Shows
Lunch with LeonRichard SmithIn the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon talks with Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) about the key issues facing the road freight industry, including the challenges of transitioning HGVs to Net Zero, the deteriorating condition of road infrastructure and the broader implications of AI. There's also plenty of good career advice from these two transport leaders throughout the podcast!
https://www.rha.uk.net/
https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/
https://www.leondaniels.co.uk/
2025-07-1036 min
Lunch with LeonBen PlowdenIn the latest episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks with Ben Plowden, the new Chief Executive of the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT). This lively conversation covers various hot topics in the transport industry - the potential softening of the green agenda, rail nationalisation and rail fare debates, the importance of regional connectivity and how to address car dependency. Leon also picks Ben's brains on the anticipated Integrated National Transport Strategy, and finds out more about CBT's Better Transport Week, taking place from 16th - 22nd June.
https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/
https://bettertransport.org.uk/2025-06-1033 min
Lunch with LeonDavid AstillLeon Daniels talks to David Astill, the new chairman of of ALBUM, the Association of Local Bus Managers (and Managing Director of Nottingham City Transport), just after their successful annual conference in Nottingham. David shares some of his highlights from the conference, as well as discussing the impact of local elections on transport policy, the importance of local ownership and management in the bus industry and ALBUM's future under his stewardship, and with Alex Perry as policy advisor. 2025-05-2032 min
Lunch with LeonSophie BancroftLeon speaks with Sophie Bancroft, HR Director at Network Rail, about her career so far - including various previous roles at Transport for London. The discussion also explores attitudes to rail reform, Sophie's love of the Metropolitan Line and running transport during the London 2012 Olympics - including the tactical use of fake road works! Listen out for nods to several other great transport industry leaders, some fun stories from throughout Sophie and Leon’s careers and a celebration of the London Transport Museum.
2025-04-0834 min
Lunch with LeonShravan JoshiOn episode 102 of Lunch with Leon, Leon meets Shravan Joshi MBE, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee for the City of London, to discuss key transport priorities for the Square Mile, from the successful pedestrianisation of Bank Junction, to the evolution of the vibrant seven-day city ecosystem. The two transport leaders also discuss significant planned office developments in the Eastern cluster, the challenges of creating a sustainable, affordable transportation environment for a young workforce, and the importance of making London a destination of choice for SMEs to grow beyond IPO. 2025-03-2533 min
Lunch with LeonSean CollinsFor this episode we're taking to the water, as Leon catches up with Sean Collins, CEO of Thames Clippers. Twenty five years ago, Sean co-founded the now iconic riverboat service that has transformed London's river transport and carries 5.3 million passengers annually up and down the Thames. He chats with Leon about recent innovations such as the forthcoming electric ferry, Uber coming on board as a partner, future plans for expansion, celebrity passengers and much more! 2025-03-1140 min
Lunch with LeonLord Peter HendyThe Lunch with Leon podcast is back for 2025, and we’re kicking off the year with episode 100! To mark the occasion, we have secured a suitably impressive guest: Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE. Currently serving as Minister of State for Rail, Lord Hendy is one of the country’s foremost transport leaders and a passionate advocate for the industry, having previously served as Commissioner for Transport for London, and Chair of Network Rail throughout his fifty-year transport career. Leon catches with Lord Hendy to discuss his appointment in the Labour government, how the transport industry can provide an exci...2025-02-1132 min
Lunch with LeonChristmas Special 2024Sharon Kindleysides, Christian Wolmar and Steve Gooding join Leon Daniels in person for their thoughts on the year2024-12-2051 min
Lunch with LeonThomas Ableman returns!Almost four years after his first appearance on the Lunch with Leon podcast, Thomas Ableman is back! Leon catches up with Thomas - founder of transport and mobility consultancy Freewheeling - on his time at Transport for London as Director of Strategy and Innovation, and the pair take a deep dive into AI. It's poised to revolutionise the transport sector - but what do organisations need to do to adapt and handle this shift? 2024-12-1039 min
Lunch with LeonEmma Hignett returns!It's not often that we have repeat guests on Lunch with Leon, but we've made an exception for the wonderful Emma Hignett - aka the voice of London Buses, The Elizabeth Line, Go North East and Go Yorkshire. Leon chats to Emma, a brilliant voiceover artist, about her unexpected career in transport, the impact of AI on the voiceover industry, some of the quirkier stops she's recorded in her 'bus voice' and more. Listen to the end for a bonus musical surprise!2024-11-1236 min
Lunch with LeonDavid Pugsley & other friendsAn episode of two halves! With Leon due to assume the post of the Master of The Worshipful Company of Carmen (one of the oldest livery companies in London), he speaks to outgoing Master Carman David Pugsley about David’s past year in post. Then, we revisit highlights and hot takes from some of Leon’s favourite episodes of the podcast, featuring transport experts Steve Norris, Christian Wolmar, Simon Calder and Will Whitehorn.
Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk
2024-10-1534 min
Lunch with Leon120 Years of Hong Kong TramwayA special episode of the show, with live speakers from the recent 120th anniversary of the Hong Kong Tramway, affectionately known by locals as the 'Ding Ding'. Leon also speaks with fellow event attendee Vicky Koo, Global chair of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT), about the work they are undertaking to help support the careers of women in the transport and logistics industry.
Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk 2024-08-1339 min
Lunch with LeonDavid Boden, Stagecoach EastThe latest guest on the Lunch with Leon podcast is David Boden, Business Development Director, Stagecoach East and Chair of the CP Bus Alliance. Leon and David discuss their shared passion for putting customer needs at the centre of transport planning, strategies for effective bus and rail integration and the headache of road works on bus services. Plus, how do we tackle the growing epidemic of ‘geographical ignorance’ and its impact on public transport users today? Note - this episode was recorded before the UK General Election on 4th July 2024.
Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk
2024-07-1635 min
Lunch with LeonPaul Comfort & Simon ReedThis week, Leon is joined by transport evangelist Paul Comfort and technology expert Simon Reed to discuss Paul’s latest book, The New Future of Public Transportation. Listen now for a deep dive into the hot topics in the transit industry as well as insights from the book featuring expertise from 30 transport leaders worldwide.
Passenger Transport: www.passengertransport.co.uk
Transit Unplugged podcast: https://transitunplugged.com/
2024-06-2532 min
Lunch with LeonStephen Bramall (General Election Special)
UK General Election Special: With less than a month to go until polling day, Leon is joined by political consultant Stephen Bramall for a no-holds-barred conversation about how a new government could impact transport in the UK. Listen now to for a dive into the challenges of devolution, Stephen’s thoughts on how a shaken-up front bench might impact governance and whether transport will feature on campaign agendas. The two also discuss the political hot potato of road pricing and how changing travel habits and technologies could impact the face of transport in five years’ time.
Passenger Transport: https...2024-06-1138 min
Lunch with LeonJo FieldJo Field, Founder of JFG Communications and President of Women in Transport sits down with Leon to discuss the challenges women face in advancing in transport, and what can be done to close the gender diversity gap.
Passenger Transport: https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/
Women in Transport: https://www.womenintransport.com/
2024-05-2128 min
Lunch with LeonCaroline PidgeonLibDem London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon comes to Lunch with Leon and talks about the successes of the past and the opportunities for the future...2024-04-2234 min
Lunch with LeonBeverley Bell CBEFormer Senior Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell talks over lunch with Leon Daniels about her times as the most senior regulator for freight and passenger industries, and about what she has been busy doing since.2024-04-0833 min
Lunch with LeonSiofra NearyIn this episode the Commercial Director for Trustd.net Siofra Neary talks to Leon Daniels about what modern technology can do to make sure the right person delivers the right goods to the right person using digital technology.2024-02-2730 min
Lunch with LeonLilli MatsonAs President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Leon Daniels is bringing together safety experts from aviation, marine, rail and road/passenger. We have such to learn rom each other. These webcasts are seen by CILT members live in a webcast. Here now is the audio of the most recent presentation with Lilli Matson, Chief health, Safety and Environment Officer at Transport for London
2023-12-0457 min
Lunch with LeonCandice MasonLeon Daniels talks to Candice Mason, ahead of an important event at the House of Commons promoting Women in Bus & Coach as well as her experiences as running Masons Coach Hire and her own other entrepreneurial interests2023-11-1931 min
Lunch with LeonAustralian British Infrastructure CatalystLeon Daniels joins former TfL Commissioners Mike Brown, Lord Peter Hendy and other transport leaders at this event in Australia where we learn that we have so much in common; where joined-up transport infrastructure improvements are underway; and where there are huge opportunities.2023-11-0326 min
Lunch with LeonDavid SavageDavid Savage VP UK and Ireland for Geotab discusses with Leon Daniels the huge advantage that on-board data can bring to a transport business2023-10-0129 min
Lunch with LeonDamian Horton Co-Founder Eloy LtdJoin Leon talking to Eloy's Damian Horton, a winner of the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund 150 competition which allowed this company to conduct some interesting research designed to improve the safety and convenience of some tricky motoring situations.2023-09-0132 min
Lunch with LeonAndrew Luckett, Director, BluMarblThis week's Lunch with Leon is ITT Hub 2023 speaker and Director at BluMarbl, Andrew Luckett. Leon Daniels and Andrew pick up their conversation from the show on how a zero-emission world for coaches can be developed in this generation. 2023-08-0231 min
Lunch with LeonNatasha Fry, Head of Sales, Mer UKIn episode 75 of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks to Natasha Fry, Head of Sales at Mer UK about what's new at the business, which is one of the fastest-growing European EV charging companies, and their UK Fleet Services business unit.2023-07-0430 min
Lunch with LeonNorman Baker, Director of External Affairs, Campaign for Better TransportIn this week's episode, Leon talks to Norman Baker, former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport. Leon and Norman discuss his current role as Director of External Affairs at Campaign for Better Transport and what the organisation is doing to make transport better, greener and fairer.2023-06-0233 min
Lunch with LeonDavid Hart, Director, Momentum Transport ConsultancyAhead of ITT Hub 2023, the UK's most important transport technology event, Leon Daniels catches up with David Hart, Director at Momentum Transport Consultancy, one of the UK's leading transport and operational consultants. 2023-05-0828 min
Lunch with LeonSharon Kindleysides, CEO, Chartered Institute of Logistics & TransportIn this epsiode, Leon catches up with Sharon Kindleysides, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT), to discuss the latest news from the institute and the big, wide world of transport and logistics. 2023-04-1931 min
Lunch with LeonRichard Dilks, Chief Executive at CoMoUKIn this episode, Leon's guest is another friend and expert from the world of transport, Richard Dilks, Chief Executive at CoMoUK. CoMoUK is the national organisation for shared transport, a charity for promoting its social, economic and environmental benefits. Shared transport means schemes such as car clubs and bike share where people can use a mode of transport without having to own it.
Leon and Richard discuss with whats happened in the shared mobility sector and trends that are being seen across the industry.2023-03-1032 min
Lunch with LeonSimon Calder, Travel Correspondent, The IndependentLeon Daniels catches up with Simon Calder, The Independent's Travel Correspondent and news broadcaster, in this episode of Lunch with Leon. Simon discusses his daily travel podcast, the current workforce issues in the UK travel sector and the trends and news that is seeing travel change every week.2023-02-0635 min
Lunch with LeonRoger DaviesHappy New Year, listeners - Lunch with Leon is back with the first interview of 2023. To kick off January, Leon speaks to Roger Davies, a well-respected commentator on the global commercial transport industry and former senior bus manager, and discusses the 2023 budget and upcoming sector trends. Roger first spoke on the podcast nearly two years ago in episode 31, and is back by popular demand!2023-01-0938 min
Lunch with LeonSteve Edwards, Chief Executive, Living StreetsIn the latest instalment of Lunch with Leon, Leon speaks to the Chief Executive of Living Streets, Steve Edwards, on what the charity has been up to and the progress it has made.
