About us
Our story so far
We have established Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions to deliver clean, decarbonised mobility by developing solutions across the technology stack.
Vanguard is a fast growing spin-out from one of the UK’s leading universities, building on decades of cutting edge research. We work across the mobility and energy sectors to deliver the holistic solutions necessary to provide decarbonised transport systems. We are committed to enabling transport systems to decarbonise rapidly, delivering sustainable solutions and developing the exceptional engineering talent needed to deliver them.
Initially focused on the rail market, Vanguard is driving the decarbonisation of heavy transport through the development of hydrogen and battery solutions comprising both the propulsion system and the long-term supply of hydrogen and charging infrastructure.
Vanguard employs a systems approach focused on demand-led solutions providing clean mobility for people and goods and associated supporting infrastructure.
Our team
Rob Gibson
Chief Executive Officer
Specialist in the management of design, development and manufacture of bespoke engineering solutions for road and rail vehicles. Experience in low volume, high technology manufacturing and service delivery across rail, aerospace, fabrication and automotive sectors.
Alexander Burrows
Chief Strategy Officer
20 years experience in policy, strategy and innovation with the last 12 years focused on rail and public transport. Senior positions held at Alstom, Atkins, Transport Systems Catapult, West Midlands Public Transport Authority. Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport. Most recently Director of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research & Education (University of Birmingham).
Charles Calvert
Chief Engineer
Charles has 7 years engineering experience, including 3 years in the Royal Navy and 4 years in the railway industry. Charles has conducted research into the development of fuel cell powered trains during his time at the University of Birmingham as a PhD researcher and Research Fellow. As part of this research he has held leadership positions in several project teams including the University of Birmingham’s HydroFLEX project team. Charles lives in the centre of Birmingham and enjoys cycling and sailing in his spare time.
Dr Stuart Hillmansen
Chief Technology Officer
Stuart Hillmansen is a Reader in Railway Traction Systems. Dr Hillmansen has published over 100 papers producing fundamental research to support railway industry. He was the academic lead in the project with Porterbrook to develop the UK’s first hydrogen powered train – the HydroFLEX, which has been approved for mainline applications and will be demonstrated at COP26. Dr Hillmansen is also a member of several standards committees and working groups, including, BSI GEL/9/2 ‘Railway Electrotechnical Applications – Rolling Stock’, IEC 63341-1: Railway applications – Rolling stock – Fuel cell systems for propulsion – Part 1: Fuel Cell System, RSSB WG43 SG2 H2 Hydrogen Refuelling Standards.
Ben Aitken
Project Manager
Ben has over 6 years of industry experience overseeing and assisting with all aspects of the design, manufacture and delivery of fully bespoke vehicles for road and rail. In addition to his project management duties, Ben is also responsible for coordinating Vanguard’s ISO9001 certified Quality Management System to ensure the best possible levels of customer satisfaction and pushing for the continual growth and improvement of Vanguard’s operations.
Callum Nicolson
Engineering Intern
Callum is an undergraduate MEng student at the University of Birmingham, completing an industrial placement year with Vanguard. He has experience in rolling stock engineering in mainline and heritage railway contexts. Within Vanguard, he provides engineering support to projects through CAD production, and supports the risk management and approvals processes for hydrogen systems in a rail environment.
Dr Jeff Allan
Technical Director
45 years railway engineering experience in electronic, electrical and software design, testing, approvals, operations and maintenance support. Previously Professional Head of Command, Control, Signalling at the UK Rail Safety & Standards Board and senior engineering roles at London Underground. Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Institute of Railway Signalling Engineers.
Our team
Robert GIBSON
Chief Executive Officer
Specialist in the management of design, development and manufacture of bespoke engineering solutions for road and rail vehicles. Experience in low volume, high technology manufacturing and service delivery across rail, aerospace, fabrication and automotive sectors.
Alexander Burrows
Chief Strategy Officer
20 years experience in policy, strategy and innovation with the last 12 years focused on rail and public transport. Senior positions held at Alstom, Atkins, Transport Systems Catapult, West Midlands Public Transport Authority. Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport. Most recently Director of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research & Education (University of Birmingham).
Charles Calvert
Chief Engineer
Charles has 7 years engineering experience, including 3 years in the Royal Navy and 4 years in the railway industry. Charles has conducted research into the development of fuel cell powered trains during his time at the University of Birmingham as a PhD researcher and Research Fellow. As part of this research he has held leadership positions in several project teams including the University of Birmingham’s HydroFLEX project team. Charles lives in the centre of Birmingham and enjoys cycling and sailing in his spare time.
Dr Stuart Hillmansen
Chief Technology Officer
Stuart Hillmansen is a Reader in Railway Traction Systems. Dr Hillmansen has published over 100 papers producing fundamental research to support railway industry. He was the academic lead in the project with Porterbrook to develop the UK’s first hydrogen powered train – the HydroFLEX, which has been approved for mainline applications and will be demonstrated at COP26. Dr Hillmansen is also a member of several standards committees and working groups, including, BSI GEL/9/2 ‘Railway Electrotechnical Applications – Rolling Stock’, IEC 63341-1: Railway applications – Rolling stock – Fuel cell systems for propulsion – Part 1: Fuel Cell System, RSSB WG43 SG2 H2 Hydrogen Refuelling Standards.
Dr Jeff Allan
Technical Director
45 years railway engineering experience in electronic, electrical and software design, testing, approvals, operations and maintenance support. Previously Professional Head of Command, Control, Signalling at the UK Rail Safety & Standards Board and senior engineering roles at London Underground. Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Institute of Railway Signalling Engineers.
Ben Aitken
Project Manager
Ben has over 6 years of industry experience overseeing and assisting with all aspects of the design, manufacture and delivery of fully bespoke vehicles for road and rail. In addition to his project management duties, Ben is also responsible for coordinating Vanguard’s ISO9001 certified Quality Management System to ensure the best possible levels of customer satisfaction and pushing for the continual growth and improvement of Vanguard’s operations.
Callum Nicolson
Engineering Intern
Callum is an undergraduate MEng student at the University of Birmingham, completing an industrial placement year with Vanguard. He has experience in rolling stock engineering in mainline and heritage railway contexts. Within Vanguard, he provides engineering support to projects through CAD production, and supports the risk management and approvals processes for hydrogen systems in a rail environment.
Vanguard Academy
Vanguard are focused on STEM engagement and experience – to succeed we will need to see more talent joining the industry with the right skills.
Vanguard Academy is currently working with the Severn Valley Railway on the conversion of a Class 08 Shunter to operate on hydrogen.
Our projects will bring talent into engineering by offering experience, knowledge and development opportunities, including part time work, paid internships and work experience placements.
Our focus is currently on university students from 2nd year undergrad upwards. If you’d like to find out more information, please contact rob@vanguardsts.com
