Sam has over 18 years engineering, management, operations and consulting experience, the majority of which he has spent in rail. He holds a first degree in Aeronautical engineering, a PhD in Railway Systems engineering, is a Chartered Engineer and member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Sam is a multi-award winning innovator across numerous railway engineering disciplines. He was named RSSB's best young rail researcher in 2015, has won two IMechE best paper awards, holds several international patents for railway innovations and has authored numerous technical and industry publications. 

His experience spans the client-supplier interface, and he has worked for and with SME's, universities and multi-nationals. In recent years, Sam has operated as an independent consultant, counting train operators, Network Rail, Connected Places Catapult, and the Railway Industry Association amongst his clients. The latter role has seen him help to develop strategy and policy at the highest levels, alongside making him a familiar face hosting events and chairing panels on track, electrification, civils and, signalling, all over the UK. Sam has led Universal Signalling since its formation in 2022. 

In his spare time (what's that?) he enjoys recreational flying and is slowly constructing a Vans RV9A in his garage.

Stephen is a proven leader with capabilities across commercial, operations and engineering. Starting off his career in engineering consultancy, he has worked on detailed track design for renewals and depots; designed and implemented rolling stock modifications such as the retro fitment of remote condition monitoring; and played a central role in the ETCS for Freight programme for 3 years where he was engaged in all aspects with regards to ETCS deployment. Stephen then moved into operations, firstly leading the engineering function (including as the Professional Head of Engineering) at Caledonian Sleeper where he was a central leader establishing the new operation under Serco, and then at Heathrow Express. As well as leading the day-to-day operational delivery and incident response at Heathrow Express, Stephen was also one of the Directors leading the business transformation, new fleet introduction, depot closure and outsourcing of the operation. Later, at Go-Ahead Group, Stephen has undertaken the role of Mobilisation Director of the new Bavaria rail operation, as well as successfully delivering multiple bids for bus operating contracts and acquisitions.

Stephen was a founder and former chair of the Young Rail Professionals, and has completed an Executive MBA.

Nick is a software development and railway signalling specialist. With a PhD in control systems engineering, Nick began his career at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, working on software for fault tolerant control of cryogenic systems used in advanced nuclear applications. He later transitioned to rail where, to date, he has been the technical lead on multiple signalling products, both electronic and software including SIL rated systems, from inception to delivery. Most recently Nick has been working as an independent consultant, delivering bespoke data analytic and software solutions to clients in railway signalling and financial services, both SME and Blue-chip. 

His breadth of experience in software development, electronic engineering, safety critical systems, and data centric applications leave him ideally placed to take the lead on software engineering. Nick is one of the original co-founders of Universal Signalling.  

Sarah is a Big Four-trained senior finance professional, with a diverse working background ranging from start-ups to the FTSE 100. She started her career in the TMT (Technology, Media, Telecoms) Audit department of KPMG before holding roles within Corporate Financial Analysis (RBS) and Strategic Planning (Experian). Five years ago, Sarah transitioned to start-up / SME-focused work, holding leadership roles within The Social Innovation Partnership and the insuretech DeadHappy, in which she drove a successful crowdfunding campaign. She also spent two months on placement in Nairobi acting as a Financial Consultant for the non-profit ZanaAfrica.  Sarah has always been passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in business and has shaped her career with this in mind.

Outside work, Sarah is a national skydiving champion and has represented the UK at a number of international events. She is also a qualified snowboarding instructor.

Mark has over 20 years of multi-disciplinary engineering experience encompassing railway signalling, electronic engineering and software design.

Mark has been instrumental in the conception, design and acceptance of a series of innovative and disruptive railway signalling products, managing the entire product lifecycle from cradle to grave.

As a leader, Mark has brought and held together teams that consistently punch above their weight. With a keen eye for product detail, a good nose for technical trends and a sympathetic ear to the customer, Mark is able to deliver more for less time and time again.

Equally at home in the boardroom, with the customer or in a design meeting Mark has a reputation for placing himself at the centre of the business, allowing others to freely play to their strengths, delivering successful outcomes for all.

Robin is a chartered engineer with experience developing safety critical railway signalling products. He has led development projects working to relevant BS EN standards, performing both system design and other system engineering activities. 

His previous experience includes developing a low cost signalling system that communicates over open IP networks, a track-worker warning system, and a points movement inhibition system. He has also previously supported Network Rail’s ETCS/EULYNX radio based limited supervision project.

Ben is a development engineer with over 25 years of experience in railway signalling product development. Over this time, he’s been involved in all the development lifecycle phases, from liaising with customers to establish requirements, through to final testing and commissioning.

Having been involved in the design of high integrity software, electronics, and systems, Ben has a well-rounded knowledge which allows him to understand how all the elements of safety critical products fit together, and design and implement them effectively and safely.

Wes is a knowledgable test engineer with over 15 years’ experience across a wide range of industries. Wes holds a Masters degree in Aeronautical engineering from Loughborough University. His career has seen him move between aerospace, defence, oil & gas and automotive industries while always focused on test and development roles. Within Test engineering he has worked in a many areas covering R&D, life extension, NDT, calibration & measurement and most recently test facility management. 

With such a varied background from outside the rail industry, Wes is able to bring a large array of test techniques to ensure the most robust test & development of our products at all stages of their lifecycle.

James has over 8 years’ experience working in a variety of roles and industries, specialising in business analysis and project administration, which is the capacity in which he works with Universal Signalling. In his spare time James coaches and competes in skydiving. He has achieved two national titles and has represented the UK at a number of international events.

We have open vacancies as we look to grow a strong team to deliver the detail engineering of our first of type demonstrators from Q4 2023. 

We also invite speculative CVs (strictly no agencies or recruiters) as we plan further growth through 2024 and beyond. Please see our Vacanices page for more details.