Andrew Helm is nearly a year into his role as SLC Rail’s Head of Economic Appraisal and now has his eyes set on expanding the team.
Since the company started more than a decade ago, SLC Rail has been involved in over 60 rail projects, overseeing many from concept to completion. In the past, the company subcontracted the economics for Strategic Outline Business Cases and Outline Business Cases. However, recognising the importance of having in-house expertise, SLC Rail recruited Andrew Helm, an experienced professional who had successfully worked on notable projects such as Warwick Parkway (while at Steer Davies Gleave) and Oxford Parkway railway stations.
In nearly one year since joining SLC, Andrew has been working on a number of new railway stations, route upgrades and transport modelling assignments.
As SLC places paramount importance on delivering the right scheme, adding in-house economic appraisal capabilities strengthens this commitment. Andrew explains, “After Covid, the industry landscape has become more challenging, necessitating continuous reassessment of schemes by our clients, and the way in which industry models address the ways in which travel behaviour has changed. Our ability to provide demand forecasting, particularly at an early stage in a scheme’s development, has proven immensely valuable to them. We continue to partner with our subcontractors on specific work.”
Under Andrew’s leadership, the company has laid the foundation for further growth in this field by investing in new modelling and GIS/mapping software. This provides the wider team with the ability to generate robust demand forecasts and, importantly, to gain a better perspective on the strategic purpose and role of a rail project. This enhanced analytical capacity enables SLC to develop better business cases and to ensure the right scheme is developed from the outset.
As SLC looks to the future, Andrew Helm is actively seeking strategic freethinkers to join his team. He explains more: “SLC Rail fosters a proactive culture that provides ample opportunities for significantly impacting rail schemes and advancing the rail network. I’d encourage individuals who possess strategic acumen and a passion for making a difference to reach out and explore the exciting prospects within the company.”
The demand for economic appraisal services in the rail industry is on the rise, and SLC Rail is well-positioned to meet this demand with its expanding team. By recruiting top talent and investing in advanced software and data analysis, SLC continues to empower its clients to confidently navigate the evolving landscape.
If you are a strategic thinker seeking an opportunity to shape the future of rail schemes, get in touch www.slcrail.co.uk/careers.
