The programme is built around a real-world scenario that directly affects operator compliance, driver wellbeing, insurance costs, and the ability to maintain an O' Licence. The morning features a highly interactive public inquiry into a complex bridge-strike accident, based on a real-life incident, involving a traffic commissioner, a barrister, and an O' Licence holder. Delegates will review evidence, question legal and compliance experts, cast verdicts, and explore how decisions are reached by Traffic Commissioners and courts, followed by immersive workshops evaluating learnings from the trial and interactive safety demonstrations involving the latest simulators and safety technology.

Safety Beyond Compliance

19 March 2026

09:00 – 10:00:  Registration, coffee and networking

10:00 – 10:05:  Introduction & Welcome –Ann-Marie Knegt, Events Director, Safety Beyond Compliance / Creative Director, Visie Communications

10:05 – 10:20:  Bridge strikes – what is the impact on the economy, fleets and public transport – Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser, Driving for Better Business, Programme Lead, National Highways

10:20 – 11:20:  Conjoined Public Inquiry and Driver Conduct Hearing following a Bridge Strike 

• Traffic Commissioner: Richard Turfitt, Traffic Commissioner, East of England

Defence Barrister: Laura Thomas, Executive Director – Legal and Compliance, Beverley Bell Consulting & Training

• Transport Manager: Geraint Davies, UK Partnership Director, Road Haulage Association

• Driver: Glen Davies, MD, The Handbook Group

• Clerk: Ann-Marie Knegt, Events Director, Safety Beyond Compliance, Creative Director, Visie Communications

– Introductions from Clerk – Ann-Marie Knegt

– Opening from Traffic Commissioner – Richard Turfitt (introducing the issues and call-up letter)

– Driver Evidence – Glen Davies; questions from Traffic Commissioner; questions for operator from Barrister Laura Thomas

– Operator Evidence – Geraint Davies (including extracts of Senior Traffic Commissioner Letter on Preventing Bridge Strikes)

– Closing submissions – Laura Thomas

– Interactive discussion: Richard Turfitt and Laura Thomas on how the decision-making exercise is executed

11:20 – 11:50:  Break, networking, coffee and exhibition viewing

11:50 – 12:00:  Audience vote on the Traffic Commissioner’s decision

• Richard Turfitt, Traffic Commissioner, East of England

• Laura Thomas, Executive Director – Legal and Compliance, Beverley Bell Consulting & Training

12:00 – 12:15:  Decision by the Traffic Commissioner

• Richard Turfitt, Traffic Commissioner, East of England

• Laura Thomas, Executive Director – Legal and Compliance, Beverley Bell Consulting & Training

• Geraint Davies, UK Partnership Director, Road Haulage Association

• Glen Davies, MD, The Handbook Group

12:15 – 12:45:  Learning outcomes, audience questions and discussion

• Host: Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser, Driving for Better Business, Programme Lead, National Highways

• Richard Turfitt, Traffic Commissioner, East of England

• Laura Thomas, Executive Director – Legal and Compliance, Beverley Bell Consulting & Training

• Geraint Davies, UK Partnership Director, Road Haulage Association

• Glen Davies, MD, Driver Handbook

12:45 – 13:45:  Lunch, networking and exhibition viewing

13:45 – 14:15:  Why People Make Mistakes – A Holistic and Humanistic Approach to Risk Management – Joyce Elisha , Human Factors Consultant, Anker & Marsh

• Discover why people make mistakes

• Find out why telling them not to is a waste of air

• Learn how to facilitate a reduced likelihood of mistakes

Session kindly sponsored by Hillend Engineering

14:15 – 14:45:  Internal Incident Investigation – What Really Went Wrong and How It Can Help You Achieve a Culture of Change – Laura Thomas, Executive Director – Legal and Compliance, Beverley Bell Consulting & Training

• Gain practical guidance on establishing a comprehensive scope for your internal investigations.
• Understand how a three-stage process can provide a structured approach to investigations.
• Learn how evidence-based reporting leads to enhanced investigation findings.

