Introduction - who are you?
Hi I’m Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at TfW.
What is your railway related role? (how long, what do you do, have you done previous roles in or out of rail - what where they?
I’ve worked in transport for over 20 years and joined Transport for Wales Rail as Commercial and Customer Experience Director in October 2018 after leading the KeolisAmey team as Bid and then Mobilisation Director. My involvement with TfW therefore stretches back to 2015.
My first rail job was in light rail in Nottingham - working at first on the authority side to lead public consultation on future tram lines and support the construction of the first line. I went on to spend four years as Commercial Manager for Nottingham Tram, heading up customer service, media, marketing, fares and ticketing.
After a few years working in buses across northern England and in Bournemouth, I worked in bid teams for rail franchises - Inter City West Coast, Boston Commuter Rail (USA), East Coast (deputy bid director) and then as Bid Director for TransPennine, London Overground and Wales. Light rail bids for DLR, Manchester Metrolink and Dublin Luas also featured.
What area of the railway do you work in and why is it important? How does it help contribute to the railway?
My team and I plan the railway’s timetables, both looking ahead several years to significant changes, and also week to week when we might need to change the plan for engineering works, fleet shortages, events or to react to other circumstances. Plus my team manage delay attribution, performance analysis and improvement, understanding the reasons for delays and then acting to improve outcomes. We also manage rail replacement buses, seasonal planning, access contracts and much more.
I sit on the national Network Performance Board, helping to improve the performance of the whole railway too.
What qualifications, skills or training do you need for your role and/or have you done?
My degree is in economics, which provides a good framework to make decisions. I’ve also professional qualifications in marketing and public relations. I’m an affiliate member of the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators.
Do you do anything outside of work connected to the railway? (e.g. volunteering, mentoring etc)
This past year I have mentored a fantastic up and coming Network Rail Project Manager under the Women in Rail mentorship scheme.
I’m a Director of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland, the longest heritage railway in the UK. Alongside this I also volunteer, helping to restore heritage wooden waggons dating from the 1890s for the railway.
I’ve also recently been appointed as a member of the Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board, helping to decide which railway assets should be kept for future generations. Many of these assets are placed in museums including in the National Railway Museum.
What does a typical day look like for you?
There is no typical day. I enjoy the fact that every day brings new challenges.
Why did you want to work in the railway industry?
The industry helps people by connecting people with opportunity. I would far rather work in an environment where the outcome was generally positive for humanity, compared to much less worthy places!
What advice would you give to someone who is looking for a career in the railway or why they should consider a role in the railway?
Hard work beats talent.
What would you like to see in the next 200 years of the railway?
Well in 200 years surely HS8 to Dublin via a tunnel from Wales must be possible? But at least get it to Crewe!
