David Clarke is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers with over 30 years’ rail industry experience. In his role at RIA, the trade association for the UK railway supply industry, he represents members interests in the important areas of safety, technical standards, technical strategy, research and innovation. Prior to joining RIA he was the Innovation Director at RSSB where he was responsible for the cross-industry Future Railway Programme which was helping to deliver the Rail Technical Strategy.His earlier career includes being Deputy Director, Rail Technical at the Department for Transport, prior to which he was a Director for two of the major rail infrastructure contractors having started his career with British Rail. He has been responsible for large operational and project delivery teams, securing major contracts, corporate strategy and business development and, more recently, for technical strategy and innovation.