14:45 – 15:15:  Exhibitor networking session and coffee

15:15 – 15:45:  Going Beyond Compliance – Raising Standards in Our Industry – Phil Breen, Earned Recognition National Account Manager, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

• Hear from the regulator to understand what you need to do to stay safe

• Learn how the DVSA is tackling non-compliance

• Gain support and guidance to stay safe on our roads

• Discover how your operation can stay safe through clear advice and trusted guidance

Session kindly sponsored by Brigade Electronics

15:45 – 16:00:  Reflection session – key takeaways and close of conference – Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser, Driving for Better Business, Programme Lead, National Highways

Speakers at Safety Beyond Compliance

Anne-Marie Penny, Senior Road Safety Policy Adviser and Driving for Better Business Programme Lead, National Highways

Anne-Marie survived a life-threatening motorbike crash in 1995, fuelling her passion for road safety. After 14 years in the private sector, she joined Kent County Council in 2003, where she led motorcycle safety and the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership. A trustee for the Association for Road Risk Management, she has won multiple Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards and now leads National Highways’ Driving for Better Business programme, helping organisations better manage work-related road risk.

Richard Turfitt, Traffic Commissioner for the East of England and Traffic Commissioner for Scotland

Richard Turfitt joined the Health and Safety Executive in 1999 and helped establish its Litigation and Enforcement Advisory team. Richard helped to found the Health and Safety Lawyers' Association and is a serving Justice of the Peace.

Richard Turfitt was appointed Traffic Commissioner for the East of England in May 2008. Richard was appointed Senior Traffic Commissioner in June 2017.

Richard left independent practice in 1997 to prosecute on behalf of the Social Security and Health Departments.

 In 1998, he moved to the Treasury Solicitor's Department to undertake personal injury litigation. He was also responsible for managing the Prison Service's representation at inquests throughout England and Wales.

Geraint Davies, UK Director of Partnerships, Road Haulage Association

Formerly, Geraint led FORS with a strong commitment to road safety and sustainability. Geraint builds on this nin his new role at the RHA, enhancing the members' experience and value, and spearheading new business development initiatives. In turn, his role at the RHA in his new role at the RHA, enhancing which in turn enhances the members' experience and value and spearheadshis role with the RHA, his role builds on this, enhancing the members' experience and value and spearheading new business development initiatives. A collaborative approach is essential for executing projects that improve safety, fleet management, and operational efficiency. As a former Board Member at CLOCS, he advocates for safer road transport systems. His expertise in vehicles and operational management empowers his team to set benchmarks and contribute to safer, greener road transport operations across various sectors.

The most valuable tool in Geraint's leadership toolbox is effective communication. This skill has proven crucial in his role at the RHA and in his previous positions as FORS Director and Chief Operating Officer at John Raymond Transport Limited, especially when dealing with commercial matters at a technical level. Effective communication has also been key in selling concepts and ideas to the team, engaging everyone at all levels, and taking them on the journey together

Laura Thomas, Executive Director – Legal and Compliance, Beverly Bell

As Executive Director – Legal and Compliance, Laura focuses on solving our clients' legal, risk, compliance, health and safety and regulatory issues. 

The 'barrister with a difference', Laura, has spanned the independent Bar, as a Partner in a leading law firm, and industry, where she has held Executive and Non-Executive roles in construction, oil and gas, and transport.

Laura was engaged as Deputy Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain in two defined periods between 2017 and 2025, and has also worked for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), giving her a unique regulator's perspective on compliance.

Glen Davies, MD, Diver Handbook Group

Glen has spent his entire career in logistics and transport and, with over 40 years’ hands-on experience, is regarded as one of the industry’s go-to specialists. He is Managing Director of The Handbook Group, a digital tool that transforms how organisations communicate, engage, and connect with diverse, geographically dispersed staff. Glen is also Technical Advisor to FORS, editor of the RHA Operator Handbook, and chair of the CILT(UK) Transport & Logistics Safety Forum. Previously at Transport for London, he led freight safety and environmental initiatives and played a key role in taking FORS from concept to nationwide rollout. He is widely known for turning complex rules into practical tools.

Dr Joyce Elisha, Ph.D., MSc., BSc., Dip.CogHyp., NLP Prac, Human Factors Consultant, Anker & Marsh

Joyce began a 30-year career in Human Factors at the University of Birmingham

before working across numerous industries, including nuclear, aggregates, shipbuilding, shipping, power, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and data centers. Over her career she has specialised in ergonomic substantiation, human-factors training, human reliability assessment, safety culture assessment and improvement,

leadership training and incident investigation. Most recently, Joyce qualified to become a therapist to better understand and support people with the impact of mental health on their lives inside and outside of work.

