TRESPAD Conference 2025

Martin Frobisher is responsible for leading the Network Rail technical authority. This includes a varied mix of national responsibilities including safety, environment, engineering, security and future research. The team sets national strategy, policy and standards and also provides assurance to confirm that standards are being effectively delivered.

He has worked in the railway industry for 26 years in a variety of safety, operational and maintenance roles.

Martin is a reservist army officer and was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours List

Prior to joining the railway Martin worked in the chemical industry, at ICI Polyurethanes, near Blackpool.

Asset Management and Business leader with significant experience gained across railways, aviation, ports, telecommunications and utilities internationally, both in consultancy and as a duty holder.

Charlotte Kingston is Head of Public Programmes and Communications at the National Railway Museum. Since joining NRM in 2018, Charlotte has led on the creative programming of the museum including exhibitions, learning programmes, events and capital projects. She’s led NRM’s programme for the 200th anniversary of the railways in 2025 including commissioning and curating an exhibition on a train with Network Rail. Charlotte is also a key member of the team delivering NRM’s transformative masterplan, which will enable NRM to express the past, present and future of the railways and to represent and reflect the amazing evolution of rail across the globe. Prior to joining NRM, Charlotte worked as a freelance curator and design consultant for museums across Europe.

Deputy Director System Safety & Health at RSSB, Chair of the UIC TreSP-Network 

Ann is the Deputy Director for RSSBs System Safety and Health Directorate. She leads a mixed disciplined department that is responsible for the delivery of the GB Rail Industry Health and Safety Strategy.
Ann is a safety professional of over twenty-five years’ experience, mostly rail related. She joined RSSB in 2000 as a Human Factors Specialist, before moving to head up the HF department which she built up to a total of 14 professionals with an international reputation. She spent the early part of her career at Cranfield University as a Researcher undertaking aviation safety research for the UK and American Aviation Authorities and Shell.
Ann’s academic background is in Psychology (BA from Coventry) and Applied Psychology (MSc and PhD from Cranfield).

Ann has been involved in UIC safety issues for over 20 years. She began as a member of the Human and Organisational Factors Working Group (HOFWG), most recently as Vice-Chair.
Then, in June 2021, she took over the Chair position of the UIC TreSP network.

From September 1988 started her career in exporting companies.

From 1992 at UIC.

From 2009-today: Senior Advisor, Safety and Interoperability: in charge of level crossing safety,

trespass and suicide prevention issues at the UIC Safety Unit.

Coordinator of

• Global Level Crossing Network (GLCN)
• Trespass and Suicide Prevention Network (TreSP-Network)

Project Manager of

• International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD)
• International Trespass Awareness Day (TRESPAD)

Dr Bethany Cliffe is a research fellow at the University of Westminster, UK. Her research interests are self-harm, suicide prevention and the role technology can play in mental health. She is currently working on a project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research evaluating the use of smart surveillance technology for suicide prevention in public places.

Louise McNally joined Network Rail in January 2015 and has worked in public safety related roles throughout that time. As Suicide & Trespass Prevention Lead for Network Rail, she is responsible for strategy and policy in this area and leads national workstreams on, education, awareness, technology improvement and other interventions. Louise works in partnership with the wider rail industry, British Transport Police, local and national government. public health agencies, national charities and a range of other partners to reduce the risk of trespass and vulnerable presentations on Suicide and Trespass Prevention Lead.

Adam Swallow is an experienced Police officer with 17 years in law enforcement with the British Transport Police, Guardians of the Railway. Having worked in operational response teams, neighbourhood policing, stakeholder management, and most recently in the disruption & drones department, Adam leads the Central Disruption Team and Drone Safety Team, focusing on trespass, cable theft, vandalism, level crossing, and fatality reduction. Drones are increasingly being utilised in a Policing environment both proactively and reactively in response to live incidents, mapping, intelligence flights, and streaming. With exciting developments around BVLOS flying (beyond visual line of sight), high-resolution cameras, thermal imagery, and more, Adam is hoping to expand the drone fleet in BTP and establish UAVs as a cornerstone of modern policing.

Kurt Topel is an independent rail safety researcher and advocate from the United States. Following his retirement from a career in Finance and Marketing with a Fortune 500 financial services company, Kurt became engaged in rail safety due to a personal tragedy. He champions efforts to address railroad trespassing and suicide prevention, leveraging a data-driven approach to underscore the significance of these issues. Kurt has authored numerous articles and papers on rail trespassing and suicide, exploring potential measures for preventing these tragic occurrences.

