A highly experienced rail and transport strategist, Stefan currently serves as the Network Rail Client Relationships Director at Arup. He guided students through his professional path, from his early days at British Rail to his current role as a global rail consultant, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping transport systems worldwide. His career has taken him to over 60 countries, allowing him to merge his professional expertise with his passion for travel and experiencing different cultures.

Throughout his career, Stefan has been instrumental in shaping transport infrastructure, combining his strategic expertise with a deep understanding of the industry's evolving demands.

Stefan also shared how his time at Reading School helped lay the foundations for his success, and it was inspiring to hear how his passion for travel influenced his career decisions. He discussed the challenges and rewards of working internationally and emphasised how pursuing a career rooted in passion makes the journey more fulfilling. He explained how developing deep expertise in a field opens doors to global opportunities and how networking early on can lead to valuable connections that shape future roles.

Stefan encouraged students to embrace travel whenever possible, highlighting how it broadens perspectives and enhances both personal and professional growth.

"This talk really struck a chord with me. I've always been interested in trains, and it was inspiring to hear from an OR who managed to turn his passion into a career. It made me realise that while money is important, there’s huge value in doing something I truly enjoy when considering my future." Year 13 student

"Stefan's journey showed me that there’s no single ‘right’ combination of A-level subjects. While education is important, he highlighted how building a strong network can be just as valuable. You never know who you might work with in the future or what opportunities connections can open up." Year 10 student

A special thank you to Stefan for inspiring our students with his remarkable lecture and invaluable career advice. Not only did he share his journey, which exemplifies how passion, adaptability and a sense of adventure can shape a meaningful career, but he also presented commemorative pin badges to our students during our special 900th anniversary assemblies earlier in the day.

If you're interested in imparting your professional knowledge to our students through a brief talk, workshop, tutorial, or inspire lecture, please reach out to Jas Chhokar or Esther Chong at alumni@reading-school.co.uk.

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