Phil Breen, Earned Recognition National Account Manager, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Phil Breen has worked for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for over twenty years, across testing and enforcement. As a former Traffic Examiner, he advanced into leading bus compliance and now oversees the Earned Recognition scheme. This flagship programme allows DVSA to focus resources on seriously non‑compliant operators, improving road safety while offering members cost savings and commercial advantages. Audit standards define compliance for operators and modules for bodies such as TfL, HS2, and PSV Private Hire. Phil develops the scheme, engages members, promotes new technologies, and guides operators through the Road to Earned Recognition from day one.

Safety Beyond Compliance is tailored for senior Fleet and Operational Managers in both the public and private sectors who oversee complex, high-risk fleet operations. These leaders have substantial legal, moral, and organisational responsibilities, from ensuring the safety of their employees to protecting the public during every journey.

Fleet managers face a multitude of pressures, including ensuring that vehicles and drivers comply with O’Licence requirements, maintaining operational efficiency, and implementing robust safety standards to genuinely reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities. 

Their duty of care goes far beyond merely following compliance checklists; it involves proactive risk management, supporting driver well-being, maintaining effective maintenance programmes, overseeing contractors, and fostering a culture where safe decisions are consistently prioritised.

The exhibitors present a diverse selection of specialised suppliers and manufacturers in the fleet and plant sectors, with a focus on safety. This includes a variety of light and heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers, plant equipment and machinery providers, safety systems and telematics companies, fleet management specialists, and producers of safety devices. 

Sponsors

Sponsors get:

Table-top stand in a premium position at the exhibition

Afternoon session sponsorship

One-page article (650 words with high-res images (1MB/300dpi) and one page ad in the event showguide 

Logo and 100-word company description in a prominent section of the website

Social media post highlighting your company as a sponsor on the LinkedIn page

Exhibitors

Exhibitors get:

Table-top stand at the exhibition

Logo and 100-word description on the website

Social media post highlighting your company as an exhibitor on the LinkedIn page

Please contact, Jason Pidgeon, Business Development Director, Visie Communications, at jason.pidgeon@visiecommunications.co.uk, or call him on 07734 678510, to book your sponsorship or exhibition package.

Partners of Safety Beyond Compliance

Organiser: Visie Communications

Visie means Vision in Dutch. Visie Communications is a forward-thinking, dynamic event, communications, and publishing agency that focuses on the B2B sector. Visie launched FVI –THE SHOW, now in its fourth year, organised the OWL Road Shows for five years, and is now launching Safety Beyond Compliance, and the Vehicle Procurement Forum We specialise in delivering high-quality, targeted conferences, exhibitions, and roundtables, as well as copywriting, public relations, and social media strategy, content, media liaisons, and business consultancy. 

Find out more here:

www.fleetvisionintl.com

www.fleetvision.show/

Fleet Vision International

Fleet Vision International is the international digital magazine

aimed at fleet, transport, operational and workshop depot directors/managers dealing with sophisticated commercial fleets and frontline services. Our readers work in local authorities, contracting organisations, emergency services, construction companies, utilities, airports, and transport operations.

Published by Visie Communications, FVI is edited by Ann-Marie Knegt, MICJ, who has more than 20 years of experience covering the local authority fleet and emergency services sector. Commercial Director Jason Pidgeon has worked for 15 years in the local authority transport industry. Together, they bring you a fresh perspective on all the issues that

matter.

Our mission is to create a knowledge exchange platform for the public sector, private fleets, major international cities, Government, and transport authorities.

Find out more here:

www.fleetvisionintl.com

Driving for Better Business

Driving for Better Business is a free programme delivered by National Highways since 2017 to help employers in both the private and public sectors reduce work-related road risk, control the associated costs, increase compliance with current legislation, and enhance the safety and well-being of staff. DfBB's tools and resources help organisations evaluate practices, strengthen culture to improve performance, and demonstrate leadership in managing work-related road risk. Organisations in the DfBB community have shown that good management practice can not only deliver a significant reduction in collisions but also deliver many business benefits, making organisations more efficient and better performing.

Find out more: www.drivingforbetterbusiness.com

Together for Safer Roads

Together for Safer Roads (TSR) is a leading international NGO focused on building cross-sector partnerships to enhance fleet trucking safety. TSR leverages the technology, data, and expertise of the private sector to develop innovative programmes that prevent traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities worldwide. TSR members include some of the largest and most influential fleets worldwide, as well as best-in-class road safety technology businesses – companies driven to save lives.

