Railway Transportation Systems (RTS) Podcast

"Digital transformation isn't optional in transport—it's essential for driving efficiency and innovation." – Val MatthewsWe're excited to announce that in our 66th episode of Railway Transportation Systems podcast, we'll be joined by none other than Val Matthews, Co-founder & CEO of Project Advisory Group and Project Connect Group, as well as host of the Project Chatter Podcast!With over 20 years of experience in project management, digital transformation, and strategic planning, Val has been instrumental in closing the digital divide in the construction and transport sectors. We'll dive into how Val's innovative approach to technology, customer experience, and design thinking is modernizing project management and driving success in transport infrastructure.

Excited to have Lloyd D'Cruz, Ex- Program Director for Sydney Metro Integration at Sydney Trains, as our 69th guest on the Railway Transportation Systems podcast. With over 15 years in the rail industry, Lloyd has been at the forefront of transformative projects like the More Trains, More Services initiative and now leads the effort to integrate Sydney Metro into the broader Sydney Trains network.Join us as Lloyd shares his insights on the challenges and innovations in integrating one of Australia's largest infrastructure projects, the importance of stakeholder alignment, and the future of rail in New South Wales. Don't miss this deep dive into the strategy and dedication behind creating a more efficient, accessible, and resilient transportation network.

"Collaboration across stakeholders is critical. The more we share knowledge and expertise, the faster we can solve the challenges facing our rail networks." – Ibrahim FazahWe're thrilled to welcome Ibrahim Fazah as the 67th guest on the Railway Transportation Systems podcast! With over 15 years of experience in the transport sector, Ibrahim has led game-changing projects across Australia and New Zealand, specializing in rail systems engineering, project management, and cutting-edge technology implementations.Tune in as Ibrahim shares insights from his leadership roles at Mobility Futures, a company he co-founded, and previously at SYSTRA and Sydney Trains, where he's been at the forefront of delivering complex rail projects and pioneering innovations like hydrogen-powered locomotives, ETCS-ATMS interoperability, the Sydney Trains Rail Operations Centre and condition monitoring systems.Don't miss this episode as we dive into the future of rail technology and how leaders like Ibrahim are shaping sustainable transport solutions for tomorrow!

"Creating smarter mobility isn't just about technology; it's about transforming how passengers experience travel while driving sustainability forward." – Jan KolarIn our 66th episode of the Railway Transportation Systems podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Jan Kolar, CEO of Passengera! 

"Success in rail isn't achieved alone; it's built through collaboration, innovation, and a relentless focus on improving safety and service for everyone." – Lindsay EdmondsWe're excited to welcome Lindsay Edmonds, an accomplished leader with over 20+ years in the Rail, Electrical and Aviation Industries, as the 64th guest on the Railway Transportation Systems podcast!Lindsay is currently the Safety, Systems and Assurance Advisor at National Intermodal, where he oversees all of the Systems and Safety Assurance activities for the development of Intermodal warehousing and logistics, mainly for Inland Rail. His extensive experience in operational readiness, risk management, safety management and crisis management in high risk industries, thus making him a pivotal figure in shaping Sydney's and more so Australia's rail networks.In this episode, Lindsay shares his insights into the evolution of rail safety management, the role of advanced technology, and how strong stakeholder relationships drive success. Whether you're passionate about rail systems, systems safety or just curious about what makes efficient, sustainable transport possible, this conversation is one you won't want to miss!Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions and expert perspectives as we celebrate this milestone episode with an inspiring industry leader.

"At Evertrak, we're not just recycling plastic; we're reinventing how railroads think about sustainability." -  Tim Noonan In this 63rd episode of Railway Transportation Systems, we sit down with Tim Noonan, the founder and CEO of Evertrak, a company driving innovation and sustainability in the railway industry.

"In complex systems, seamless integration is the key to unlocking true efficiency and reliability." - Siby YohannanWe are thrilled to welcome Siby Yohannan as our 62nd guest on the Railway Transportation Systems podcast!

