UK: ‘This is a lovely place to do business in’, enthused Railway Industry Association Chairman David Tonkin on September 2, when RIA’s new offices in Westminster were formally opened by Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris, HS1 Chief Executive Dyan Crowther and HS2 Chief Executive Mark Thurston, at an event attended by around 100 RIA members and stakeholders.
Located in Smith Square, close to the Department for Transport and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the premises are intended to provide a hub for RIA member companies who may not have London offices, incorporating a series of meeting rooms as well as a larger networking space for hosting events.
The association moved into its new premises earlier in the year, but the formal opening was delayed until live events became practical after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan stressed the importance of networking and face-to-face meetings as part of the association’s lobbying role.
‘We’re very excited to be launching our new office in the heart of Westminster, and we look forward to this being the first of many industry events at our new home in the months and years to come’, Caplan explained. ‘Our previous Headfort Place offices near Hyde Park Corner served us well for 21 years, but it is now time to move on to more modern, dynamic, premises, which will better enable us to bring the rail supply industry together with policymakers and influencers, rail clients and stakeholders. Simply, it is a hub for rail suppliers to use, to connect with contacts and to enjoy.’
