Newly appointed Minister for Rail & HS2, Huw Merriman MP, to open RIA Annual Conference on Thursday 10 November

RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan said, “We welcome Huw Merriman to his new role as Minister for Rail & HS2. The Minister was a respected and accessible Transport Select Committee Chair previously, and will bring a huge amount of knowledge and experience to the role. He takes on this Ministerial position at a challenging time and we wish him well in the weeks and months ahead.

“We are delighted that Huw Merriman has agreed to open the two-day RIA Annual Conference & Dinner, which commences on Thursday 10 November. It will be good to get the Minister’s initial thoughts on both the short-term and longer-term issues facing UK rail, at a time when the post-pandemic return to rail – both passengers and freight – has been so positive. The Minister joins a stellar cast at the conference, including Network Rail's Sir Peter Hendy CBE and Andrew Haines OBE, HS2’s Mark Thurston, and Kate Nicholls OBE, of UK Hospitality.

“All with an interest in rail are welcome to attend, for what promises to be two days of essential debate – book your place now if you haven’t already!”