Porterbrook has joined the UK Railway Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN).
UKRRIN is a unique organisation that promotes closer collaboration between industry and academia.
Porterbrook’s membership of UKRRIN, which was announced today at the organisation’s Annual Conference, builds on the company’s existing links with the University of Birmingham.
Today’s Annual Conference is a first for UKRRIN. The event will bring together over 240 top academics and industry leaders to explore how business and the academic sectors can work together to fast-track innovative and world beating products to the market.
Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham are already working together on HydroFLEX, a full sized UK hydrogen powered passenger train that is planned to be demonstrated at RailLive in summer 2019.
The University of Birmingham and Porterbrook believe that their research and development partnership will also lead to commercial production of hydrogen powered trains, tailor made for the UK’s exacting loading gauge.
Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook, said: “I am particularly pleased that Porterbrook is able to join UKRRIN. Through our work on the HydroFLEX we know the quality of people and thinking to be found in British universities. We hope that we can complement that with a little commercial flair, so that the railway’s passengers can benefit from improved technology that delivers better journeys.”
Clive Roberts, Professor of Railway Systems at the University of Birmingham, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming Porterbrook into the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network. Their commitment to investing in UK rail R&D is great testament to the skills and knowledge we provide to industry. This is a strong statement of support and we are looking forward to working with Porterbrook on a number of exciting projects.”
Launched in February 2018, UKRRIN is a partnership between the rail industry and nine leading UK Universities delivering four world-class Centres of Excellence.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Media Contacts
Porterbrook Leasing
Rupert Brennan Brown, Head of Communications and Engagement
Rupert@porterbrook.co.uk or +44 (0)7973 950 923
Financial or corporate PR enquiries can also be directed to:
Maitland
James Isola, Partner
James McFarlane, Partner
jmcfarlane@maitland.co.uk or +44 (0)20 7379 5151
About Porterbrook
- Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited (“Porterbrook”) is a leading participant in the rail leasing market and has a rolling stock fleet of around 5,000 vehicles on lease or on order, which includes c.4,500 passenger vehicles.
- Since privatisation, Porterbrook has invested over £3bn in the UK rail market. The company is looking to invest a further £1bn in Britain’s railway over the next five years.
- Porterbrook has successfully introduced over 2,300 new vehicles into passenger service. The company continues to invest across its existing fleets to ensure they remain attractive to operators and passengers. Porterbrook also provides ongoing train maintenance services.
- In October 2014, the Porterbrook Group of companies was acquired by a consortium of investors including Alberta Investment Management Corporation (“AIMCo”), Allianz Capital Partners (“ACP”) on behalf of certain insurance companies of the Allianz Group, EDF Invest and a consortium of Utilities Trust of Australia (“UTA”), The Infrastructure Fund (“TIF”) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group Pension Fund (“RBS”).