Franchising · Customer · Delivery
Real-world experience of delivering operational change.
Specialist delivery for combined and local authorities preparing for, delivering or reviewing their franchised bus networks.
Specialist delivery for combined and local authorities preparing for, delivering or reviewing their franchised bus networks.
Network for Skills is a network of highly skilled consultants with deep roots in public transport and transformation. Everyone in the network has worked for years in large and small organisations, in all sorts of operational environments and in many countries.
We were founded in 2011 on the belief that simplicity, honesty and collaboration make change happen. Keeping things from being overcomplicated is, in our view, a genius thing to do.
Transport is much more than infrastructure. It is a daily touchpoint in people's lives, and it should work for as many people as possible.
Every engagement is shaped to your context and delivered shoulder to shoulder with your team.
Independent review of franchising progress for combined and local authorities: what is on track, what is at risk and where to act. Decision readiness, and scoping and planning audits that give real assurance.
End-to-end design of customer-facing services across people, process, data and technology. Future-state operating models, cutover, go-live and follow-through.
Defining your customer proposition and 'I can' statements. Journey mapping and service blueprinting. Research, co-design and voice of the customer.
Brand strategy and design for new networks. Audience segmentation and channel planning. Launch and behaviour-change campaigns. Stakeholder engagement.
Retail proposition and policy goals. ETM and AVL options and requirements. Retail, acceptance and revenue protection. Franchise operator obligations.
Design and delivery of customer service and travel information. Integration across every touchpoint. Training, knowledge and performance frameworks.
Change impact assessments and readiness. Operator and team mobilisation. Testing, assurance and transition planning. Continuous improvement.
Helping authorities understand and act on the safety of women and girls in transport: reviewing evidence and legislation, identifying where to act, and assessing what each authority is doing to close the gaps.
Leadership development, coaching and team effectiveness. Building cohesion, accountability and confidence in senior teams, and supporting individuals through change.
We are a delivery partner with subject-matter expertise rooted in the transport industry. We balance ambition with realism: solutions designed to be implemented, not only imagined.
A rare blend of functional capability and subject-matter expertise, with real-world experience of delivering bus franchising in the UK.
Every deliverable contributes to a broader, integrated network, including closer integration with rail.
We do not parachute in and disappear. We work shoulder to shoulder with your team, transferring knowledge as we go.
Clear goals and a direct line of sight from deliverables to the strategic outcomes that matter.
An 'as-is' assessment and outcome-led recommendations before committing to delivery.
From 'I can' statements to journey maps and blueprints, we translate insight into services passengers value.
What began as a single review for West Yorkshire Combined Authority has grown into a long-term delivery partnership. The same team now supports franchising programmes across several combined authorities.
Get in touch to start a conversation about how we can help.
Founder of Network for Skills. Specialises in business change and transformation, turning strategy into deliverable, customer-focused services.
iainsmith@networkforskills.co.uk 07768 53679318+ years in transport. Led the customer workstream for Greater Manchester's bus franchising programme, from design through to live operation.
seandyball@networkforskills.co.uk 07885 907932