A group of leaders from the rail industry and government are aiming to drive UK rail exports in a new drive led by Amey CEO Andy Milner.
The Rail Supply Group (RSG), the leadership body for the rail supply sector, has created the Exports Leadership Group (ELG), who held their launch meeting yesterday, attended by the Rail Minister, Paul Maynard MP.
The ELG represents a fresh, co-ordinated approach to increase exports and inward investment, working with partners within the industry, rail trade bodies and Government departments (DIT, DfT and BEIS), to drive the UK rail exports. The bodies representing railway suppliers have welcomed the chance to provide an industry-led approach and strategy to develop UK capability so that export volumes will double by 2025.
Under the leadership of the ELG chairman Andy Milner, the group will develop strategies to scope new export opportunities, enhance funding mechanisms and review synergies across other sectors for potential infrastructure opportunities. The ELG will promote the UK rail sector overseas, enhance trade missions and exhibition support and invest in ways to support existing exporters and those companies new to exporting. The group will work closely with Department for Industry and Trade and Department for Transport to produce end-to-end market strategies and delivery plans for specific opportunities.
Paul Maynard MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, said: “The UK rail industry leads the world in rail expertise and we want to help promote our business’s skills and knowledge overseas. The Rail Exports Leadership Group is a great opportunity for the rail industry to collaborate, and to work with the Government to increase exports all over the world.”
ELG chairman and Amey CEO, Andy Milner, said: “It is an exciting time to work in rail and as a sector we are all aware of the incredible potential for growth at home and abroad. The fresh collaborative approach adopted by the Rail Exports Leadership Group is a real opportunity to help the UK become a global market leader.”
“As a group, we especially look forward to working with the rail supply chain to improve the promotion of international opportunities, increase support for exports and develop funding mechanisms that better involve new exporters.”