Introducing Chris Beldam

At SilverRail, we’re not just about trains and tech- we’re all about our people. We’re a key player in the rail industry, not only leading the way in transforming the way people move but also placing a strong emphasis on the happiness and the growth of our employees. In a field where innovation is paramount, we stand out not just for our advancements but also for our commitments to building a vibrant and inclusive company culture. We are dedicated to empowering and championing our workforce, employees are not merely contributors but integral members of a tight-knit community.

We're delighted to introduce the outstanding individuals that make up the SilverRail team. Each team member contributes unique skills, dedication, and perspectives, playing a crucial role in the overall success of our organisation. This blog is an introduction to Chris, a Technical Lead Engineer at SilverRail.

What do you do at SilverRail?

I'm the Technical Lead Engineer for a team of Front End Engineers. I'm responsible for making the UI of our products as pleasing to interact with as possible. That ranges from making the interface fast and simple to use, to making it accessible for customers who are partially sighted or are unable to use a mouse.

What are you most excited about in your role?

SilverRail allows me to pursue my passion around making User Interfaces accessible to everyone. I'm excited to be able to keep pushing technical innovation and working closely with the Design team to build the best User Interfaces possible.

What’s the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is communication. Getting across technical ideas or problems to non-technical members of the team is often the most important part of the job. If you can't communicate you'll never be able to build a product.

What is your rail background?

I've a long family history with the Railway. My Grandfather worked his way up from platform sweeper to running Kings Cross station and the entire line up to Peterborough back during British Rail. He's even got a portrait in the Nation Railway Museum. My Mum and Uncles were raised playing in Kings Cross and they've passed that love of the Railway on to me. Often when I'm on holiday we're finding Heritage Railways to go and visit.

Thanks to working at SilverRail I am now the third generation of my family to work in the Rail sector!

Where do you see the future of rail?

I think the future of Rail is in part, moving back to what it did historically. With the growth of concern about the environment and the aim to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, the Railways are the answer. Migrating freight, reducing the number of planes in the air and moving people around either for work or for pleasure are all achieved by the Railways.

What is the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

The most interesting job I've ever had was when I worked in retail. The amount of strange customer behaviour and or complaints meant that no day was boring or the same!

Describe what you were like at age 10.

I was a very typical ten year old boy. I spent the majority of my time outside playing football with my friends.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to read. I'm on a one man journey to create my own library. I also spend a lot of time following and supporting Arsenal (for better and for worse!). I like to spend a lot of time with my friends, family and girlfriend.

Do you have any interesting facts about yourself?

I was once mistaken for a member of Jedward by over 100 girls. They were very disappointed once they realised I wasn't who they thought I was. My friends still like to remind me about this even though it was nearly 10 years ago!