John Thomas Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

Independent consultant specialising in transport policy and utility regulation for government departments, transport groups, regulators, regulated entities, and trade bodies, both in the UK and internationally.

Bradford, England, United Kingdom

The Strategy & Regulation function is integral to driving the growth of Yorkshire Water through the revenues secured for a 5-year period during the Periodic Review process as well as determining the outcomes needed to deliver for Yorkshire, its customers and the environment. I and my team had a lead role in engaging with regulators on an ongoing basis and particularly with Ofwat in relation to the 2024 Periodic Review, any ongoing investigations and reporting requirements. My directorate also played a key role in shaping Yorkshire Water’s strategic direction, including developing its Long-Term Delivery Strategy, required by Ofwat, its Water Resources Management Plan and its Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan. My directorate also played a key role in contributing to our environment and sustainability strategies.

London, England, United Kingdom

Rail Partners is a trade body for rail freight and passenger train companies, providing advocacy, policy and technical operator services to its industry members. I led on policy development on behalf of members with a view to influencing the direction of railway reform and developing a reformed public-private partnership.Rail Partners uses the experience and talent of the international transport businesses it represents to make the railway better for those who use it, passengers and freight customers, and those who pay for it, including taxpayers.

London, United Kingdom

I was a member of RDG's executive team leading the organisation, setting the strategic priorities, and delivering on its vision. I led an RDG team developing rail industry policy positions for reform and then promoting those positions with governments, regulators, and other key stakeholders. Our aim in developing reform proposals was to promote change which would enable a vibrant, innovative rail industry to deliver great outcomes for customers. Key achievements included:1. Developing bold and wide-ranging industry reform proposals for submission to the Government's Williams Rail Reviewhttps://www.raildeliverygroup.com/files/Publications/2019-04_changing_track.pdf2. Supporting train operators in advocating for the implementation of rail reforms that maximise their contribution in delivering for customers and taxpayers in the new industry structurehttps://www.raildeliverygroup.com/about-us/publications/12854-2021-11-passenger-service-contracts/file.html 3. Developing industry priorities post-Brexit, identifying the risks and opportunities for rail. Worked with Government, the industry and supply chain to ensure that the rail industry was prepared for all reasonable eventualities post-Brexit.4. Working with freight operators and Network Rail to identify and promote rail freight industry strategic priorities and developing proposals for a sustainable and growing rail freight market. Promoting rail freight as a key enabler to achieve net zero in the rail sector.https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/about-us/publications/12827-2021-07-rail-freight-future-for-britain/file.html5. Influencing the Office of Rail and Road's 2018 and 2023 Periodic Reviews.

Abu Dhabi

Etihad Rail is the developer and operator of the UAE’s railway network. I led for Etihad Rail on influencing the development of the Railway Law and the new Federal rail regulatory framework, whilst advising the senior management team on the implications for the company of different rail industry structure and regulatory models. I also led for Etihad Rail in shaping the operational, regulatory and institutional arrangements across the GCC in order to ensure efficient, unhindered cross-border GCC services. I chaired the GCC-wide Operations Expert Working Group. I assisted the company in developing its domestic and international passenger strategy and intermodal freight strategy. I also advised the company on how pricing and regulatory measures for road based transport would create a more level competitive playing field across modes, and I was a member of a National Technical Committee which proposed changes to Government on truck weights and dimensions legislation.

Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Responsible for leading a team on the implementation of a new rail regulatory regime in Saudi Arabia, including organisational development, licensing railway companies, monitoring and enforcing performance, promoting the development, efficiency and good performance of railways in Saudi Arabia, developing policy for fair competition and fair access to the infrastructure, and advising on cross-border regulatory issues to ensure the efficient provision of train services across the GCC States.

London, United Kingdom

ORR is the safety and economic regulator of the railway industry in Great Britain and is responsible for enforcing competition law. I was responsible for the development and implementation of competition, economic and financial, and track access policy underpinning ORR’s regulation of the railway industry. I developed and led a high quality team of competition experts, economists (regulatory, competition, and transport), financial analysts, and track access specialists. I developed excellent stakeholder relationships with the rail industry and Government. My core responsibilities were:• As a Board member, to develop and implement ORR’s safety and economic regulatory strategy and to provide high quality, evidence-based advice to the board on all competition, economic, financial and access related matters in order to support its decision-making.• Member of the Periodic Review Board Committee, to steer a successful outcome in setting Network Rail’s outputs, revenue requirement, and charges at five-yearly periodic reviews. • Develop and implement policy initiatives to incentivise the railway industry to drive down costs, improve performance, and optimise and enhance the capacity and capability of the network.• Investigate Competition Act complaints, undertake market studies and develop competition and consumer policy related to railways.• Influence and implement European directives related to railways

London, United Kingdom

The PPP Arbiter's role was principally to ensure that any differences between the PPP Parties (London Underground and the infrastructure companies) about the price to be paid to the Infracos or about economy and efficiency can be resolved independently, swiftly and with certainty. He provided guidance and directions on matters that were referred to him by the PPP parties. The (non-statutory) board’s role was to provide advice to the arbiter on best practice in the office’s governance and procedures and to provide technical advice on any matters that were referred to him by the PPP parties.

London, United Kingdom

Project manager/economic advisor, engaged in transport policy development, project planning, appraisal (economic, environmental and financial) and implementation. Advised Governments and international development banks on transport projects and policies, and commercial organisations on financial viability of projects. A selection of projects includes:• Advising the UK Government on its air transport strategy;• Development of medium-term transport investment strategy for West Bengal (India) Government to stimulate productivity and trade;• Demand, revenue and cost analysis for train operating companies in the UK;• Financial and economic evaluation of a number of road, rail and air transport projects around the world.

Corporate Finance Evening Programme

Master'S Degree, Transport Economics, Merit

Awarded JMP prize for top performer

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Economics, Upper Second