Lunch with Leon

In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon talks with Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) about the key issues facing the road freight industry, including the challenges of transitioning HGVs to Net Zero, the deteriorating condition of road infrastructure and the broader implications of AI. There's also plenty of good career advice from these two transport leaders throughout the podcast!

https://www.rha.uk.net/
https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/
https://www.leondaniels.co.uk/

In the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks with Ben Plowden, the new Chief Executive of the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT). This lively conversation covers various hot topics in the transport industry - the potential softening of the green agenda, rail nationalisation and rail fare debates, the importance of regional connectivity and how to address car dependency. Leon also picks Ben's brains on the anticipated Integrated National Transport Strategy, and finds out more about CBT's Better Transport Week, taking place from 16th - 22nd June. 

https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/
https://bettertransport.org.uk/

Leon Daniels talks to David Astill, the new chairman of of ALBUM, the Association of Local Bus Managers (and Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport), just after their successful annual conference in Nottingham. David shares some of his highlights from the conference, as well as discussing the impact of local elections on transport policy, the importance of local ownership and management in the bus industry and ALBUM's future under his stewardship, and with Alex Perry as policy advisor. 

Ahead of the organisation's conference on 12-14th May, Leon is joined by former ALBUM chair Bill Hiron MBE to discuss his extensive career in the bus industry, from his days at Thamesway and First Group to owning Stevensons of Essex. The conversation also explores the evolution of London's bus tendering system, Bill's view on the Buses Bill, and his seven-year chairmanship of The Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM), that supports the UK's municipally owned and independent SME bus sector. Plus, the pair celebrate the joy of The Bus Archive in Droitwich.

Leon speaks with Sophie Bancroft, HR Director at Network Rail, about her career so far - including various previous roles at Transport for London. The discussion also explores attitudes to rail reform, Sophie's love of the Metropolitan Line and running transport during the London 2012 Olympics - including the tactical use of fake road works! Listen out for nods to several other great transport industry leaders, some fun stories from throughout Sophie and Leon’s careers and a celebration of the London Transport Museum. 

On episode 102 of Lunch with Leon, Leon meets Shravan Joshi MBE, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee for the City of London, to discuss key transport priorities for the Square Mile, from the successful pedestrianisation of Bank Junction, to the evolution of the vibrant seven-day city ecosystem. The two transport leaders also discuss significant planned office developments in the Eastern cluster, the challenges of creating a sustainable, affordable transportation environment for a young workforce, and the importance of making London a destination of choice for SMEs to grow beyond IPO. 

For this episode we're taking to the water, as Leon catches up with Sean Collins, CEO of Thames Clippers. Twenty five years ago, Sean co-founded the now iconic riverboat service that has transformed London's river transport and carries 5.3 million passengers annually up and down the Thames. He chats with Leon about recent innovations such as the forthcoming electric ferry, Uber coming on board as a partner, future plans for expansion, celebrity passengers and much more! 

The Lunch with Leon podcast is back for 2025, and we’re kicking off the year with episode 100! To mark the occasion, we have secured a suitably impressive guest: Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE. Currently serving as Minister of State for Rail, Lord Hendy is one of the country’s foremost transport leaders and a passionate advocate for the industry, having previously served as Commissioner for Transport for London, and Chair of Network Rail throughout his fifty-year transport career. Leon catches with Lord Hendy to discuss his appointment in the Labour government, how the transport industry can provide an exciting job for life, and the future of heritage transport. 

Sharon Kindleysides, Christian Wolmar and Steve Gooding join Leon Daniels in person for their thoughts on the year

Almost four years after his first appearance on the Lunch with Leon podcast, Thomas Ableman is back! Leon catches up with Thomas - founder of transport and mobility consultancy Freewheeling - on his time at Transport for London as Director of Strategy and Innovation, and the pair take a deep dive into AI. It's poised to revolutionise the transport sector - but what do organisations need to do to adapt and handle this shift?