SPEAKERS

Labour  

Maria Eagle MP, Shadow Transport Secretary  

In 1999, Maria was promoted from the backbenches and became Parliamentary Private Secretary to John Hutton, who was Minister of State at the Department of Health.  In 2001, Maria was promoted again and became Minister for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions.  She became Minister for Children at the Department for Education and Skills in 2005, where she stayed until May 2006 when she moved to the Northern Ireland Office.  In June 2007, Maria moved to the Ministry of Justice as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, and in October 2008 she assumed additional responsibility at the Government Equalities Office.  In June 2009, Maria was promoted to Minister of State in both the Ministry of Justice and the Government Equalities Office.  Following the 2010 General Election, Maria became Shadow Solicitor General in the Shadow Justice Team. After the leadership election, Maria became Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.    

Lawrie Quinn, Delivery Manager - Rail Projects, Bechtel (chair)

Since joining Bechtel in 2005 Lawrie has helped manage the delivery of new works projects for London Underground such as the extension of the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow, the Wembley Park station reconstruction alongside other Tube Lines project. He also has supported Bechtel’s Delivery managers working on High Speed 1, West Coast Route Modernisation and more recently Crossrail.  Prior to joining Bechtel, Lawrie served as the Labour Member of Parliamentfor Scarborough & Whitby from 1997. During his time in Parliament, Lawrie was appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Department for Trade and Industry (2001-2002), Cabinet Office (2002-2004), and the Foreign Office (2004-2005). In addition, Lawrie also served as the Chairman of the All Party Rail Group (2001-2005) and Secretary of the All Party National Parks Group (2001-2005).      

Prof David Begg, Chief Executive, Transport Times David is currently a non executive board member of FirstGroup and BAA. He is an adviser to Government on High Speed Rail as well as an adviser to Greater Manchester Transport Executive.  He is a publisher of Transport Times magazine and visiting professor in sustainable transport at Plymouth University. David has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University. From 1999 until March 2005 David was Chairman of the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT), he also advised the Government during the preparation of the 1998 Integrated Transport White Paper and the Transport 10 Year Plan in 2000.  

Hugh Clancy, Commercial Director - Rail Division, FirstGroup

Hugh Clancy is the Rail Division Commercial Director for FirstGroup, responsible for franchise bidding and providing support to the Groups train operating companies with major contract negotiations and commercial strategy. Hugh has been heavily involved in ATOC's lobbying for franchise and wider industry reform and sits on several industry forums including the Franchise Working Group. He was Commercial Director for First Capital Connect until the end of 2009 and while at FCC Hugh led much of First's involvement in the Thameslink Programme. Hugh was also Commercial Director at TransPennine Express and First Great Western during his career at FirstGroup. Aged 47 and a Chartered Accountant by background, he has worked for FirstGroup for 16 years.

Conservative  

Rt Hon Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport   

Mr Hammond was raised in Essex, attending school in Brentwood before going on to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University College, Oxford.  Prior to his election to the house in 1997, he followed a business career in small and medium sized companies in manufacturing, consultancy, property and construction and oil and gas, both in the UK and abroad.   In recent years, Mr Hammond has held a number of portfolios, most recently as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.  

Prof David Begg, Chief Executive, Transport Times (Chair)  

David is currently a non executive board member of FirstGroup and BAA. He is an adviser to Government on High Speed Rail as well as an adviser to Greater Manchester Transport Executive.  He is a publisher of Transport Times magazine and visiting professor in sustainable transport at Plymouth University. David has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University. From 1999 until March 2005 David was Chairman of the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT), he also advised the Government during the preparation of the 1998 Integrated Transport White Paper and the Transport 10 Year Plan in 2000. 

Tom McCarthy, Managing Director Rail, Bechtel

Mr. McCarthy began his career with Bechtel in 1982 in construction where over a period of 10 years he worked on a variety of project and office assignments with increasing responsibilities across several different markets sectors.   In 2006, Mr. McCarthy took over responsibility for Bechtel’s Rail Division where he now has overall responsibility for Bechtel’s rail business worldwide. Since 2006 he has overseen the completion of High Speed 1 (Channel Tunnel Rail Link), the West Coast Route Modernisation Programme, and completion of Bechtel’s role in enhancing and renewing the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines for the London Underground. His current portfolio includes the Crossrail Programme for Transport for London and the Crossrail & Readiing Upgrade Programmes for Network Rail in the UK, Phase 1 of the Metro extension to Dulles Airport in Washington D.C. as well as Bechtel’s other rail interests in the United States, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions.

 Hugh Clancy, Commercial Director - Rail Division, FirstGroup

Hugh Clancy is the Rail Division Commercial Director for FirstGroup, responsible for franchise bidding and providing support to the Groups train operating companies with major contract negotiations and commercial strategy. Hugh has been heavily involved in ATOC's lobbying for franchise and wider industry reform and sits on several industry forums including the Franchise Working Group. He was Commercial Director for First Capital Connect until the end of 2009 and while at FCC Hugh led much of First's involvement in the Thameslink Programme. Hugh was also Commercial Director at TransPennine Express and First Great Western during his career at FirstGroup. Aged 47 and a Chartered Accountant by background, he has worked for FirstGroup for 16 years.