insights In a career slump? Stay challenged and learning at any stage inside Atkins.
What are your current roles?
As Head of Train Control and Signalling, I lead a practice commercially and technically. We engage with technologies ranging from red and green lights on rusty posts by the side of the track to fully automated people-movers and new forms of mobility using the very latest technology.
As a Technical Director, I deliver challenging assignments for our clients worldwide. As an Atkins Fellow, I act as a focal point for the international technical community, championing professional development and encouraging excellence, innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
What has been your most memorable project inside Atkins?
I devised the solutions for many of London Underground's recent multi-disciplinary line upgrades. These included the Victoria Line Upgrade, where the service capacity was limited by the frequency at which trains could be reversed in two platforms at Brixton, the southern terminus.
Plans had already been drawn up for major civil works. The options all involved extensive, risky mining and the cheapest involved tunnelling several kilometres to form a "balloon loop." I realized that the constraint was an operating issue rather than a technology issue and that if the operators could change how they worked to reduce the time taken to reverse each train, none of the civil works would be necessary.
My proposals were initially brushed aside by the client, but we persisted. When the plans were shared with the frontline operators, they agreed that they could change their working practices, but only if we agreed to a long list of improvements to assist them in operating more efficiently. A quick look at the list showed that many of these improvements were rather sensible and covered factors that railway engineers hadn't previously considered but were significant for those operating the system.
We quickly determined that the entire wish list could be delivered for a tiny fraction of the cost of the major civil options under consideration. To our client's amazement, we agreed with the operators, and a deal was struck.
Brixton is now the most intensively used two-platform terminus in the world, reliably reversing more than 36 trains per hour. The staff relish the challenge of delivering that service every day. The factors that emerged in developing this solution are now well recognised and have informed many subsequent railway schemes, including Thameslink and Crossrail.
What's the community like at the London office?
We have an active social committee that organises various events. This allows us to get to know the people we're working with better, helps us meet people beyond our immediate team and discover the depth of the business' capabilities. Sometimes we find people who can assist with our work, and social discussions lead to more variety in the day job. As the London office is one of Atkins' larger offices, an extensive range of disciplines are represented at our social events.
How do you provide industry and thought leadership?
How do you provide industry and thought leadership?
I encourage our team to take every opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership, including conference papers, publications and other ways of shaping industry trends rather than just following them. Personally, I regularly present at a range of international conferences, most recently on railway capacity, cybersecurity and resilience, and have a paper on the contribution of railway control systems to sustainability in progress.
I support our developing engineers in preparing for the Institution of Railway Signalling Engineers' professional examinations through study events. These are also open to the wider industry, which benefits all participants by providing a broader range of viewpoints in the discussion than could be achieved through internal participation alone.
I'm on the Institution's Education and Professional Development Committee, which leads the Institution's engagement with academia and training providers, sets the syllabus for professional examinations and develops new routes into the railway control industry.
I also sit on the managing committee of the Transport for London Technical Society. The organisation provides fabulous professional development opportunities to our staff directly related to the needs of one of our key clients.
Through our consultancy work, I've helped shape the long-term technical strategies for railways in several countries, both at government and system operator levels.
What do you find most rewarding about the job?
Training and mentoring. I'm very aware that available time limits what I can hope to achieve. If I can pass on skills to help others do what I can, that multiplies what I can achieve. There's every chance they'll be able to do a better job than I'd have done by combining my knowledge with their existing expertise and aptitudes.
"Objectively, there's a real "multiplier effect" where every hour I invest in training is paid back many times over by the increased capability of my colleagues, and subjectively, I love seeing what the people I've supported do with their new skills.”
What's your passion outside of work?
Other than family, it's sustainability and living lightly. Ten years ago, we bought a semi-derelict Victorian house and refurbished it to give environ-mental performance exceeding that of homes built to modern standards.
We carefully controlled the works to reduce our ongoing energy usage and minimize the energy embodied in the materials and the processes. Although this is still a work in progress—and always will be as we make incremental improvements—we regularly get asked for advice by others wishing to do it similarly. It's that multiplier effect again!
