david statham
David Statham joined British Rail as a Graduate Trainee in 1992 working in a wide range of operational roles over the next 10 years, culminating in his appointment as Customer Service Strategy Manager in a major Intercity Train Operating Company (TOC).
In 2002, David set up Autonomous Consulting with Andrew Foster; his independent consultancy experience has included assignments such as project managing the change of ownership of the ScotRail and Thameslink franchises, developing business strategies for a number of Train Operators and managing the customer service elements of several rail franchise bids.
He has excellent project management skills, demonstrated by his leadership of the successful mobilisation of two new rail franchises in a complex regulatory environment. He also specialises in the implementation of change programmes. He has delivered the business combination of two rail franchises into a single operation; his current project is working as an interim Project Director with a Train Operator to implement the Thameslink Programme, a complex £5.5bn major investment covering a wide range of disciplines to deliver enhanced capacity by improving infrastructure and rolling stock across the network.
David has an MBA from London Business School and is a Senior Associate Consultant for autonomous ideas.
sara footner
Sara, as an independent associate of autonomous projects, has 12 years in-depth experience in the transport industry, including London Underground, Eurotunnel and heavy rail Train Operating Companies.
A man management specialist, she has a track record as one of the most effective team leaders in the industry. With experience in operations, customer service delivery and project management, she can demonstrate the delivery of radical performance improvement across the spectrum of rail operations.
Sara has far ranging senior project management expertise, from Stations Manager for the Jubilee Line Extension Project, to managing the negotiation and delivery of the restructuring of the on-train staff at First Great Western. Delivering the reality of organisational change is her forte.
Sara has recently developed operational procedures for a car park management company, and has worked with two train operators to facilitate the delivery of an effective and wide ranging strategy for the management of disruption to customer service. She has also contributed to several bids for new franchises, creating and editing a range of critical strategies.