"In rail engineering, the real challenge is not just designing the infrastructure, but ensuring that every piece fits together perfectly to create a safe and reliable system." – John ScaifeWe're thrilled to have John Scaife, Head of Engineering at Interface Rail Engineering, join us on the Railway Transportation Systems podcast! With over 25 years of experience in the rail industry, John shares his journey from London Underground to advising major rail projects across Australia.Tune in to hear John discuss:

"Innovation in Rail signalling and systems isn't just about technology; it's about integrating people and system of systems for successful deployment and ensuring safety, enhancing operational efficiency, and compliances across the Rail Systems." — Mohan SankarasubbuWe're thrilled to announce that our 60th episode of the Railway Transportation Systems podcast features none other than Mohan Sankarasubbu, a distinguished Technical Executive and Engineering Lead at WSP Australia with over 23 years of experience in rail signalling systems!Mohan has been at the forefront of groundbreaking projects across the globe, working with companies like Ansaldo STS , Hitachi Rail for major RIMs like Cross River Rail, Queensland Rail, Rio Tinto, Royhill and Indian Railways. As a Fellow of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers and a Chartered Professional Engineer, his expertise in ERTMS/ETCS, CBTC, ATP, and more is unmatched.

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." — Steve Jobs

"Navigating the complexities of greenfield and brownfield rail projects demands a strategic approach to design management, operational readiness, and quality assurance." – Navjot Chhabra We're thrilled to announce that Navjot Chhabra, founder and sole director of Interface Rail Engineering (IRE), is joining us on the 58th episode of the *Railway Transportation Systems* podcast!

"Rolling stock is the backbone of a nation's railways, carrying not just passengers and freight, but also the hopes and aspirations of progress." – Unknown Get ready for an engaging episode of the Railway Transportation Systems Podcast featuring our 57th guest, Norman Forde vice president , Market leader facilities and fleet , North America at Mott MacDonald.Norman held senior positions with STV, WSP USA, and Amtrack. Bringing over three decades of invaluable experience in the transportation industry, Norman is a seasoned leader and project manager. From overseeing multimillion-dollar projects to specializing in rolling stock, his expertise is unmatched. Join us as Norman shares insights into his journey and discusses the latest trends and challenges in railway transportation systems.Don't miss out on this captivating conversation!This podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Prime, Apple podcast, Stitcher, Google podcasts, Overcast, Castro, Cast box , Pod friend wherever you listen .

"My global experience has taught me that understanding the unique challenges of each region is crucial to delivering successful rail projects, whether in maintenance, construction, or design." - Gabriel McGowanWe are excited to bring you our 56th episode of the Railway Transportation podcast! This fortnight , we have the pleasure of speaking with Gabriel McGowan, Executive Director EDA at Sydney metro , a rail industry veteran with over two decades of global experience.

"Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell." – Seth GodinJoin us on our 55th Railway Transportation Systems Podcast for a riveting conversation on the future of railway marketing and business with Joanne Morley, Head of Marketing at Razore Secure.Joanne has a passion for marketing and a commitment to growing and developing teams and businesses. With 30 years of experience in marketing across corporate, consultancy, agency, B2B, and B2C sectors, she has seen and achieved it all—the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Her journey has provided her with invaluable lessons and insights, and with a mission to share her wealth of knowledge about marketing, leadership, and mindset, she aims to help individuals and businesses thrive and achieve outstanding growth.Beyond marketing, Joanne is dedicated to making a difference as the Chair for Project Six, a drugs and alcohol charity, and she also mentors and coaches other marketers.Don't miss this insightful episode as Joanne shares her expertise and experiences in marketing, leadership, and the railway industry. Tune in to learn from her journey and discover strategies to propel your business forward!#RailwayPodcast #MarketingLeadership #cybersecurity #RailwayIndustry #CompassionateLeadership #HighPerformanceTeams #GrowthStrategies #RazoreSecure #JoanneMorley #RailwayTransportationSystems

