Date/Time
Date(s) - October 8 2026
9:45am - 5:30pm
Location
Doncaster Racecourse Leger Way Doncaster DN2 6BB
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Rail: Fuelling Economic Growth
We are delighted to confirm that our 2026 Annual Conference will be held on 8th October at Doncaster Racecourse. Members can once again look forward to a series of high-profile speaker sessions, an expo area and finishing the day with a drink reception.
This years’ event will focus on how rail can drive economic growth. The first session will consider the national context for Great British Railways and the second session with throw a spotlight onto devolution and the growing role of the devolved nations and combined authorities. We are assembling a great line up of speakers from both within and outside of rail and we will be sharing details over the coming weeks.
To help with transport and logistics the main conference will start at 10.00 and will run through to early evening, finishing with a drinks reception. We encourage everyone to stay for the whole day to gain maximum value from our speakers and to make best use of that all-important networking time.
If you require accommodation there is a Hilton Hotel next door to the racecourse, please email Helena Wray [email protected] who will assist you on reserving one night stay with a RF discounted rate.
Doors open: 8:30
Call to be seated: 9:45
Event start: 10:00
Event close: 16:00
Drink Reception: 16:00 – 17:30
Speakers
(The full programme of speakers will be announced over the coming weeks)
We are delighted to confirm that we will be joined by:
- Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, Minister of State (Minister for Rail)
- Gidon Freeman, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director UDX Development Company
- Claire Mann, COO TfL
- Ellie Burrows, Deputy CEO and MD Eastern, Network Rail
- Tracey Williamson, Group Commercial & Procurement Director, Network Rail
- Neil Bowen, Group Commercial & Procurement Director, DfTO
- Marie Daly, COO, TfW
- Kelly Warburton, Senior Sales Director, Hitachi Rail
- Ben Plowden, Chief Executive Officer, Campaign for Better Transport
- Dirk-Ulrich Kruger, President ERCI
- Alan Weston, Head of Transport,Tees Valley Combined Authority
- Matthew Norman, Head of Rail Integration, Transport for Greater Manchester
- Tom Murphy, Transport Implementation Lead, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- John Whitehurst, CEO GTR
- Jennifer Genevieve, Deputy Director, ORR
The conference will include a major spotlight on Combined Authorities and we will be confirming more speakers / panellists in the next few weeks.
Expo
We will once again be hosting our ‘Annual Conference Expo’ which will provide an excellent opportunity for those members that are seeking to promote their brand, new products or services and their capabilities. With a captive and known audience in advance of the event you can really target your effort and invite key individuals to visit you during the day.
The Expo will be located in the same space as last year, with an improved catering layout and priority access for lunch for exhibitors.
We can accommodate a maximum of 50 exhibitors on the day. Up to 30 exhibitor spaces are reserved free of charge for Premium and Patron members on a first come first saved basis (please note there is a small charge for electrical power supplies). Once these spaces have been allocated we cannot guarantee that further places will be available. Unused spaces will be released for other members to book from 4th June. Standard members can book an exhibitor space for £600+vat.
We are now fully booked for expo space
All exhibitors are entitled to one additional delegate place for the conference, on top of their membership allocation.
Please note, all exhibitors are strongly encouraged to attend the conference to gain maximum value from the event and to minimise noise in the conference area.
Drinks Reception
Following the conference we will be holding a drinks reception for a final networking opportunity. Drinks will be available from the bar adjacent to the Expo area.
Tickets
All Rail Forum members are entitled to ONE FREE PLACE and we would strongly encourage you to ensure you are represented at this flagship event. Premium members are entitled to 2 free places and Patron members can have up to 4 free places.
Members can book additional places can be booked at £100 plus VAT.
Non members are welcome to join us. Places are priced at £360 plus VAT.
Bookings will close on 25th September with joining information sent out w/c 28th September.
Event Partners
Headline Partners:
Find out more about ABM.
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Find out more about Netcompany.
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Drinks Reception Partner:
Find out more about Fishbone.
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Lanyard Partner:
Find out more about SET.
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We kindly ask everyone to maintain a high standard of professionalism, show respect to fellow participants, and contribute to a positive and welcoming environment. Your behaviour reflects not only on you, but on the organisation you represent.