Session 1A

Navigating Labour Disputes and Climate Change


The UK rail industry is increasingly facing two critical challenges: labour disruptions and climate change-induced weather impacts. Both pose significant risks to operational continuity and have demonstrated unprecedented levels of disruption in recent years, necessitating robust resilience strategies. This 60-minute session will explore the dual approach of managing labour disruptions and addressing the growing frequency of climate change weather impacts within London North-East Rail (LNER). Drawing from my experience as the Business Resilience Manager at LNER, I will discuss the development and implementation of strategies that ensure business continuity in the face of these challenges.

Topics will include effective communication and negotiation tactics during labour disputes, contingency planning, and maintaining service delivery. Additionally, I will cover how LNER is adapting to climate change weather impacts through infrastructure resilience, real-time weather monitoring, and rapid response protocols. The session will include 30 minutes of discussion and engagement, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the topics and share their own experiences and insights.


Speaker Biography

Gary Campbell, ABCP

Business Resilience Manager, London North-East Rail (LNER)

Gary Campbell is a seasoned business resilience and continuity professional with over 15 years of global experience in emergency planning, crisis preparedness, business continuity, and risk management.

Currently serving as the Business Resilience Manager at London North-East Rail (LNER), Gary is renowned for his strategic vision, leadership, and ability to implement robust resilience frameworks across various sectors, including transportation, higher education, gaming, and municipal services.

Professional Experience:

At LNER, Gary leads a team of resilience and security specialists, driving the development and implementation of comprehensive business continuity and contingency strategies. His efforts ensure that LNER remains compliant with ISO 22301 standards and is prepared to respond to emerging risks and industry changes.

Before joining LNER, Gary was the Senior Advisor for Business Continuity & Resilience at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), where he was instrumental in enhancing the organization's enterprise and operational resilience. He also served as a Senior Crisis and Resilience Consultant at Deloitte Canada, providing expert guidance to clients in various industries.

Gary's diverse career includes pivotal roles such as Business Continuity Specialist at Ubisoft, Emergency Planning Officer at McGill University, and Emergency Preparedness Specialist at Toronto Water. His work has consistently focused on developing, implementing, and improving emergency response and business continuity plans, conducting risk assessments, and leading training and exercise programs.

Education and Certifications:

Gary holds a BA (Hons) in Security and Risk Management from the University of Leicester and has completed numerous professional certifications, including ISO 22301 Certified Business Continuity Management Systems Lead Auditor, NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety, and multiple Incident Command System (ICS) certifications.

He is also a certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) by the Disaster Recovery Institute (DRI).

Professional Practices Addressed:
  • Risk Assessment
  • Business Impact Analysis
  • Incident Response
  • Business Continuity Plan
  • Crisis Communications


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Lessons Learned:

1. Develop and implement resilience strategies to manage labour disruptions in the rail industry.

2. Adapt infrastructure and operations to mitigate the impacts of frequent climate change-induced weather disruptions.

3. Implement real-time weather monitoring and rapid response protocols to enhance organizational resilience.