Plenary and keynote programme

Keynote and plenary speakers

Confirmed keynote and plenary speakers include:

4 March, Day 1

09.30-10.00

Welcome: Rachel Skinner CBE, Executive Director, WSP | Chair, Interchange Steering Committee

Ministerial keynote

10.00-11.00

Mayoral panel
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire
Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire

11.15-11.40

Exploration of the Future of Transport

Three key areas are poised to reshape how we move:

• Connected Transport Experiences that seamlessly integrate every step of the journey

• Hyper-Personalised Transport that caters to individual needs and preferences

• Frictionless Transport that leverages technology to create smooth and effortless interactions

Discover how these innovations will revolutionise our transportation systems and redefine our travel experiences.
John Abel, Public Sector Managing Director, Google Cloud

13.00-13.25

Adding value through procurement and the Procurement Regulations 2024

Everything you need to know on the role of Crown Commercial Service (CCS) and how it adds value through procurement for public sector buyers. Colin will also provide an overview of the new Procurement Regulations 2024 and what it means for the Transport Infrastructure Sector, explaining how organisations can maximise and benefit from the changes.

Colin Morrow OBE, Commercial Director, Crown Commercial Service

13.30-13.55

Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer, Transport for London

15.15-15.45

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner, Greater Manchester

16.00-16.20

Preparing for the worst day

John Lamb, Director - Environment, Highways & Transportation

17.05-17.25

Dr Martin Duerr, Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer, Dromos
Paul Campion, Chief Executive Officer, TRL 

5 March, Day 2

09.30-09.50

Professor Sarah Sharples, Chief Scientific Adviser, DfT

0950-10.15 

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester
Colette Carroll, Transportation Managing Director, AtkinsRealis

10.15-10.40

Glenn Lyons, Mott MacDonald Professor of Future Mobility at the University of West of England | President CIHT
Sue Percy, Chief Executive, CIHT

10.40-11.00

Geraint Evans, Chief Executive, UK Major Ports Group

11.00-11.20

Drowning in data, starving for decisions

Transport stands at a crossroads: trapped in analysis or ready to lead. We have more information than ever, yet bold decisions feel harder to make. But the opportunity is still ours to seize; if we can move faster. Are we about to miss the biggest transport opportunity in a century or rise to meet the new global pace of change?
Thomas Ableman, Founder, Freewheeling

11.20-11.40

The role of Manchester Airport in an integrated transport system

Airports play a crucial role in integrated transport systems. Manchester Airport serves as a key connector in local, regional, national, and international networks. By fully recognising and leveraging their importance, we can create more efficient and seamless transport systems that benefit all users.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director, Manchester Airport

11.40-12.00

Pathways for Powering Net Zero Transportation

From road to rail to sea to air, the journey to net zero will require large scale fuel transition powered by vast amounts of green energy.  How might tomorrow’s grid and energy systems support this transition and how might transportation operators plan for this today?
Alex Holland, Director of Industry Solutions, Hitachi Europe

12.00-12.25

Planes, trains and getting people out of automobiles

Fireside chat with:
Sophie Chapman, Surface Access Director, Heathrow Airport
Anthony Smith, Founder, Consumer Focus | Chair, Heathrow Area Transport Forum

12.30-13.30

Skills and next gen

Keynote:
Mohammad Taher “The airport guy”

Panel:
Mo T, The Airport Guy
Donna Howard, Head of Social Sustainability, Kier
Anna Filby, Founder, Young Mobility Network

14.30-14.50

Ann Currathers, President ADEPT | Director of Environment and Transport, Leicestershire County Council