Phil Hewitt Email and Phone Number

Non Executive Chair of Midland Metro - helping shape the future of mobility in the region

Team leader for WSP Light Rail team supporting Trans Israel in the development and delivery of the Haifa to Nazareth team train projectSupported the TRI team through the project development phase through review of Infrastructure and Systems design proposals and advising on options, risks and opportunities. Working closely with TRI and the legal commercial teams I have supported the development of Tender documents for the PPP for the delivery of the Railway Systems and providing advice on the construction, operation and maintenance requirements for the system as well as developing and overseeing the activities of the Shadow Operations team and the Systems Safety advisory team. In Q2 of 2022 the PPP tender was published and we are now supporting the client in preparation for the Tender evaluation and in overseeing the interfaces between the Infra 1 Civil Engineering Works and the PPP scope.

Appointed to act as Chair of the LRSSB on its formation in January 2019 having previously sat as a member of the UKTram steering committee that established the LRSSB in response to the recommendations arising from the Sandilands derailment.

Appointed to the Board of Midland Metro Limited I lead on the preparation of the business to take over the Operation and Maintenance of Midland Metro network on expiry of the existing PFI in 2018 and the negotiation of the settlement agreements & handover arrangements with the previous Operating company.On 24th June 2018 Midland Metro Ltd successfully took over the Operation of the tramway and rebranded it as the West Midlands Metro, seamlessly introducing new IT and HR systemsThe business is now preparing for the challenges of extending the network commencing with the short Centenary Square extension in December 2019 with testing and commissioning commencing in August.A long term programme of infratsructure investment and lifecycle works is in preparation for agreement with WMCA to ensure the system is ready to accept new trams and services in the coming years and to address the inevitable degradation of assets since the system was designed and built int he 1990’s 30th May 2019 saw the Midland Metro celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Owners Representative responsible for securing powers and funding for the expansion of the West Midlands Metro network and for procurement of new rollingstock, systems and depots.Schemes Being ProgressedBirmingham Westside - £149m city centre extension opening in stages in December 2019 and December 2021. The first modern catenary free commercial tramway in the UKWolverhampton City Centre - £33m extension as part of the Wolverhampton Interchange Programme - will deliver new transport gateway hub linking bus, trains, trams and new pedestrian, cycle and car facilities. Opens 2020/1Wednesbury Brierley Hill - £449m extension reusing abandoned rail infrastructure in the Black Country. Innovative funding package developed and secured in March 2019 allowing utilities works to commence summer 2019 with project opening 2023Birmingham Eastside. Short street running extension to serve HS2 Curzon Street Station and Digbeth High Street. Awaiting Government decision on powers and funding.East Birmingham Solihull. A 17km street tramway in the early stages of development and scheduled to open concurrently with HS2.

Member of Alliance Leadership team delivering £1.4bn expansion of West Midlands tram system

Member of the Transport for West Midlands Board responsible for the delivery of Midland Metro services and the £1,600m expansion of the network by 2026. 2016 saw the completion of the first extension of Metro since it opened in May 1999. The short extension through the heart of Birmingham city centre has brought the tram to the front of the Grand Central development and provided a step change in local transport integration at New Street Station. Passenger numbers in the first full year of operation of the extension grew by 60% to 8m meeting business case targets in the first 12 months. In June 2018 the network was rebranded the West Midlands Metro (www.westmidlandsmetro.com) concurrently with the transfer of operations to Midland Metro ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the West Midlands Combined Authority established in 2017 to operate and maintain the tramway system and on 30 May 2019 the network celebrated its 20th Birthday.2019 will see major steps taken with the appointment of a supplier for up to 50 3rd Generation trams capable of catenary free operation together with new control and communications, power and fares and ticketing systems being progressed ahead of the opening of the Edgbaston extension in 2021.The WMM team is working closely with Coventry City Council on the development of the Very Light Rail prototype rollingstock and trackform and in the development of proposals for the first VLR route.

Retained to provide professional advice to the board and management of Tramlink Nottingham Ltd on matters relating to the close out of the Phase 2 construction contracts.

Appointed as Executive Chair to oversee the close out of Phase 2 of the Nottingham Express Transit during 2015/6 and to develop new Board strategies for the future direction of the business as we move from a construction to a long term operational focus. Additionally tasked with working with Nottingham City and other local political and economic bodies to develop the case for further investment in NET as a core element of the wider transport and economic growth strategies in the Nottingham city region.

