News
North Star partners with Atkins to provide consultancy support to the Department for Transport's Rail Executive as part of the new STAR (Specialist Technical Advice for Rail) framework
North Star is delighted to announce that it has partnered with Atkins to provide consultancy support to the Department for Transport's Rail Executive as part of the new STAR (Specialist Technical Advice for Rail) framework.
The STAR framework was developed by Rail Executive as it sought to "procure the very best expertise available within the marketplace to offer specialist railway technical and commercial advisory service that support the DfT’s rail contracting, major rail projects and other rail-related activities."
North Star welcomes Andy Brooks
We are delighted to announce that Andy Brooks has joined North Star Consultancy. Andy's career of over 30 years includes 15 years at Serco.
Most recently, Andy supported Serco’s mobilisation of the New Caledonian Sleeper Franchise, where he led the process of ROGS Safety Certification and established the integrated management system. Prior to this, he was Operations Director at Driver Examination Services in Toronto, where he delivered a successful transition towards a new style partnership agreement with the Canadian Ministry of Transportation.
Since joining North Star he has worked on collaborative management strategies and undertaken PQQ evaluation for the DfT.
North Star supports improvements in rail access for London Luton Airport
London Luton Airport (LLA) is embarking on an ambitious transformation project. The £100m development will include a complete overhaul of the terminal building and see passenger figures rise by 50% reaching 18 million by 2020.
North Star’s brief is to increase the number of passengers reaching LLA by rail from London and the East Midlands by 2026 and provide support in the areas of operations, marketing and customer service.
Nick Barton, CEO of London Luton Airport said: “Today it is already possible to reach central London in 19 minutes from Luton Airport Parkway by train. Our vision is to build on this to create a world-class air-rail facility that delivers the speed, frequency and simplicity international travellers require. Our work with North Star is helping ensure that improvements in surface access move in step with the £100 million redevelopment that is transforming the Airport.”
The key objectives are:
Read more: North Star supports improvements in rail access for London Luton Airport
Annual report shows surge in air-rail market share
North Star Consultancy has released its annual review of the global air-rail market share for air-rail operators for 2014. The report shows a surge in market share, which is driven by targeted investment in marketing and competitive awareness by participating operators. The graph below demonstrates this trend (click for larger version).
For the first time, the report had a specific focus on digital presence and marketing in the 2014 review year and the effect this has on market share.
Jamie Burles, Managing Director of Abellio Greater Anglia (operator of Stansted Express) said: “We have been contributing to this report for several years now and it's proved to be very valuable. It allows us to benchmark Stansted Express against other global Air-Rail operators' market share and key competitor information. Furthermore, it allows us to share best practice and the results of our marketing campaigns and other online and offline marketing activities”.
Read more: Annual report shows surge in air-rail market share