Since Steve has taken his new role, the charity has seen investment in its work in Scotland double; additional funding for its walk-to-school programme in England; and changes to the Highway Code to put pedestrians at the top of a new road user hierarchy rolled out across Great Britain. 2022-12-1428 min
Lunch with LeonAlex Warner, MD of AJW Experiences Group LtdIn this episode, Leon chats with Alex Warner, Managing Director of AJW Experiences Group Ltd, former MD of Tracsis Transport Consultancy.
Leon and Alex discuss his 30-year career in the bus, rail and aviation industries and the launch of his new business, AJW Experiences. 2022-11-2331 min
Lunch with LeonITS America Global CongressIn this special edition episode, sponsored by One.Network, Leon heads to Los Angeles Conference Centre for the ITS America Global Congress to discuss the future of transport with key leaders in the space:
Joanna Pinkerton President and CEO, Central Ohio Transit Authority
Tim Haile Director, Contra Costa Transportation Authority and his Chair Chris Kelley
Stephen Gota Executive Officer, Program management LA Country Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Ananth Prasad President, Florida Transportation Builders’ Association
2022-09-3048 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 65 - Alex HornbyAfter the summer break, Lunch of Leon returns with a series of guests from the world of transport.
In this episode, Leon chats with Alex Hornby, CEO of Transdev Blazefield, which runs around 550 buses and employ 1,400 people at our bases in Blackburn, Burnley, Rochdale, Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford, Harrogate, Keighley, Malton and York. Leon and Alex discuss the current state of the industry, how customer behaviour is changing and their customer-first approach.2022-09-0234 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 64 - Duncan BurtIn this week's Lunch with Leon, our host is back on the road - this time at ITT Hub in Farnborough, where he enjoyed lunch and a catch up with National Grid's Duncan Burt.
Taking you backstage at one of the industry's biggest national events, Leon and Duncan talk all about his role as Chief Sustainability Officer - looking at how to support the wider move to electric vehicles across large fleets, reducing company emissions, and supporting grids worldwide as they replicate the work of the UK and transition to electric energy.
If you missed ITT H...2022-06-1527 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 63 - Victoria Whitehead & Joy NewtonLeon Daniels OBE has lunch with Victoria Whitehead (Managing Director, Head of Infrastructure and Transport at Lloyds Bank) and Joy Newton (Associate Director of Sustainability and ESG Finance at Lloyds Bank).
As the government is urging us towards net zero, and transport is currently such a huge emissions contributor, what’s the role of technology and what’s the bank going to do about it? asks Leon.
The answers, we discover, are absolutely fascinating.
The conversation ranges from the ‘Energy Trilemma’ – finding a balance between security, affordability, and sustainability – to how we are seeing the same thin...2022-05-2525 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 62 - Rupert ClubbRupert Clubb from Transport for the South East (TfSE) chats with Leon Daniels OBE ahead of the region’s sub-national transport body’s appearance at ITT Hub on 11-12 May.
There, TfSE will launch its freight strategy, reveals Rupert: “Using ITT Hub as a springboard is really exciting. Then later in the summer we will launch a consultation on our strategic investment plan.”
They mull over the perception of freight and the many positives that TfSE discovered when it engaged with the sector as part of its creation of the strategy.
We also discover the size...2022-05-0527 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 61 - Paul Jewell
Will we run out of electricity?
That’s the most-often asked question of Paul Jewell, when people discover that he’s System Development Manager at Western Power Distribution (WPD), covering the Midlands, South West and South Wales.
His answer is simple: No, we won’t. But getting it to the right places in the right quantity, involves planning and forethought.
As a Distribution Network Operator (DNO), WPD runs the cable network that supplies electricity to premises.
He chats with Leon Daniels OBE to explain what WPD is already doing to ensure that any do...2022-05-0428 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 60 - UITP DubaiWe’ve got a pretty good idea about what the post-pandemic recovery for public transport looks like in Britain, but what about the rest of the world?
Leon Daniels OBE travels to the MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition (MTCE) at the Dubai World Trade Centre to catch up with transport leaders from around the world.
He discovers that the answer varies between a 25-100% recovery, on different continents for a variety of reasons, his various guests explain.
Talking to operators and suppliers, he also explores how public transport can fill the gap between what the...2022-04-2525 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 59 - Rees Jeffreys Road Fund awardsIn the 59th episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon takes us to the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund awards ceremony - founded in the name of Rees Jeffreys who was both a great cyclist and an integral part of the Road Improvements Council.
The Road Fund was established by Jeffreys (1871 – 1954), and now the charity offers financial support to education and project support - and to mark the 150 years since Jeffreys’ birth, the trustees decided to host a competition. This competition is the culmination of the charity’s work, inviting schools, universities, agencies, and other organisations to create and deliver innova...2022-04-1425 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 58 - Glenn BemmentIn this episode of Lunch with Leon, our host talks all things Net Zero with Glenn Bemment, who is the Head of Sustainability for SMEs and Mid Corporates businesses at Lloyds Bank. A key focus for Glenn is how Lloyds can help their clients transition to the low carbon future we need. Throughout the episode, the discussion revolves around the latest research Lloyds commissioned across more than 1,000 SME businesses, to understand the importance of sustainability and the key hurdles businesses face when putting sustainability initiatives into action. Glenn covers both the opportunities this presents, and some key actions businesses can...2022-04-0429 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 57 - Beamish MuseumIn this week’s Lunch with Leon, Leon heads to the Northeast of England to visit Beamish - and meet with various members of the museum team.
