Plenary and keynote programme
Thought leadership and big thinking on the challenges and opportunities in delivering seamless, integrated, resilient and decarbonised transport systems for all
Keynote stage in the exhibition hall
Access video from all the sessions using the links below
Click here for photos from the Keynote Stage
4 March, Day 1
09.40-10.00
Welcome: Rachel Skinner CBE, Executive Director, WSP | Chair, Interchange Steering Committee
10.00-11.00
Welcome to Manchester: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
10.10-11.00
Mayoral panel
View video
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshir
Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire
Pre-recorded video address: Claire Ward, Mayor of East Midlands
11.15-11.40
Driving public transport innovation: a data and AI powered approach
John Abel, UK Public Sector Managing Director, Google Cloud
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.
13.00-13.25
Adding value through procurement and the Procurement Regulations 2024
Colin Morrow OBE, Commercial Director, Crown Commercial Service
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.
13.30-13.55
In conservation: Innovating in the public sector – challenges and opportunities
Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer, Transport for London
Steve Norris, President, ITS UK, former Transport Minister
Why is it so difficult to bring innovation into the public sector? What can be done to unlock innovation, including institutionally and through incentives? What are the opportunities, both with established technologies and emerging ones such as AI?
15.15-15.45
Delivering on Greater Manchester’s active travel mission
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner, Greater Manchester
16.00-16.20
Preparing for the worst day
John Lamb, Director - Environment, Highways & Transportation
Highways and the communities are increasingly faced with more frequent and more intense and severe weather. John highlights findings from the new UK Roads Leadership Group report on sector readiness for the impact of a changing climate and provides reflections on the sector’s resilience and response to major impacts from severe weather, both in the UK and globally.
17.05-17.25
Birmingham’s autonomous network transit – a jumpstart for generating a CAM supply chain with far reaching economic benefit for the UK
Dr Martin Duerr, Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer, Dromos
Paul Campion, Chief Executive Officer, TRL
Hear from the team behind the transformational plan to develop East Birmingham and North Solihull (EBNS) — a new public transport link connecting Birmingham city centre to the international airport and the HS2 interchange.
5 March, Day 2
09.30-09.50
Professor Sarah Sharples, Chief Scientific Adviser, DfT
0950-10.15
Progress on the Bee Network
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester
Followed by fireside chat between Vernon and
Mike Batheram, Local Transportation Director, AtkinsRealis
10.15-10.40
Themes and tensions in transport
Fireside chat: 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
No port is an island
Geraint Evans, Chief Executive, UK Major Ports Group
Global lessons in integration of port development and infrastructure for communities as part of the UK’s dash for growth.
11.00-11.20
Drowning in data, starving for decisions
Thomas Ableman, Founder, Freewheeling
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?
11.20-11.40
The role of Manchester Airport in an integrated transport system
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director, Manchester Airport
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.
11.40-12.00
Pathways for Powering Net Zero Transportation
Alex Holland, Director of Industry Solutions, Hitachi Europe
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?
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
Lisa Levy, Communications and Engagement Consultant
14.30-14.50
Delivering a 21st century transport system: A local authority view
Ann Currathers, President ADEPT | Director of Environment and Transport, Leicestershire County Council
As Directors of Place, we see transport as an enabler to thriving communities and prosperous businesses. And while we know what we want to deliver to enable sustainable, resilient, well connected transport for our places, we face significant challenges in achieving this. Ann will look at those challenges and outline what is coming over the horizon to help us on the journey and discuss what more should be done to make the transport systems and networks we need a reality.
Speakers
