The Rail Industry Executive Committee is a 12-person committee and is elected by supply chain members every two years. The committee represents small and large rail manufacturers and suppliers operating in the rail industry, along with consultants and other key industry representatives.
The Committee develops, investigates and provides policy advice to the ARA on issues relevant to manufacturers and suppliers. The Committee also leads a work plan to achieve a favourable environment for the rail manufacturing and supplier sectors to prosper.
The ARA spoke to four members about their careers, passion for rail and involvement in the RIEC.
Carina O’Brien, Chief Strategy Officer, Siemens Mobility in Australia & New Zealand
Carina is a supporter and champion of the rail industry in Australia. Last year, she provided valuable assistance to the ARA delegation at InnoTrans in Berlin with site tours, industry and government engagement, and networking opportunities for delegates.
In March, she attended the Women in Rail Lunch in Melbourne, and actively participates in the ARA Women in Leadership LinkedIn group. Recently, Carina was on the ‘Women in Transport’ panel at the Victorian Infrastructure Conference to share how the transport industry can address the gender imbalance in the transport sector.
In her previous role as Communications Lead at Siemens Mobility, she played a key role in Siemens Mobility’s involvement with the annual AusRAIL conference and has been selected as a speaker at the upcoming 2023 AusRAIL PLUS conference.
“I am passionate about helping Australia reach net zero through sustainable transport solutions, the opportunity of harmonisation through technology and innovation, efficiency of tendering and type approval processes, and ensuring the local viability and competency of the rail industry in Australia and New Zealand,” says Carina.
“I am also dedicated to helping advance the railway industry by promoting diversity and inclusion to attract people to work in the industry.”
Carina started her professional journey in the IT industry, working with startup-ups and medium-sized businesses, then moved into facility management, before joining Siemens in 2010 and has been involved with the rail industry since 2011.
In her spare time, she is the podcast host, and runs a network to support women navigating career and motherhood.
Adam Williams, Executive General Manager – RTS Passenger South, Downer.
Adam is passionate about developing local industry capability and the benefits that local content mandates bring to the industry and wider society. He is a member of Downer’s inclusion and belonging committee and a proven advocate for improving diversity and inclusion.
“I love working in the rail industry and enjoy the role that the industry plays in helping society address the challenges of sustainability, accessibility and digital technology transformation,” says Adam.
Adam is responsible for defining the strategy for the future of the business and orienting the organisation to realise these goals.
“I am a passionate advocate for local industry development, and believe that through improved procurement practices that bias targeted local industry capability development we can grow a secure, thriving industry in Australia – the equal of any in the world.”
Adam began his career in the automotive industry working with Ford and then Toyota, before joining the rail industry in 2010. Originally from Melbourne, Adam has lived and worked throughout Australasia, Europe and Asia.
“I want to see our industry do better in attracting employees from a broader range of backgrounds – we should better reflect the societies that we serve. I advocate within my organisation and the broader industry for improved inclusion and belonging, recognising that in some areas we have a long way to go.”
Derek Jackson, State Manager – Qld, Network Rail Consulting
“I have a deep passion for the rail industry in Australia and would be grateful for the opportunity to do my part to make it the best it can be. I have more than 20 years’ experience in the local Australian rail supply chain and I believe I can bring that expertise to bear as a champion for key industry topics such as procurement reform and local content,” says Derek.
“I also bring an advocacy for the smaller members of the ARA, the local suppliers and the smaller consultancies, as I firmly believe these are the backbone to our industry and bring a much under-rated competency and experience.”
Derek has extensive knowledge of passenger and freight rolling stock, signalling systems and a comprehensive understanding of the Australian rail market.
He has previously been responsible for the relationship development, government relations and stakeholder management on multiple Australian projects for Bombardier and Alstom and undertaken key project management roles for Siemens, including the technical, commercial and contractual aspects of a tram procurement project in Melbourne and the manufacture, supply and testing of a locomotive project in Queensland. His role on the Gold Coast Light Rail project included significant involvement in system integration of greenfield rail infrastructure and rollingstock.
Stuart Inglis, General Manager, UGL
“I have always been a strong advocate for the localisation of manufacturing within the industry, campaigning at all levels in all states.
“I understand UGL are the only Australian locomotive manufacturer and exporter of major vehicle components. Our involvement in both Passenger and Freight vehicles (within six states and territories) will allow for a very wholistic contribution,” says Stuart.
He has been in the rail industry since 1991 when he first joined Bombardier, which is now part of Alstom. His career has taken him to the UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary and, since 2003, Australia, and he has led the rail vehicle division of UGL since 2017.
“During my career I have had the pleasure and responsibility to build and maintain all forms of rolling stock, locomotives, wagons, EMU, DMU, sleeper carriages, LRV, Metro and intercity vehicles.
As a result, I have a broad knowledge of the Australian supply base, its footprint, competence, capacity, potential and relevant challenges.”