To start off, Leon learns about the development of the museum since its founding in 1970 - inspired by open air museums around the world which spotlight how life used to be and how life has changed as a result of technology and innovation. Beamish Museum is designed to tell the story of life in the Northeast throughout the years - utilising communities and residents to shroud every exhibition and story in rea...2022-03-3032 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 56 - Martijn GilbertThis week's episode sees Leon sitting down for lunch in the North East of England, with Martijn Gilbert from Go North East.
During this episode, the two discuss investment in the brand-new local bus depot, the rollout of new express buses across key routes in the North East, and the rise in electric buses.
How has the negative perception of public transport during Covid-19 impacted the bus industry? And what is being done to revolutionize and update key messaging? Listen to this episode to find out!2022-03-1138 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 55 - Christian WolmarThis week sees Leon sitting down for lunch with Christian Wolmar - a noted railway historian who has appeared on TV, Radio, and is a celebrated author to name just a handful of his accolades and achievements.
In this episode, Leon talks to Christian about his latest book release on Crossrail and its inner operational workings - introducing the motivation behind the book and just some of the projects and releases which are explored in the pages. If you've ever wondered about the £19 billion project to revolutionise the railway in the United Kingdom, this is a great listen for y...2022-02-2439 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 54 - Dervla McKayIn this week’s episode of Lunch with Leon, Leon is on a whirlwind trip to Dublin to meet with the Managing Director of Aircoach. Dervla McKay was appointed MD of the company following a bright career which started back in 2005 when McKay joined First Group as a graduate trainee. Since then, her experiences have seen her working across public transport usage in England and Ireland, with her focus now on navigating the post-Covid and post-Brexit public transport market.
Things are moving forward for Aircoach with Dervla McKay at the helm - pun 100% intended!2022-02-0429 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 53 - Roger FrenchIn this week’s episode of Lunch with Leon, our host sits down with Roger French. Roger may be retired from the day-to-day world of public transport but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still in touch with his industry roots - sharing his thoughts on the pending funding and service changes in the public vehicle sector, the rise of low-emission buses, and the changing of peak transport requirements as a result of the pandemic.
Once the Managing Director of Brighton and Hove, Roger shares his own experiences with Leon as the two make their predictions on what’s...2022-01-1935 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 52 - ITS AmericaIn this first episode of 2022, host Leon sits down with a handful of special guests as he makes his way around ITS America.
Leon’s first conversation is with Chief Executive Officer of one.network, James Harris, who shares his experience of launching a data company in the USA market and provides insight into his time at the ITS America show.
The second guest on Lunch with Leon is the President and Chief Executive of ITS America, Laura Chase, who discusses some of the key insights being shared across the show and reveals that the next IT...2022-01-0642 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 51 - Ian ConstanceIn this Lunch with Leon - which actually started life as a dinner in Scotland during COP26 - host Leon Daniels OBE chats to Ian Constance, who is the CEO of the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (and if you don’t know what that is, then it’s a good thing you’ve found your way to this episode!)
Picking up from where their conversation over dinner left off, this episode provides insight into the reality of climate change, talks about the campaign work of Greta Thunberg, and uncovers some of the project work being done by the Advanc...2021-12-2029 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 50 - Ben PlowdenFresh from attending COP26, Leon Daniels OBE has lunch with Ben Plowden, formerly of Transport for London, who is one of the country’s leading minds on urban planning, the environment and ensuring a sustainable lifestyle.
They chat about Independence Day and State of Fear, and why the climate emergency doesn’t feel like an emergency, in the way that Covid did last year. And, why COP26 was a partial success.
They chew over what’s happening in British Columbia – a wealthy industry country – that’s been knocked sideways, and why it’s a manifestation of change that’s 2021-12-0130 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 49 - Justin Coetzee & Graeme InglisA very different approach to low-carbon cities and public transport, is what sets GoAscendal apart. The difference for the global mobility advisory company founded by Ascendal Group and GoMetro, is that they are consultants who have real-life experience of running public transport.
Now they are harnessing the potential of data technology, by using their Cambridgeshire coach operation as a ‘living lab’, enabling new technology to be tried out in a real operating environment.
Justin Coetzee and Graeme Inglis chat with Leon Daniels OBE about how GoAscendal Labs’ 12-week programme will help sort out what works and what d...2021-11-1833 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 48 - Anthony SmithAnthony Smith CEO Transport focus – the government-supported independent rail, bus and roads watchdog – chats with Leon Daniels OBE about the problem in the public’s understanding of what green transport actually is.
Anthony talks about the ‘say-do’ problem: what we say is so different to what we do and how this is especially true when it comes to the environment, why attitudinal research is a ‘waste of time’ and why people lie in surveys.
And, he addresses the ‘silos’ of car Vs bus, and reckons we have passed ‘peak public transport’.
Now the government effectively has contro...2021-10-2637 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 47 - Ray StenningDo you understand the message you’re giving to your customers? It seems that many companies don’t, reckons renowned brand and design guru Ray Stenning. “It’s not just what you say, but how you say it.” In conversation with Leon Daniels they talk about how public transport’s solution to any problem is to “post a notice.”
The “art of communication is a two-way process” says Ray, and explains how to turn hard messages into welcoming ones.
“I sometimes refer to our profession as being magicians and people distrust magicians; they don’t like the dark arts,” he expla...2021-10-1334 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 46 - Andy Graham
Are we the last generation?
In a face-to-face lunch at Brooklands Museum, Leon Daniels OBE talks with Andy Graham from White Willow Consulting and the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund and learns how he’s created the Britain’s first ‘connected’ Model T Ford – thought to be Europe’s oldest ‘connected’ vehicle.
They move on to talk about what sustainability and what it really means for transport.2021-09-2935 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 45 - Chris Cheek
Studying the data
Chris Cheek has spent a large part of his life providing a great service for the bus industry, by analysing companies’ financial performance, and publishing the results.
