Chris Binns - an expert in the implementation of multi-disciplinary railway projects
With over 35 years of engineering experience in major, complex railway infrastructure projects, he specialises in engineering management, European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), European Train Control System (ETCS), Communications Based Train Control (CBTC), Automatic Train Operation (ATO), Automatic Train Supervision (ATS), signalling and software systems.
Let's embark on a railway journey to discover more about me
As Chief Engineer (2015-2022) for Crossrail (Elizabeth Line), one of Europe’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects, Chris provided engineering technical leadership through a team of managers and heads of discipline that included rail systems, mechanical, electrical and public health systems, architecture and civil engineering. Through the Technical Assurance Plan, the engineering function assured that the Crossrail project delivered a safe, operable, maintainable and high-performing railway in accordance with the Sponsor’s requirements. The Elizabeth Line opened successfully in May 2022 and is now delivering over 650,000 passenger journeys a day.
Prior to joining Crossrail in July 2015, Chris was Head of Engineering for Network Rail’s Thameslink Programme, delivering technical assurance of the upgrade of the North-South interconnection through London. The £3.5 billion (USD 4.2bn) programme included major station and systems upgrades at London’s Blackfriars, Farringdon and London Bridge stations, delivering longer trains and greater capacity as well as implementation of ETCS and ATO to provide 24 trains per hour capability in the centre of London.
During more than 12 years with Network Rail, he was also responsible for the development, sponsorship, design, and system integration of major signalling renewal and enhancementschemes, and the establishment of an in-house railway signalling design team.
Chris commenced his career with GEC-General Signal (later GEC-Alsthom Signalling). After spending time in the United States with Logica, Chris joined signalling manufacturing and systems engineering supplier Adtranz. Following its acquisition by Bombardier Transportation, he managed the restructuring of the UK signalling division into a worldwide business.
Navigating career tracks, delivering railway projects with precision and expertise
Crossrail Ltd
Chief Engineer for the Crossrail Programme providing Engineering technical leadership through a team of Heads of Disciplines, and Managers of Engineering. As the Crossrail engineering technical authority, Chris provides leadership of the engineering function including Rail Systems, Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health Systems, Architecture and Civil Engineering. The engineering function, through the Technical Assurance Plan, assures that the Crossrail project delivers a Safe, Operable, Maintainable and high-Performing Railway in accordance with the Sponsor’s requirements. The Elizabeth Line opened successfully in May 2022, and is now delivering over 250,000 journeys per day.
Network Rail
Accountable for all technical matters on the Thameslink Programme, including Systems Safety, Engineering Assurance, the establishment and operation of the Integrated Management System (Certificated to ISO9001), Document and Drawing Management, Asset Data Management, Utilities Management and Surveys, Competence Management and formalising Authority to Work for Project Engineering staff, System and Operational Modelling, Reliability Growth, Requirements Capture, Verification and Validation, and Testing and Commissioning. Programme delivering successfully to time and budget, with over forty critical milestones delivered successfully in four years. First phase of Programme (Key Output 1 – 12-Car Operation) delivered successfully, and Safety File closed formally with Network Rail Acceptance Panel in 2013, concluding 169 major stage-works, 67 Statements of Safety Verification, and 53 Consent to Operate certificates.
Network Rail
Accountable for all technical matters on the Thameslink Programme, including Systems Safety, Engineering Assurance, the establishment and operation of the Integrated Management System (Certificated to ISO9001), Document and Drawing Management, Asset Data Management, Utilities Management and Surveys, Competence Management and formalising Authority to Work for Project Engineering staff, System and Operational Modelling, Reliability Growth, Requirements Capture, Verification and Validation, and Testing and Commissioning. Programme delivering successfully to time and budget, with over forty critical milestones delivered successfully in four years. First phase of Programme (Key Output 1 – 12-Car Operation) delivered successfully, and Safety File closed formally with Network Rail Acceptance Panel in 2013, concluding 169 major stage-works, 67 Statements of Safety Verification, and 53 Consent to Operate certificates.
Bombardier Transportation (Signal) UK Ltd
Bombardier acquired Adtranz in May 2001. Worked with Bombardier Transportation worldwide management team to determine how to structure UK Signalling Division into worldwide business, and retain key staff and morale.
Adtranz (Signal) UK Ltd
Formulated and sought agreement for a strategy for growth to expand this £60M turnover company. Restructured Executive Management team, from 11 down to 6 Directors. Implemented strategy for growth, including setting up Sales and Marketing Division, Recruitment team, and Manufacturing efficiency drive. In 6 months, assembly staff utilisation was improved by over 30%
Adtranz (Signal) UK Ltd
Established 30 strong product introduction project team, specialising in safety approval for existing global interlocking product – Ebilock. Safety Case acknowledged by Railtrack’s approval body as ‘Best in Class’. Responsible for Engineering Standards across the whole 480 person UK unit.
Logica
Managed a 30 strong team on requirements gathering and analysis in the emerging Interactive Digital TV market in Chicago, Boston and Meridan, Connecticut. Successfully built a team of 22 software specialists in 6 weeks to service a confidential fixed-price software development working on source code from Microsoft Windows as a secure third-party for Lotus – successfully completed on time and to budget.
GEC-Alsthom Signalling Ltd
Responsible for an Engineering Division of 200 Railway Signalling Engineers. Successfully accredited and implemented Engineering Procedures to comply with BS5750 (ISO9000).
Educational journey - Building tracks of knowledge, each station a milestone
Sheffield University
A Chartered Engineer, Chris holds a 1st class BEng (Hons) in Electronic Engineering (Computing) from the University of Sheffield. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers, a Fellow of the Permanent Way Institution, and a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Joining professional circles, enhancing skills for impactful growth
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Let's work together!
With over 35 years of hands-on involvement in major railway infrastructure projects, Chris Binns brings a wealth of knowledge to every endeavor. Chris would be delighted to assist your project – whether it’s a Feasibility Study, an Independent Review, an Expert Panel or as a Strategic Technical Advisor.
Discover the companies where Chris has worked
