The Rail Safety and Standards Board Podcast

If you’ve spent any amount of time in the rail industry, you’ll know it’s passenger services that most often grab the headlines. Meanwhile, rail freight takes the role of the ‘unsung hero’, quietly moving billions of pounds worth of goods across the country, contributing significantly to our economy and helping to ease congestion on our roads.  

But for all its importance, the rail freight sector faces a unique set of challenges—challenges that need to balance the imperative of safe operation with ambitious targets for growth.  

To better understand the barriers to freight safety and growth in the UK, dedicated research is absolutely key.  

Joining us for this episode is Luisa Moisio, our Director of Research at RSSB. We explore what’s behind the drive to improve freight safety and growth, how our research can help, and some of the ways our findings are already helping our members move more. 

In this episode, we're joined by Tom Lee, our Director of Standards at RSSB. 

We discuss specific challenges in safety and satisfaction for customers, how we’re helping industry overcome them, and what a renationalised network might mean for those we serve.

Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/our-business-plan

With us for this episode is Rachael Everard, our Director of Sustainable Development at RSSB. 

We explore some of the sustainability challenges the industry is up against and how we’re planning to help overcome those. We also revisit the Sustainable Rail Blueprint, showcasing some positive member stories from its implementation. 

Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability/

In this episode, we're joined by Chris Knowles, RSSB's Director of System Safety and Health.

We’ll explore some specific challenges to rail reliability and resilience, why it’s vital to address them, and some of the solutions that RSSB is offering in this space.

Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/our-business-plan

In this episode, we're joined once again by Johnny Schute, RSSB's Chief Operating Officer.

Together, we'll explore what rail needs to be thinking about in terms of driving cost reduction, some of the complexities around investing today for benefits tomorrow, and how we at RSSB are committed to supporting industry in this challenge. 

Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/our-business-plan

In this episode, we're joined once again by Vaibhav Puri, RSSB's Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation.

Together, we'll explore some of the issues inherent in the adoption and implementation of new technology, our initiatives in this area, and some of the most promising new technological advancements.

Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/our-business-plan

In this episode, we're joined by Andrea Rossi. Andrea is the CEO of DB Cargo UK and a non-executive director on the RSSB Board.

Together, we'll explore the current rail freight landscape, what the future might hold for the sector, and how RSSB fosters collaboration and innovation to ensure continued safety and growth in this area. 

Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/freight-safety 

In this episode, we're joined by Rich Godwin. Rich is the Chair of industry's Trespass and Suicide Prevention Working Group. He's also a Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator at Network Rail, North West and Central Region.

Optimising safety and satisfaction for passengers is vital for both RSSB and Network Rail. So, today, we're discussing how industry has been coming together to drive down numbers of trespass and suicide incidents.

Find out more at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/safety-and-health/trespass-and-suicide

And have a look at www.railsuicideprevention.co.uk, which is designed to help you make effective and potentially life-saving interventions.

Welcome to our first podcast of 2025! With us today is Stacey Head, our Sustainability Manager. She’ll be speaking with us about some of the initiatives the Sustainable Rail Blueprint has prompted in its first year, how RSSB supports members to embed the Blueprint, and what the future holds for it.

Find out more at https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability

In this episode, we're delighted to be joined by Mike Brown, Chair of the RSSB Board. 

He's with us for the final episode of 2024 to round up the year the rail industry has had, discuss the changes it might see in 2025 and beyond -- as well as how to navigate them -- and reflect on what the festive season means for many rail workers.

Find out more at https://www.rssb.co.uk

Happy holidays. We'll be back in 2025!