Be part of a Rail practice where everyone is committed to engineering a better future: search live roles.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/11/2024
Summary
Hello. I'm Karen, a Senior Programme Manager in Project & Programme Services at AtkinsRéalis in the UK. Born to Ghanaian parents and raised in North London, my journey has been one of resilience
Preview
CanadaContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/10/2024
Summary
From engineering internships to leadership roles: My journey at AtkinsRéalis Discovering leadership through my civil engineering internships Allô, my name is Karolane. I work at AtkinsRéalis
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/08/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we believe that sustainability is more than just a goal - it shapes everything we do. For over a decade, our team members, like the one you'll meet today, have b
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/02/2024
Summary
In the rapidly evolving world of energy, having the right foundation in nuclear and net zero energy is crucial. AtkinsRéalis stands at the forefront of this sector, offering abundant opportuniti
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/01/2024
Summary
We interviewed Turki Ghesheyan on his experience with the AtkinsRéalis Saudi Graduate Program. Tell us a little bit about yourself My name is Turki, I am an Architectural Engineer who graduated from
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we have a team of local, regional, and international experts in the UAE who are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions in the market to meet the needs of our clients. The UAE i
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hello, my name is Sherif, and I work at AtkinsRéalis in London. As a principal fire engineer, I'm proud to "engineer a better future" every day here, specifically as our work relates to shaping
Preview
EuropeContent type
ProjectsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hinkley Point C (HPC) is the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK since the 1990s. Technically complex and the country’s largest infrastructure project – our talented people from
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hi! I'm Alina, an associate director specialized in transport infrastructure engineering. I lead the North-West Estimating team in Project & Programme Services here in Manchester. Over the past
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/27/2024
Summary
Across the evolving landscape of the Middle East, Architects play a large part in designing and planning complex building structures that are in line with groundbreaking innovation. The constructio
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/24/2024
Summary
In the fast-paced world of consultancy, architecture, and project management, the need for forward-thinking leadership and innovative strategies has never been more critical. At AtkinsRéalis, we
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/13/2024
Summary
Hello, my name is Dilini! Two years ago, after completing my doctorate in structural fire engineering, I began practicing in the UK fire engineering industry. I'm proud to have contributed
Related jobs
Salary
Location
UK
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
United Kingdom
Description
Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It'
Reference
R-121509
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
UK
Job Type
Flexible Working
Full Time
Career Area
Railway signalling
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
United Kingdom
West Midlands
Derby
York
Swindon
Glasgow
Description
Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It'
Reference
R-121175
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
UK
Job Type
Flexible Working
Part Time
Career Area
Railway signalling
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
United Kingdom
West Midlands
Derby
York
Swindon
Glasgow
Description
Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It'
Reference
R-120984
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
London
Job Type
Flexible Working
Full Time
Career Area
Transport planning
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
London
Description
Let’s make great design possible.We have one of the largest specialist wayfinding design teams in the UK. Our team works across all sectors and environment types, providing clients with an eclectic mi
Reference
R-120026
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
Job Type
Flexible Working
Full Time
Career Area
Transport planning
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Description
To be based in the Newcastle office, we are recruiting an individual with experience across the Transport Planning discipline to help deliver a range of projects from active travel and public realm to
Reference
R-119677
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
N/A
Job Type
Flexible Working
Full Time
Career Area
Railway signalling
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
N/A
Description
Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It'
Reference
R-118930
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
UK
Job Type
Flexible Working
Full Time
Career Area
Railway signalling
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
United Kingdom
N/A
Description
Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It'
Reference
R-118720
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
UK
Job Type
Flexible Working
Full Time
Career Area
Railway signalling
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
United Kingdom
N/A
Description
Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It'
Reference
R-118719
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
UK
Job Type
Flexible Working
Full Time
Career Area
Railway signalling
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
United Kingdom
N/A
Description
Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head-on. It'
Reference
R-118718
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Vinayak DaddiAuthor
Vinayak DaddiSalary
Location
Epsom
Job Type
Flexible Working
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Chelmsford
London
Epsom
Swindon
Bristol
Edinburgh
Description
Be trusted to make great things happen.Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we
Reference
R-118328
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Anita SharmaAuthor
Anita SharmaEquality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more