ICW celebrates rail sector collaboration at groundbreaking event in House of Lords

The Institute for Cooperation (ICW) hosted a lunch for rail cooperation leaders in the House of Lords to celebrate the start of summer.

The lunch was the first sector event of its kind for ICW, which said it chose the rail industry because of its “early adoption of collaboration”. Network Rail and key supply partners – including BAM, Costain and Graham Construction – are long-standing Ambassador members of the organisation.

The event brought together leaders from the rail sector, giving them the opportunity to establish contacts and discuss opportunities for cooperation.

ICW also presented the first Collaborative Leading-Edge certification for TRU West Alliance, led by Network Rail and BAM UK & Ireland, and supported by other supply chain partners. The award was given for what ICW called “structured business collaboration systems that delivered tangible additional value to stakeholders, while delivering the project and providing clients with confidence in the ability of the organisations involved to deliver positive outcomes on future projects”.

In addition, the ICW presented the prestigious Collaborative Pioneer Awards to Stephen Blakey of Network Rail and Brian Walton of BAM for their outstanding contribution to the Institute and the rail sector over a long period.

ICW Chief Executive Frank Lee said: “I know that Network Rail has been on a collaborative path for the past 12 years, aspiring to be a leader in the rail sector, both in the way we work with the supply chain and in the way people work together. They are actively involved in the Institute of Collaborative Working because they support the ‘professionalisation’ of collaboration and have influenced the thinking of the institution from a rail industry perspective, as well as learning from other sectors who also support the ICW in promoting collaboration.

“I believe they will continue their journey toward progressive and deeper collaboration as a key enabler of the safe, timely, and efficient delivery of the CP7 portfolio. I know they are eager to work with institutions (ICWs), stakeholders, and suppliers who are similarly committed to the benefits and practices of collaboration.”

Frank also recognised the work that ICW members, including Network Rail, BAM and all their member organisations, do to advance the science of effective collaboration by participating in the Institute’s thought leadership and networking events, investing in and developing their staff and “truly walking the collaborative path”.

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