Global Speakers

Andrew McCusker is Director of the Rail Logistics Lab at the University of Wollongong (UoW). Andrew regularly acts as senior advisor to the Government of NSW on the restructuring of its rail industry and has been appointed to a number of key committees concerned with the future of rail in NSW. Before joining UoW in 2012, Andrew had worked at MTR Corporation for 24 years. Over his last five years there, Andrew was responsible, as Operations Director, for bringing the rail company into sustainable profit through innovative programmes delivering high services levels while reducing costs and improving safety and customer satisfaction.

With over 20 years experience in Rail Operations within Australia and the UK, Paul has a proven track record of success in generating positive outcomes for rail business. Paul is the former Director of Rail Operations for Watco WA Rail, Looking after 125 qualified freight train drivers, 8 Operation Zone Managers, 22 standard and narrow gauge locomotives, and 580 standard and narrow gauge rail wagons/cars. From Geraldton to Esperance in Western Australia covering 4000km of rail track and 198 load out sites. Moving record tonnes of grain to port for our customer CBH. Before that, Paul was the Assistant National Operations Manager – Rail at SCT Logistics where he look after and maintain all SCT rail assets and infrastructure in Melbourne and Perth.

Dr William Scott has been engaged in Systems Engineering since the 1990’s where he undertook his PhD research at the University of South Australia into enhancing SE tool capabilities using artificial intelligence techniques. He is a research fellow at the University of Wollongong and is currently engaged in examining the application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to assist in the acquisition and modelling of heavy rail and other public transport system for Transport for NSW. This multi-phase project is utilising tools such as SysML and UPDM to better understand the future needs of TfNSW in the acquisition and operation of heavy rail and other transport infrastructure.

Peter Campbell is a world authority on System-of-System (SoS) modelling frameworks. He currently is an Honorary Professor at the SMART Infrastructure Facility, after stepping down from his inaugural Professorial Chair in Infrastructure Systems in 2014. Peter is the former Director of the Advanced Computer Applications Centre at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago (US). Peter has a robust experience in coordinating SoS projects applied to Defence, Energy or Transport sectors. His latest project aims at developing a SoS solution for the Asset Standards Authority (ASA) at Transport for NSW.

As a data scientist, Paul uses data science techniques to produce actionable intelligence from the data collected by semi autonomous instrumentation systems. Paul also leads the use of predictive analytics for continuously measured performance data from rail vehicles. He develops and implement models for predictive maintenance regimes and speed profile optimization. Paul also oversee the implementation of key business intelligence / geospatial data visualization major projects.

Nicolas started his career in the automotive industry with Montupet in Northern Ireland where he respectively took the positions of Quality engineer and Project Manager. Nicolas was involved with the production quality in the manufacture of cast aluminium cylinder heads for Ford, Peugeot & Citroen engines, before becoming the project manager for the design, development and manufacture of a new cylinder head for General Motors. In 2012, Nicolas started his rolling stock career as a project manager working for ALSTOM on the 4GT-Millennium fleet. Over the last 3 years, Nicolas took different positions within Alstom and the 4GT project from the management of highly technical quality/reliability issues, to the management and tendering of all overhaul activities on mechanical traction equipment as well as power modules. Over a year ago he became project manager for the whole 4GT scope under ALSTOM’s responsibility.

Guy has worked in the rail industry for over 20 years. Initially working in the UK with Bombardier where he delivered over 1,000 vehicles to various Clients. Guy’s last UK role was as head of Engineering for the UK responsible for leading a team of over 400 engineers. During 2008, Guy was brought into Transport for NSW’s (TfNSW) Waratah project as Engineering & Technical Director, and led all engineering and technical areas of the design, delivery and service introduction phase. Now as Technical Director, Guy is responsible for ensuring Transport Projects deliver suitable value for money technical solutions for TfNSW.

Michael has over 20 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, asset optimization and ICT gained in a range of leading blue chip companies and top tier consulting organisations. He has led teams of up to 250, P&Ls of over $50 million and multiple high-profile projects of over $180 million. In 2004, Michael received the IBM Leadership Award and in 2005 was a ‘top performer’ in the Asia Pacific region. Michael has also lead international projects in asset management as a voluntary member of the Asset Management Council of Australia.

Sudath is a Professional Civil Engineer /Business Operations Manager with over 25 years’ experience in project management, design management and cost management of building and rail projects. Besides engineering he has gained experience in disciplines of finance, marketing and operations management in construction and fast food industries. His experience has been gained in public and private sector positions in Australia and overseas.

Paul is a regular speaker at industry events and have supported major projects such as London 2012, Crossrail, Dubai Festival City and Masdar City. As a solutions director at Bentley Systems, Paul supports strategic business transformation for designers, constructors and owners from all sectors across Asia, helping them to find innovative ways to improve project delivery, increase margins and safety, and reduce risk and cost. Paul enjoy developing sustainable competitive advantage, generating business improvement and the effective use of technology.

Christopher provides the Rail Industry with local rail experience, coupled with industry leading technology and access to the Siemens Worldwide knowledge base. Christopher leads an agile team to deliver efficient and cost effective enhancements to existing Siemens related infrastructure and value additions such as innovative diagnostic and maintenance platforms. Christopher also supports the Signalling Control Center and Communications based service contracts which offer 1st, 2nd and 3rd line technical support and Helpdesk, Asset Management, Configuration Management for various AROs around Australia.