Club Ambassador Program - The Railway Club

Become a Railway Club Ambassador

Signal the Way for Fellow Professionals

At The Railway Club, our ambassadors are the heart beat that keep our network thriving. They are passionate railway professionals who give their time to help organise and host our monthly social events, welcome new members, and encourage meaningful connections within their regions.

The Railway Club Ambassadors

Richard Bell

Richard Bell joins The Railway Club as an Ambassador, bringing over 30 years of rail industry experience and a strong focus on safety and collaboration. He began his career in 1997, working in P-Way and shunting, before moving into training, assessment, and international safety leadership roles. In 2010, he founded PRB Consulting, now a trusted name supporting over 150 UK rail suppliers in safety compliance and RISQS readiness. Richard is known for his practical approach and belief in knowledge-sharing to drive meaningful, lasting safety improvements across the sector.

James Scanlon

James has been a respected professional in the railway industry since 2012, with over a decade of expertise in safety-critical training and assessment. As an NSAR Accredited Trainer and Assessor, he ensures the highest safety standards are met across the workforce. He also leads The Rulio Group Ltd, delivering essential medical screening and drug and alcohol testing services to rail businesses across the UK. Known for his meticulous approach and deep industry knowledge, James is committed to raising safety and performance standards across the board. As a Railway Club Ambassador, he’s passionate about fostering collaboration, continuous learning, and a stronger, more connected rail community.

Michael Walsh

Mick brings over two decades of hands-on experience in the rail industry, shaped by leadership, safety, and a people-first approach. Starting from the ground up, he has successfully led teams through complex infrastructure projects with precision and care. He served as Head of Resource at Global Rail Construction Ltd, overseeing workforce safety and operational planning, and later drove business growth as Business Development Manager at High Motive Ltd. Now as Operations Director at BK3 Training Ltd, Mick is leading national and international expansion in Signalling & Telecoms training and IRSE assessments. As a Railway Club Ambassador, he is committed to building a supportive, inclusive community that drives positive social impact across the industry.

Gary Desmond

With 44 years of experience in railway maintenance, renewals, and construction, Gary has led major infrastructure projects including establishing the first Possession Management Organisation in 1993, managing the West Coast Route Modernisation, and overseeing critical OLE construction projects like Liverpool Street renewals and Gospel Oak to Barking Electrification. Currently serving as Client Services Director at TES 2000 Ltd and as a Fellow of the Permanent Way Institution (PWI), he focuses on growing business opportunities, nurturing industry relationships, and maintaining high standards in rail training and service delivery. As a Railway Club Ambassador, Gary is committed to giving back to the railway community by sharing knowledge, building connections, and ensuring opportunities are accessible to all professionals in the industry.

Martin Benson

Martin began his railway career in May 2005 and has since gained 20 years of extensive experience across multiple regions and disciplines, specializing in possession and worksite management, resource planning, and operations. Currently serving as Head of Delivery at Railsafe Group, he leads a company that provides multi-skilled teams, expert rail services, and training solutions from offices in London, Essex, and Leeds. As a Railway Club Ambassador, Martin brings his passion for hands-on leadership, safety-critical communication, and mentoring to expand professional networks while connecting like-minded professionals and showcasing opportunities within the rail industry.

Fin Gregory

Fin brings over 15 years of rail industry experience, starting as a trainee P-Way Engineer at Balfour Beatty plc in 2007 and progressing through various disciplines into Project Management roles at Network Rail and across the supply chain. In 2017, he co-founded Project Control Tools while managing the Nexus Metro renewals framework, leading to the development of Censite & CensiteStores - digital solutions helping teams streamline their site and project management processes. As a Railway Club ambassador, Fin is passionate about connecting with industry colleagues and supporting initiatives that bring the rail community together.

Mark Hardeman

Mark started as a Trackworker in 2000 and progressed through various roles including Site Supervisor with Grant Rail, Senior Site Manager for S&C Track Renewals, and Operations Manager at First Structure before becoming Head of Resource & Plant with Balfour Beatty plc in the Central Rail Systems Alliance. Having contributed to major projects like the Kings Cross Remodelling Project and Liverpool Lime Street Blockades during his 24-year career, Mark brings extensive operational expertise to his role. As a Railway Club Ambassador, Mark is passionate about democratizing professional networks and creating opportunities for everyone in the industry regardless of background.

Wesley Crompton

Wes began his railway construction career in 2001 as a general operative and quickly advanced to his first management position at age 20, delivering schemes for the Network Rail Civil Asset Management framework. Over the next decade, he gained extensive experience across various roles and projects of different values, scopes, and complexities, primarily serving Network Rail. Currently, Wes serves as a senior delivery manager on the UK's two largest railway infrastructure projects - the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) and High Speed Two (HS2) - where he oversees project delivery from option selection through to commissioning and handover.

Alan Tarrant

Alan has worked in the railway industry since 2007, supporting major projects like West & East Coast PSU, TRU, HS2, and EWR while providing expert guidance in recruitment, labour supply, and executive search & selection to contractors and consultancies. In 2015, he founded Rail Safety Week, which has grown to become the UK's largest single rail safety event with support from over 250 organizations. As a Railway Club Ambassador with 18 years of industry experience, Alan is passionate about creating valuable networking opportunities and developing events across the country that foster learning, collaboration, and innovation in relaxed settings.

What Does an Ambassador Do?

Attend and actively participate in regional events.

Actively encourages social networking and inclusivity.

Assist with regional event setup

Positively engage with and share Railway Club social media.

Provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improving events.

Attend online meetings regarding Railway Club initiatives.

Why Become an Ambassador?

Becoming a Railway Club Ambassador is more than just a title—it’s a unique opportunity to grow both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact on the railway community. Here’s what you’ll gain:

Build your leadership skills by taking an active role in representing The Railway Club, inspiring others and shaping the future of railway networking.

Raise your profile within the railway industry by becoming a recognised advocate and leader, making valuable connections with key professionals.

Unlock stronger relationships with industry veterans, innovators, and decision-makers, gaining exclusive access to insights and potential career opportunities.

Contribute to the growth of a dynamic community, knowing you’re playing a vital role in creating a more connected and collaborative industry.

Gain hands-on experience in event coordination, community engagement, and industry advocacy.

Enjoy ambassador-only benefits, such as priority access to events, special recognition at club gatherings, and opportunities to influence the direction of The Railway Club.