Meet The Team- Les Biggs

Today we would like to introduce you to Les Biggs, a seasoned professional in the rail signalling industry with over four decades of experience. Les' journey began in 1979 with an interest in electronics, completing a course at Canterbury College. As the economic climate suffered Les found his initial TV repair work ended and there were 10 unemployed people for every job! However British Rail saw something in Les and so he started on a career that would leave a lasting mark on the railway sector.

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Les’ career was redirected by the Clapham rail disaster. This tragic incident shook up the industry and allowed Les to contribute his expertise towards improving safety and operational standards. His pivotal role in implementing the Signal Works Testers Handbook was instrumental in enhancing the efficiency and safety of rail signalling systems.

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Throughout his career, Les has been involved in landmark projects, including High Speed 1 (HS1) on the London to Channel Tunnel route. His extensive knowledge and hands-on experience have positioned him as a leader in his field.

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In 1996, Les was part of a dedicated team tasked with monitoring and optimizing rail company practices, ensuring compliance and safety across the network. His commitment and expertise didn't go unnoticed, leading to his advancement into managerial roles including Area Signalling Engineer Kent route from 2002.

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In 2005, Les’ career reached new heights as he assumed the role of Senior Testing & Commissioning Engineer followed by Testing and Commissioning Manager, and then gained an appointment as Programme Engineering Manager in 2016. During this time, Les pursued further academic excellence, sponsored by Network Rail, earning a Bachelor of Engineering 2:1 degree in 2017.

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A European Engineer(Eur Ing), Chartered Engineer (C Eng) and a Fellow of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) including Fellow of the IET & PWI was also realized as well, Les’ expertise is not only recognized but celebrated within the industry. His dedication to advancing signalling technology and ensuring safety standards is a testament to his passion for excellence.

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Despite challenges, including a redundancy in 2022, Les remains deeply committed to the rail industry. He now contributes his wealth of knowledge and experience to MPI one day a week, supporting our team with invaluable insights into signalling testing. We're privileged to have Les as part of our team, where his contributions continue to shape the future of rail safety and innovation.