Transport & Infrastructure Lunch

With over 40 years’ experience across the finance, transport and technology sectors, Vernon is the Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester. He advises Mayor Andy Burnham on the development of the Bee Network, a fully-integrated, London-style transport system for this growing 3 million strong city-region.

From 2007 to January 2022 he was Managing Director for Customers, Communication and Technology at Transport for London and held a number of other senior jobs there. Vernon’s primary focus was on putting customers at the heart of transport strategy and operations, including how integration of services, city planning, technology and data can deliver better journeys. He led the successful pan-Government and transport industry marketing and communications strategy for the London 2012 Olympic Games, the largest ever integrated campaign of its kind. 

Vernon has worked at senior level at the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England over the previous 18 years in a variety of banking, regulatory, corporate and communications roles. 

Vernon is a non-executive director of Transport for Wales, is senior advisor to the consultancy Teneo and chairs the National Grid ESO Technology Advisory Council as the generation and distribution of energy across the country is transformed. 

With over thirty years of public transport industry experience, David Powell is leading the project to replace the Merseyrail fleet of rolling stock and an associated programme of infrastructure improvements. Initially a rolling stock designer, David has been a Project/Programme Director for the last twenty years, working on a range of railway, metro and tram projects worldwide for both public and private sector organisations.

With over 20 years’ experience in process improvement, transport, and technology, Steve Galbraith is a recognised industry expert in Lean transformation and business process management, working across both the public and private sectors. He is currently leading the deployment of operational AI, process excellence and business transformation within the transport sector, positioning him at the cutting edge of technological advancements in transportation efficiency.

Steve’s work includes high-profile projects, such as enhancing service capabilities for the Ministry of Defence during the London 2012 Olympics and redesigning key processes for UK transport-related exports following Brexit. His leadership has ensured secure, streamlined services, enabling organisations and government bodies to meet modern regulatory and operational demands.

In his current role, Steve is driving the integration of AI technologies into transport operations, transforming processes, and improving service delivery in an increasingly dynamic sector. His AI-led projects are set to revolutionise transport efficiency and enhance the customer experience.

A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Leader, and ITIL expert, Steve is known for his expertise in process optimisation, AI deployment, and customer-centric operations. His work with UK Government bodies, including the Marine Management Organisation and DEFRA, has played a pivotal role in improving operational readiness and regulatory compliance, particularly within the transport sector.

Alongside his current focus on AI in Transport, Steve remains committed to coaching and upskilling teams in Lean methodologies, driving innovation in process management, and helping businesses prepare for the future with streamlined, efficient solutions.