Ken Lambert
Senior Consultant
As a seasoned railway professional with almost 40 years in the industry, I have a broad range of experience across multiple operational and safety-based disciplines, linked by a common thread of delivering excellent outcomes. My previous roles have included Section Manager (Track), Area Planning Manager, Business System Owner and Senior Programme Manager/Safety Task Force, all for Network Rail, during which time I established a track record for not only delivering award winning programmes, but also helping teams to achieve their full potential.
Whatever the project or workstream, be it developing multi-disciplinary strategies for routes and depots, driving through large-scale organisational transformation, people development and personal improvement or supporting the implementation of new IT systems, a key driver for me personally has always been to support, motivate and empower all those involved to achieve the best results. That’s why I’m delighted to be a part of the AARCPS ‘family,’ who share the same values and commitment to the industry.
Experience:
Business Change & Projects
With a particular focus on the IT/systems management aspect of my career, key highlights have included:
- Acting as Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) and Senior Sponsor on various projects, demonstrating a high level of ownership and accountability
- Coordinated system testing, pilot implementation and training material development
- Leading development of IT safety cases, demonstrating a strong understanding of safety protocols
- Developing and implementing a roadmap for legacy system maintenance, including integration, replacement and remote condition monitoring for preventative maintenance
- Ensuring alignment with/endorsement from the ORR (Office of Rail and Road) on IT initiatives
- Contributing to the development of Network Rail’s Intelligent Infrastructure Programme for Control Period 6
Rail Infrastructure
The following provides a high-level overview of how my leadership, problem-solving and technical skills helped to drive significant improvements in productivity, cost management and technology adoption whilst working cross Network Rail’s maintenance function:
- National Productivity Improvement, leading a programme that increased national engagement in productivity from 28% to 42% in just six months
- Maintenance Unit Cost (MUC) optimization, expanding coverage by 21%, introducing new codes for better cost tracking and improving MUC accuracy from 75% to 95%
- Plant and technology implementation, successfully rolling out various new plant tools for track and welding, leading the development and introduction of new plant to address challenges during control periods and spearheading the identification and implementation of new technologies
- Providing leadership and guidance in project management and supporting project managers to deliver projects for maintenance efficiencies and cost savings
- Improving working relationships with Route Directors and IMDMs
- Organising the first National Plant Show at Westwood – now the annual ‘Rail Live’ event at Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire
Safety & Assurance
In 2020, following two ORR improvement notices served the previous year concerning track worker safety and deficiencies in both planning and technology for safeguarding workers, Network Rail appointed me as National Region and Route Safety Task Force Senior Programme Manager for Planning and Technology. As such, I was tasked with leading a £500 million improvement programme to address the ORR notices by July 2022, implementing the following:
- A comprehensive programme involving industry planning processes and safer access methods, significantly reducing the industry’s reliance on unassisted lookout working, which initially stood at 22%
- Shifting the focus from reliance on lookouts towards technology-based solutions, bringing increased safety in possessions (exclusive work windows on specific lines) through the deployment of Remote Controlled Track Circuit Operating Devices and other protective equipment
- Supported by the formation of a system review group to ensure consistent safety methods
As a direct result, Network Rail’s work profile was transformed and both improvement notices closed ahead of schedule, with the percentage of protected line blocks increasing from 6% in December 2019 to over 50% by June 2022, with unassisted lookout working falling to a mere 0.6% of maintenance work (a 98% reduction).
