Steer

🚆 Beyond the Rails—New speaker confirmed! We’re delighted to welcome Julia Prescot CBE—Co-founder of Meridiam and Deputy Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission—to our live panel discussion, ‘Future of Railway Innovation and Entrepreneurialism’. 📅 Tuesday, 1 April | 🕠 16:30–18:00 (UTC) | Online. With a career dedicated to financing and developing transformational infrastructure, Julia offers invaluable insight into driving innovation and fostering public-private collaboration in rail. Meridiam has over 125 global assets, delivering sustainable mobility, low-carbon solutions, and critical public services. She joins our esteemed panel of industry leaders: Sir Andrew Haines OBE, CEO, Network Rail Shamit Weinberger Gaiger OBE, Managing Director, West Coast Partnership Development Tim Shoveller, CEO, Freightliner Group Ltd James Bain, CEO, Worldline UK & Ireland Together, we’ll explore: 🚄 Innovation: How creativity and investment are reshaping rail. 🤝 Collaboration: The role of policies and partnerships in driving economic growth. 📜 Lessons from History: What past entrepreneurial ventures and technological breakthroughs can teach us. 🔍 How can Britain sustain its entrepreneurial spirit in rail while strengthening government and private sector collaboration? Join us for this must-attend discussion exploring the entrepreneurial spirit that drives railway progress. 🔗 Secure your place; register here: https://lnkd.in/emEWzYUT #beyondtherails #railinnovation #infrastructure #entrepreneurship #transport #wearesreer

Entrepreneurs + Investment + Innovation = Successful Railways George Stephenson for the Rocket? Cornelius Vanderbilt for developing American rail freight? Thomas C. Durant for the Transcontinental Railway? Chris Green and Network Southeast? Sir Peter Parker for British Railway's sectorisation? Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway? Who would be your choice of railway entrepreneur? Less than 3 weeks to go before our expert Steer panel explores the topic of the role of entrepreneurs in innovating and investing in our railways? As Britain railway heads into its next stage of evolution, we will need to create new visions for our railway, develop new and novel insights, and break down barriers to technology and approaches. I am so pleased that our expert panel on 1st April now includes Julia Prescot CBE (co-founder of investors Meridiam and Deputy Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission) alongside Andrew Haines, Tim Shoveller, Shamit Weinberger Gaiger OBE and James Bain. Register to join online here: https://lnkd.in/emEWzYUT #railways #railroads #infrastructure

Join us at our upcoming panel discussion! 🚆 Beyond the Rails: Future of railway innovation and entrepreneurialism 📅 Tue 1 Apr, 16:30–18:00 Don’t miss this online panel discussion from Steer exploring how we secure the entrepreneurial spirit and space to innovate in Britain’s rail industry. We have a stellar line-up, which includes: - Sir Andrew Haines OBE, CEO, Network Rail - Shamit Weinberger Gaiger OBE, MD, West Coast Partnership Development - Tim Shoveller, CEO, UK & Europe Freightliner Group UK & Europe - James Bain CEO, Worldline UK & Ireland - Julia Prescot CBE, Co-founder Meridiam and Deputy-Chair National Infrastructure Commission Hosted by our Head of Rail Advisory, Richard Harper 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/emEWzYUT This event is part of our Beyond the Rails programme, marking 200 years of the modern railway in line with GBRTT’s Railway 200 celebrations. #wearesteer #beyondtherails #railway200

🚗 What’s putting the brakes on fleet electrification? ⚡ Join us for a live coffee-break conversation between Toby Poston, CEO of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association—BVRLA, and Alex Georgianna, Associate Director at Steer. 📅 Tuesday 25 March. ⏰ 11:00-11:30 UTC. With the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate accelerating the UK’s EV transition, we’ll explore the critical challenges and opportunities shaping fleet electrification. Key topics we’ll cover: ✅ Stabilising the used EV market—How to bolster demand and ensure a sustainable transition. ✅ Navigating regulatory changes for electric vans—Insights from the UK’s ZEV Mandate consultation. ✅ Enhancing fleet charging infrastructure—The role of local authorities in unlocking private investment. ✅ Recent policy developments—What the Government’s extended plug-in van grant means for the market. Whether you're an industry stakeholder, policymaker, or business leader, this session will provide valuable insights and practical guidance for navigating the evolving EV landscape. 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eszrC4A4 This event is part of our Ramping Up series, navigating the inflexion point in Europe's demand for EV charging. #ev #fleetelectrification #sustainability #zev #electricvehicles #rampingup 

