Rose Merchant
13 Jul 2026
Why Cross-Industry Collaboration Matters More Than Ever
When we talk about creating a more inclusive rail industry, it's easy to focus on what is happening within our own organisations. But some of the most meaningful progress happens when we step outside our company boundaries, share ideas, learn from one another, and work towards common goals.
That's exactly what the Big Rail Diversity Challenge continues to achieve.
Held at Newark Showground, the event brought together 47 teams from across the rail industry for a day of problem-solving, teamwork, and friendly competition. Organised by Women in Rail, the challenge has now reached its eleventh year and remains one of the most powerful examples of cross-industry collaboration in action.
More Than Just a Challenge Day
While the activities themselves are designed to be fun and engaging, the true value of the event lies in the connections it creates.
Throughout the day, colleagues from train operating companies, infrastructure organisations, suppliers, consultancies, and industry partners worked together in mixed environments, sharing experiences and discussing the challenges and opportunities facing our sector.
Creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive railway cannot be achieved by any single organisation alone. The challenges we face are industry-wide, which means the solutions must be too.
Events like the Big Rail Diversity Challenge provide a unique opportunity to:
· Share diversity and inclusion best practice
· Build relationships across organisational boundaries
· Learn from different perspectives and lived experiences
· Create new partnerships and networks
· Challenge traditional thinking and approaches
· Inspire future collaboration beyond the event itself
For Rail Unites, these opportunities are exactly why industry-wide engagement is so important.
Progress Is Being Made But There's More To Do
During the opening address, attendees heard an update on industry representation and the positive progress being made across rail.
Women now represent 18.9% of the rail workforce, an increase from 17.9% the previous year.
Whilst this demonstrates encouraging progress, it also highlights the continued importance of collective action.
Across all underrepresented groups, employers are increasingly recognising that creating truly inclusive workplaces requires more than policies and targets. It requires visible leadership, colleague engagement, allyship, listening, and a willingness to learn from others.
The conversations taking place throughout the Big Rail Diversity Challenge reflected this shared commitment.
Learning Through Collaboration
One of the strongest themes from the day was the power of collaboration.
Whether building bridges from spaghetti and straws, tackling physical challenges, or solving complex team exercises, success depended on the ability to communicate, adapt, and draw on the strengths of every individual.
These are the same principles that underpin successful diversity and inclusion strategies.
The rail industry is at its strongest when different voices are heard, different perspectives are valued, and people feel able to contribute authentically.
The challenge environment creates a safe and positive space where colleagues can connect as people first, rather than job titles or organisations. In doing so, barriers are broken down and new networks are formed.
Building a More Connected Industry
As Network & Partnerships Lead for Rail Unites, I spent the day speaking with attendees about the importance of maintaining these connections beyond individual events.
A key focus was raising awareness of the Rail Unites for Inclusion Newsletter, helping colleagues discover future opportunities to learn, collaborate, and share good practice across the industry.
One consistent message emerged throughout conversations on the day:
Nobody has all the answers, but together we can accelerate progress faster than any organisation can on its own.
From employee network groups and accessibility initiatives to recruitment strategies and wellbeing programmes, there is enormous value in sharing what works.
When organisations openly exchange ideas and experiences, the entire industry benefits.
Looking Ahead
With all 47 teams completing the challenge safely and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the day, the event once again demonstrated why it remains such a valued part of the industry's diversity and inclusion calendar.
Congratulations to everyone who took part, including overall winners GTR Titans, and to the many teams recognised for teamwork, creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
Most importantly, thank you to Women in Rail, sponsors, volunteers, and organisers who continue to create opportunities for meaningful industry-wide engagement.
The Big Rail Diversity Challenge reminds us that inclusion is not a competition. It is a collective effort.
By continuing to share knowledge, celebrate progress, and learn from one another, we can build a railway that better reflects the communities it serves and creates opportunities for everyone to thrive.
If you would like to stay connected with upcoming diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, and engagement initiatives across the rail industry, sign up to the Rail Unites for Inclusion Newsletter and join the conversation.
Together, we can move the industry forward.
