Join the Future of the Rail Industry
Horizons inspires tomorrow’s rail industry leaders.
With unprecedented investment, growth and change in the rail industry, Horizons prepares leaders like you to step up.
When you join the rail industry’s most successful leadership program you will:
- meet current rail leaders at the top of their game
- enhance your ability to lead yourself and others
- pitch solutions to challenges faced in the rail industry
- be introduced to best-practice rail approaches from around Australia, and
- gain access to exclusive professional development opportunities.
Spread over three forums, you’ll meet, network and party with the future of our industry.
Program structure
Horizons provides a mix of keynote addresses, workshops, panels and interactive discussions from industry leaders on topics important to the rail industry over three forums during the year. Topics covered include:
- Technology and innovation
- Sustainability and decarbonisation
- Transport policy and civic leadership
- Change management
- Safety leadership and human factors
- Crafting your career in rail.
Some examples of presentations and workshops that will upskill your ability include:
- anticipate and plan for the future
- manage your Mental Health and create a safe space for your team (facilitated by Dr Matt O’Connor)
- gain unique insights into your personality including a DISC profile
- more effectively manage change and your time
- communicate effectively and perform presentations with intent.
You’ll also work in project groups to come up with a solution to a current industry challenge, that you’ll pitch to a panel of industry experts and CEOs.
Introducing Horizons West in 2025!
RISSB is excited to be expanding the Horizons program in 2025, with two heavy haul focused forums in Perth. Both Horizons ‘West’ and ‘East’ cohorts will meet up in Sydney at the epic final forum in October.
Program Schedule*
Horizons West
- Forum 1 Mid-February 2025: Perth (2 days)
- Forum 2 Late June 2025: Perth (2 days)
- Forum 3 Late September 2025: Sydney (2 days)
Horizons East
- Forum 1 Mid-April 2025: Melbourne (2 days)
- Forum 2 Mid-June 2025: Brisbane (2 days)
- Forum 3 Late September 2025: Sydney (2 days)
*Program schedule is indicative only and is subject to change.
Who can apply?
Horizons is open to all leaders within the rail industry. It is expected nominees will be highly regarded in their organisation and available to attend all three forums. Find out more in the Horizons 2025 brochure.
Horizons 2024 wrap up and winners
Horizons wrapped up its sixth installment in Sydney in October. The participants presented on the topic Digital Transformation of the Australian Rail Sector. Our panel of judges, including Matt Longland from Sydney Trains, Dennis Lo from the RTAA, Brian Brennan from Transdev and Sudha Niles from RISSB provided feedback and announced the winner. Read more here.
“Horizons highlights included meeting and hearing from the current big guns of the industry, as well as meeting and working with future big guns in our industry!” – 2024 Horizons participant
“I really enjoyed the group work. It helped me hone my teamwork skills and helped me network with others in the rail industry on a tangible project.” – 2024 Horizons participant
“The variety of speakers and topics discussed was outstanding. The food especially was amazing. The networking opportunities and the lifelong connection I’ve made has been great.” – 2024 Horizons participant