Marianne Kilpatrick

I’m a career consultant with over 30 years' experience in the transport sector. I specialise in commercial strategy, transport economics, freight, and passenger operations and policy.

I’m mostly known for my work in the rail sector. I'm currently working for both the Department for Transport (DfT) and Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) to define ways of working across the industry as rail reform takes shape. Over the past decade I’ve been responsible for bid plan development, evaluation, and mobilisation of rail franchises in the UK and overseas. I've worked in over 27 countries, including three and a half years as a senior transport specialist at the World Bank; leading major investment programmes in Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh: from rural roads and border crossings to customs facilities and port infrastructure.

I’ve been building and running consultancy businesses for the past 10 years and I’m passionate about helping my teams to be the best consultants they can be. I’m a problem solver delivering practical strategy development. I define organisations' problems, giving them clear narratives leading to actions and accountabilities. My industry knowledge and strategic approach helps identify what technical expertise they need to achieve their objectives.

In 2019 I won both the Rail Business Awards Women in Rail Award and the everywoman in Transport & Logistics, Leader, Infrastructure Award. During lockdown I established myself as an independent consultant working with DfT and GBRTT, and coaching leaders in consultancies and the rail industry. 

When not at work, I’m a keen rider, walker, runner, and snowboarder. I bought a horse in 2021, fulfilling a childhood ambition! I'm a member of Crafty Beer Girls, an inclusive group for women, including non-binary and transgender who work in and support the beer industry. We meet once a month to taste and talk about beer as well as campaigning for increased awareness of sexism and bias in the industry.