Rail Link Talks

Radio and TV Broadcaster, Author, Businessman and Former Politician 

Bio:
We are delighted to present our MC/Host for the day - Mr. Ivan Yates – Broadcaster, Businessman & Former Politician. Ivan is a seasoned broadcaster, entrepreneur, and former politician with a diverse career spanning four decades. A former Fine Gael TD and Minister for Agriculture, he later built a successful business with Celtic Bookmakers before reinventing himself in media. He became a leading voice on Newstalk, hosting The Hard Shoulder and Newstalk Breakfast, and co-presented The Tonight Show on Virgin Media. An award-winning broadcaster known for his straight-talking style, Ivan is also a sought-after keynote speaker and MC, bringing sharp insight, humour, and meticulous preparation to corporate events.
 

 Join us for the second instalment of our 'Rail Link Talks,' featuring a more intimate setting with short presentations from 9-11am. Expect insightful talks from representatives of the following organizations: 

ECSL

  ECSL, a group of innovative engineers, views engineering design as essential for a sustainable legacy. Founded in October 2019, ECSL aimed to leverage UK rail industry expertise to build a network in Jordan. The pandemic paused these plans, but ECSL grew during lockdown, completing UK railway projects, including 15 station upgrades in London North East and North West. Nearly five years later, ECSL has about 80 members, offering comprehensive design services across offices in the UK, India, and Ireland. They've delivered over 400 projects, upholding Innovation, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility. In 2023, ECSL established IES to enhance quality control through self-sufficient site investigations and surveys. 

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) Northern Ireland  

 Founded in 1875, RIA has played a critical role in moulding the modern rail industry across the UK. In that time, it has evolved from a collective of locomotive manufacturers to a 400+ member strong organisation spanning the entire rail supply chain. RIA’s commitment to the rail sector’s growth and development has never wavered; we’ve spent 149 years campaigning for a dynamic railway, and intend to continue doing so over the next 149 too.  

KOREC Rail   

From high-accuracy track measurement systems to powerful geospatial solutions for rail infrastructure, our rail-specific surveying equipment provides the tools you need to enhance safety, optimise maintenance and maximise operational efficiency. With KOREC’s rail surveying equipment, you can confidently navigate the complexities of rail projects – ensuring seamless operations and delivering exceptional results to keep the country moving without a hitch. 

Tended

 Tended combines geofencing technology, wearables and behavioural science to help keep your teams out of harm’s way. Overlay virtual safe zones onto your worksite with alerts triggered when boundaries are crossed to ensure everyone knows where to work safely.   

Additional speaker detail will be announced in due course.