The Senior Person In Charge Of Possession (SPICOP) is an extremely high-level and specialist role, representing the pinnacle of on-site possession management within the rail industry. An SPICOP holds overarching authority and responsibility for managing multiple concurrent possessions, or a single, exceptionally large and complex possession, typically spanning a significant geographical area or involving intricate interfaces.

What is an SPICOP?

An SPICOP is a formally appointed, highly experienced, and exceptionally competent individual who supervises and coordinates multiple Persons In Charge Of Possession (PICOPs) and their respective possessions. They act as the ultimate operational authority and point of contact for large-scale engineering programmes, ensuring seamless integration of multiple work sites and the safe, efficient handover of vast sections of the railway network. They are effectively the 'PICOP of PICOPs', providing strategic oversight and incident command for major projects.

Key Duties and Responsibilities of an SPICOP:

The SPICOP's role demands unparalleled strategic planning, advanced leadership, exceptional decision-making capabilities, and the ability to manage complex logistics across multiple fronts. Their duties typically include:

• Overall Possession Management Oversight: Overseeing the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of multiple, often interdependent, possessions or a single, extremely complex mega-possession.

• Supervision of PICOPs: Providing direct supervision, guidance, and support to multiple PICOPs under their command, ensuring they adhere to safety standards, operational plans, and timely handovers.

• High-Level Liaison: Maintaining direct, high-frequency communication with Network Rail Control (e.g., Route Control Manager, Control Power Manager), project directors, and other senior stakeholders to provide comprehensive updates on the entire programme of works.

• Strategic Incident Command: Leading the response to any major incidents or significant operational challenges that impact the overall programme of possessions, coordinating resource deployment and communication across all affected sites.

• Inter-Possession Coordination: Managing interfaces and potential conflicts between adjacent or overlapping possessions, ensuring that work in one area does not negatively impact safety or progress in another.

• Resource Optimisation: Optimising the deployment of plant, personnel, and materials across multiple possessions to maximise efficiency and productivity for the overall programme.

• Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitoring the performance of all possessions under their control against safety, quality, and time targets.

• Pre-Planning & Contingency: Involvement in the highest levels of pre-planning, including the development of robust contingency plans for potential disruptions.

Where an SPICOP can work within TES:

The SPICOP competency is reserved for the largest, most complex, and strategically important rail infrastructure programmes undertaken by TES. SPICOPs are integral to:

• Major Programme Delivery: Leading the operational management for multi-disciplinary projects that span significant geographical areas or require simultaneous work on numerous sections of track.

• Strategic Operations Management: Forming part of the senior leadership team responsible for the overall operational delivery and efficiency across a portfolio of projects.

• Emergency & Resilience Planning: Contributing their expertise to high-level emergency response and business continuity planning for major disruptions on the network.