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Notes to editors

1. Rail Delivery Group Limited (RDG) brings together the owners of Britain's passenger Train Operating Companies, Freight Operating Companies and Network Rail to provide leadership to Britain's rail industry.

2. The priorities being pursued by the RDG are

• Providing leadership to Britain’s rail industry;
• Being the collective voice of the rail industry;
• Developing policies, strategies and plans for the coherent management of the rail industry and advancing the provision of a safe, efficient, high quality rail service for users and taxpayers;
• Identifying opportunities to improve Britain’s railways through a new approach to franchising and other commercial initiatives;
• Embracing technology and innovation in the working environment to enhance the contribution made by one of the industry’s key assets, its workforce;
• Improving the asset, programme and supply-chain management of the rail industry through closer co-operation between Network Rail, operators and suppliers;
• Taking a proactive role in the introduction of innovative technology on to the GB rail network including smart ticketing, communications technology and the practical application of the ideas contained in the Rail Technical Strategy;
• Exploring ways to improve the efficiency of the industry structure through removing overlaps and duplications, introducing flexible commercial and contractual agreements within the industry, between industry and Government and between the industry and its suppliers;
• Building on the development of a rolling stock strategy to identify value for money opportunities in rolling stock provision and procurement;
• Ensuring that there is an awareness of key rail freight issues; and
• Continuing to lead the industry’s long-term-planning activities.

Graham Smith

Graham Smith has been appointed as Director-General of Rail Delivery Group Limited (RDG), which includes the Chief Executives of the major passenger and freight owning groups and Network Rail.

The Rail Delivery Group was set up in 2011. The Group provides leadership to the GB rail industry and conducts its work through working and cross-industry groups that are identifying opportunities to improve the efficiency of the rail industry. Graham has been Secretary of the RDG since its creation.

Graham joined the railway industry in 1978. He has worked in operational, freight and strategic management roles in the rail industry. During his 34 years in the industry he has spent much of his time arguing the case for rail with politicians, funders and stakeholders.

In 2010/11 Graham worked on the Rail Value for Money Study sponsored by the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation. Prior to this Graham working in the rail freight industry as Planning Director of DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd and before that Planning Director of English, Welsh & Scottish Railway Limited.

Graham is 57 and is a Life Governor of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He was educated at the University of Hull.

In recognition of his work in the railway industry Graham was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 New Year’s Honours list.