"Managing railway assets is like conducting a symphony; every component must work in harmony to create a smooth and reliable journey." - Unknown

"Railway freight trains serve as the lifeblood of industry, infusing vitality into the arteries of commerce." - John Locomotive, Industrialist and Visionary 

"The true measure of progress in transportation lies in our ability to ensure reliability, maintainability, and safety – for every journey, for every passenger. RAMS is the silent guardian of our shared mobility future." - Oprah Winfrey

"In the journey towards progress, the safety of every individual is paramount. Railways, as a vital part of our infrastructure, must be a symbol of reliability and security for all those who depend on them." – Michelle Obama 

"In the pursuit of excellence, safety should never be compromised. It is the foundation upon which lasting success is built." - Warren Buffett

"The strength of a chain is defined by its weakest link. Likewise, the resilience of a nation's transportation infrastructure lies in the cybersecurity measures embedded in its railway systems." - Barack Obama

"In the world of leadership, your role is not to drive the bus, but to inspire and guide the passengers towards a common destination." - Simon Sinek

"In the age of smart transportation, cybersecurity is the seatbelt for the digital journey." - Elon Musk I'm thrilled to announce 46th Railway Transportation Systems special episode on incredible Alzbeta "Betty" Helienek, a distinguished Cyber Security specialist with a wealth of experience in the transport sector! 

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world “– Nelson Mandela 

 "Systems engineering is orchestrating complexity with precision and creativity – Unknown”. "Greetings, rail enthusiasts! You're tuning in to the 44th episode of Railway Transportation Systems. We're thrilled today to feature a true industry luminary, Malaeka Nadeem, the Director of Systems Engineering and Assurance at Sydney Metro. A catalyst for change, Malaeka is at the forefront of engineering evolution, driving change management, and implementing FRACAS for proactive system analysis. And for our listeners seeking a deeper dive, don't miss Malaeka Nadeem's article on Model-Based Systems Engineering. It's a compelling case study you can find at  https://incose.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2334-5837.2020.00805.x

Human Systems Engineering is Crafting a future where technology harmonizes seamlessly with the human experience." – unknown.  

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." — Benjamin Franklin

Join us this fortnight for our 40th Episode as we chat with Dr. Neil Henderson, a transportation expert with a remarkable 24-year career at Mott MacDonald. He played a pivotal role in the UK Crossrail project, now the Elizabeth line, and is currently the Key Account Director for Europe's largest infrastructure project, High Speed 2. Neil's leadership focuses on collaboration, innovation, and diversity in the industry. He tailors experiences, drives sustainable transport solutions, and sets new standards in the global transport sector. Tune in for insights from this industry leader!

 Join us for Episode 39 with Adam Sharp, Service Delivery Director, and Co-Founder at Toustone. He's a Decision Intelligence expert, optimizing transportation and logistics across the Asia Pacific. Adam's data-driven insights empower transport leaders to take proactive actions, using machine learning to forecast outcomes. Don't miss this industry-shaping episode!

"Let's manage safety by recognizing how humans are and stop managing safety the way we wish humans were.”

Step into a world of captivating insights with the 36th episode of the RTS Podcast! We're thrilled to introduce an extraordinary guest, Esther De La Cruz, Founder and Change Leadership Specialist at Esther De La Cruz. Hailing from Australia, Esther shines as a luminary in the realm of change management. Esther's laser focus on core principles like transparency, trust-building, and cohesive teamwork ignites collaborative workspaces that stand strong in the face of change. She's taken the art of embracing change to new heights, making it not just smoother but even enjoyable. Esther's expertise transcends industries and borders. With an impressive portfolio spanning Healthcare, Infrastructure, Financial Services, Airlines, Government, Medical Device Sterilisation, and Tourism, she's uncovered a universal truth: the keys to effective change management remain unshakable, regardless of industry intricacies or organizational size. Join us on an expedition as we delve into riveting subjects. This episode shines a spotlight on Change Management and Leadership, with Esther De La Cruz as our guide through a labyrinth of insights and wisdom. Get ready for an enriching journey into the depths of transformational leadership and the art of navigating change.

