From the Board: Simon Coulthard on collaboration, innovation and the future of rail

As part of our From the UKTram Board series, we're speaking to the people helping guide UKTram and sharing the ideas and perspectives they bring to the organisation.

In this edition, we catch up with Simon Coulthard, who joined the UKTram Board in 2026.

As Head of Light Rail at Network Rail, Simon has spent many years building links between the light and heavy rail sectors, while also playing a key role in the development of the Mixed-Use Railway (MUR) initiative.

You joined the UKTram Board earlier this year. What attracted you to the role and what are you hoping to contribute through your involvement?

I have led Network Rail’s membership at UKTram for the last 5 years.  I’m clear about the benefits a closer relationship between the sectors can bring and have striven to develop stronger understanding and co-operation between the light and heavy rail sectors.  I’ve talked with colleagues across UKTram’s membership to learn from their knowledge and experience to get a strong and well-rounded understanding of the sector. This gave me the confidence to stand for election to the Board.

I’m very grateful for all those members who voted for me, I’m honoured to have been elected alongside colleagues who are major players in the industry.

I stood this year because I see a huge opportunity with the creation of Great British Railways (GBR) to have a positive reset of the relationship between UKTram and the national rail industry.  I hope, as an informed and hugely supportive representative from the heavy rail industry, to make a positive contribution to UKTram’s future relationship with GBR and for the benefit of many UKTram members. We start that with the July Board meeting, when we will be joined by one of the directors leading the detailed creation of GBR, particularly its relationship with key stakeholders. 

Collaboration is often described as one of the transport sector's greatest strengths. From your perspective, why is working together so important for both rail and light rail?

I became involved with light rail in 2007, at the start of what became the Tram Train Pilot project. It became clear from very early on that the project’s overall objective could never be realised without collaboration between the parties from the light and heavy rail systems. Yet, I discovered a lot of misunderstanding, some mistrust and occasional cynicism between the two sectors.

The Tram Train Pilot only succeeded because of the hard work by those involved to tear down the blockers and build trust between the sectors. It took a lot of effort and sometimes a complete change of mindset by some. It’s great to see that collaboration continues and that’s how the industry is continuing to advance knowledge and innovation in the adoption of light rail technology and operating techniques on the main line railway.

I think the collaboration we forged with the Tram Train Pilot has paved the way for the stronger cooperation and closer working on shared objectives we see today. Recent very useful industry guidance documents from RSSB (GEGN8502) and LRSSB (LRG 71.0) are evidence of this collaboration in action.

Through initiatives such as the Mixed Use Railway (MUR) community, we're seeing different parts of the transport sector come together to explore new opportunities. What lessons can rail and light rail learn from one another when planning?

Yes, MUR is a good example of where the two sectors have worked together to evolve an initiative that cannot be categorised as either light or heavy rail. It’s a great example of the crossover, or blurring, of the arbitrary distinction between the modes. The success of MUR has been the ability to bring together open-minded colleagues.

Those willing to share, listen and learn in equal measure.  Beyond MUR I see a lot of sharing between the sectors.  UKTram is doing great work with Transport for Wales as it moves forward with its first on-street tramway system, combined with its new Tram Train vehicles – that’s a great example of shared learning.

In the other direction I think the rail sector can share more about managing and efficiently delivering major investment projects – that will be critical to maximising the benefits from the Government’s investment of £16bn of taxpayers’ money in mass transit.

Innovation is often associated with new technologies, but how important is collaboration in helping ideas move from concept to delivery?

For me, innovation is much broader than simply developing new technology. It also includes new operational concepts, different ways of working and challenging established thinking. Our Mixed Use Railway initiative is all about innovation, it’s as much about thinking differently than about new tech – although there’s always a place for new tech, as the ongoing advances in very light rail show.

With MUR we’re using the power of collaboration across industry partners to drive greater insight into delivering lower cost solutions to connect people to places by the most appropriate form of rail technology.  That’s real innovation in action, something I don’t think would have been contemplated even 10 years ago.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future relationship between rail and light rail, and where do you see the greatest opportunities for collaboration over the next decade?

The creation of Great British Railways and the continuing devolution of investment in mass transit creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Regional authorities and devolved governments will increasingly lead investment in local public transport, so it's crucial that GBR works closely with the light rail industry to support projects such as tram-train operating on the national network.

As GBR takes shape, there's a real opportunity for the light rail sector, led by UKTram, to establish a strong collaborative relationship with the new organisation. We're already starting those conversations by inviting representatives from GBR to meet the UKTram Board as part of a "getting to know you" discussion.

Catching up with Simon highlights a key message: the best outcomes are achieved when organisations are willing to learn and work together. As investment in mass transit continues and Great British Railways begins to take shape, Simon believes there is a genuine opportunity to strengthen the relationship between rail and light rail for the benefit of the whole sector.

UKTram would like to thank Simon for taking part in this edition of From the Board. Keep an eye on the UKTram website and LinkedIn channels as we continue to share the experience and perspectives of our Board members and the ideas helping shape the journey of light rail.