Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme OBE will be the keynote speaker on the third day of Railtex 2013.
Wolstenholme will be at Earls Court in London on May 2 to update visitors on the progress of the £14.8 billion rail project.
Andrew Wolstenholme took up his current role in 2011, having previously served as director of innovation and strategic capability at Balfour Beatty. That followed a spell at BAA plc during which he served as construction director on the Heathrow Express Rail Link, then programme director on Heathrow’s £4.3 billion Terminal 5, before becoming BAA’s director of capital projects.
He was awarded an OBE for services to the construction industry in June 2009.
Exhibition manager Heidi Cotsworth said: “We are especially pleased that Andrew Wolstenholme will be speaking at Railtex. Crossrail is a crucial project for many organisations in all parts of the rail industry and its progress is watched with interest. Its completion will also provide clear proof of how all sectors of the industry can work together to successfully deliver complex schemes that enhance our national infrastructure.”
The extensive seminar programme at Railtex 2013 is being developed collaboratively by show organisers Mack Brooks Exhibitions and the rail engineer magazine.
As at previous exhibitions, seminars will take place throughout the show, enabling visitors and exhibitors to learn more about rail policy and technological developments from industry leaders and key suppliers. Staged in the exhibition hall, sessions will be free and open to all. Already announced is a keynote presentation by Network Rail chairman Richard Parry-Jones, CBE, on May 1.
Railtex is the UK’s premier rail industry event. Next year’s show, which takes place from April 30 to May 2, will be the 11th in a highly successful series of exhibitions and will incorporate the most extensive ever range of supporting features. In the exhibition itself, these will include The Yard, a newly-introduced display area for larger items of rail plant and the On Track Display for rail-mounted machinery and tools.
Providing additional industry insights alongside the seminar programme will be The Platform, where for the first time Railtex in partnership with Rail Champions will host an interactive discussion forum on topical themes with panels of industry experts.
In the Project Update Theatre, project directors will outline the status of major UK rail schemes. And new at the 2013 event will be the Railtex Awards, celebrating the achievements of companies taking part in the exhibition.
More details can be found at www.railtex.co.uk including the latest list of exhibitors.
As Railtex is at Earls Court it may be a good idea for speakers to question the effect that the Earls Court redevelopment will have on the ability to increase platform length at West Brompton and the possible widening of the lines between there and Olympia.
At present the plans narrow the available rail corridor.