The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is pleased to announce further senior leaders taking part in its Annual Conference 2026.

Mark Wild OBE, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, and Julia Prescot CBE, Chair of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), have both confirmed participation on Day 1 of the RIA Annual Conference, and look forward to discussing and answering questions on the issues of the day from delegates.

They join an impressive array of industry leaders at the event, including Network Rail Chief Executive Jeremy Westlake, DFTO Chief Executive Alex Hynes, senior national politicians, the Mayors of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard and the East Midlands Claire Ward, and – discussing cyber security and infrastructure – the former Joint Intelligence Committee Chair & Minister for Security, the Rt Hon Baroness Neville-Jones DCMG.

RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “We are very pleased to be welcoming HS2 CEO Mark Wild and NISTA Chair Julia Prescot to the RIA Annual Conference 2026. They add to an already impressive lineup, as we get closer to the event.

“Mark Wild – who previously was instrumental in delivering the successful Elizabeth line – leads one of the largest ever infrastructure programmes in the UK, and so it will be great to both hear and question Mark’s perspectives on the reset of HS2, the challenges of delivering a major infrastructure project at scale, and the significant opportunities the programme presents for the wider rail supply sector.

“Julia too brings a wealth of experience in infrastructure strategy, investment and delivery, and her insights will be invaluable as the industry considers how rail can contribute to the UK’s long-term economic and infrastructure ambitions.

“This year’s programme is themed around ‘Connected for Change: Shaping Tomorrow’s Railway’, and with these speakers joining senior decision-makers and influencers from across government, clients, and track and train, there really will be no better place to connect, debate the big issues facing rail, and help shape the future direction of our industry.”

The RIA Annual Conference takes place over two days on 4-5 November at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, London Tower Bridge.

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