Head of Department, DSB – Danish State Railways, Denmark and UIC Vice-Chair of the UIC TreSP-Network

With a background within Air Traffic Control and Air Traffic Management Nils la Cour joined Danish State Railways in 2015. Nils holds a university degree as Master of Public Administration and is second to DSB’s Director of Safety. On a daily basis Nils is responsible for the function and continuous improvement of DSB’s Management System including safety and risk management, safety auditing, investigations and management reporting.
Nils is also Vice Chair of the UIC Tresp-Network (on trespass and suicide prevention issues).

Katy has a wealth of experience directing behaviour change campaigns as an account director at creative agency, Storycatchers, who have worked with Network Rail on their anti-trespass campaigns since 2019. 

Donna Mitchell has worked in the national media team at Network Rail since 2014. She has worked across all their rail safety campaigns and been the organisation’s lead for the You vs Train campaign, which is delivered in partnership with the British Transport Police, since 2019.  Donna has created numerous anti-trespass behaviour change initiatives and campaigns including the award-winning, Harrison’s Story.

Prior to joining Network Rail, Donna held public relations roles across a range of industries including advertising regulation and in the legal and education sectors.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

I have been a project manager for over 5 years at Infrabel. Initially, I was responsible for reorganizing construction site communications and developing campaigns on various topics, such as employer branding and safety. Currently, I primarily focus on railway safety in various forms. I design and implement local and national awareness campaigns on railway safety, targeting both the general public and specific audiences. Additionally, I create and facilitate educational programs for young people, targeting schools and youth organizations.

Gaëtan has been working for Infrabel in the safety department for 17 years now. He is responsible for a team of 7 people. He has been responsible for managing risk analyses in connection with the implementation of new technologies on the network (like ETCS). He is currently responsible for the safety monitoring and managing action plans relating to third-party issues (suicide / trespassing / level crossing).

Stuart Heaton, Managing Director of Learn Live, brings over a decade of experience in creating interactive online broadcasts that connect young people with employers. A key focus of his work is the Rail Safe Friendly programme, which he founded to promote rail safety education to students and communities. With a strong background in both media and education, Stuart is committed to developing impactful solutions that bridge the gap between education and the business sector.

Allan’s career started as a safety regulator with experience in many different industries. In 2000 he joined the HM Railway Inspectorate, later becoming HM Deputy Chief Inspector of the safety and economic regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation. Allan joined Network Rail in 2012 to create the company safety strategy and vision of Everyone Home Safe Every Day, later leading the company’s work in all aspects of passenger and public safety; overseeing Network Rail’s relationship with the National Safety Authority (ORR) and National Investigation Body (RAIB) and leading industry investigation into the most serious safety events on the British network.

He semi-retired in 2022, now providing independent support and advice to various transport sector businesses. He remains vice chair of the Britain’s railway industry System Safety Risk Group, chair of UIC’s Global Level Crossing Network and a member of the UIC Safety Platform.

His rail experience spans all aspects of the British industry including infrastructure management, operators, major projects, light rail and the heritage sector, as well as work with oversees regulators and railway companies. But he also draws on his experience with many other industries, including his roots in agriculture.

From September 1988 started her career in exporting companies.

From 1992 at UIC.

From 2009-today: Senior Advisor, Safety and Interoperability: in charge of level crossing safety,

trespass and suicide prevention issues at the UIC Safety Unit.

Coordinator of

• Global Level Crossing Network (GLCN)
• Trespass and Suicide Prevention Network (TreSP-Network)

Project Manager of

• International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD)
• International Trespass Awareness Day (TRESPAD)

Richard is Head of Ergonomics and Human Factors at Network Rail – the owner, operator and manager of Britain’s rail network. With more than 18 years of hands-on human factors experience in the rail industry, Richard has been involved in a wide range of projects and initiatives to optimise the safety and performance of the railway system. He works closely with Network Rail’s level crossing teams, combining approaches from the fields of naturalistic decision making and cognitive systems engineering to embed a deep understanding of human behaviour into research projects, hazard analysis, engineering design, and incident investigations.

Elise GRISON completed a PhD in Cognitive Psychology at the Université Sorbonne Paris Cité and IFSTTAR in 2015. Her work has mainly focused on spatial cognition, especially wayfinding processes and route choice. Since she joined the Experience, Behaviour & Cognition program at SNCF in 2020, she developed a wide variety of research projects. In the security field she works on improving security by understanding cognition, developing new safety system and test their efficiency on human behaviour.

Born on 03/11/1959, graduated in Electrical Engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa, he began his career in the development of industrial software, having joined the railway sector in 1991, where they remain to this date. Thirty-four years of experience in ATP, LC and maintenance in railways systems. Currently dedicated to the reinforcement of security in LC at the IP Task Force for Sinistrality Reduction.

