Latest News

John Nelson Addresses Railway Study Associaiton

31st March 2010

At the request of Richard Brown, this year's President, John Nelson addressed the Railway Study Association on the subject of railway privatisation, past present and future. He spoke to a packed meeting at the London School of Economics and his presentation, which is reproduced here, was published recently by Modern Railways Magazine.

News from Institution of Railway Operators

20th June 2009

William Barter, FCP's Head of Operations Analysis, is to become a Fellow of the Institution of Railway Operators. As well as his standing within the operations profession, this reflects William's contribution to the IRO's education programme and work in tutoring degree students on the Operational Planning, Economics and Managing Operations modules. With FCP, William has led operations work for clients including Transport for London, the DfT, franchise bidders and freight hauliers.

Independent Review of the ORR

10th June 2009

Between March and June 2009 John Nelson led a small team to undertake an independent review of the processes adopted by ORR in reaching its determination of Network Rail's Ouputs and funding for 2009-14. The review looked in detail at the methods used by ORR to reach its decisions in respect of Network Rail's activities, efficiency, its enhancements programme, its financial and incentives framework. Commissioned by the Board of ORR, the review also included a series of extensive interviews with all the major industry stakeholders and culminated in a report presented for the consideration of the Board. It is expected that the report together with its recommendations will be published in July 2009.

Rail Industry Seminar Series: Influencing the Policy Agenda for Rail.

26th April 2009

The First Class Partnerships - Waterfront sponsored  series of seminars discussing key aspects of rail policy has recently ended with two very successful session. The third in the series took place on 24th February and considered the relationship between Network Rail and its Customers. The last one, on the 23rd April considered the potential for High Speed rail networks in the UK.

Passenger Focus

1st April 2009

During 8 months FCP personnel have filled an interim management position helping Passenger Focus to successfully deliver its strategic goals & objectives. Alongside FCC, NXEC and NXEA, FCP ensured that franchise commitments were delivered at all times. Passenger satisfaction is one of our primary concerns and we successfully helped PF influencing TOCS on how to deliver value without compromising on quality and standards.

NedRailways

1st March 2009

FCP provided a number of consultants to work with NedRailways to produce a bid submission for the South Central franchise commencing in September 2009. The principal work areas were Operations, Marketing, Customer Services, Migration and Bid response Editing. 3 FCP staff acted as team leaders with responsibility for not only subject input but for the management of team members from Ned Railways Dutch based team, Staff from both the Northern and Merseyrail franchises as well as staff from a range of consulting practices.

Transcend - Crossrail Programme Partner

11th February 2009

FCP is delighted to be a part of the Transcend consortia and the opportunity to underpin the most important railway project in London with world class operations expertise

Stockholm Metro Concession - franchise winner

21st January 2009

FCP has a lot to celebrate. Wining the Stockholm Metro Bid was a credit to everyone on the MTR bid team. Behind the scenes FCP’s advisors have provided effort and expertise during the bid period and beyond to ensure success and deliver excellence. We are proud of our achievement.

FCP provide technical support to the in-house management team of Newcastle Tyne and Wear Metro system.

28th November 2008

First Class Partnerships is providing strategic and technical support to the in-house management team of the Newcastle Tyne & Wear Metro system, including evaluation of rolling stock maintenance procedures, refurbishment options, and commercial development of the business.

Deutsche Bank's acquisition of Porterbrook Leasing & Angel Trains (2008)

17th November 2008

FCP has played a critical role on two major acquisitions in the UK rolling stock leasing market: Poterbrook and Angel Trains.

ODA - Olympic Delivery Authority

1st November 2008

Since May 2008 Richard George of FCP has been seconded to the Olympic Delivery Authority working in their transport directorate as Head of Public Transport for the London 2012 Games. This is as complex and as high profile a project as can be undertaken in Public Transport anywhere in the world. The role involves the planning and the co-ordination of transport for up to 800,000 spectators a day across the UK - and ensuring that regular users are disrupted as little as possible. The London Games are planned to be ‘sustainable’ and completely public transport based. It represents a major and important challenge that will additionally leave an important legacy of improved transport infrastructure and enhanced capacity.

