How did you get into Research and Innovation?

“I studied Engineering back home in Ireland and moved to the UK to join a Graduate Scheme, on the London Underground. As part of the Graduate Scheme I moved around different departments and got the chance to see the many disciplines needed to run a railway system. In each role, I found my love for invention could be applied to innovation initiatives and I worked to bring in new technologies and improving ways of working.

Ultimately, this enabled me to become an Innovation Manager. I then moved to Transport for London Commercial Development and pushed myself out of my Engineering comfort zone to learn business development skills. It is the combination of these skills that made me a contender for the role I now have. ”

Why RSSB?

“I knew about RSSB from attending some of their events and colleagues that had moved to work there. From them, I knew RSSB was a good company to work for. They are at the heart of the rail industry and are committed to making rail better.

My first role after the Graduate Scheme was working in track maintenance delivery. It was there that I experienced a serious railway safety incident. Whilst thankfully nobody was hurt, the potential was there, and it significantly impacted everyone involved. I learned that it takes a lot to ensure safety in a complex system like the railway.

A few years later a role came up in RSSB. The job description was a great match and after being through that incident I was really motivated by the opportunity to work for a company so committed to making a better, safer railway. ”

What do you enjoy most about your current role?

“During my interview with RSSB, I was asked to develop and share my ideas for improving the implementation of research and innovation solutions. When I got the role, I was supported to deliver on those ideas.

You make real changes here and you are surrounded by others who are motivated in the same way. The best thing about my role is the variety of topics and areas my work covers on a daily basis. In the morning I can be discussing robotics, later, the impact of signalling on freight and might finish up my day working with others on passenger seat comfort. ”

What skills have you developed at RSSB?

“As the company covers so many disciplines we get to work with a lot of interesting people, who are willing to share their knowledge and experience. Every day I am learning from them, and I find every day interesting. ”