Celebrating 10 years of Dan Hill at UKTram

This year marks a significant milestone for UKTram as we celebrate ten years with Dan Hill, our Knowledge Manager. Since joining in 2016 as a Coordination Officer, Dan has grown alongside both the organisation and the wider light rail sector, taking on a range of roles before stepping into his current position.

Over that time, he has played a key part in shaping how knowledge is shared across the industry, helping to connect people and insight. Known for his curiosity and collaborative approach, Dan has built strong relationships across the sector and continues to play an important role in supporting UKTram members through knowledge sharing, resources and engagement.

We caught up with Dan to reflect on his journey so far, how his role has evolved, and what knowledge sharing really means in practice for the light rail sector.

You’ve been with UKTram for nearly 10 years now, starting as a Coordination Officer and progressing to Knowledge Manager. Looking back, what stands out most from your journey so far?

I think looking back over the last 10 years with UKTram, what stands out the most is how much both UKTram and the wider light rail sector have evolved, and how I have been able to evolve alongside it. I didn't know anything about light rail when I first joined UKTram and I'd like to think I have learnt a lot since joining.

Starting as a coordination officer, I was at the centre of day-to-day activities, supporting meetings, networking and bringing people together. That role gave me a real appreciation for the breadth of the industry and the importance of collaboration across the sector. It was a great foundation, and it quickly became clear that the real value wasn't just in organising information, but in making it meaningful and accessible.

Progressing into Knowledge Manager role has probably been the most defining part of my journey at UKTram. It has shifted my focus from coordination to strategy and looking at how we capture, structure and share knowledge across the sector. Being able to contribute to things like developing member resources, improving how information is accessed and supporting initiatives that genuinely help the sector make better decisions has been incredibly rewarding.

A big highlight has been working more closely with members and stakeholders, understanding their challenges and helping shape solutions that add real value. Whether that's through events, functional group meetings or new digital tools, seeing something you've helped build actually being used and appreciated by the sector is hard to beat.

What really stands out is the people. The light rail sector is full of passionate, knowledgeable individuals who genuinely want to improve public transport. Being part of that community and playing a role, however small, in supporting its growth and collaboration, has been a real privilege.

You’ve now been in your role as Knowledge Manager for a year, how has that role evolved, and what does knowledge sharing mean in practice for the light rail sector?

The biggest shift has been from simply managing information to actively shaping how the sector uses it. At the start, the focus was on building the foundations, understanding what knowledge existed across the organisation and its members, where the gaps were and how information was being shared. The role now is being more proactive and strategic.

Ultimately, knowledge sharing in this sector is about creating a more connected sector where experience isn't siloed and where collective insight helps drive a better, more efficient way of working.

For someone looking to build a career in light rail or transport more broadly, what advice would you give based on your experience?

To be honest, there is no single set path into the industry, which I think is one of the sector's biggest strengths. People come into the sector from engineering, planning, communications, operations, policy etc. What matters most is how you position yourself once you are in. Stay curious about the whole system, not just your role. Understanding how operations, infrastructure, policy, the customer experience all link together, will set you apart very quickly. Early in my time at UKTram, being exposed to different parts of the sector helped me see the bigger picture, and that's been invaluable ever since.

I also think it is worth actively building your network. This is a relatively small sector and relationships really matter. Attending events, engaging with industry groups and simply having conversations with people in different roles can open doors, which has been a key asset being part of UKTram.

If you could give the sector one piece of knowledge or insight to share more widely, what would it be? 

There is often a concern about reputational risk when sharing challenges, but I believe the reality is the opposite, transparency builds credibility.

It shows maturity as an individual or a sector and a willingness to learn collectively. I encourage the shift in mindset from protecting information to sharing insight for collective benefit because the more open the sector is about real experiences and challenges, the stronger and more resilient it becomes as a whole.

Just for fun – after ten years in the sector, do you have a favourite tram or a standout moment?

One moment that always stands out is being given the chance to drive a tram on the Isle of Man. I remember being slightly nervous about breaking it, but it was a great experience and not something you get to do every day.

As Dan marks ten years with UKTram, his journey reflects his own development alongside the evolution of the light rail sector. Dan started with coordinating meetings and supporting early initiatives and is now shaping how knowledge is captured and shared across the industry, his role has adapted alongside the sector’s growing maturity and ambition.

Dan’s work as Knowledge Manager continues to support a more connected and informed community, helping ensure that experience and learning are accessible across organisations and projects.

Congratulations to Dan on this milestone and thank you for your continued contribution to UKTram and the wider light rail sector.