Working together - new partnership between Rail Supply Group and Rail Delivery Group

• New partnership will give supply chain a stronger voice
• Move will ensure both groups are better joined-up
• RSG chair Gordon Wakeford will join RDG board
• RDG chief executive Paul Plummer will join RSG council
• RSG council remains independent and becomes RDG’s fourth ‘strategic board’

The Rail Supply Group (RSG) and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) have announced a new partnership to coordinate shared objectives better and to strengthen further the industry’s voice.

The creation of a new partnership, using the resources of RDG to better support and join-up the work of the two groups, will:

• Maintain a clearer, independent voice for the rail supply chain within RDG;
• Offer closer alignment and collaboration between train operators, Network Rail and their supply chains;
• Streamline activities and avoid duplication, ensuring more efficient use of combined resources;
• Continue to jointly sponsor groups relating to technology and skills;
• Give government and stakeholders a ‘one-stop-shop’ for relations with the industry;
• Give clearer focus on unique RSG activities around exports, imports and inward investment;

The arrangement, while maintaining the RSG’s necessary independence, will see the RSG become a new strategic board of the RDG and its chair will become a full member of the RDG’s board. The partnership has also appointed Programme Director Anna DelVecchio as an industry secondee from Amey, who will ensure that the supply chain’s independence is maintained.

RSG Chair Gordon Wakeford said:

"This announcement builds on the success the RSG has had since the launch of the sector strategy, establishing clear work streams and bringing the supply chain together.

“By plugging into the resources, structures and expertise of the RDG, the Rail Supply Group can do more to drive growth in the supply chain. We now have the right structure in place to ensure we deliver on our priorities – driving growth, accelerating innovation, growing exports, and investing in our people. These are shared priorities, and I look forward to working with the RDG in continuing to deliver them."

RDG chief executive Paul Plummer said:

“This partnership cements the good relationship between the RDG and the RSG, and will ensure that we are even more co-ordinated and joined-up. As one team working together we can give the railway and the rail supply chain a more powerful voice.”

“It's vital that passenger and freight train operators, Network Rail and their supply chains work together to build a bigger, better railway for Britain while helping to grow British businesses that operate in communities across the country.”

Notes to editors

The RSG’s work portfolios will continue to be delivered in collaboration with Railway Industry Association and Rail Alliance as key delivery partners. An industry programme director will also be appointed to support both RSG and RDG portfolios in creating a more joined-up industry framework

The RSG remains as one of the Government’s Industrial Councils, and the Council Board remains in place, with a role to act as a thought leadership body for the rail supply sector. The membership of the Council is set out below.

The new partnership will also allow the RSG to work on cross cutting themes such as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the Sector Deal for rail.

An organisation chart showing the RDG’s strategic board structure is available on request.

The work of the Rail Supply Group is focussed around delivering via four work streams which will continue and be enhanced using the resources, structures and expertise of the RDG.

The work streams are:

• Growing exports and inward investment
• Accelerating the uptake of innovation
• Investing in people and skills
• Creating conditions for market growth

A full list of members of the RSG Council is available on the RSG website.