Tramlink were awarded a 22 year Concession for the operation and maintenance of Nottingham Express Transit (NET) Line 1 in December 2011. In addition we have undertaken to deign, build, operate, maintain and finance NET lines 2 and 3 under a PFI deal.In 2014 we successfully commissioned the first 5 Citadis trams under the ROGS regulations and commenced an enhanced service on Line One using these vehicles in August. Construction of phase 2 is nearing completion and testing of the trams on Lines 2 and 3 has commenced whilst systems implementation and migration is now prorgressing well. Full network testing and commissioning plans are being finalised and network testing will commence early in the new year. Visit www.thetram.net/phasetwo for upto date information on progress.Off Tram Ticketing was introduced on NET in April 2014 with passengers being offered a range of new products and methods of payment being launched concurrently with the withdrawal of on tram conductors. Penalty Fares have been in force since June and an independent appeals panel has been functioning since August 2014. In October the steps taken to introduce off tram ticketing and ensure customers were fully engaged in the change was recognised with an award at the 2014 Light Rail Awards.In March 2013 Marketing was brought in house to address underperforming revenues and ridership since the launch of the Concession. A period of extensive marketing activity, coupled with the launch of off tram ticketing has seen revenues in 2014/15 grow by an average of 9% at the end of quarter 3. We are now focussing on our plans for the launch of Phase 2 during the first half of 2015.

Chairman of UKTram working group 3A established to take a cross industry look at the interface between trams and pedestrians, cyclists and other non motorised users ("NMU") Aim is to provide clear, experience based guidance to the industry on best practice in the design, assessment and operational management of "NMU" interfaces with a particular emphasis on tramway crossings.Currently undertaking a review of crossing design and management across the UK 2nd generation tramways in preparation for publication of state of the industry case studies before the end of the year. Details of Activity Group 3A can be found on the UKTram website www.uktram.co.uk

Led the TfL Tramlink team following the takeover of Tramtrack Croydon Ltd in 2008. Delivered major programme of rolling stock and infrastructure refresh works in 2008/9 followed by implementation of a programme of track replacement works in Croydon Town CentreTook the team through the major transformational change required to integrate into the public sector including the delivery of a new intergrated management system, asset management system and the TUPE transfer of outsourced maintenance staff into the core team.In 2011 won approval and funding for 6 additional trams. Oversaw contract negotiations leading to Stadler being awarded their first UK light rail rollingstock contract.

Continued to manage the Croydon Tramlink PFI and to ensure the Concessionaire met its performance obligations under the Concession Agreement. Managed two formal disputes arising as a result of capacity concerns and Mayoral fares policy through the courts which enabled TfL to gain certainty over the financial risks associated with the Concession. Led team working alongside TfL Corporate finance examining options for the future of the PFI and put together team to take over the functions of the Concessionaire following the buy out of the Concession in June 2008.Continued to act as internal client for tram scheme development within TfL through to the mothballing of the West London Tram and Cross River schemes as a result of withdrawal of funding for these projects. Worked with TfL Group Planning to develop proposals for the extension of Croydon Tramlink to Crystal Palace. Continued to lead for TfL in the assessment of alternative technology solutions for mass transit in Greater London. Commissioned TTK to undertake an annual review of technological developments within Europe.

UKTram was established in 2005 as a body to provide a single voice for the tramway industry in the UK and to act as a focal point for the government in its dealings with industry.Whilst Chairman I led negotiations with the ORR and DfT over the introduction of ROGS and obtained funding from DfT for development of guidance in a number of areas. I also led techincal working groups 1, 4 and 3A which produced and published guidance on Utilities Diversions, Noise and Vibration and the design of pedestrian crossing at off street track crossings respectively

Management of the Croydon Tramlink Concession Agreement and provision of client engineering and operational input to the development of the West London Tram, Cross River Tram and Tramlink extensions projects.Supported TfL Group Planning with technical and operational input to the development of the Greenwich Waterfront Transit and East London Transit bus rapid transit project.Acted as TfL lead for the examination of alternative technology proposals for provision of mass rapid transit solutions in Greater London (including Ultra Light Rail, "ULTRA", monorails etc).

Initially joined to manage utilities diversion's on the Croydon Tramlink project, subsequently oversaw Engineering compliance by the Concessionaire, Tramtrack Croydon Ltd and the delivery of the systems acceptance tests.Following the opening of Croydon I oversaw operational compliance of TCL with the Concession Specification and managed the close out of the construction phase of the project.Took over the project management of the Millennium Transit guided bus project in 2000, closing the project down in 2001 following conversion of the guided bus route to a dedicated busway linking the O2 Arena with Charlton

Joined LU as a graduate trainee in 1988. Whilst under training I worked on the Hillingdon Station reconstruction project in the design office and at the DLR City Extension project undertaking impact monitoring of the yunnelling works below the northern line. Many a happy hour beneath Bank escalator No.4 or riding on top of the bank lifts.Graduate training also took be to LU P.Way and to the LU planning section where I worked up designs for the possible conversion of the Chesham Branch for Crossrail services.On completing the graduate training scheme I worked as an assistant Resident Engineer on the Hillingdon Station / Bridge U21E project between 1991 and 1996. During this period I focussed heavily on the steelwork and claims management aspects of the project. In the last two years with LU I worked on various schemes on the Met Line including the reconstruction of the old A40 bridge at Hillingdon and the Uxbridge Station roof repairs.