The Interchange conference in Manchester last week continued discussions on an Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS), a dialogue in which Steer has been actively involved. Since the Government's announcement of plans for an INTS in 2024, our strategy and policy leads—Nicola Kane, Simon Statham, and Steven Bishop—have engaged with industry specialists through roundtables, conferences, and individual consultations. In February, we submitted our insights to the government's INTS consultation, drawing from these conversations and our extensive experience in the sector. Steer’s 10 essential pillars for an INTS: 1. Make it vision-led: Clarify what the long-term vision for transport is—focused on the wider outcomes transport can help to enable, aligned with all of the Government’s missions and focused on transport’s role in delivering “good growth.” 2. Quantify the vision: Establish national objectives with measurable targets and trajectories. 3. Keep it concise and principles-led: Not a detailed shopping list of schemes/programmes—avoid duplicating what’s in existing modal and thematic strategies (e.g. Bus Back Better, Gear Change, Transport Decarbonisation Plan) or parallel efforts (e.g. 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy)—there's a lot to draw on from around the UK and internationally! 4. Set high-level “design” principles for the whole transport network: Use frameworks like Greater Manchester's Network Principles as a foundation. 5. Don’t start with modes: Focus on journey needs of different 'users', considering the connectivity needs of both people and goods. 6. Include place-based frameworks: Which help delivery bodies to make difficult trade-offs between competing priorities when space and/or resources are constrained (i.e. prioritising modes that make the most efficient use of space on congested roads into urban centres). 7. Future-proof the strategy: Consider scenario planning to embrace uncertainty and build resilience. 8. Set out broad investment priorities aligned with the vision: What the balance should be in terms of investment in national vs. local networks; revenue vs. capital funding; and investment in existing network vs. new infrastructure—advise on how investment trade-offs will/should be made. 9. Develop an integrated transport delivery “charter”: To clarify how key planning and delivery organisations should work together—clarifying what good integrated working looks like across Government departments and different tiers of Government/public sector and with the private sector—operators, developers, investors/innovators. 10. Put communities at the heart of the strategy: Set out how communities and stakeholders can be part of planning and implementation to build support for sustainable transport and establish mechanisms for monitoring progress. We are passionate about how effective transport can enhance lives and communities. Please contact us for more information on our approach to an Integrated National Transport Strategy.

The transition to EVs is accelerating, but electric van adoption still faces key challenges—from infrastructure gaps to cost concerns. Our latest article explores what’s slowing the switch and how businesses and policymakers can drive progress. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eUXTsaWw #EV #ElectricVans #SustainableTransport #WeAreSteer

🚴♀️ More women want to cycle—but our streets and policies are still not designed for them. Did you know nearly a quarter of cycleways in London feel unsafe to women? Or that most cycling routes don’t accommodate the reality of women’s journeys, from childcare to work to errands? These issues aren’t just about infrastructure—they're about equity, access, and inclusion. As part of our Steer x Active Travel Academy: Research Talks, join us this Thursday for an International Women’s Day special event, where industry leaders will discuss: - The biggest barriers stopping women from cycling. - What policies and investments are needed to close the gender gap. - How we can create cycling environments that are safe, accessible, and welcoming for all. 📍 Thu 13 Mar, 14:00–15:15 (UTC) | Online 🔗 Sign up now 👉 https://lnkd.in/ePEk_GXi 🔜 Then join us for the final event in the series: 🛴 Clutter and Compliance (Thu 27 Mar) – How can cities manage scooter parking more effectively? Register: https://lnkd.in/ezUzVSuT #cycling #activetravel #IWD2025 #equityandinclusion #wearesteer

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate progress, reflect on challenges, and push for meaningful change. This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, reminds us that while significant achievements have been made, there is still much work to be done to reach true gender parity. While we have improved our position over the last 5 years, Steer’s GPG is still 11.6%.   As we continue to strive for improvement, we celebrate the contributions of women across our industry. Our Women in Steer resource group is organising celebrations and get-togethers, and on our internal channels, we’ve been spotlighting trailblazing women in transport, infrastructure, and urban planning—sharing their journeys and the lessons we can all learn.   We’re also proud to lead industry conversations. As part of our ongoing Steer x Active Travel Academy: Research Talks, our #IWD2025 special event, “Breaking down barriers: How do we encourage more women to cycle?” will explore the key challenges preventing more women from cycling and offer actionable solutions. Find out more and sign up to be part of this important discussion: https://lnkd.in/ePEk_GXi   There’s still much work ahead, but by taking these meaningful steps, we can help accelerate action and move closer to gender equality.   #internationalwomensday #accelerateaction #transportplanning #diversityandinclusion #wearesteer

Steer at Southeast Rail Forum 2025! 🚆 We’re looking forward to engaging in discussions on regional rail coordination, multi-state planning, and the future of rail investment at the Southeast Rail Forum 2025! With Masroor Hasan representing Steer, we’re eager to explore how collaboration across the Southeast can enhance passenger and freight rail integration, drive economic growth, and support sustainable mobility. This forum is a key opportunity to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and learn from ongoing rail initiatives across the region. 📍 Attending SRF 2025? Let’s connect!

Last week, as part of week-long visit organised by the Department of Business & Trade, Steer welcomed a Host Cities delegation from Canada for a day of knowledge sharing, site visits, and discussions around the future of major event planning and delivery.   We kicked things off at our London office with a lunchtime session consisting of two roundtables: 1. Delivery of mobility and transport operations for major events and venue design – sharing insights into the latest trends and innovations shaping transport operations for global events. Discussing how to plan for your event day operations considering fan zones & fan marches, the importance of wayfinding & signage, and comms plan for creating a positive customer experience. 2. Women in Sports – where we discussed the growing commercial market for women’s sport, differences in demographics and travel patterns for women’s matches, and creating inclusive and accessible event experiences. We capped it off with a visit to Wembley for the Lionesses v Spain match, including a pre-match walking tour from Tom Legg and Jennifer Riley highlighting the operations of Wembley Stadium. This visit was part of Steer’s ongoing work to support international knowledge exchange and strengthen relationships between host cities and event organisers around the world. By sharing insights on mobility, infrastructure, and the fan experience, we can help shape more sustainable, inclusive, and successful events for the future. To find out more about our knowledge exchange programmes, contact Head of Sports & Major Events Simon Hall. #majorevents #sportsmobility #canadauk #wearesteer