Technology Magazine July 2021 | Page 175

Abellio UK takes measures to upgrade its data analytics , digital tracking methods , and demand for electric transport
ABELLIO UK

Abellio UK takes measures to upgrade its data analytics , digital tracking methods , and demand for electric transport

Each day , Abellio UK delivers rail and bus services to over 1.2 million passengers in Scotland and England — keeping well-worn travel routes running smoothly . The COVID-19 pandemic , however , forced the company to pursue rapid digitalisation . “ There was very much a change in direction ”, Graham Davies , Head of Transformation , said . “ Everything shifted with passengers locked down , commuters not travelling , and nobody going to the office ”.

Davies originally started out in finance . After working in multiple European and international accounting operations , however , he took charge of Abellio ’ s digital transformation , a role Davies sees as an extension of his previous role . “ Finance is always part of transformation ”, he said . “ Finance is always looking at making things better and creating change . For me , it was a natural step of moving away from the month-by-month processing of accounts and moving forward to the long-term business change ”.
Many leaders get caught up in the minutiae of damage control and managing day-to-day operations . Yet Davies has managed several very large , successful strategic initiatives , such as overhauling Abellio Bus ’ entire financial department from budgeting to reporting . What ’ s the secret to success ?
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