester Victoria (approx. 15-minute walk or 8 minutes by tram): Take any Metrolink tram to St Peter’s Square. The Midland Hotel is just a short 2-minute walk from the stop on Peter Street.

16 Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS

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Andy Mellors

Managing Director,
Avanti West Coast

Andy Mellors joined British Rail as an engineering management trainee in 1988, graduating in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College in 1992.

After undertaking various engineering and production roles in London and Liverpool, Andy joined FirstGroup in 2002, becoming Engineering Director for First North Western (2003), before moving to similar roles at First Scotrail (2004) and then First Great Western (now Great Western Railway) in 2007 where he was also Deputy Managing Director.

In 2017, Andy became Managing Director for the new South Western Railway franchise, before moving into the role of Managing Director, Non-Franchised Businesses for First Rail in 2020.  In this role, he oversaw the mobilisation of Lumo and the successful post-pandemic recovery of Hull Trains, First Rail’s open-access business operating between London and Hull as well as the expansion of First Customer Contact who provide customer relations services to a number of Train Operating Companies.

Having supported the senior team at Avanti West Coast in developing and delivering their recovery programme from Summer 2022, Andy was appointed Managing Director in March 2023.

Andy is a Chartered Engineer and was previously Chair of the Railway Division of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Craig Wakeman

Head of HS2 and Strategic Partnerships, West Midlands Combined Authority

Having spent 20 years in senior management in the private sector, Craig moved into the public sector as a programme delivery consultant at Birmingham City Council where he worked on a number of corporate projects & programmes before undertaking work for the regional LEP on delivering key regional strategies. This led to Craig being the author of the first HS2 Growth Strategy in 2015 and leading the regional team charged with delivering the wider economic and social benefits of HS2 – developing the mantra of ‘beyond building a railway’. In 2019, he led the West Midlands response to the Oakervee review and in 2021 updated the regions view of HS2 with a refreshed WM HS2 Growth Strategy – The Defining Decade’. Craig recently led the work in the region supporting the private sector consortium that has been formed to look at developing alternative costed solution following the former Prime Minister’s decision to cancel phases 2a & 2b of HS2 and hoping to support the proposed ‘feasibility study’ announced by DfT on future connectivity north, having just completed the latest refresh of the Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy – ‘Beyond Building A Railway’.

Craig is also now leading a national initiative the ‘Combined Authority Infrastructure Partnership (CAIP) . CAIP was created in response to longstanding challenges in infrastructure delivery across City Regions. Led by TfWM/WMCA, the partnership now brings together 17 Combined Authorities & transport bodies, government departments, and industry partners to develop a more agile, collaborative and consistent delivery model.

Mark O’Connor

Portfolio Director, GBRX

Mark O’Connor is Portfolio Director at GBRX, where he leads strategic technology, innovation and transformation portfolios across the railway industry. He is responsible for developing and delivering major programmes that accelerate the adoption of new technologies, strengthen industry collaboration and support the transition towards Great British Railways. Mark has been closely involved in shaping initiatives including AI adoption, innovation pathfinders and portfolio delivery models that enable innovation to scale across the rail sector. As a speaker, he focuses on how rail can translate emerging technologies into practical operational value through purposeful leadership, collaboration and effective delivery.

Simon Elliott 

Network Director for Rail at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)

Simon Elliott is Network Director for Rail at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), where he leads the development, performance and integration of Greater Manchester’s rail network as part of the Bee Network vision. He is responsible for rail strategy, major infrastructure programmes, operational performance, and the integration of local rail services into a seamless multimodal public transport system.

With extensive experience across rail sector, Simon works with government, industry and regional partners to shape the future of rail in Greater Manchester and support wider transport reform. He leads the delivery of major rail investment programmes, including new stations, accessibility enhancements and network improvement schemes, while also representing Greater Manchester’s interests in national discussions on rail reform and devolution.

Simon has played a key role in the development of the Bee Network Rail Integration programme, helping to bring rail closer to customers and communities through a more joined-up, customer-focused public transport system. His work focuses on improving passenger experience, driving economic growth, supporting sustainable travel and ensuring rail plays a central role in the region’s future prosperity. A passionate advocate for collaboration and innovation, Simon regularly engages with senior leaders across the rail industry, local authorities and government to deliver practical improvements for passengers and develop the next generation of integrated transport services.

Robyn MacNamara

Head of Programme
Integration, Network North Wales

Robyn MacNamara is a highly accomplished senior leader and the Head of Programme Integration for Network North Wales (NNW), a multi-million-pound initiative transforming regional and cross-border public transport through to 2035 and beyond. As a key member of the NNW leadership team, Robyn specialises in translating complex multi-modal infrastructure strategies into robust, actionable delivery plans. She is widely recognised for her ability to navigate politically sensitive environments, manage multi-million-pound capital budgets, and cultivate trusted partnerships across the UK and Welsh Governments, Transport for Wales, and regional local authorities. 

Prior to her role with Network North Wales, Robyn built a distinguished career within Network Rail directing critical engineering and innovation portfolios. Her previous leadership of the regional E&P programme delivery team, delivering as part of the £300m+ electrical safety delivery portfolio, introduced the most significant safety upgrades for overhead line work in forty years and pioneered joint infrastructure-rolling stock decarbonisation strategies.

Robyn pairs her technical and delivery success with a deep commitment to workplace culture. She is an active champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, including mentoring early-career talent to drive inclusive leadership across the transport sector.

Jamie McGowan

Superintendent, British Transport Police

 

Jamie McGowan is a Superintendent with British Transport Police, currently leading the Pennine Sub-Division, the busiest BTP sub-division outside London, covering a vast area from Liverpool to Hull, and Carlisle to Crewe. With around 15 years’ service, he began his career with BTP on the London Underground, including deployment to the 2012 London Olympics. He worked on response policing and neighbourhood teams across London before moving to Manchester, where he served in a range of operational roles, including BTP’s response to both the Manchester Arena Attack and the Parsons Green terrorist attack.