Dr. Starr Kidda works for the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Starr is the Human Factors Division Chief in FRA’s Office of Research, Development and Technology. Starr has supported railroad safety research at FRA for 10 years. Her team conducts research related to human performance issues in railroading, and also grade crossing safety and trespass prevention. Starr has a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Georgia.

My primary professional interests are on high speed rail systems and on grade crossing and trespass safety. During my undergraduate and graduate years of study I had the opportunity to spend some time as an intern on the Bologna-Florence high speed line. the experience gained during that time I have then applied it to a feasibility study commissioned by the Illinois Department of Transportation for a true high speed rail service from Chicago to Champaign and possible routes to St. Louis and Indianapolis. Once the study was complete I ended joining IDOT in 2013 where I served as the project manager for the Chicago St. Louis High Speed Rail Program. As of September 2017 I joined the Federal Railroad Administration, where I serve as a program manger for grade (level) crossing and trespass research, as well as aspects of train control research. My current areas of research are data analysis on grade crossing accidents, the use of artificial intelligence in trespass detection, and the exploration of new technologies and methods to improve safety at crossings and long the railroads’s right of way in general.

Daniel Fisk is the Public and Passenger Health and Safety Manager for the Anglia Route at Network Rail. Since starting his career with Network Rail in 2003, Daniel has built extensive experience across the railway, with a particular focus on level crossing safety. A dedicated safety professional, he is known for his calm and collaborative approach, even in complex or sensitive situations. Daniel is passionate about protecting the public and brings both technical expertise and a personable manner to every aspect of his role. Through meaningful engagement and proactive safety measures, he is committed to making the railway a safer, more inclusive environment for all.

Neil Huston joined Network Rail as a Level Crossing Manager in May 2021 following his retirement from the British Army after 27 years. As a champion of safety, Neil manages a portfolio of over 50 level crossings with responsibilities for risk management and risk reduction through appropriate mitigation such as crossing closures and technology upgrades. His role includes collaborating with internal and external stakeholders on projects involving new and existing level crossings, the most recent example of this being with the rail delivery team as part of the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Plant construction project. Neil also engages with the local community to educate public and passengers in the safe use of level crossings.

“I have been involved in monitoring and analysis of accidents and incidents since 2001.

I started my career in the FS group in particular in RFI (Infrastructure manager) and then continued it at the Italian NSA (ANSF then ANSFISA) where I have been working since its establishment (2007) .

Head of the” monitoring and events analysis” office, which is part of the “Supervision and controls” area of railway directorate of ANSFISA, since 2014.

One of the recent activities assigned to me is the coordination, for the railway aspects, of the control and inspection activities at level crossings”

I have Over 28 years’ experience in Health and Safety gained initially
in the electricity supply industry undertaking various roles. These ranged from constructing,
maintaining and repairing overhead and under-ground distribution systems to operational safety
engineer.
The past 25 years I have worked in the insurance sector as a risk management specialist with a
focus on casualty, covering manufacturing, rail freight and construction risk management,
amongst others.
I am a member of the Risk Consulting technical team providing guidance and mentoring for new
team members, underwriters and our customers.
I am a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (CMIOSH) as well
as a Fellow of The Royal Society For Public Health (FRSPH)

Phil is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (CMIOSH) with 19 years of experience of Health and Safety in a variety of industry sectors, including manufacturing and construction. Prior to joining RSA he worked for 17 years with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as an Inspector, and then Principal Inspector. During his time with the HSE he worked across a variety of industry areas including public sector, manufacturing, utilities, and construction, ensuring that the relevant H&S standards were being met. He has experience of working with companies at all sizes and levels, and also significant experience of the regulatory and legal processes in terms of H&S. He represented HSE and the UK on European Commission Market Surveillance Groups to ensure that products on the market conformed to the applicable laws and regulations and complied with the relevant EU H&S requirements. He has also been responsible for training and assessing new HSE Inspectors participating in the NEBOSH accredited HSE diploma, and developing and delivering CPD content for existing HSE Inspectors and Principal Inspectors. In 2022 he joined RSA as H&S Manager responsible for ensuring that both RSA and its third party suppliers were meeting their relevant duties with regards to any construction work carried out as part of the customer claims process. During my time in this role he carried out a full review of the H&S management arrangements and developed an updated approach to ensure that the appropriate standards were being met by contractors working on behalf of RSA.

