RIA and RFEM announce new partnership to increase offering to members
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) and Rail Forum East Midlands (RFEM) have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting out how the two organisations will work together to
increase the recognition of the value of the rail supply chain in the East Midlands and nationally.
The MoU, confirmed in early 2018, will mean members of both organisations will benefit from
increased collaboration, through:
- The sharing of relevant policy and technical information as well as on events and services;
- Joint support for lobbying activity in the Midlands;
- Joint support for RIA/RFEM members in exporting, such as at InnoTrans;
- Working together to ensure a stronger, co-ordinated and consistent voice to Government on
key issues facing the rail supply chain;
Joint support for rail in the Industrial Strategy agenda, through a ‘Rail Sector Deal’.
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association said: “It is fantastic to announce
a greater collaborative relationship between RIA and RFEM. For members, it will mean they get even
more from both organisations, including more information and assistance on technical, policy and
export matters as well as more visibility of rail supply chain events. Externally, we will work more
closely with RFEM to showcase the importance of rail to Government and stakeholders and to provide
greater consistency in highlighting key priorities for the sector”.
Elaine Clark, General Manager of Rail Forum East Midlands said: “RFEM are delighted to be working
more closely with RIA for the benefit of our respective members. Whilst as an industry we have a
number of challenges we also have a wealth of opportunities. By working together we can strengthen
the case for change where it’s needed and ensure our members in the supply chain are best placed to
develop their businesses and to grow and prosper.”
Notes to Editors
- About the Railway Industry Association: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the
representative body for UK-based suppliers to the UK and world-wide railways. It has some
200 companies in membership and the sector employs 240,000 people and contributes
annually £11 billion Gross Value Added (GVA). It is also a growing industry with the number of
rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly
too. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range
of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by
number). RIA works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the
industry.
- About Rail Forum East Midlands: RFEM is a regionally focussed trade organisation supporting
the rail supply chain cluster in the East Midlands. Born out of the Derby rail industry at the
time of privatisation, RFEM has over 150 members from across the industry, with a particular
focus on SMEs. RFEM actively supports the national rail agenda and strategy with regional
activity across the skills, innovation and export priorities. www.midlandsrail.co.uk