FCP Undertakes a Review of a Major European Road and Rail Transport Operator

3rd October 2008

FCP were retained by a major European road and rail passenger transport operator to undertake a review of the operation of a rail concession to understand how productivity and quality of service could be improved in order to achieve improved profitability. The assignment involved a detailed analysis of all aspects of the concessions operation including rolling stock utilisation and on board customer service.

FCP Director Richard George takes up key transport role for London 2012

20th May 2008

FCP's Director Richard George has been seconded to the Olympic Delivery Authority as Head of Spectator Transport for the London 2012 Games.

New Directors Join FCP

19th May 2008

Michael Schabas and Mark Causebrook have been appointed Directors of First Class Partnerships. Announcing their appointments, John Nelson, FCP's Chairman said: "The combined experiences that they bring to FCP will add significantly to the company's capabilities."

Saudi Arabia

15th May 2008

FCP is advising a consortium of UBS, SNCF International and the NCB Capital Company in relation to their involvement with the Saudi Railways Organisation in the delivery of the Landbridge and MML railway operations.

Cross-London Rail Links - timetable review

17th April 2008

During 2008, FCP made major contributions to development of the Crossrail project. Prior to passage of the enabling Bill through parliament, FCP undertook development of the proposed timetable to demonstrate feasibility of the operation and opportunities available to all operators. Subsequently we developed options for infrastructure at Paddington station after diversion of services to Crossrail, Further work proposed appropriate service performance targets, and developed the operating specification for the depot layouts and facilities.

Transnet Freight Rail - South Africa

12th March 2008

FCP have been retained by Transnet Freight Rail of South Africa for a two year assignment to provide help and support for their operations.

Jarvis Fastline Freight - Interim MD postion

28th February 2008

During 2008 Mike Jones was appointed as interim Managing Director of Jarvis Fastline Freight. There were three objectives set. To mobilise a new long term contract for carrying bulk coal to the E-On power stations at Ratcliffe and Ironbridge, to provide a strategy for the inter-modal business serving Thamesport, and to improve management accounting systems for the business.

FCP appointed to assist Saudi Arabian government with two major projects

3rd November 2007

A tri-partite consortium of Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS), the National Commercial Bank (NCB, the biggest bank in Saudi Arabia) and SNCF International has approached FCP to provide a senior and highly specialist industry resource to manage and protect the interests of the consortium across two very high value and high profile projects that they are financing in Saudi Arabia.

Richard George interviewed in The Telegraph about the move of Eurostar to St Pancras

3rd November 2007

Richard George – one of FCP’s directors – is the man leading the overnight transfer of Eurostar services from London Waterloo to London St Pancras on 14th November.

Arriva Cross Country franchise success

1st November 2007

First Class Partnerships was retained by Arriva PLC to assist in the mobilisation of the Cross Country franchise following a successful bid by Arriva to operate same. This assignment involved FCP personnel giving expert advice in a number of specialised subjects leading up to the franchise introduction in November 2007. The change of franchise operator was a smooth transition with robust processes and arrangements in place in time for Day 1 operation.

Richard George interviewed in Evening Standard

10th August 2007

Richard George, one of FCP's directors and described as the 'Fat Controller' of Eurostar by the Evening Standard, is the man responsible for ensuring the smooth transfer of Eurostar services from London Waterloo to London St Pancras with the opening of the new High Speed Rail Link (CTRL2) on 14th November 2007.

FCP Chairman John Nelson interviewed in Sunday Times

15th July 2007

John Nelson, FCP's Chairman, was interviewed in the Sunday Times today for an article entitled With Britain’s rail network busier than ever, why should fares be going through the roof?

FCP provides advice to three successful bidders for UK rail franchises

10th July 2007

On behalf of everyone at First Class Partnerships Limited, many many congratulations to Arriva on their magnificent win of the Cross Country franchise. This franchise is nothing short of a wonderful prize and brings to Arriva all of the opportunities that ownership of the very large and prestigious national passenger rail network that the Cross Country route adds up to being.

First Great Western - information improvement during disruption

2nd February 2007

Improved information to staff and customers during service disruption was identified by First Great Western as a key element in the integration of the Wessex franchise in 2007. A combined control had been established at Swindon with Network Rail and FGW staff to facilitate decision making concerning day to day operational events. Specific resources had been provided to ensure information was available to allow accurate train service details at stations and for on board staff.

See the full archive of news about First Class Partnerships.