Richard Harper

Director
Richard Harper
Profile

Richard is a Director at Steer and a respected industry leader with over 30 years’ experience driving change through collaboration. He delivers value for shareholders, public bodies and Authorities through developing, contracting, sponsoring and delivering complex change projects in the railway industry. His skills in assessing risks and blockers, alongside his strengths in communicating and negotiating, unlock solutions across industry interfaces.

At Steer, Richard leads a portfolio of rail projects. They include the award winning Manchester Recovery Task Force, which Richard has led since its inception three years ago, delivering high-performance solutions to the problems of May 2018’s timetable and unlocking DfT funding for a programme of incremental investment. Richard leads on operations and end state for DfT’s Project Representative team for HS2, delivering critical programme-wide assurance. He has directed operations, performance, service change and reform projects for Network Rail, DfT and operators.

Richard joined Steer after 17 years working for train operators and TOC owning groups. He gained extensive rail bidding experience in leadership roles, including Bid Director for Wales & Borders, and leading timetable and rolling stock teams for the successful Northern and London Overground bids in 2014/15. Richard was a key member of Chiltern Railways’ business development team, promoting and delivering the unique Evergreen enhancements, including the Oxford line.

Articles and insights by this expert

08 Feb 2023

Reflecting on the Bradshaw Address

Ahead of this year's Bradshaw Address, expectations were high that some bold decisions to get UK rail back on track would be announced.

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17 Jan 2023

Sharing knowledge and experience from the Manchester Recovery Task Force

I'm excited to be heading to York this Thursday to talk to the CIRO about the work of the Manchester Recovery Task Force.

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06 Sep 2022

Small is beautiful

Railway enhancement projects are often huge undertakings, with enormous teams, high prestige, and very visible outcomes.

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31 Aug 2022

Marking the career of a railway great

Yesterday saw the unveiling of a statue of Adrian Shooter CBE, founder of Chiltern Railways, at Marylebone station.

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23 Aug 2022

The Commonwealth Games 2022: A proud legacy for Brum

The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was a fabulous celebration of sport and a welcome showcase for my home City.

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We are Steer

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