The role of the Society’s President and Vice Presidents (VPs) is to provide representation from industry, education and commerse as well as strategically guiding the Society.
Our current President is Ray Pettit, please see below…
Ray Pettit
Retired
Ray began his professional journey after earning a Mechanical Engineering degree in Manchester, completing a Graduate Apprenticeship at Brush Traction in the early 1960s before becoming a Design Engineer. He transitioned into computing while still at Brush, recognizing greater opportunities in this emerging field compared to the railway industry. His early computing roles included positions with Hawker Siddeley Group Management Services and PERA at Melton Mowbray. As his career progressed, Ray worked as a programmer, systems analyst, technical support manager, software house partner, and eventually project manager, adapting to industry shifts and his own evolving interests.
Ray considers his tenure as Technical Support Manager at Burroughs Computers particularly formative, citing the company’s dynamic culture and efficient management structure as key influences. With a family background in small business, Ray was inspired to become an independent software supplier. In 1977, he co-purchased a software firm in Halifax, later named QRH Software, where he directed custom system implementations for a diverse client base. Notable projects included computerizing an Anglican Diocese, developing order processing for Mabey Bridge, and providing stock management systems for the National Freight Corporation’s cold stores.
In 2000, Ray shifted careers, joining Willis Limited as a Risk Manager, where his railway expertise supported insurance placements for global railway operators, including HS1. He retired in 2018 after a management restructure. A Chartered Engineer and lifelong railway enthusiast, Ray actively volunteers with heritage railway organizations and enjoys model locomotive construction, supporting several key railway preservation projects.
Photograph by Phoebe Start
The current cohort of Vice Presidents is listed below…
Neil Andrew
Independent Consultant
Neil joined British Rail in 1992 after his early career GEC Turbine Generators as a project engineer responsible for final assembly and test of large electrical machines up to 1000MW. Working at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby, Neil became Operations Director for Railtest (later Serco Railtest) managing the ongoing testing of railway infrastructure in the validation and testing of rail vehicles as part of the acceptance process.
In 1999, Neil became the Technical Director of Balfour Beatty Rail with specific responsibility for innovation in track inspection and maintenance techniques. Six years later Neil established Balfour Beatty Rail Technologies Ltd this resulted in a range of innovations that have been adopted in the UK and overseas including video inspection of track, switch monitoring, PU injected track and resulting in new products.
Stephanie Coates
Operations Director at Fishbone
Stephanie is Operations Director at Fishbone, a transportation consultancy and digital product provider based in Derby. She leads operational delivery across the business, ensuring projects are well governed and delivered with consistency, quality and care. She leads the management and delivery of engineering services, innovation projects and digital product development, from rolling stock assurance to predictive maintenance initiatives using data analytics.
She is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). She has worked in multiple rail environments including rolling stock, light rail, signalling and infrastructure. She has a keen interest in how industry can utilise technology and data to improve asset management and service delivery.
As an advocate for rail and engineering as a career choice, Stephanie hopes to use her experience as a founding member of the Young Rail Professionals (YRP), a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Ambassador and being a longstanding member of DRES to further encourage collaboration.
Neil Foster
Engineering Director at Porterbrook Leasing
In 2024, Neil was appointed Engineering Director at Porterbrook Leasing, following 8 years as the Fleet Services Director. He is responsible Engineering Services team, which includes technical services, powertrain, engineering audit, safety, standards and environment and associated activities. Neil is the organisation’s Professional Head of Engineering.
He has worked in the rail industry since 1993, having commenced employment with British Rail. Neil has also worked in the train operating environment before joining Porterbrook in 2001.
Neil is a Graduate of Loughborough University twice, initially with an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering and latterly with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). Neil is also a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Neil was President of the Society between 2021 and 2023.
Jennifer Gladding
Head of Engineering Services at Loram UK
Jennifer is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the UK rail industry. She graduated from Imperial College London with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and has built a career spanning engineering, project management and leadership roles. Her experience includes rolling stock design, delivery and modification, with a focus on technical assurance and operational performance.
As Head of Engineering Services at Loram UK, Jennifer leads engineering governance, project delivery and team development within a growing organisation, supporting the company’s strategic expansion and technical capability. She is passionate about professional development, actively mentors engineers working towards Chartership, and promotes inclusive leadership and high standards across the sector.
Jason Groombridge
Director at Groombridge Consulting
Jason joined British Rail as an engineering undergraduate trainee in 1991. He started his career at Eversholt Leasing before being appointed Professional Head of Engineering at Wessex Trains. Moving overseas, he managed Interfleet’s Rolling Stock team in Australia before being promoted to manage the Victorian business unit. During this time, he led the technical programme for a new EMU fleet.
Returning to the UK, Jason led SNC-Lavalin’s Business Consulting team working on franchise and concession bids before joining the UK senior management team as Rolling Stock Director, leading a team of 180 managers and engineers. More recently Jason was Director of Engineering Services at Porterbrook, responsible for the safety, asset management and project delivery functions across Porterbrook’s rolling stock portfolio.
Jason is currently a Director at Groombridge Consulting, his own company specialising in railway integration services. Jason is a Chartered Engineer and a board member of the IMechE Railway Division.
Paul Long
Head of T&RS Engineering at Heavy Haul Rail Ltd
At the start of 2026, Paul became the Head of T&RS in the newly formed company Heavy Haul Rail Ltd.
In 2022, Paul joined Freightliner as their Professional Head of T&RS Engineering. Prior to that, Paul was the Technical Director at Loram UK and was the lead for the engineering, rail operations and the maintenance teams on their site in Derby. Paul was also the technical lead the development and approval of Loram OEM On Track Machines for the European, Middle East and North African markets.
