CIRO Hosts the George Bradshaw Address 2026
Earlier this month, the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators( CIRO) was proud to host the George Bradshaw Address for the first time, marking an important moment for the Institution and its growing role in convening senior leaders from across the rail industry.
Held in London on 10 February at One Great George Street, the event brought together more than 200 senior rail leaders, policymakers and innovators spanning operations, infrastructure, government and the wider sector. The George Bradshaw Address has become a respected fixture in the industry calendar, providing a forum for informed debate and reflection on the strategic and operational issues shaping the future of Britain’ s railway.
Named after George Bradshaw, the 19th-century publisher whose railway guides brought structure and accessibility to Britain’ s early rail network, the Address continues to reflect the importance of coordination, planning and whole-system thinking. opportunities this presents for greater integration, collaboration and long-term performance improvement.
The event was opened by Mark Hopwood CBE, Managing Director of Great Western Railway and Chair of the CIRO Board, who welcomed attendees and introduced keynote speaker Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport. In her Address, the Secretary of State shared government perspectives on reform and the future direction of Britain’ s railway. You can read the Secretary of State’ s full speech here: https:// www. gov. uk / government / speeches / georgebradshaw-address-2026
The keynote was followed by a panel discussion and audience Q & A chaired by Katy Austin, Transport Correspondent at BBC News. Alex Hynes, CEO at DfT Operator, highlighted the benefits of an integrated structure, noting early signs of reduced subsidy and improving performance. Jeremy Westlake, CEO at Network Rail, echoed the value of removing contractual barriers, emphasising how bringing track and train together can drive efficiencies.
Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General at the Rail Freight Group, highlighted that around one quarter of all trains will not sit within GBR. She noted the freight sector is seeking a framework that addresses the cultural implications of this, and that discussions are ongoing regarding clauses within the Railways Bill.
Over the years, it has featured influential voices from across government and industry, reinforcing its role as a platform where leadership, policy and operational insight come together.
This year’ s Address took place at a pivotal moment for the sector, as the industry looks ahead to the establishment of Great British Railways and the
Joining the panel, the Secretary of State also spoke about the Government’ s decision to freeze regulated fares while emphasising the need to deliver better value for money and reduce subsidy. Alex Hynes added that growing revenue faster than costs, alongside additional services, would be key to reducing subsidy requirements.
Heidi Alexander and Jeremy Westlake both stressed the importance of providing certainty for the supply
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