Shiv Mohan, a highly esteemed Maintenance Director at ALSTOM Dubai Tram. Shiv specializes in the realm of Operations and Maintenance, consistently showcasing his outstanding abilities in effectively managing the life cycles of products and projects. Notably, his exceptional skill in navigating software-intensive systems positions him as an invaluable asset in the contemporary railway sector. Drawing from an impressive tenure in the railway industry, Shiv brings a treasure trove of expertise and professional acclaim to the forefront. Holding the designation of a chartered engineer from the Engineering Council UK and a Fellowship with the Institute of Railway Signal Engineers, he enjoys widespread recognition for his technical prowess. Embark on a journey with us as we delve into a variety of topics, including RAMS, safety, reliability, operations, and maintenance. Together, we will explore the profound insights and vast expertise of Shiv Mohan.

Dr. Emma Taylor, Head of Digital Safety at Razor Secure, as our esteemed guest.Emma is currently at the forefront of merging cyber and safety measures, within the framework of regulatory and standards programmes, enabled by government-funded research. Her distinguished career boasts a strong track record in managing stakeholders and clients across diverse sectors, including NGOs, government, and commercial entities. She provides adept leadership in technical, commercial, and operational realms, showcasing expertise in risk management, compliance, and implementation through dynamic teams and networks. Her experience extends to board-level roles and navigating turnarounds. Beyond her professional achievements, Emma is an engaging and innovative mentor who bridges generational and industrial gaps, catering to the specific needs of her mentees. She is committed to enhancing social mobility for all and actively leverages her award-winning profile to support this cause.Join us in exploring topics ranging from rail and cyber security to solutions, safety, sustainability, and critical infrastructure, as we delve into Emma's insights and expertise. 

Patrick Youle, Director Safety Assurance (Technical), Axess Advisory, Sydney.Patrick started his career as an Avionics Systems Engineer in British Aerospace Defence Ltd, Later he worked as a Senior Engineer in Mott Macdonald, UK. In 2001 he worked as a Head of Rail Telecoms in Owen Willaims Railways. In 2006, he started as working as Project Safety Manager in Rio tinto and later worked in many organizations like Delta Rail, Anasaldo STS, MRX Technologies, Stanway Consulting Limited, PKY Associates, Ricardo Rail & Systra Scott Lister. In 201, Patrick started his company called Axess Advisory.Patrick is a chartered Engineer with 30 years' experience of Engineering Safety Management (ESM), Rail Telecommunications and Safety Assurance in the UK and Australia. Patrick has working knowledge of safety standards and guidelines including 'Yellow Book', iESM, European CSM, CENELEC EN 50126/8/9, 50159), international (IEC 61508 and ISO 31000), LUL and UK Network Rail standards. Equally familiar with Australian rail safety legislation and standards through roles in WA, NSW, Queensland and Victoria.Patrick is a Qualified rail telecoms engineer (member of the IRSE by examination). Patrick is familiar with the different technologies and applications (operational and non-operational) employed on the railways including lineside telephony, radio, telephone concentrators, exchanges, transmission (including SDH), TDM systems, SCADA data links, passenger information systems, public address systems, CCTV and station clocks. 

Louise Howard, Director of Loise Howard Advisory, Sydney.Louise joined as a Sales Manager in May 2006 in Macquarie University and Later after completing her Master of science in Occupational Health and Safety from University of Wollongong, Louise joined as National Injury Management & Safety consultant in April 2011. Later she worked in many safety executive roles in Power Serve, Sydney Trains, Transport for NSW and Sydney Metro. Louise worked as Executive Director Engineering, Design and Assurance in Sydney Metro. Louise is the Director Board of Directors in Australian Institute of Health & Safety and Audit & Risk Committee Member in Western Sydney University. Louise is an influential leader supported by many advanced qualifications in multiple disciplines including Business, Work Health and Safety & Science. Louise got an ample of experience in large scale, billion-dollar infrastructure project delivery encompassing civil, rail and electrical projects. Louise got an ability to navigate complex and fast-paced environments to deliver exceptional results. Louise is a progressive people orientated leader who possess an effective ability to communicate with a flexible, collaborative, and inclusive approach.

