Latest news with #Longland
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Major shake-up for Sydney Trains after wiring failure plunged network into chaos
There will also be a review of network rules to 'streamline the safe and efficient initiation of activities on track for major incident management, response and recovery – including consultation with incident responders and maintenance staff'. Longland also said Sydney Trains' head of engineering and maintenance, Nev Nichols, would leave the operator and another employee would act in the role before a permanent recruitment process. 'I want to thank Nev for his significant contribution in leading critical roles within engineering and maintenance and safety at Sydney Trains over many years,' Longland said. Longland said the changes and staff movements would 'reflect an important interim shift in our focus areas and ways of working, focused on delivering a safe and more reliable rail network'. The independent panel leading the broader Independent Rail Review comprises transport and infrastructure expert head Kerry Schott, former NSW Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator chief executive Carolyn Walsh, and former Ausgrid chief Trevor Armstrong. Transport for NSW said Sydney Trains was 'making a range of changes designed to ultimately help it more effectively respond to disruptions on the rail network' following the power outage in May. A spokesman said the review team had visited the Homebush site of the wiring failure this week. 'An internal review into the incident identified the need to strengthen several key areas – rail operations; engineering and maintenance; and safety, risk and assurance.' 'The Independent Rail Review has been made aware of the changes and the need to implement them immediately in the best interests of commuters,' the spokesman said. Longland said in his memo to staff on Wednesday that he had met the panel for an initial briefing last week and the review was being carried out 'with commuters front of mind, and is aimed at helping us minimise and more effectively respond to disruptions on the rail network'. Loading 'I reinforced Sydney Trains' commitment to the review and acknowledged the clear need for us to do things better for our passengers.' Aside from the disruption caused by last month's wiring incident, Sydney's rail network has been plagued by regular delays and cancellations over many months as a bitter industrial battle between the state government and the rail unions made commuters the collateral damage.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Major shake-up for Sydney Trains after wiring failure plunged network into chaos
There will also be a review of network rules to 'streamline the safe and efficient initiation of activities on track for major incident management, response and recovery – including consultation with incident responders and maintenance staff'. Longland also said Sydney Trains' head of engineering and maintenance, Nev Nichols, would leave the operator and another employee would act in the role before a permanent recruitment process. 'I want to thank Nev for his significant contribution in leading critical roles within engineering and maintenance and safety at Sydney Trains over many years,' Longland said. Longland said the changes and staff movements would 'reflect an important interim shift in our focus areas and ways of working, focused on delivering a safe and more reliable rail network'. The independent panel leading the broader Independent Rail Review comprises transport and infrastructure expert head Kerry Schott, former NSW Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator chief executive Carolyn Walsh, and former Ausgrid chief Trevor Armstrong. Transport for NSW said Sydney Trains was 'making a range of changes designed to ultimately help it more effectively respond to disruptions on the rail network' following the power outage in May. A spokesman said the review team had visited the Homebush site of the wiring failure this week. 'An internal review into the incident identified the need to strengthen several key areas – rail operations; engineering and maintenance; and safety, risk and assurance.' 'The Independent Rail Review has been made aware of the changes and the need to implement them immediately in the best interests of commuters,' the spokesman said. Longland said in his memo to staff on Wednesday that he had met the panel for an initial briefing last week and the review was being carried out 'with commuters front of mind, and is aimed at helping us minimise and more effectively respond to disruptions on the rail network'. Loading 'I reinforced Sydney Trains' commitment to the review and acknowledged the clear need for us to do things better for our passengers.' Aside from the disruption caused by last month's wiring incident, Sydney's rail network has been plagued by regular delays and cancellations over many months as a bitter industrial battle between the state government and the rail unions made commuters the collateral damage.
Campaign ME
3 days ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
Harrods extends partnership with Fashion Trust Arabia to champion cultural authenticity
The luxury industry has evolved from being just a glamorous lifestyle, and has evolved into deeper experiences in which culture, localisation and intimate offerings are a make or break for brands. In light of this, Harrods is extending their partnership with Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) in which MENA designers will be platformed through in-store displays with activations that will support customer journeys. 'At Harrods, we view our buying strategy not merely as product curation but as cultural storytelling. Our continued collaboration with Fashion Trust Arabia stems from a shared belief in the power of emerging talent to redefine global luxury,' says Simon Longland, Director of Buying – Fashion at Harrods. This partnership reflects a growing trend in retail where authentic representation and strategic localisation intersect. As customers seek out designs that speak to identity, heritage and nuance, brands are responding by broadening their sourcing lens to reflect a wider cultural spectrum – and rethinking what luxury looks and feels like. As shared previously to CampaignME, Pauline Rady, Regional Managing Director – Client Lead at WPP Media MENA, said, 'Today's luxury customers throughout the region have a complex form of cultural identity, social aspiration, and personal satisfaction.' Sharing the sentiment, Longland adds, 'In an industry where similarity is not uncommon, cultural authenticity is what differentiates and defines. The FTA designers bring forward a unique design language rooted in their heritage. What makes this collaboration especially powerful is that it doesn't dilute those identities to fit into a mould – it celebrates them. At Harrods, we recognise that today's luxury consumer is curious, informed, and global; regional representation is not only welcome, it's essential.' From July 2025 onwards, Harrods will become home to the collections of four newly crowned FTA Prize winners. This partnership speaks to a larger industry trend in which, brands like Harrods are uplifting creative voices whilst creating e-commerce storytelling activations. Longland explains that their goal is twofold: they are aiming to create meaningful moments of discovery through storytelling, pairing localised narratives with luxury retail experiences. Collectively this will support commercial opportunities for the designers and a cultural, localised experience for consumers. In addition to retail support, Harrods will play an active role in FTA's mentorship programme. Clemmie Harris, Head of Buying – Contemporary, Sport & Essentials at Harrods, will lead a specialist session titled 'Product Merchandising – Building a Range Plan', offering strategic insights into assortment curation and commercial storytelling. This partnership isn't just uplifting new talent, it's setting a benchmark for what the next era of luxury looks like: personal, rooted, and culturally resonant.
