Railfuture Annual National Conference - 2019/Bristol

Jon Harris is the Integrated Transport, Accessibility and Development Manager at West Midlands Trains.

He has a 30 year background in transport and town planning, sustainable transport and logistics, and training delivery - as well as providing professional education and policy leadership for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Jon has worked on a wide range of travel planning and integration projects for local authorities, private developers and rail operators across Great Britain.

In his current role he is busy leading the franchise delivery in the field of access and inclusion and integrated transport and will be sharing some of the key initiatives at our conference.

On a personal level Jon is a busy musician and choir member and is involved in setting up a local Community Rail Partnership close to his home.

He is passionate about growing people and sees the value that good coaching and mentoring can bring to both organisations and importantly to individuals. He is firmly committed to training and development and the value that continuing professional development has to play in shaping and delivering quality customer service.

Jon can be contacted at jon.harris@wmtrains.co.uk and on 07970 447880.

Matthew Golton is Deputy Managing Director and Commercial Development Director for Great Western Railway. GWR (part of FirstGroup) is one of the UK's largest rail franchises, providing Inter-City, commuter, regional and sleeper services.

Matthew is responsible for leading GWR's commercial and regional development, driving business growth by ensuring that GWR's commercial arrangements with the DfT and third parties respond to changes and opportunities in GWR's business environment. Working closely with local stakeholders, his team leads on route, service and station development changes, devising partnering strategies and securing new funds. Matthew has also led FirstGroup's negotiations for the last two Great Western franchise awards.

Earlier in his career Matthew held senior positions at English, Welsh & Scottish Railway and developed the UK's first open-access rail freight business for National Power.

Matthew is passionate about working with partners to develop and deliver solutions that grow the railway's business and increase its relevance for the communities it serves.

Lorna Brown-Owens's background is as a building surveyor. She has previously worked for London Underground Ltd and Transport for London (TfL) where she ensured that stations not only met the requirements of legislation (such as the Disability and the Equality Act 2010) but were also suitable for all passengers.

She was the Persons of Reduced Mobility (PRM) assessor on the Borders Railway, which included seven new stations, and has since been involved in the rebuilding of London Bridge station.