Mark Quintana, Director of Business Operations, Pure Advisory. Mark commenced his recruitment career in 2000 at Hays in the UnitedKingdom, steadily advancing to a management position. After accumulatingsix years of experience in the UK, an opportunity arose for Mark to take on asenior management role in Sydney. In 2007, he received an offer from a start-up engineering recruitment business aiming to establish a revenue stream inthe rail industry. Following a successful tenure, Mark made the decision in2009 to establish his own rail recruitment company, which later integrated intoa newly co-founded firm named Tactix—a prominent rail engineeringconsultancy.In 2016, Mark initiated Pure Advisory, driven by a vision to introduce an agilebusiness model that could effectively support Australia's transport and energysectors with specialist professionals on a secondment basis. However, in2017, due to family reasons, he relocated back to the UK. During this time,Mark formed a partnership with a thriving rail systems business, playing apivotal role in expanding their local and international presence in theAustralian market. In 2021, Mark returned to Sydney, fully engaged infurthering the growth of Pure Advisory as a niche engineering consultancy.Currently serving as the Director of Operations at Pure Advisory, Mark isactively involved in supporting the Transport and Energy sectors by providingsystems engineering, safety assurance, human factors, environmental, andcommercial advisory services to projects throughout Australia.With over 22+ years of experience in senior business development andleadership roles, Mark has consistently demonstrated his expertise in drivinginnovation, showcasing leadership, crafting compelling service propositions,and fostering enduring client relationships. His remarkable journey in theindustry reflects his profound impact on various companies and sectors,utilizing his wealth of experience to contribute to their growth and success.  

Our guest for this fortnight is Alana Newbrook, CEO & Managing Director of Systra, ANZAlana started her professional career in 2002 as a graduate engineer in Caltex Australia and later worked as Project Engineer in Morre consulting and Engineering, where she is responsible for designing solutions for clients in the petrochemical industry. In 2007, Alana joined in WSP as a project manager and later worked in various roles like Project controls manager, Project services Executive, Director, and Regional Director. Alana as an engineer, love working in infrastructure on major projects with big impacts. She has over 20 years' experience working across transport, Defence, water, mining, oil and gas, power and environment. Alana is passionate about STEM skills and providing access to everyone for a fulfilling career in engineering and consulting.  Alana is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and Chartered Professional Engineer and Engineering Executive. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

James Dalton is General Manager at Australian Railway Historical Society. The ARHS recently celebrated its 90th birthday, and as well as publishing both Railway Digest and Australian Railway History magazines, is home to the most comprehensive private archive of railway-related information in Australia. As General Manager, James is responsible for managing a small team of amazing staff and volunteers who keep the Society, which does not receive any external funding, financially viable through magazine and book sales, consulting work, operating tours and producing various publications.   The archives were recently assessed to be of National Significance.  They include a vast collection of documents, photographs, and artifacts related to the history of railways in Australia.   Much of the collection is already digitised, thanks to the efforts of volunteers over decades.  James is committed to expanding the use of these archives to members and commercial clients and to supporting the objectives of the Australian Railway Historical Society. Under James' leadership, The Railway Archives has made significant strides in preserving and promoting the history of railways in Australia. He has developed new processes and implemented systems for cataloguing the archives, making them more accessible to researchers and enthusiasts. He has also worked to expand the Society's membership and outreach efforts, raising awareness of the importance of archival preservation and the Society's mission.