Now, the new second edition of his landmark work Understanding Buses, brings the picture up to date with a clear, non-technical, jargon-free explanation of how the bus industry works.
With a few notable exceptions, he concludes, the industry doesn’t make enough money to cover its costs, investment and obligations.
“Unprecedented uncertainty, “is how he describes the current situation, with no prospect of enough...2021-09-1534 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 44 - Dr Matthew Niblett and Kris Beuret OBE
What is the importance for humanity for its ability to travel?
With contributions from many people and casting a totally refreshing view on people’s deep-seated desire to travel, is a new book – Why Travel? – edited by Dr Matthew Niblett and Kris Beuret OBE, of the Independent Transport Commission.
Leon Daniels OBE chats to them about editing the book, which has contributions from many people, not just in travel businesses, but beyond.
In essence, it’s an anthology of travel by a range of people, that also takes in the social aspects to understand our need...2021-08-1937 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 43 - Paul SainthouseIt’s a return visit by Paul Sainthouse, Past President of CILT and MD Dawsonrentals Bus & Coach, a year after he appeared in the launch edition of Lunch with Leon.
Chatting with Leon Daniels OBE over lunch, they discuss the state of the market, why it’s cheaper not to operate coaches in the winter, what Paul learned when he visited ITT Hub 2021, and an important Chinese saying about the future…2021-08-0327 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 42 - Garrett Emmerson
Pulling together for a common cause
Leon Daniels OBE has worked alongside many people in his transport career, and when he was MD Surface Transport at TfL one of his ‘right-hand’ people was Chief Operating Officer: Garrett Emmerson.
At the end of May 2017 Garrett became CEO of the London Ambulance Service (LAS) after it was put into ‘special measures’ by the Care Quality Commission (not due to the quality of care but its organisation) with a brief to turn it around.
Just four days later LAS responded to the London Bridge terrorist attacks (initially reported...2021-07-1936 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 41 - Claire Haigh
It’s great to be back!
Having just returned from ITT Hub 2021 – where it was “so great to get back out there and meet real people and talk about the major issues of the day,” Leon Daniels OBE catches up with Claire Haigh, from the Greener Transport Council.
A champion for greener journeys for a long time, they chat about the ‘terrible price’ that the EV revolution could lead to and the types of change we really need.
Are the government incentives too strong, they wonder, and is it not balanced to stop people to unnecessar...2021-07-0835 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 40 - Gareth Rogers
The world loves to meet…
Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International – home of the famous biennial international air show – talks about events, exhibiting and why ITT Hub is such a good fit with the Hampshire-based business.
“Humans like to meet, so I sense we will supplement our face-to-face meetings with Zoom and Teams; I don’t see people not travelling,” he says about the post-Covid recovery of business.
People are ‘bursting to get out’ comments Leon, and Gareth strongly agrees.
We also learn why the air show and ITT Hub resonate with each other, which...2021-06-1522 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 39 - Nigel HarrisThe long-awaited Williams-Shapps rail review has been published by the Transport Secretary. While its headlines are a new public body – Great British Railways – providing single national leadership, better integration, simpler fares and smarter ticketing, there’s much detail. To get to grips with the detail, Leon Daniels OBE talks through the plan with leading rail commentator Nigel Harris, editor of RAIL magazine.2021-06-0232 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 38 - Philip GerhardtA prolific writer of articles and visible on social media, Philip Gerhardt is this week’s dining companion on ‘Lunch with Leon’.
Currently General Manager - Route Performance at Arriva London, Philip is ‘destined for great things’ says Leon Daniels, who charts Philip’s rise through the industry since joining as a trainee 12 years ago.
In a conversation that the “younger generation would do well to hear,” reckons Leon, they chat about the transformation of the transport industry and new technologies – a real passion for Philip.
He explains why the newly-announced National Bus Strategy “opens so many doors”...2021-05-2538 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 37 - Prof. John Miles“Make it as clean and simple as possible.” That’s the guiding principles that Prof John Miles Director of Research in Transitional Energy Strategies at the University of Cambridge, reckons we should focus on for transport.
He’s no ‘boffin’ either, but also gets his hands dirty in the real world working with global consultants, Arup, and has first-hand knowledge of many types of transport schemes.
He tells Leon Daniels what’s wrong with Milton Keynes, and talks about the opportunity-charging bus project in the city.
Swiftly scything through all the jargon, he cuts to the chase t...2021-05-1331 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 36 - Andrew Braddock
The Great Persuader
“It’s about kicking down doors and taking people to see things,” says Andrew Braddock, about how to change the views and perceptions of those in charge, over lunch with Leon Daniels OBE.
Andrew – a public transport pioneer, who had a long and distinguished career with the National Bus Company and then Transport for London - chats with Leon about what we could do to change transport for the better.
He knows all about making change happen as when working in London he was the first pathfinder into the world of accessib...2021-04-2735 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 35 - Anna Whitty MBEAnna Whitty MBE is the Chief Executive of Ealing Community Transport (ECT), which provides safe, accessible and affordable community transport to people unable to use mainstream transport due to mobility or other difficulties, or because ordinary public transport is unavailable in their area.
Formed in 1979, it now offers its services across not just its West London namesake borough, but also in Cheshire, and Dorset.
Anna tells Leon how community transport serves people who ‘fall between the gaps’ of mainstream provision and are the ‘hidden heroes’.
The independent charity provides a door-to-door service for those who can’t...2021-04-1426 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 34 - Rav Babbra and Chess Stetson
Doing amazing things for autonomous vehicles…
In a trans-Atlantic lunch – with one guest in California and the other in the UK – Leon Daniels meets with dRISK.
Chatting with CEO Chess Stetson in California and Business Development/Programme Manager Rav Babbra in the UK, they talk about their work with the government-owned Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (C-CAV).
