Damian Testa

Head of Public Affairs @Southeastern Railway

London, GB

I led Southeastern\'s high-profile public affairs campaign for a groundbreaking new train timetable. Over seven months, I engaged 21 MPs (including ministers), seven councils and two passenger watchdogs through briefings and town hall meetings. I set out the context and benefits of the changes. I navigated complex and competing high-profile political objections, using the engagement to dowse calls for reversal of the timetable. I provided supporting material for the rail minister for a parliamentary debate on Southeastern’s groundbreaking new train timetable.I delivered with Executive Directors, four well-received stakeholder conferences in the past two years and three MP drop-ins, rebuilding trust and reputation in Southeastern, as shown in higher stakeholder satisfaction scores, MP correspondence and direct MP feedback.I manage the production of annual social value reports, demonstrating Southeastern\'s commitment to the environment, reducing emissions, sustainability and social mobility.In August 2023, I initiated a fortnightly political and economic update for directors and senior managers at Southeastern to raise awareness of what is happening more broadly, including political thinking on key issues, and to inform business decision-making.I led public affairs for the biggest rail strikes in 30 years, a radical change to Southeastern’s train timetable in December 2022, and the closing of all its 142 ticket offices.I deliver the public affairs requirements across all business areas at Southeastern

The University of Reading

BA (Hons)

The University of Reading

MA