Freshwater and Waterfront promote effective communication at prestigious rail awards

Freshwater and Waterfront Conference Company gather steam in the transport industry by sponsoring a category close to home at the forthcoming UK Rail Industry Awards.

Industry highlight of the year, the UK Rail Industry Awards, will take place on Thursday 11 February at Battersea Evolution, London.

Organised by Rail Technology Magazine, the awards recognise excellence and innovation in the rail sector.

Of the 23 awards, Freshwater and Waterfront will sponsor the Marketing and Communications category, which features high-profile organisations including Network Rail, HS1 Ltd, Transport for London and South West Trains.

Freshwater’s specialist rail consultant, John Morris, will present the award before discussing – with Rail Technology Magazine and the winning candidate – the vital role of communications to organisations throughout the supply chain.

In many ways, the UK rail industry is enjoying great success. The total number of rail passenger journeys across England, Scotland and Wales has more than doubled in 20 years; last year there were more than 1.6 billion passenger journeys compared with 67 million at the start of the decade. Rail freight services transport more than 100 million tonnes of material every year. Leaders in government regularly speak of delivering the highest levels of investment since the Victorian era, including £38 billion by 2019.

However, there are many challenges, particularly so on a network that has suffered from historical underinvestment. Looking to the future while also dealing with the challenges of the past – and the present – is an inherently tricky communications conundrum.

Freshwater works with clients in the transport sector to meet the communications challenges they face every day, through profile raising, stakeholder engagement, strategic and political consultancy, government relations, advertising, marketing and brand development.

Lucy Battle, director at Freshwater, said: “We are proud of our strong background working with the rail sector. We wanted to sponsor this category because it’s important to showcase the best examples of marketing and communications.

“Some organisations might under-estimate the value of communications but it is clear that the rail industry takes it very seriously indeed. So often – whether it is winning a new franchise, working better with stakeholders, or handling a crisis – effective communications can make the difference between success or not.”

Come along and meet us at the UK Rail Industry Awards, for more information about our integrated communications services, on Thursday 11 February at Battersea Evolution, London. Tickets are on sale now.