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A decade of successful planning for the railways D2 Managing Director David Diesbergen reflects on the first 10 years of the business and exciting plans for the future
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t was 10 years ago this year that David Diesbergen founded D2 Rail. He started the business after continuously facing the same challenges of a lack of early engagement and dynamic planning in some parts of the industry. His solution was to create an organisation where realistic and achievable solutions were developed by seasoned experts who could relate to the industry as a whole but specifically in terms of construction and sequencing of works. “With more than 50 experienced staff and an estimated turnover of over £4.75 million this year I think it is fair to say that the business has exceeded my expectations that were set 10 years ago,” he said. “But more than that – despite the growth – we are continuing to fulfil that initial vision around making a difference for our clients in everything we do. Today our business is the result of visionary leadership and a high-quality team that helps clients to execute their vision efficiently and effectively.” A proven track record The business is built on sound multidisciplinary advice and a trusted team of programme management professionals. Just a few of the past projects D2 has been trusted to help deliver are: he Northern Hub, Ordsall Chord – Supporting T Network Rail with option selection at GRIP stage 3 and then providing ongoing support to the Northern Hub Alliance in delivering the multidisciplinary project, which provided rail links across Manchester between Piccadilly and Victoria stations for the first time. osforth Depot development scheme – G providing a working programme for Bam Nuttall to design and develop the depot, incorporating key delivery/decommissioning dates for new/old rolling stock. 3 TWAO – providing planning support to W Network Rail for the delivery of the Transport Works Act Order application covering proposed improvements to the railway between Huddersfield and Westtown. 16 | August 2021
Building on its successful track record, D2’s current key schemes include: ranspennine Route Upgrade West – T supporting the Alliance with planning, project controls, information management, utilities management, operational and TOC/FOC Liaison. E uston Station enabling works – asset change management. etwork Rail – planning and controls N framework. etwork Rail – capacity and timetable N planning framework. David said: “Our focus is always on adding value to any project we are involved in. In the past we’ve actually declined work where we didn’t believe we could add the value that we are accustomed to providing. “Everything we do revolves around collaboration, and so we go to great lengths Advertorial
to integrate ourselves into the client’s team. Supporting a collaborative environment in this way really does ensure the best outcome for everyone.” Success should come as no shock. David’s decision to form D2 came during a hugely successful project management and engineering career spanning almost three decades – working with the likes of Network Rail, Bechtel, GTRM/ Carillion, Murphy and Barhale. Experiencing first-hand some of the frustrations that existed between the different industry functions and stakeholders, David resolved to do something about it. The primary aim of establishing D2 was to fill a gap in the marketplace, supporting clients throughout the lifecycle of their projects, helping them achieve their goals of delivering the projects safely to time and budget. But wrapped around this aim was a desire to put rail users first, by leveraging wider opportunities for the full range of rail stakeholders to realise efficiencies by working together. railbusinessdaily.com