Event Host and Guest Speaker
Hosted by Matthew Prosser, Chair of the Railway Division, the Luncheon is the ‘must-attend’ event in the railway calendar, attracting over 1,200 professionals from across the industry.
We are delighted to announce that he will be joined by Richard Bowker CBE, our Guest Speaker at Railway Division Annual Luncheon 2027.
Whether attending as an individual or on behalf of a company, this event provides the perfect opportunity to network with industry peers and colleagues, to reward staff or treat clients, and to celebrate our important and respected profession.
Matthew Prosser, 58th Chair, IMechE Railway Division and Asset Management Director, Angel Trains
Matthew Prosser is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with 30 years of experience in rolling stock engineering and leadership. Matthew read Mechanical Engineering at University of Wales, Swansea and after a short spell in the steel industry started his railway career as an engineering management trainee for European Passenger Services (the predecessor to Eurostar). Matthew has held leadership positions at Arriva Trains Wales and Chiltern Railways, where he was Engineering and Safety Director. He joined rolling stock leasing company Angel Trains as Asset Management Director in 2019.
Richard Bowker CBE, Co-Founder, Director and Co-Presenter of the Green Signals railway podcast and YouTube Channel
Richard has over 35 years’ experience of the railway industry. A former London Underground graduate trainee, he has been Group Commercial Director for the Virgin Group of Companies including Non-Executive Director of Virgin Atlantic Airways and Co-Chairman of Virgin Rail Group. In December 2001, he was appointed Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority. Between 2006 and 2009 he was Group Chief Executive of National Express Group Plc following which he spent three years as CEO of Etihad Rail in the UAE.
He has held senior positions in the world of sports administration. Between 2012 and 2019 his roles included Senior Independent Director of the English Football League, member of the FA Council and Football Regulatory Authority, Chair of UK Athletics and a Director of the London Marathon.
In 2023, he co-founded Green Signals along with Nigel Harris. It has become the leading podcast and YouTube channel covering the contemporary railway in Britain.
Richard is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Fellow of the Institute of Logistics and Transport. He holds a BA (Hons) degree in Economics and Economics & Social History from the University of Leicester. He was made a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2005 for services to the railway industry.