The Railway Industry Association (RIA), the voice of the rail supply community, has announced the appointment of the new Chair and Vice Chair for the RIA SME Group. Catherine Leech, Managing Director at Anturas Consulting Ltd takes on the position of Chair from Lucy Prior, and Vice Chair, Mike Harmer, Chief of Strategic Operations at Belvoir Rail, replaces Paul McSharry. Both come with excellent credentials and have over 40 years combined experience in the sector.
Catherine Leech, incoming SME Chair, said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of SME Group Chair. I’m looking forward to continuing the incredible work that Lucy and Paul have started in raising the profile and importance of SMEs in the rail industry. Thank you for your time, commitment, and drive over the last four years. We are all facing challenges and with Mike’s support, help and input I hope we can support SMEs overcome some of these challenges to build an even stronger SME community.”
Mike Harmer, incoming SME Vice Chair, said: “I am truly honoured to step into the position of Vice Chair of the SME Group, working alongside Catherine. SMEs are pivotal in driving innovation and growth within the rail industry, and I am committed to helping them thrive and supporting their success in rail. We’re building upon the strong foundation laid by Lucy and Paul and are eager to champion our members’ needs, ensuring their interests are represented at every level of the UK Rail sector.”
The RIA SME Group creates a community and platform for the SME supply chain to discuss mutual challenges and share expertise across the rail industry. As a group it is dedicated to creating positive change for members, using our shared weight to amplify their voice.
It offers both a community and a platform to its engaged members – enabling potential growth and opportunities. Catherine and Mike take on the roles as it is imperative that the wider supply chain understands the challenges faced and the potential benefits gained by working with SMEs.
Reflecting on her time on the RIA SME Group, Lucy Prior, outgoing SME Chair, said: “I have been involved in the RIA SME group for four years, and have acted as Chair for two and a half of those years. In that time, we navigated COVID, learned how to run virtual events, and have supported RIA SME members through events, representation, and lobbying activities. It’s as important as ever that the value of the SME is recognised, and that as a collective we are represented at every level and at every opportunity. I wish Catherine and Mike all the best for their tenure, and would like to pass on my gratitude to everyone that has supported Paul and I.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Paul McSharry, outgoing SME Vice Chair, who said: “It has been a privilege to represent the SME members of RIA and an honour to support Lucy, who has been an impressive, dedicated, and hard-working leader of the SME Group. I’m proud to have supported RIA over the last two years and I want to pay tribute to the full team at RIA for their support. I sincerely wish Cath and Mike all the very best in their new roles and we know the group is in safe hands. I have every confidence that they will continue to develop the SME agenda even further over the next four years.”
Commenting on the changes, Darren Caplan, RIA Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine and Mike as Chair and Vice Chair of the SME Group. Their industry credentials and experience along with their exceptional leadership skills set the SME Group in good stead for the coming years. I have every confidence that Catherine and Mike will continue the work done by Lucy and Paul and will be a powerful voice for SMEs in rail as the industry goes through significant changes. We look forward to supporting them during their tenures.”
