Programme & Project Management

I have spent the last 17 years in Programme/Project Management roles, most recently with a UK TOC where I led a significant industry wide programme to deliver efficiencies and changes to working practices. Prior to that I was engaged by RDG to lead on their National Barcode project.

The projects listed below are not exhaustive but give a flavour of the breadth of my skills and experience:

Programme manager – RDG’s national barcode project

  • Working with supplier to progress installation of barcode readers at UK Rail Stations
  • Working with TOC Leads to coordinate works
  • Working with DfT to agree funding and TOC payback arrangements
  • Governance and reporting

Programme manager for lner

  • Bringing cross functional proposals into one cohesive programme
  • Leading on Stations’ ‘One Team’ concept for London King’s Cross
  • Negotiating with DfT and other TOCs to ensure consistency and compliance
  • Governance and reporting
  • Written responses to DfT’s formal requirements

PM for HQ relocation for Virgin Trains West Coast

  • Identifying options for suitable new premises
  • Conducting negotiations and Landlords to establish best deals
  • Presenting the options including PROs and CONs to Executive Directors
  • Organising and coordinating removal
  • Communicating, consulting and negotiating with functional departments

Station Staffing Review (UK TOC)

  • Analysis of current situation and identification of areas for improvement
  • Benchmarking with similar Train Operating Companies
  • Data analysis of ticket office sales
  • Interviews with key managers
  • Preparation of a report and presentation to detail key findings and recommendations

TOC sponsor for Birmingham New St Gateway Project (Seconded to NR)

Looking after VTWC’s interests at the newly transformed station, including:

  • New Ticket Retailing facility
  • New Staff Accommodation
  • New Management Accommodation
  • Compensation arrangements for loss of income
  • Working with legal representatives to agree financial indemnity with NR
  • Seconded to NR for a period of 2 years
  • Working in close liaison with NR project sponsorship team

Head of Customer Service and Culture (VTWC High Frequency Timetable Project)

  • PM for VTWC Car parks expansion project (Network Rail IP delivered)
  • Remarshalling of Virgin Voyager trains (221s) to create hybrid first class coach
  • Leading on Communications for the High Frequency Project and coordination with frontline teams
  • Organising and leading workshop briefing sessions for frontline staff

Station Travel Plans (Delivery of STPs at 14 VTWC stations)

  • Delivery of 14 Station Travel Plans (STPs) as part of Committed Obligations (COs) in relation to franchise extension

Contact Me

Testimonials

Mike worked with LNER on contract for 2 years between 2022-24 and was instrumental in leading multiple key work streams as Programme Manager. These included coordinating our workforce reform proposals and reviewing the leadership structure at our London King’s Cross hub.

Mike is the ultimate professional and has a wealth of railway management experience. He led key discussions with the DfT and provided regular updates to our Managing Director and Executive team. Mike’s management style is professional and friendly, giving clear direction and support to all parties. On a personal level, I enjoyed working with him very much. Following a recent promotion to a senior management position, I was grateful to Mike for his invaluable support and advice which he was kind enough to give me. His years of experience at a senior level within the railway industry have equipped him with a wealth of knowledge and I look up to him as a well respected and wise member of the industry.I would not hesitate to recommend Mike and Eclipse Rail Consultancy for any major work streams in the rail industry and beyond. Mike soon proves to be an asset to any company and he is missed by both myself and LNER!

Steve Wilson

Head of Stations, London North Eastern Railway

Mike was great to work with at LNER. He managed multiple workstreams, including Operations and Customer Experience. He supported with clear project plans, development of business cases and leading the structure of the projects to ensure all key stakeholders were involved in the decision making and outcomes. Mike was very detailed and engaging, managing to take the complex projects and turn these into manageable workstreams.
Alan Riley

Experienced Executive, Senior Manager, Rail Industry

I am delighted with the contribution that Mike has made with the mobilisation of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram Networks. We made ready use of his experience to support the Operations and Maintenance Departments in areas such as: Station Operations, Security and Depot Management. He led teams which developed a vast number of key operational documents that have subsequently gained approval from Qatar Rail and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. I consider Eclipse Rail to be a key part of our team, part of our success and we will continue to work with them in the future, should the need arise.

Wallace Weatherill

Operations Director, RKH QITARAT - Service Provider for Doha Metro and Lusail Tram Networks