Mark Scott  – a career investor, director and executive manager of consulting businesses that have straddled many industries, including rail and transportation.Mark is currently Chairman and founding partner of both Think Systems and Investructure, and serves on the Board as a Director of Providence Consulting.  All are consulting businesses, with a different but broad array of offerings, from project, program and commercial delivery, to engineering, integration and assurance.  Mark is also a non-executive director of Toustone, a data analytics business that has developed an array of AI based “decision intelligence” solutions for the rail and transport sector, amongst others.As well as his recent roles with these companies, Mark has founded and managed multiple start-ups, including Scott Lister and Bluefield Consulting, which were later acquired by SYSTRA and Lloyd's Register respectively.  Post-acquisition, Mark was CEO of SYSTRA in ANZ for six years and General Manager of Lloyd's Register's Transport business for three years.  Consequently, despite still being the tender age of 47, he has been running consulting businesses for almost 20 years! Mark is passionate about creating businesses that present opportunities to employees and offer real value to clients.  In his words, “the two are inextricably linked”.

Our guest for this fortnight is Atul Rastogi, Program Planning Manager at Sydney Trains.Atul started his professional career in 1992 in the Department of Signal Engineers in Indian Railways and later worked as Deputy Chief Signal and Telecom Engineer, he held a number of management positions in the diverse fields of engineering management, project management, and maintenance management for railway signalling and telecom network in Indian Railways. Atul moved to Australia in 2008 to continue his passion working in Railways as Senior Project Engineer in Ansaldo later he worked as Project Director in Ansaldo. He joined in Sydney Trains in 2016 as Program Planning Manager.Atul has 30 years international experience of program and engineering management in rail signalling and control systems field working for large sized organisations. Atul is well versed in the following Program, Portfolio and Project Management, Engineering Management, Risk Management, Bid, tender and contract management, Customer and Stakeholder Management. And Network Maintenance Management

Bassam Mansour Project Director at HSS Engineers Bhd delivering KVMRT, Line 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Bassam started his professional career with British Railway Board (BRB) in the eighties  as an Electrification  Engineer working on 750V d.c and 25KV Channel Tunnel Electrification and has occupied  some prominent positions like as a senior Manager in  Dockland Light Rail in the UK, London Underground,  Bosphorous crossing in Turkey, Dublin Area Transit System in Ireland , Japan Railway Technical Services in Tokyo , Delhi Metro in India , General Director for Dubai Metro , Director of Engineering at Roads Transport Authority and Advisor for UAE Government on Railways. Bassam published many technical papers and performed hundreds of presentations on railways. Bassam has done his Engineering degree in Engineering at Manchester University, and Master of Business Administration at Westminster University from the UK, Bassam comes with 36 years of industrial experience working in the entire “V” cycle of Engineering from Concept to Completion, operation and maintenance. He is a Fellow at Institution of Engineering and Technology and Institution of Railway Signal Engineers. 

Sunail Husnain, Senior Program Manager at Sydney Trains.Sunail started his professional career in Railways in 1994 in Pakistan Railways. He worked as Divisional Permanent Way Engineer to construct, maintain and operation of one of the eight Railways Divisions in Pakistan. Sunail moved to Australia to work as project manager in Queensland Rail and later worked as Senior Project Engineer in Ansaldo, Perth. In 2015 he moved to Sydney to join Sydney Trains as a Senior Program Manager.Sunail has 30 years of experience of Infrastructure delivery management in Railways. Sunail is a strong advocate of transit oriented integrated development and creating customer and operator friendly infrastructure. Sunail is a Chartered Professional Engineer with Fellowship in Engineers Australia and National Engineering Register (NER) for leadership and civil engineering. Sunail is also a PhD researcher and consultant at ANU - Working closely with renowned Economists of CSIRO, Flinders, ANU and UNESCO.

