Over the past 18 months, we’ve been listening closely to Members from across different disciplines and career stages. A common theme emerged: the need for an Institution that feels modern, inclusive and better understood across the industry and beyond.
That’s why, later this year, every PWI Member will be asked to vote on an important proposal:
To change our name to Railway Engineering Institution (RailEI).
David Packer, who served as the Institution’s first CEO from 2010 to 2019, offers his reflections on the journey of transformation the PWI has undergone and why he believes this name change is both timely and essential.
“The proposal to change the Permanent Way Institution’s name to the Railway Engineering Institution will soon be put to a vote of all members. As the Institution’s first CEO, from 2010 to 2019, I strongly support the change and this is why.
First a bit of history. In 2010 the Institution was near to death. It had a long and proud history but it was losing members and cash. Its members loved it but the rail industry didn’t care – or worse. Its reputation was that of groups of old engineers who met in pubs and complained that ‘things were better in my day’. That might be unfair, but it’s what the industry felt about us.
Our first strategy meeting in July 2010 – at my house because we couldn’t afford to hire a meeting room – set out how we were going to make something of what we had – which was, frankly, very little. We knew that the name, Permanent Way Institution, was a problem. It didn’t ‘do what it said on the tin’. Hardly anyone in the industry used the term Permanent Way any more and it reeked of ‘good old British Rail’. But if we had changed the name at that stage it would have killed the Institution stone dead. First, we had to make the Institution a professional business that mattered to the industry and we set about that task with energy and determination.
Fast forward fifteen years and just look at where the Institution is now. It is unrecognisable from its former self. But it still doesn’t ‘do what it says on the tin’. Those of us who have been in the Institution a long time – I’ve been a member since 1976 – may find the name change uncomfortable. I understand that and sympathise with it. But stand back and analyse the situation as an engineer. The Institution needs to continue to matter to the industry and remain relevant. Modernising its name is vital to enable the Institution we love to be a vital part of the rail industry’s future. I strongly support the change and encourage all members to support it too.”
David Packer, Past CEO, The PWI
