Back to school . . .
With the summer holidays now almost a distant memory, it’s a case of back to business this month, as we gear up for what is historically known as the busiest period of the year. And with so many events to attend which feature high on the trade calendar, it’s full steam ahead!
So what’s coming up this month for the F&S team, where we can expect to rub shoulders with some of the industry’s key movers and shakers?
Military & Rail Event: The transferable skills opportunity
Back by popular demand and following the huge success of its previous ‘Introduction to the Rail Industry’ for armed forces leavers, Rail Forum’s ‘Military is Good for Rail’ will take place on 11th September, with around 150 delegates expected to descend on Derby’s Conference Centre.
In partnership with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), the day will provide an opportunity for companies to meet and network with a range of people who have recently left, or are planning their exit from, the UK’s armed forces and who are looking for new career opportunities.
Every year, over 14,000 skilled and experienced individuals finish their service in the Armed Forces and look to transition into civilian careers. The rail sector presents an ideal platform for anyone who is ex-forces to harness their skills, especially in technical areas, and embark on an exciting new career. Roles such as modification technicians, system engineers, and electrification systems technicians are among the many positions that companies are eager to fill right now. Along with vocational expertise, there are a wide range of transferable soft skills gained from a career in the forces which are a perfect fit for the rail industry, including communication, organisation, leadership, teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving.
As a talent services organisation, we’re actively engaging with an extensive pool of ex-military professionals, successfully placing numerous skilled individuals in various new roles. We can’t wait to meet many more at the event to show how we’re best placed in helping them make that career switch.
RIN Derby
Following RIN London in Spring, the focus shifts to Derby Arena on 12th September as it hosts what promises to be the largest Rail Infrastructure Networking event to date, with all exhibitor spaces now sold out! It’s one of the best platforms to network, connect and do business, completely free of charge. From Network Rail procurement managers, managing directors and business development managers, to labour supply companies, rail training schools and the best recruitment specialist in attendance (ahem!), it’s going to be another ‘not to be missed’ opportunity we’re really looking forward to. This event seems to just get bigger and better every year, and with Derby looking to take a more central role in the future of rail, this trend shows no signs of stopping. We’ll look forward to updating everyone post-event in the next newsletter.
The future of mobility: InnoTrans 2024
Berlin is the place to be between 24th-27th September, as the team head to InnoTrans, the international trade fair for transport technology.
Renowned for showing the latest innovations in transport technology across the mobility sector, it’s a brilliant chance for attendees to gain first hand insight into cutting edge technology, products and solutions, from KfW IPEX-Bank’s strategies for sustainable mobility to TÜV SÜD’s advancements in railway safety and compliance. The event will also feature a new showcase area of AI, including robotics, data protection and cybersecurity – all the revolutionary stuff that will be a game-changer over the next few years.
Not only that – InnoTrans is huge!! Divided into five segments, the exhibition covers railway technology, infrastructure, transport, interiors and tunnel construction, and will play host to numerous conferences, seminars and forums led by industry experts. It’s also known for its unique outdoor and track display where full-scale vehicles, including trains, trams and buses are showcased.
Heading to the show? Then drop us a line to discuss how we can help support your business across leadership, recruitment and mental fitness.
Wir sehen uns in Berlin!
New starters trio
We give a big warm welcome this month to a trio of new recruits, as the business goes from strength to strength.
Laura Harris comes onboard as Key Accounts Manager and will manage several of Ford & Stanley’s key white-collar accounts, bringing with her seven years of experience in financial recruitment for Macildowie and Cherry Professional, as well as several years of running major recruitment accounts as Account Manager. Laura brings strength in the development, delivery and management of key accounts and a good understanding of white-collar recruitment and leadership appointments.
Also joining the team is Team Leader for white collar TR&R, Sally Gray. With an extensive career, Sally’s most recent role was at global engineering, consulting, and technical services firm Belcan. Having managed recruitment teams across the UK, she has also worked with Volt, coordinating all recruitment activities for its engineering clients. Her 17 years of experience in the industry as a recruiter, team manager and client relationship manager will enable Ford & Stanley to develop a broader range of skills within the TR&R team, accelerating the development of team members and enhancing the team’s delivery capacities by also actively working and filling roles directly.
Mia Pashley also joins us as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant. With some recruitment experience, Mia is eager to learn all things Ford & Stanley, she will be working across our blue-and white-collar divisions to enhance her recruitment skills.
Looking ahead for October . . .
Rail Forum’s eagerly anticipated Annual Conference will be held at Doncaster Racecourse on 15th October, with ‘Harnessing the Power of the SME Community’ being the overarching theme. There promises to be a stellar line up of speakers, from SMEs as well as companies that rely on and value the SMEs they work with. SMEs make a huge contribution to every aspect of the railway and across all the key challenges we face – be that driving innovation, delivering great value or modernising our working practices.
There’s a plethora of confirmed speakers, including senior representatives from Innovate UK, Stadler, Network Rail and Made in Britain to name a few – so watch this space for the full lowdown in our October newsletter!
Last but by no means least, we’re already relishing the prospect of Mainspring’s Dinner at the Roundhouse on 17th October. Last year’s event will be difficult to top, but we’ve no doubt the bar will be raised and surpassed once again!
Billed as the rail industry’s favourite networking evening (with a healthy dose of glitz thrown in), the team are already dusting off their Sunday best in anticipation of mingling with some of UK rail’s most prominent figures. Celebrating collaboration and innovation, it’s another unique opportunityfor around 800 rail professionals – as well as national and local politicians – to unite and celebrate the last twelve months, forge new connections and look forward to the future.
Derby Arena will get set to welcome Tim Shoveller, who has been named as keynote speaker for 2024’s dinner, who will share his successful rise from his humble beginnings as a guard in Guildford to the CEO of Freightliner.
The event this year will also be proudly supporting The Prince’s Trust, and who better to be named as one of the hosts than Pete Waterman OBE? He is of course renowned as a music mogul, but with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the rail industry, seven locomotives to his name and an ambassador to The Prince’s Trust, there’ll be no one better to guide guests through the evening with stories of his achievements, successes and work within the railway industry.
What a fantastic evening, not to mention couple of months, that we have in store . . .
Join us, In Motion
It’s certainly a busy few months awaiting the team. To keep up to date with our activities make sure you’re connected with us on LinkedIn.