Rachel Maleh is Executive Director of Operation Lifesaver, Inc., (OLI) the national, nonprofit rail safety education organization based in Washington, D.C. OLI is a nationally recognized leader of rail safety education whose goal is ending collisions, deaths and injuries on and around railroad tracks and trains. Maleh has over 30 years’ experience in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, fundraising, organizational development, and leadership transition planning.
She was appointed in December 2022 by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to be a member of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS), which provides information, advice, and recommendations on transit safety to the U.S. Transportation Secretary and FTA Administrator.
Prior to joining Operation Lifesaver, Inc., Maleh held several senior level positions at national nonprofits. Her expertise includes communications, marketing, and fundraising.
Maleh has advanced degrees both in International Relations and International Communications from Boston University as well as a Master of Science in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and French from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Wende Corcoran is Vice President of Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the national, nonprofit rail safety education organization based in Washington, DC. Corcoran has over 24 years’ experience in educational materials development, nonprofit operations and administration. She manages the organization’s budget and relationships with federal grant partners, and oversees training, educational materials and tools. Corcoran has been with OLI since June of 1999 and has developed instructional programs and award-winning eLearning programs for the public. Before joining Operation Lifesaver, Corcoran was an educational resource specialist for gifted and talented students in Loudoun County, Virginia public schools, where she managed as many as 91 teachers and 2,100 students in a specialized educational program. Corcoran holds a master’s degree in Curriculum Development and Training from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and a B.S. in Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Since 2007, I have been working for Infrabel. First in internal communication and later as a communication specialist in team Safety. As communication business partner, I support our Safety Competence centre for all their communication questions, both for internal and external awareness-raising. In terms of external campaigns, we mainly work around the themes of trespassing and safety at level crossings. For this, we have developed projects for schools, campaigns for the general public and more targeted campaigns for specific target audiences.

Tamo Vahemets has been active in the railway sector since 1995. From 1995 to 2013, he was responsible for security at Eesti Raudtee AS (Estonian Railways), where, in addition to implementing security measures, he also played a key role in developing safety and security protocols. In 2004, Tamo initiated the non-profit organization Operation Lifesaver Estonia on behalf of Estonian Railways. Its goal is to raise awareness about railway safety. Operation Lifesaver Estonia coordinates prevention and educational activities in the field of public railway safety in Estonia, working closely with railway companies, schools, and government agencies. Since 2014, he has been the chairman of the safety commission at Estonian Railways, continuing his commitment to promoting the safety of railway infrastructure.

Tamo takes great pride in being one of the founders and original initiators of ILCAD (International Level Crossing Awareness Day). ILCAD is a global campaign aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities at level crossings through public education and international collaboration.

IDS, a company belonging to Fincantieri NexTech, is an engineering and systems technologies company providing research, innovation and products in Electromagnetic Engineering, Satellite Communications, Robotics & Unmanned Systems and Radar fields for civil and defense applications. Since 1980 IDS has specialized in providing consulting services for high-tech engineering projects and in developing integrated solutions.

IDS has a strong customer focus and is committed to meeting customer requirements with high quality innovative solutions.

IDS is an international company with around 250 professional employees worldwide who are mostly graduated in electronic, telecommunications and aerospace engineering.

IDS’s headquarters are in Pisa, Italy with several offices in the Country and has a strong international attitude with four subsidiary companies located in UK, Australia, Canada and South Korea.

The international presence helps IDS to be closer to the clients and to provide better, localized, services and support.

Ingegneria dei Sistemi (Italy)

Alstom is a global leader in the transportation sector, specializing in rail transport. We are a multinational manufacturer of rolling stock, turnkey systems, signalling, infrastructure and rail services. With a large presence in the UK we provide level crossing safety systems for the UK market and abroad.

Alstom (UK)

Arentis Ltd. is a dynamic telecommunications company committed to delivering innovative solutions that keep businesses connected. Founded in 2017, they specialize in cutting-edge telecom services that enhance communication and drive efficiency. With a customer-centric approach, they strive to provide reliable, high-quality technology tailored to modern business needs.

Arentis Ltd. (UK)

Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fuelled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

Capgemini (UK)

The Hirsch product range offers high-security solutions for Physical Access Control, Video, Analytics, and Security Monitoring, Command & Control. When combined with Harper Chalice’s National Protective Security Authority approved Perimeter Intrusion Detection Solutions, they provide the UK’s most comprehensive physical security solutions.

Additionally, Hirsch solutions in the UK are enhanced by the TDSi product range, which offers smart, scalable, and fully integrated access control systems.

HIRSCH (UK)

We have a simple mantra: ‘We draw what we can build. We can build what we draw.’ We are passionate engineers, delivering solutions for Engineers and their communities. This applies to infrastructure related sectors – from rail to highways; from major projects to client-specific engineering challenges, where safe access and fully-compliant safety are paramount.

We inspire and are inspired by safe and sustainable engineering. Our mission is to keep your network moving, whilst making the world a safer place.

Kite Projects (UK)

BODAN is a level crossing system that is used for all types of rail & sleepers, characterized by high quality & a long life time in different road stresses & climate conditions.

Gmundener Fertigteile – BODAN (Austria)