Meet The Team

David Diesbergen
Managing Director
David is Managing Director and founder of D2 Rail. Following a successful project management and engineering career spanning almost three decades, working with some of the UK leading infrastructure names including Network Rail, Carillion, Murphy and Barhale, David decided to form D2 Rail in 2011. The business was created to fill a gap in the marketplace, supporting clients throughout the lifecycle of their construction projects, helping them to achieve their goals of delivering their projects on time and to budget. An innovator by nature, David is always happy to meet challenges head on, using and developing visionary solutions.

David, through investment has grown the business capabilities significantly and has secured preferred partner status with many rail industry clients. At D2 Rail, David has full responsibility for all company operations and directs the business strategy.

When not working, David enjoys getting involved with motorsport and is always happy with a spanner in his hand.

Email: david.diesbergen@d2rail.co.uk

Simon Blair
Planning Director
Simon is a successful Senior Planning Manager with extensive experience that has been gained on a number of complex railway projects both in the UK and Overseas. Simon is a highly motivated and conscientious team player with the ability to communicate at all levels confidently and efficiently. Both proactive and articulate, Simon possesses a high level of attention to detail and professionalism with excellent people management skills.

Simon has proven ability to successfully manage multidisciplinary teams from different organisations and has a detailed knowledge of all railway disciplines and how they interface through design, construction and commissioning as well as an extensive knowledge of construction techniques to assist the production of robust construction strategies, to influence design and reduce installation cost and programme duration.

Simon’s project CV is considerable and includes leading the Planning and Project Controls functions for both the Northern Hub Alliance and Nexus Renewals Framework.

Email: simon.blair@d2rail.co.uk

Sarah Barnes
Programme Information Manager
Sarah is a highly proficient Programme Information Manager, having built up a wealth of experience over the past 10 years within the rail and construction industries. Prior to joining D2 Rail, Sarah worked for WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff for five years, successfully managing a large team of Document Controllers and BIM Specialists.

Sarah has worked in pivotal roles on projects such as Northern Hub, North West Electrification, HS2, East West Rail and Manchester Metrolink. Sarah is an extremely detail oriented person who possesses the ability to multi-task, whilst prioritising work in order to achieve demanding deadlines. She possesses strong leadership skills which, coupled with her communication skills, enable her to focus her ability to create positive relationships with both internal and external teams.

Sarah has developed a vast amount of experience in Information Management including setting up EDMS and Information Control processes and also possesses the skills to liaise with multiple project stakeholders simultaneously including consultants, contractors and client teams.

Email: sarah.barnes@d2rail.co.uk

Steve Cooper
Utilities Manager
Steve is an accomplished utilities professional with an excellent technical, commercial and project management background gained from the utility sector. Steve has had proven success in the management and co-ordination of utility diversions for both public and private sector clients and has over 25 years’ experience working on major infrastructure projects and providing professional services to the construction industry.

Capable of working on own his initiative or as part of a team to achieve the required goals and objectives, Steve is accustomed to working to meet tight deadlines.

An impressive CV includes utilities programmes for Network Rail on the Northern Hub Programme including the Ordsall Chord, Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road Railway Stations, and also the Manchester Airport Railway Station improvements. Steve’s other key projects include the Growth Deal Programme for Transport for Greater Manchester, Ring 3 Light Rail project in Denmark and HS2 Phase 1 Enabling Works Contract North.

Email: steve.cooper@d2rail.co.uk

Andy Pepworth
Capacity Planning Manager
Andy leads our capacity planning and performance analysis work. He is a talented operational planning expert with over 20-years rail experience, having worked on large multi-disciplinary projects in the UK and Overseas. Andy has worked on all sides of the business, operator, infrastructure provider and authority as well as previously running his own small consultancy business, all within the areas of timetabling, modelling, performance and operations.

Andy worked in the area of national timetable planning, which then led him to become a key figure at Network Rail in developing performance modelling for the rail industry. He has worked on major projects such as Northern Hub, Transpennine Route Upgrade and Thameslink in the UK, as well as the Dubai Metro and Tram in the United Arab Emirates. A background ranging from technical modelling and timetabling, through to strategic reviews and project management, means that Andy has sat in most seats in capacity planning.

Andy is experienced in managing multiple projects to tight deadlines, has an eye for detail and is a team player. He is keen on establishing a clear strategy and deliverables, which has been demonstrated on many large and small projects alike.

Email: andy.pepworth@d2rail.co.uk