We hear how they have been tasked by the UK government, through the C-CAVS to build the ‘ultimate driving test’ – not for human drivers, but to test self-driving cars.
Their test will determine that autonomous veh...2021-04-0135 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 33 - SPECIAL - Thomas AblemanEveryone’s take on the National Bus Strategy is different, but who better to comment on it than Thomas Ableman.
With a career in bus, rail and now the founder and CEO of Snap Travel Technology – a virtual coach company which has run 25m passenger miles without any coaches or drivers – he sees all sides of the issues, especially on ticketing integration and local politics.
He also runs the The Freewheeling Podcast which aims to be a platform for fresh voices and unconventional thinkers. Over lunch with Leon Daniels OBE he discusses the 21,000 words bus strategy –...2021-03-2336 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 32 - SPECIAL - Sara Sloman
The many questions about how we reach net-zero
In a special edition, Leon Daniels swaps notes with Sara Sloman, who hosts sister-ITT Hub podcast Talking Net Zero.
In a wide-ranging, engaging and lively chat we discover Sara’s ‘all-time gripe’ about ‘all-things-green and sustainable’, but they start by talking about a bottle of wine, before moving onto the controversial residents’ parking scheme in Bristol.
Designed to encourage people out of their cars, rather than driving to within a mile of the city centre and then parking on residential streets the scheme’s introduction was the source of mu...2021-03-1233 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 31 - Roger DaviesWith a starter about rail, main course about commuter travel and dessert on the bus industry, this week’s Lunch with Leon sees him talking with career busman, author and controversial straight-talking commentator Roger Davies.
Roger sets out why transport needs ‘clean fixes now – not projects that give proclaimed benefits in the 2030s and beyond’.
He argues: “We should be concentrating on what needs to be done now, rather than grandiose schemes that deliver way into the future, if at all.”
They also debate whether home-working will lead to more off-shoring of jobs and why he belie...2021-02-2633 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 30 - Laura Shoaf“Public transport is social justice. There’s never a better time to remind us nationally why we’re doing what we’re doing,” says Laura Shoaf, MD of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and newly-appointed Chair of the Urban Transport Group.
A planner by background, Laura has extraordinary energy and is a huge force for good for public transport internationally, as well as in the UK.
Talking with Leon Daniels over lunch she explores what the future holds: “Every crisis has an opportunity. How we come out of this with a functioning integrated transport network that’s still afforda...2021-02-1235 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 29 - Sue Percy
Highways for all: From careers to automated vehicles.
Sue Percy, CEO of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) for past nine years, has long been Leon Daniels’ ‘go to’ person for a “sensible view on the whole highways and transportation business” and she’s also a key person for driving forward education and qualifications in this sector. Adds Leon: “She never lets me forget that our highways and transportation industry is about people.”
Over lunch they chat about their shared ambitions to get good people into our industry and she demonstrates her optimistic view about the future...2021-01-2934 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 28 - Steve GoodingThe big questions about transport use and where to go from here.
This week, Leon Daniels OBE has lunch with Steve Gooding, formerly Director General at the Department for Transport and now Director of the RAC Foundation, where he is a noted spokesman on roads and transport policy.
This year he becomes President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and talks about how it is working to develop professionalism in the sector.
“There’s never been a time when the expertise and professionalism of CILT members has been more in need,” he say...2021-01-2232 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 27 - Paul SellerRicardo has a long history of developing diesel drivelines, stemming from its key involvement in the First World War to reduce exhaust emissions (yes, really) that eventually earned founder Harry Ricardo a knighthood.
Today, the British company has a global presence across a range of market sectors – including cars, commercial vehicles, rail, defence, motorsport, energy and environment – with a client list that includes transport operators, manufacturers, energy companies, financial institutions and government agencies.
As a global strategic engineering and environmental consultancy that specialises in the transport, energy and scarce resources sectors, it’s able to look object...2021-01-1534 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 26 - Gali Bloch Liran
Challenging the ‘old way’ to get the most out of yourself and your team.
Over a long lunch, Leon Daniels OBE chats with Gali Bloch Liran who is an executive coach specialising in start-ups, as well as being a lawyer, marketeer, lecturer and global speaker.
She works with CEOs, founders and entrepreneurs to manage the day-to-day challenges and strengthen the mental resilience required to scale such a venture, using her own super-powers: energy, positivity and inner strong-belief.
We learn how success is achieved by lots of ‘small wins’, the challenges of taking a small start-up...2021-01-0837 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 25 - Christmas specialAll the enjoyable bits, plus some garnish…
Our regular podcast about all things transport-related has a different twist this week with a Christmas and New Year special. If you’ve not listened before, then give this one a try!
Over the past 24 episodes, Leon Daniels has chatted with an amazing range of people and he’s filleted just a small handful of the very best, and funniest, bits.
He also reports live from the recent GITEX technology exhibition in Dubai, UAE, which proves that it’s possible to run large events in a totally safe mann...2020-12-2226 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 24 - Elizabeth de JongLeon Daniels’ lunchtime guest is Elizabeth de Jong from Logistics UK. Their starter sees them mull over working-from-home and its benefits, before they move onto the main course where they chat about the changes in logistics and deliveries this year.
They debate why the government should regard freight and logistics as part of the country’s critical infrastructure and how to get more talent into the industry. Elizabeth maps out what to do and why it’s backed by a strong business case.
Alternatives to diesel HGVs, how to make a pathway for their phase out and th...2020-12-1331 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 23 - Graeme CooperTools in the toolbox – how many do we need?
Graeme Cooper is Project Director / Transport Decarbonisation at National Grid and, fresh from his appearance on Top Gear, he chats with Leon Daniels about how, in the last week, all the decarbonisation jigsaw bits are finally coming together.
