l to r: Rob Flello MP with Lee Kerr, Driver Manager at South West Trains
Rob Flello MP completed his Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) Fellowship with a visit to South West Trains, part of the major transport group, Stagecoach.
The visit took place at Waterloo, the UK’s busiest station, on the 7th of April and focused on the control room and how 1700 trains a day are managed as well as the importance of customer information. The visit included a meeting with Arthur Pretorius, Customer Service Director for South West Trains, who explained in greater detail how they manage over 230 million passenger journeys every year.
Mr Flello, Member of Parliament for Stoke-On-Trent South, also rode in the driver’s cab of one of South West Trains’ services. The visit was designed to provide Mr Flello with a greater understanding of one of the busiest commuter networks in Europe and it compliments other Fellowship visits with companies such as AB Ports and DHL, amongst others, where he learnt more about the transport and logistics sector.
Rob Flello MP with Customer Service Director for South West Trains, Arthur Pretorius
Commenting on the Visit Rob Flello MP said:
“I have had a wonderful time with South West Trains today; everyone I met during my visit was extremely helpful and informative and it has been an excellent end to my Fellowship programme.
“I would like to thank the IPT for all the work they have put into my Fellowship, especially arranging all of the visits for me. Through my Fellowship I have become a lot more informed about the transport and logistics sector and it will help my work both in the constituency and in Parliament. I look forward to supporting the IPT as they continue to bridge the gap between parliamentarians and business.”
Arthur Pretorius, Customer Service Director for South West Trains commented:
“I was delighted to host Rob and show him round our Waterloo facilities as part of his Fellowship. Rob’s interest in our work allowed for an informed discussion on a variety of topics including how we ensure all commuters have as smooth a journey as possible every day. I am grateful to the IPT for arranging this visit and I wish Rob well in his continuing work in Parliament and in his constituency.”
Nick Maher, Chief Executive of the IPT added:
“I am delighted Rob has completed his Fellowship today. Throughout his Fellowship he has spent time with a variety of companies in the transport and logistics sector and I hope he has gained as much from this experience as the companies have. I look forward to seeing Rob at our events in the future.”
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- Rob Flello MP spent 15 days in the transport and logistics sector as part of his IPT Fellowship programme. Companies he spent time with include: AB Ports, BAE systems, Carillion, DHL international, Diageo and Tesco
- Stagecoach have been supporters of the IPT since 2013. For further information about Stagecoach please contact Emma Knight, Group Head of Media and Public Affairs: emma.knight@stagecoachgroup.
com - To find out more about the Industry and Parliament Trust please visit: www.ipt.org.uk or contact Alex Smith, Communications Officer on 020 7839 9409 or AlexSmith@ipt.org.uk.
- The Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) is a registered charity dedicated to promoting mutual understanding between Parliament, business, industry and commerce for the public benefit. This is achieved by encouraging dialogue between legislators and wealth generators from all sectors of business. The IPT is independent, non-partisan and non-lobbying.
- Fellowships are bespoke placements in industry for MPs, MEPs and peers structured around a set of learning objectives dictated by each parliamentarian at the beginning of their programme. Fellowships are non-lobbying, non-partisan and educational in ethos and are supported across Parliament. There are currently 60 parliamentarians undertaking a Fellowship. There have been over 500 Fellows since the IPT was founded in 1977.
