Mark Phillips
Chief Executive, RSSB
As we enter 2026, Britain’s railways are undergoing the most significant transformation in a generation. The creation of Great British Railways (GBR) marks a pivotal moment, bringing much of the industry under a more unified public leadership and accountability framework, and setting the stage for a new era of rail reform.
The government’s ambitious programme aims to deliver greater reliability, affordability, freight growth, and improved customer experience. Central to this is the establishment of GBR as the ‘directing mind’ for the industry, while working alongside devolved authorities, freight operators, and suppliers, simplifying interfaces and strengthening system coordination.
Parts of the rail industry — such as Transport Scotland, Transport for Wales, freight operators, and suppliers — will be outside GBR, and this is where RSSB’s unique role comes to the fore. RSSB acts as connective tissue across the railway system, supporting collaboration and system-wide coherence and ensuring that standards are maintained for the benefit of all.
Our independence fosters trust and objectivity, enabling us to balance competing interests and safeguard the interests of organisations both within and outside GBR’s remit. A confident and independent RSSB will be an important enabler of successful reform in support of industry and government objectives.
The pace of change is accelerating. Several privately run concessions have recently transitioned to the Department for Transport Operator, and the Railways Bill is progressing through Parliament, with Royal Assent expected later this year.
Network Rail’s Technical Authority is already working to validate GBR’s organisational design, aiming for a basic structure to be in place by spring 2027. In response, RSSB will update its Constitution and Articles of Association to support these reforms, acting with confidence and foresight while staying aligned with the evolving legislative and organisational framework.
Looking ahead, RSSB’s focus will be on what we do best: providing predictive, insight-led safety, health, and sustainability intelligence. We will complement traditional assurance with a stronger emphasis on predictive, insight-led intelligence and help the industry anticipate and manage future risks.
Our value lies not just in producing standards but in acting as a system intelligence engine, testing whether standards are effective and showcasing new technologies that can benefit the industry. This approach will ensure that RSSB remains agile, innovative, and a magnet for talent.
For the rail industry, this period of reform means greater clarity of purpose and a sharper focus on where we add the most value. In consultation with members, RSSB will continually review its activities, focusing effort where we add the greatest system-wide value for our members and the wider industry, particularly: insight, foresight, and innovation.
Our aim is to help the industry anticipate and manage future risks, ensuring that Britain’s railways remain safe, affordable, and reliable—fit for the future.
The year ahead promises to be fast-paced and full of change but also marked by hope and optimism. As passenger journeys and total freight moved continue to recover following the pandemic, rail remains one of the most sustainable modes of transport.
RSSB’s role in supporting GBR and the wider industry will be crucial, and we look forward to working with all our partners to shape a successful, resilient railway for the decades to come.