Graeme talks with an easy engaging energy and passion, presenting serious thought leadership in an easy-to-digest form and explains his mantra “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
He unpicks the government’s recent announcements and its 10-point decarbonisation plan. Crucially, he tackles the oft-asked ‘big question...2020-12-0431 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 22 - James Haluch
Stripping off on the roads? The Naked Highway. If you’ve not come across the expression, then the Naked Highway is not what you might think...
Chatting over lunch with Leon Daniels OBE is James Haluch Managing Director – Highways and Waste Collections, at Amey and they get to grips with what our roads should look like in the future – and the Naked Highway is part of this.
They start by talking about what the Highways Sector Council, launched in 2019, is currently doing.
Together, they unpick some of the big issues that are being tackled and how working...2020-11-3033 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 21 - Steve NorrisWith a long and illustrious career in business and transport, Steve Norris is best-known as Minister for Transport in London (1992-7) “the toughest job I ever did.”
No-nonsense and straight-talking, he ran for Mayor of London in 2000 and 2004, but lost on both occasions to Ken Livingstone who, he tells Leon Daniels, was “the best Mayor by a country mile.”
There are terrific anecdotes about London Buses, leading into the real reasons we don’t have conductors anymore and the incentives required to offer a good service.
Turning to the recent Transport for London (TfL) financial rescue package from the government...2020-11-1736 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 20 - Guillaume FleutiAs we navigate through uncharted territory, Leon Daniels catches up with Guillaume Fleuti - MD and Head, Infrastructure, Transport and Manufacturing and Europe at Lloyds Bank – to chat about everything from the move to zero emission stimulus, “good for business and good for the UK,” to the key role that banks are bringing to the economy at the moment.
They mull over whether the ‘bundling together’ of finance for charging infrastructure, energy and vehicles, will be a model for the future.
Guillaume talks through why banks prefer to fund certain areas of business than others, and how engage...2020-11-0529 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 19 - Emma HignettShe’s the busiest person on the transport network, giving information to 6.5m people every day; but it’s her voice, rather than her face that is best known.
The ‘voice’ of London Buses, Emma Hignett, chats with Leon Daniels over lunch about her work as a voice-over and how the Lancastrian’s voice is upmarket but utterly approachable.
She talks about how she changed career from being a ballet dancer and the ‘rigorous’ selection process that Transport for London used in its quest for delivering a consistently high standard of visual and aural passenger information.
And...2020-10-2930 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 18 - Greg HarrisGreg Harris is right at front end of the latest developments on the road to net-zero.
As Global Electrification Services Leader at HORIBA MIRA, his role includes developing strategy around electrification.
Best known as the UK industry’s first vehicle test track - called the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) opened in 1949 on a former airfield in Leicestershire - Greg chats over lunch with Leon Daniels about its development into a private company, now owned by HORIBA, and how today it is much more than test track, with 46 different test facilities on the site.
They...2020-10-2230 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 17 - Matt GinsbergMatt Ginsberg, author, teacher and entrepreneur once tried to sell to London intelligent traffic lights to speed up the traffic.
At Transport for London, MD Leon Daniels surprised him by declining since that was the opposite of what was wanted.
A specialist in AI (artificial intelligence) since 1983, Matt chats with Leon about why we travel too much, but why some things will have to remain face-to-face.
Over a long lunch they cover a massive range of topics, from body language on Zoom to protecting personal data, the good things that are happening and why...2020-10-1538 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 16 - Lucy YuLucy Yu is the Director of Public Policy at Voi Scooters. With eScooters increasingly popular around the world, Leon Daniels chats about the Swedish company’s trials in the UK, one of 11 European countries it serves.
They chew over the apparent lack of regulation and Leon discovers that while illegal on UK roads, a trial with the DfT means that a number of UK cities - but not, so far, London - are seeing the eScooters on the streets.
With on-street rental, using an app with an unlock fee and use fee per minute, day and mo...2020-10-0829 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 15 - SPECIAL - Live at the ITT Hub Open Day in WarwickThis special episode comes from the recent ITT Hub Open Day at Warwick University where 30 partners, current and prospective exhibitors discovered how to plan, design and run a Covid secure exhibition stand.
Leon talks to some of the key stakeholders at the event, the ITT Hub team, as well as Charlie Cox from Natural Green CS, the event partner.2020-09-3024 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 14 - Bhavish AggarwalAfter a bad taxi experience in 2011, Bhavish Aggarwal resolved to do something better. The result was to co-found Ola Cabs in India.
In 2015, along with co-founder Ankit Bhati, they were the youngest to be included in that year's list of richest Indians.
Since then, Ola Cabs has expanded to Australia, New Zealand and now London.
Last year the company was valued at £6.5bn and at 35-years-old Bhavish is one of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs.
In conversation over Lunch with Leon Daniels he opines that the pandemic will not alter travel...2020-09-2429 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 13 - Jane Reakes DaviesRunning buses is a people business, so the appointment of HR specialist Jane Reakes Davies as MD First Cymru, shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Yet it’s still often the case that the traditional career route to becoming a bus MD, tends to be through engineering or operations.
Over lunch with Leon Daniels, she chats about the different perspectives of the role of a bus MD, and what it really means, along with her career transition into the MD role
First Cymru’s HQ is in the university city of Swansea and the 2009 introdu...2020-09-1133 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 12 - John ClarfeltBarrister, butcher and now busman: John Clarfelt has revolutionised on-bus payments with his start-up Ticketer which now has 25,000 on-bus electronic ticket machines (ETMs) in the UK.
Having qualified as a barrister and also been a butcher, Ticketer is his third venture.
Over Lunch with Leon Daniels, he chats about how cashless payments have changed society and what the possibility is for charging passengers after a journey is made, to get them the very best fare.
They talk about the relationship of trust between operators and passengers and what more can be done by using...2020-09-0535 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 11 - Aviv Frenkel“Data is the new oil,” says EnRoute founder Aviv Frenkel.
‘Shop with us and ride for free’ is the new calling card for retailers thanks to an entirely new transport system developed by EnRoute.
