YORK is to provide a platform for leaders of top transport organisations to discuss how meaningful relationships and collaboration have helped them rise to the challenges and opportunities facing the northern economy.

John Cridland, former director-general of the CBI and now chair of Transport for the North, will be joined by Rail North director David Hoggarth and Graham Botham of Network Rail at a free event next month organised by North of England Excellence (NoEE) for business leaders interested in learning the lessons of collaborative leadership.

NoEE chief executive Andrew Palmer said: “Connectivity is fundamental to the success of the northern economy, not just in terms of our transport infrastructure but also with reference to the way we work together both within sectors and across them.

“This event is an opportunity for business leaders to come and learn from organisations which are already seeing the benefits of collaboration.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our members and the wider Yorkshire business community insights into practices which will encourage innovation, help them manage scarce resources and act with agility therefore driving inward investment and raising confidence in the region.”

Mr Cridland plays a leading role in transforming northern connectivity, working with business leaders and northern transport authorities, along with Highways England, Network Rail, HS2 Ltd and the DfT.

He will join Mr Botham, Network Rail’s strategy & planning director (north), to talk about their partnership approach to long-term planning of the national network in the north of England. Passionate about how transport and rail in particular can facilitate economic growth, Mr Botham led the development of and secured the funding for the Northern Hub package of rail improvements across the north of England.

Mr Hoggarth is a director of Rail North, a newly established partnership organisation working with the Department for Transport to manage and develop the new Northern and TransPennine franchises.

He was previously director, development for West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where projects included the regeneration of Wakefield Kirkgate, new rail stations at Kirkstall, Apperley Bridge and Low Moor, and the new Southern Entrance for Leeds Station.

The free event will be held on September 21 at Network Rail’s operating centre in York.

For further information and to book, visit the NoEE website at northofenglandexcellence.co.uk/events/how-transport-will-drive-the-economy-of-the-north-and-how-collaborative-leadership-leads-to-success/124.