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Wednesday, February 19, 2025

BCIMO welcomes new business development director

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Steve McBride has joined the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) as business development director.

Steve McBride.

He has held senior positions in the rail industry across the train manufacturing, rolling stock maintenance, and leasing sectors for more than 30 years, including at Intercity West Coast, Alstom, Angel Trains, Vivarail, and STM Rail. He has also worked as a consultant for organisations within the industry and is currently chairman at UKRL, a role in which he will continue.

Steve will focus predominantly on developing the organisation’s relationship with key industry stakeholders across the breadth of heavy, light and very light rail, in particular highlighting the £32 million purpose-built Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre’s Rail Development & Test Site facilities.

The site encompasses an off-network 2.2km Test Track including an 870-metre Tunnel section, thus providing significant potential for users to develop and test within an operationally indicative space. Within the Centre, there is a three-storey Engineering Hall a 36 metre by 10 metre standalone Workshop.

In addition, the VLRNIC also offers impressive Meeting & Event Spaces, including a 245 square meter Exhibition Hall with reception and adjacent Auditorium, alongside a suite of meeting rooms.

Reflecting on his arrival at the VLRNIC, Steve said: “On first sight of the centre I just knew it was the place to be. The industry needs world class innovation and a place like BCIMO is well placed to partner with organisations who want to make things better. I am very much looking forward to working with the team and helping to bring forward new ideas.”

Commenting on his appointment, CEO at BCIMO, Neil Fulton, said: “This is great news for BCIMO – the opportunity to bring someone with Steve’s experience and understanding of the rail industry is another important step for us, working with potential customers, using our unique facilities to help address their product development challenges.”

Image credit: BCIMO

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