Find out more here:

www.togetherforsaferroads.org

Beverly Bell Consulting &Training

Beverley Bell Consulting & Training supports clients with compliance, governance, risk, health and safety and regulatory advice and training. Founded by Beverley Bell CBE, former Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain, and rooted in the commercial vehicle industry, we now support clients across all industries to be deliver better compliance.

Find out more here: 

https://training.beverleybell.co.uk/

The Handbook Group

 The Handbook Group is a digital communications solution designed to support the transport and logistics sector in moving beyond minimum, tick-box compliance by embedding clear, consistent, and auditable safety communication into day-to-day operations.

 Our solution replaces paper-based handbooks and fragmented communication with a cloud-based content management platform and an intuitive mobile app, enabling organisations to deliver up-to-date policies, procedures, risk assessments, toolbox talks, and declarations directly to frontline staff wherever they are working.

 By combining structured content management with simple, accessible mobile delivery, The Handbook Group ensures information is not only issued but understood, acknowledged, and embedded. Clear audit trails, real-time visibility, and evidence of engagement help operators demonstrate not just that requirements have been met, but that people are informed, involved, and accountable.

 In an environment where digital compliance is now the baseline, our approach supports continuous improvement and stronger safety cultures. The Handbook Group enables consistent communication, reduces administrative burden, improves operational control, and strengthens organisational resilience. We partner with organisations across the UK to simplify complexity, enhance safety outcomes, and unlock the full value of safety beyond compliance.

Find out more here: 

https://thehandbookgroup.com/

The Road Haulage Association (RHA)

 The RHA is the UK’s largest dedicated trade association representing HGV, coach and van operators.

We provide a strong, authoritative voice for our members, working with government, policymakers and local authorities across the UK on the issues that matter most to the road transport sector. Our campaigning priorities span legislative reform, rising fuel costs, improved roadside facilities, and the transition to a net zero transport system.

Our 8,500 members benefit from access to expert technical and professional services, helping them comply with industry regulations and run their businesses efficiently. 

We also deliver a wide range of accredited training programmes to support workforce development and operational excellence.

While the majority of our members are small and medium-sized enterprises, we also represent larger operators across the sector. Proudly supporting hauliers since 1945, our membership now also includes coach and van operators.

We champion the highest standards across the industry and work to be the trusted, go-to organisation for driving business on the UK’s roads. 

Headquartered in Peterborough, the RHA also has offices in Bradford and Bathgate, Scotland.

Find out more here: https://www.rha.uk.net/

Hotels nearby – Northampton Saints

Delta Marriott Northampton

Just 4 miles from Northampton Saints, Delta Hotels by Marriott Northampton has fully refurbished bedrooms with plush bedding, spacious work area and the hotel also offers a well-equipped gym and expertly crafted British cuisine at the signature restaurant. Complimentary car parking and complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel.

120 Bedrooms

a 

Nicola Cartwright

Senior Sales Manager 

Nicola.Cartwright@deltahotels.com

Eagle Dr, Northampton NN4 7HW (12 Minute Car Journey – To and from Northampton Saints)

There is a 10% discount corporate rate for Northampton Saints visitors by clicking below to book (or by using the code E1588 ) _

Book your corporate rate for Northampton Saints Safety Beyond Compliance. 

Discount subject to availability.

Sedgebrook Hall

Just 6 miles from Northampton Saints, Sedgebrook Hall has fully refurbished bedrooms, set in 13 acres of picturesque gardens. Complimentary car parking and WiFi throughout the hotel. 

103 Bedrooms

Elizabeth Harwood

Business Development Manager

elizabeth.harwood@thevenuescollection.co.uk

Pitsford Road, Chapel Brampton, Northampton, NN6 8BD (16 Minute Car Journey – To and from Northampton Saints)

There is a 15% discount corporate rate for Northampton Saints visitors by clicking below to book (or by using the code SEDNSFBB ) _

Book your corporate rate for Northampton Saints/ Safety Beyond Compliance.

Discount subject to availability.

How to get there:

cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens – the home of Northampton Saints – is located in the St James district of Northampton, approximately one mile from the town centre.

Address:

cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens

Weedon Road

Northampton 

Northamptonshire

NN5 5BG

For directions and car parking, follow Car Park B&C, follow this link to find out where to go.

Download the Call-Up Letter from the Traffic Commissioner here.

Download the Case Summary here.

Download the STC Letter on Bridge Strikes 2024 here.