Andrew Howey, Chief Strategy Officer in Interface Rail Engineering in Melbourne. Andrew started his professional career in 1986 as a Computer Programmer in MiTek Industries and later worked as Team Leader in Telstra. His Professional Railway Journey kicked in 1998 as a Deputy Project Manager in Bombardier Transportation. Andrew held Key roles as Managing Director for Invensys Rail in Australia & New Zealand, Vice President in Siemens Mobility, Project Director in Alstom for Melbourne Airport Rail Link.Andrew has extensive experience in the management of innovative business including full P&L responsibility, with significant expertise in the implementation of growth strategies, business transformation, marketing, business development, PPPs, bid management and project management. Throughout his Rail career Andrew delivered many complex Rail projects in Australia. Andrew is also a professional basketball player.

Sudhanshu Mani Independent Rail consultant , Sudhanshu Mani retired in the apex grade of GoI from the Indian Railways (IR) Service of Mechanical Engineering as General Manager, Integral Coach Factory, Chennai after serving IR for 38 years. S. Mani is not just a consultant, but a multi-talented individual who is involved in a multitude of activities. He serves on the advisory and editorial board of leading railway and metro journals, showcasing his expertise in the field. He is also a speaker and panelist at various prestigious conferences such as IIMs, IITs, TEDx, PMI, and CII, where he shares his knowledge and insights with others.Apart from his professional engagements, he is also passionate about promoting art and culture. He runs a not-for-profit art and culture center called Manis and is associated with a prominent art gallery in Lucknow. He is also the president of Rolling Cars' Society, which promotes technical awareness.His opinions on national issues related to engineering and project management are regularly published in leading newspapers, journals, and portals such as Hindu BusinessLine, Deccan Herald, Moneycontrol, PSUWatch, FPJ, IRJ, and Pioneer. Additionally, he writes on a variety of subjects such as art, literature, and current affairs in his personal blog.Overall, Mani  is a multi-faceted personality who excels in his professional and personal engagements, making a significant impact in his field of expertise and beyond.

Kumar is the Director of OT Cyber Security at Sydney Metro.He has over twelve years of experience as a translator of security risks to the business, and he holds diversified exposure across multiple domains, including transportation, energy, technology & finance. He has assisted clients on a wide range of matters across the cybersecurity defence lifecycle, from identifying security needs to investigating and fixing compromises.Kumar started his professional career in 2007 as a system and security administrator. He then pursued his post-graduation in Information security and Cyber Laws from the Indian Institute of Information Technology. Over the years, he has implemented approaches to blend cybersecurity as part of system engineering to deliver large-scale industrial systems. He also advocates for ‘secure by design' of critical infrastructure central to everyday life and has contributed to developing industrial cybersecurity guidelines for standards organizations. Kumar is an ISA (International Society of Automation)-certified IEC 62443 risk, system design specialist, and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). 

Our guest for this fortnight is Stephen Lemon Director Rail at Providence T&I. Stephen started his professional career in 1986 as a S&T Trainee Technician in British Rail and later worked as S&T Manager, Senior Engineer, Principal Manager, Professional Head of signalling and control systems in Sydney Trains and Program Director Digital Systems in Transport for NSW. Stephen has immense experience after working in different roles in his career. Stephen is well known as a people's leader who worked in both public & private sector in rail network and systems strategy and development in Australia and the UK. Stephen is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Engineering Executive specialising in systems thinking and a passionate advocate for the use of technology and innovation to achieve integrated, sustainable, and customer-centred outcomes.

Jahangir Shaik, He is a Systems Assurance Manager working in the middle east and worked on some great projects like Doha Metro, Riyadh Metro.  Jahangir started his professional career in 1997 as a Software Engineer with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked on product development based on world renowned Systems Scientist Mr. John N Warfield's Systems Science.  His Professional Journey with Railway Project kicked off in 2004 with ERTMS Level-2 Amsterdam-Utretcht , Since then he has been working in  Rail Systems in different capacities in various countries attaining several accreditations in his professional journey , he is honoured to have contributed in the success of FIFA World Cup 2022 and celebrate the Availability demonstration during the best Football world cup tournament of the century.