 

Throughout his career, Jamie has worked in NPT and Response roles but also spearheaded the Retail Crime Team in Manchester before his promotion to Sergeant. He subsequently took up an Embedded Officer position with TransPennine Express as the BTP Liaison.  Jamie also served as Officer in Charge at Manchester before becoming Chief Inspector for the Liverpool District. 

 

A trained Public Order Commander and currently undertaking Bronze accreditation, Jamie is passionate about effective operational leadership, JESIP and broader partnership working. Outside of policing, he holds a Master’s degree in English from Lancaster University and is a proud father to three daughters, all under the age of five.

Katie Day

CEO, Transport for the North

Katie has over 20 years’ experience across public bodies and central government, including senior roles at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department of Energy and Climate Change, delivering on policy for regional growth and nationally significant infrastructure. 

Before joining Transport for the North in 2023, she served as Director of Policy & Communications at the Office for Nuclear Regulation for more than five years. She brings extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning & operational delivery, and partner engagement.

 Katie joined Transport for the North as Director of Strategy, Analysis & Communications in 2023 and became Deputy Chief Executive in 2024. Since June 2026, she has served as Interim Chief Executive.

 She leads the organisation, ensuring it delivers on the priorities set by the Board and its members. She has a passion for transparency and collaboration, working closely with our members across the North, the Department for Transport and our delivery partners.

Huw Merriman

Former HS2 Minister and Chair of Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board and Chair of High Speed Rail Group

Huw Merriman is Chair of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Partnership Board and Chair of the High Speed Rail Group. He previously served as Minister of State for Rail and HS2 at the Department for Transport from 2022 to 2024, where he was responsible for overseeing major rail policy and infrastructure programmes. Prior to this, he chaired the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, leading parliamentary scrutiny of transport policy and investment.

Huw served as Member of Parliament for Bexhill and Battle from 2015 to 2024 and worked as a barrister and financial services lawyer before entering Parliament. He remains a prominent voice on the future of UK rail, championing investment in transport infrastructure, regional connectivity and long-term economic growth.

Anna-Jane Hunter

Chair, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK)

Anna-Jane Hunter is Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and a Partner at Winder Phillips Associates. She has nearly two decades of experience in the rail industry, with senior roles across Network Rail, FirstGroup and TransPennine Express. Her work has focused on rail operations, performance improvement and building effective relationships between industry partners.

Before moving into consultancy, Anna-Jane served as Director North of England Rail at Network Rail, following earlier roles in operational delivery, resource planning and operations strategy. She has supported major franchise bids and mobilisations, including Avanti West Coast, South Western Railway and TransPennine Express.

Clare Waller

Area Director, Manchester, Network Rail

Clare Waller is Area Director for Manchester at Network Rail. She has built her career across both Network Rail and train operators, holding a number of leadership roles focused on strategic planning and operational performance. Prior to taking up her current position, Clare served as Head of Planning and Performance for Network Rail’s North West Route.

With extensive experience of improving railway performance and delivering operational change, Clare works closely with industry partners across Greater Manchester and the North West to support a safe, reliable and customer-focused railway. Her work spans operational delivery, planning and collaboration across the wider rail network.

Russell Evans

Train Services Director, West Coast Partnership Development

 

Russell has 30 years’ experience in the GB rail industry starting in Railtrack andNetwork Rail and the last 22 years in various roles and companies within FirstGroup’s Rail Division including nine with Great Western Railway. Russell joined West Coast Partnership Development in April 2020. Russell’s experience spansoperations, commercial, business development, strategic planning, policy, rolling stock procurement and project roles. He has also led the Sales & Marketing team in Great Western, with responsibility for revenue generation. Prior to joining WCP he had a particular emphasis on franchise bidding and leading contract negotiations relating to rolling stock transactions. This includes, as a Bid Director, securing the 3-year Direct Award franchise and associated Emergency Measures Agreement for Great Western Railway signed in March 2020. He has also led the successful procurement and contracting of £500m of new trains and secured the long–term future of the Heathrow Express rail service through a unique contracting arrangement with GWR and the Department for Transport. Russell was the driving force behind the development of First Rail’s innovative Lumo service, that enteredservice in October 2021, developing the business case, delivering the access rights, procuring the new rolling stock and securing Board approval for the investment. WCPD is the shadow operator for future high speed services and as a member of the executive team Russell is responsible for directing and designing all aspects of operations and the train service for future integrated service operations, working closely with HS2 Ltd, Network Rail and the Department for Transport.

Neil Chadwick

Director, Steer

Neil Chadwick is a Director with Steer. He brings expertise in transport strategy and public policy and has led strategy development, business case and funding studies. His work includes ex ante scheme appraisal, ex post scheme evaluation and the assessment of transports economic impacts.

Ben Plowden

Chief Executive, Campaign for Better Transport

Ben Plowden is Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport. Ben has worked in the transport and charity sector for over 30 years. Prior to working at Campaign for Better Transport, Ben was an Associate at PA Consulting and worked at a senior level at Transport for London for almost 20 years, holding a number of senior positions in TfL, including programme sponsor for Surface Transport’s multi-billion pound investment programme, founding Director of the Smarter Travel Unit, MD of Corporate Communications and Director of Borough Partnerships. 

Before working at TfL, Ben was a leading environmental campaigner, including being the founding Chief Executive of the national charity Living Streets and Senior Campaigner on Energy and Natural Resources at the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.  Ben is also a visiting professor at University College London and a Senior Associate at the London School of Economics.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-plowden-90643912/