Driver and colleague in the cab of railway engine

Freight sector mentoring launched by UK industry body

Driver and colleague in the cab of a locomotiveDeutsche Bahn AG / Kiên Hoàng Lê

The Rail Freight Group, the industry association representing the sector at large, has launched a mentoring programme designed to build skills in the rail freight sector. The Cross Member Mentoring Scheme aims to help develop a deeper professional understanding within the rail freight sector and support individuals with their personal development.

The new programme, which will run through 2023, is open to anyone working in an RFG member company.  Mentees will be matched with mentors from different organisations who can support them in their development and increase their knowledge and understanding of the different areas of rail freight.

Greater collaboration across industry

“I’m really excited about the launch of our new RFG cross-member mentoring programme”, said Maggie Simpson OBE, the Rail Freight Group director general. “We all know the benefits that mentoring can bring, and by pairing mentors and mentees across our membership is also helping to build knowledge of the different aspects of rail freight.”

Portrait of Maggie Simpson the director general of the Rail Freight Group in the UK
Maggie Simpson leads the Rail Freight Group (image Simon Walton)

The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has been the UK’s leading rail freight trade association since its formation in 1990. It has more than 120 corporate members active in all rail freight sectors, from ports, terminal operators, customers through to operators and suppliers. This new mentoring programme is intended to capitalise on that membership and encourage greater collaboration across the industry.

Support individual development

The programme will be led by experienced mentoring consultant Deanne Logan, who heads up the specialists Mulberry and Mint. “Mentoring is an incredibly powerful development opportunity, allowing knowledge-sharing and coaching to take place”, said Logan. “Mentoring relationships can often shape our careers as they open up new connections and relationships, insight into other sectors and also into leadership and working styles.”

The programme is free to anyone who works for an RFG member company. “Our members span the economy, from ports to quarries, manufacturing to operations, commercial to legal”, noted Maggie Simpson. “We want to help people learn more about the different parts of rail freight and support their development as individuals. I would really encourage our members to sign up for this new scheme.”

Author: Simon Walton

Simon Walton is RailFreight's UK correspondent.

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