Previously, Paul worked in Network Rail for 14 years starting as a graduate T&RS engineer and then moving on to work on the National ERTMS Programme acting as Project Engineer for the Class 97 locomotives. He then moved to work as a Fleet Engineer on the Infrastructure Monitoring fleet before becoming a project engineering for vehicle conversations including the fleet of Snow & Ice Treatment Trains.
Paul joined ZF in 2018 as their UK & Ireland Business Manager and Professional Head for their rail business.
Paul is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Stephen Pell
Client Director, Rail Fleet & Operations at AtkinsRéalis
Stephen is the current Client Director, Rail Fleet & Operations for the Rail Consulting Practice, part of the AtkinsRéalis Transportation business in the UK. He is responsible for aligning new services to meet the emerging requirements of SNC-Lavalin’s broad range of rail industry clients and to ensure that approximately 350 rail systems, infrastructure, asset management and rolling stock specialists have a sustainable and profitable pipeline of work.
Stephen is a mechanical engineer who is Chartered through the IMechE. He has a strong technical passion for the work of the rail industry notably in introducing new technology to support efficient, environmentally friendly and economical travel around the world. He has led technical teams in the delivery of new rolling stock designs, refurbishments and standards and specification compliance.
Stephen passionately advocates rail industry careers and is an active supporter of colleagues who are new to the industry and taking their first steps in their career development.
Giles Pettit
Associate Director and Head Of Rolling Stock at Arup
Graduating from Imperial College, Giles had a few years of non-railway experience before joining Atkins Rail in 2003, where he immersed himself in running gear issues before progressing to wider train systems.
Moving to Interfleet in 2008, Giles was soon appointed Head of Vehicle Structures and led Interfleet’s engagements with MTR in Hong Kong, amongst other global commissions. Following an assignment to HS2 for the procurement of their rolling stock, Giles became the head of (by then) SNC Lavalin’s Rolling Stock Asset Management department in 2017, with one particular highlight being the conversion of three HST sets for East Midlands during the 2018 Thameslink blockade.
Seeking new ventures, Giles joined Arup in 2019 to establish a new rolling stock capability and has subsequently grown a team in fleet and wider rail systems capability. During this time, Arup has established themselves as advisors in train procurement and decarbonisation strategies.
Chris Sansom
Zero Carbon Research Theme Lead at the University of Derby
Chris is Professor and Zero Carbon Theme Lead at the University of Derby and Visiting Professor in Solar Power at Cranfield University. In his current role he leads research teams working on renewable energy, the decarbonisation of manufacturing and business processes, smart cities, low-carbon transport (especially rail), and nature-based solutions for a more sustainable world.
Chris has worked in academia for the last 18 years, following 20 years in industrial R&D with GEC, Marconi, Plessey, and Perkin-Elmer. He studied Physics at Liverpool University and completed his PhD in infrared detector materials at the University of Sussex. He also has a postgraduate diploma in Manufacturing Management from the Open University and is a Black-Belt Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement practitioner. Chris is a Fellow of both the Higher Education Academy and the Royal Geographical Society.
Colin Scott
Technical Director – Urban Platform At Alstom
Colin is the Product Technical Director for the Urban Platform in Alstom, this is a global responsibility covering the strategy, R&D, development and governance of Metros, People Movers and Monorail Rolling Stock.
Having studied for his degree in Edinburgh he then moved to Derby in 1987 to work for BREL, he has been with the company ever since in its various forms and in a variety of roles: Head of Industrial Design, Cab and Interiors Design Manager, Concept Engineering Manager, Head of Bids Engineering, Head of Vehicle Design, Chief Vehicle Architect and then moved to product management as Platform Chief Engineer.
In addition, Colin is also the Rail Industry Speaker for UNIFE on Access to the Railways for People with Disabilities, a member of the ERA TSI PRM working party, part of the EU Commission PRM Advisory Body and the CEN Convenor for PRM EN standards.
Helen Simpson
Director at Enspired Consulting
Helen Simpson from Enspired Consulting is a strategic project director widely recognised for her work on rail vehicle innovation with more than 30 years’ experience of rolling stock projects.
She is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the IMechE. She joined British Rail as an Engineering Management Trainee in 1992, worked on maintenance and reliability projects at Interfleet from 1997 and lead franchise bids until 2014 when she joined Porterbrook. Here, she led several innovation and decarbonisation projects including the introduction of a hydrogen train to the UK network, battery train designs, a hybrid retrofit project, rolling stock upgrades and enhancements and other innovations.
Until July 2023, she was the Innovation and Projects Director at Porterbrook Leasing and in September 2023 founded Enspired Consulting, which has a focus on developing the next generation engineering talent whilst delivering complex rolling stock projects for the industry.
Kerry Warburton
Careers Lead & Employer Engagement Co-Ordinator At UTC Derby Pride Park
Kerry joined the University Technical College (UTC) in September 2016 and has a real-passion for the UTC model of delivering and developing the curriculum with a link to employers and Industry in and around Derby.
Kerry studied Industrial Design at Brunel University and completed her PGCE at Nottingham Trent University and has recently completed her Level 7 Post Graduate Certificate in Careers Development at Nottingham Trent University.
Engineering, Career Development and Employer Links are the areas that Kerry is extremely passionate about and being part of DRES allows her to not only have a further insight into some key employers in the region but to also help to have an input into future events and opportunities that will help to develop not only UTC students but also those across the City.
