By Ganymede
Strengthening Compliance to Drive Safety and Excellence in the UK Rail Sector
The UK rail industry operates in one of the most safety-critical environments in the country. With thousands of lives and billions in infrastructure at stake every day, the sector has undergone significant change over the last decade to improve how it manages risk, competency, and supplier assurance.
At Ganymede Solutions, we recognise that meeting these ever-evolving requirements means investing not just in systems, but in people. That is why the continued development of our compliance function has remained a top priority.
The Role of Compliance in Supporting Railway 200
Railway 200 is a UK-wide initiative celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. It aims to inspire a new generation of pioneering talent to pursue careers in rail and to highlight the diverse range of roles available within the industry.
Effective compliance management is vital to the safe and successful operation of the railway. Ganymede’s compliance team ensures that all regulatory obligations are met, risks are proactively identified and mitigated, and that continuous improvement is embedded into our daily operations.
At Ganymede, this is demonstrated not only through our RISQS accreditation but also through our ongoing commitment to a suite of ISO certifications, covering Quality Management, Health & Safety, Environment & Sustainability, and Information Security.
In addition, our compliance approach ensures we remain committed to fair, transparent, and responsible employment practices, from how we support our people to how we manage our supply chain, upholding the highest ethical standards across all our operations.
Building a Strong Compliance Team to Meet Railway 200 Standards at Ganymede
Since Lauren Bradford joined Ganymede, she has played a key role in developing the compliance team to support the company’s commitment to high-quality compliance standards. The team has grown to meet increasing regulatory demands and to ensure that all aspects of Ganymede’s operations uphold the highest standards of governance.
Developing a Comprehensive Compliance Function in Response to Industry Changes
When Lauren joined Ganymede in 2013, the HSEQ function was a small, three-person team responsible for Health & Safety, Compliance, Training, and Fleet Management. As the business has grown and the rail industry has evolved, Ganymede has developed dedicated teams for each of these areas, including a standalone Health & Safety team and a separate Fleet team, each focusing on their specialist disciplines.
Over the last decade, the compliance function has expanded its focus to key areas such as regulatory adherence, risk management, and assurance. During this period, the team has successfully navigated several significant industry changes, including:
The transition from the National Competence and Certification Authority (NCCA) to the Sentinel system, which marked a move from manual, paper-based Personal Track Safety (PTS) cards to a smart ID and digital platform for real-time competency verification.
The transformation of the supplier assurance scheme from Link-Up to RISQS (Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme), a change led by Network Rail to enhance transparency and governance, transferring management to the Railway Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), a not-for-profit organisation owned by and serving Britain’s rail industry
Significant updates to Fatigue Management standards aimed at further mitigating fatigue risks across the industry, alongside enhanced Drug and Alcohol standards designed to better protect the safety of those working in the rail sector, in line with Network Rail’s Life Saving Rules.
The compliance team remains responsible for staying up to date with these evolving requirements and ensuring Ganymede’s continued regulatory compliance in a rapidly changing industry landscape.
A Collaborative Approach to Regulatory Excellence
Under Lauren’s leadership, the compliance team at Ganymede works closely with our internal Health & Safety and Fleet Management teams to ensure a joined-up approach to risk management and operational safety. But our collaboration doesn’t stop there.
We also work proactively with industry bodies, clients, and suppliers to stay aligned with best practices and emerging standards across the rail sector. By engaging with key stakeholders and remaining actively involved in industry-wide initiatives, we are able to continuously build on our capabilities, respond to regulatory changes with agility, and help shape a safer, more sustainable rail network.
This collaborative mindset supports not only our internal compliance goals but also contributes meaningfully to the broader vision of Railway 200, rising to new challenges and championing a stronger, safer rail industry for all.
Read our previous blog Railway 200 blog: Mental Health Matters: 200 Years of Rail, 200 Years of People