Over lunch, Leon Daniels chats with EnRoute founder Aviv Frenkel about the genuinely exciting development in transport, where public transport agencies and companies come together to provide free travel to their customers. When passengers make their on-line retail purchases across a wide range of goods using the operator’s app, the retailers pay for the ride.
Already in operation in Germany in...2020-08-2632 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 10 - Howard Collins OBEYoung people: Don’t worry about the recession, as there are career opportunities right now in transport for engineering and other high-skill roles such as operations.
That’s the upbeat message from Howard Collins OBE, who says that as other sectors shrink, transport offers good opportunities for young people aspiring for a skilled career.
Chatting over Lunch with Leon Daniels, he argues that the transport sector has traditionally been seen by young people as “not exciting” and struggled to recruit as a result of this perception.
He says that we should do much more to wave t...2020-08-2029 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 9 - Dave JoshuaDave Joshua is the man who is going to ‘revolutionise the bus industry’. That’s quite a claim for this native of Gloucestershire who is now General Manager for Optibus in the UK and Europe.
With a background in data and software, he’s also a ‘newbie’ in the bus industry and brings with him clarity of thought that comes from standing outside of the wood, while the rest of us are in with the trees.
Chatting over lunch with Leon Daniels, he talks about the huge opportunity in front of us - but adds that a “level of...2020-08-1428 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 8 - Anna Delvecchio“A force to be reckoned with,” is how Leon Daniels introduces Anna Delvecchio in his ‘Lunch with Leon’ podcast.
One of the most influential women in transport, she joined the industry as an apprentice and after a rising through a varied range of posts is now Development Director of Transportation at Mott MacDonald.
She talks about why the industry needs to change the perception of transport among youngsters, to encourage the talent of tomorrow.
“We rise by lifting others,” she says, as she explains the importance of mentoring and professional-development support networks, alongside recognising rising stars...2020-08-0729 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 7 - Joe MaWith 23m people in city that is a modern metropolis whose location links Hong Kong to China’s mainland, Shenzhen is now well into its post-COVID-19 recovery phase.
So, what’s life like post-lockdown and what lessons can we learn?
To find out Leon Daniels speaks with Joe Ma, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Bus Group and also Chair of UITP’s Taxi and Ride-hailing Committee.
They discuss the economic bounce-back, how ridership levels have returned and what the ‘new normal’ looks like.
Joe explains how the bus operator is winning back passengers using a ran...2020-07-3035 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 6 - Jo BamfordWe need to think differently: That’s the challenge that Jo Bamford throws down to operators in a chat over lunch with Leon Daniels.
Part of JCB’s global vehicle business and son of Lord Bamford, Jo is a passionate advocate for hydrogen, aiming to bring hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to the world on a large scale .
Having set up Ryse Hydrogen in 2017 to produce and supply hydrogen, last year Jo hit the headlines when he bought Wrightbus. As a result it now offers turnkey solutions for both hydrogen and battery buses.
In a wide-range discussion they chew over...2020-07-2425 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 5 - Matt EiseneggerITT Hub’s ‘Lunch with Leon’, hosted by Leon Daniels OBE, takes a new twist as he talks with Matt Eisenegger, MD of Commercial Vehicle Media & Publishing, that publishes a suite of truck and logistics magazines.
Ahead of the launch of Matt’s own ITT Hub podcast next week - called CV Focus - they discuss the sudden changes brought to freight and logistics.
He also reveals who his first guest on CV Focus will be.
Matt joined the industry from school in the 1980s as a technician for Wallace Arnold’s Bedford truck workshop, before spending a...2020-07-2328 min
Lunch with LeonSPECIAL: Honk for Hope. Lunch with Leon episode 4 - Steve Whiteway & Ian JonesThis Lunch with Leon special features Steve Whiteway, President of the Confederation of Passenger Transport and Ian Jones, industry legal advisor as they returned from Honk for Hope in central London, the third rally in the UK to draw attention to issues in the coach industry, a diverse sector with a ‘lost cause’.
With 42K people in the UK employed directly by coach operators, contributing £6 billion to the economy, the coach industry wants to bring the importance of their contribution to the attention of Parliament.
Many coach companies are family businesses who face an 18 month ‘winter’ due to th...2020-07-2112 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 3 - Isbrand Ho & Frank ThorpeFeaturing Isbrand Ho, Senior Director of BYD Company and Managing Director BYD Europe, along with Frank Thorpe, Managing Director BYD UK. Speaking from the Netherlands, Isbrand talks about the opportunities which will emerge following the current crisis.
· How does public transport emerge cleaner and better without leaving anyone behind?
· Will volumes of bus orders come back, despite current numbers being “eye-wateringly low”? Frank shares thoughts on the need to combat the car and improve air quality
· The quality and cost of the latest buses are often better equipped than the private car
· How is BYD adapting its solutions in battery...2020-07-1727 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 2 - Prof. David BeggIn the second edition of Lunch with Leon, Leon Daniels OBE hosts Professor David Begg – author, academic, advisor to secretaries of state, conference entrepreneur and self-confessed “general no good troublemaker”.
Leon and Professor Begg discuss how far and how deeply the legacy of where we are now will track into the future. With five years of change compressed into the six-month period of the pandemic, what will be the effects of WFH, online shopping, reduced business travel and even a four-day week? Public transport is being used for essential travel only but there is continued demand for low cost su...2020-07-0934 min
Lunch with LeonLunch with Leon episode 1 - Paul SainthouseLeon and Paul discuss the state of the industry and how the past and present will inform our future. The podcast includes discussion on public transport and the effect of changes in habits, clean air and how to maintain the momentum post coronavirus, support needed for the bus and coach market, how to attract a younger, more inclusive workforce, government-backed guarantees on investment, plus electric vs hydrogen – either or both?
2020-07-0832 min