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About Signet Solutions

30 Years of Trusted Railway Signalling Training

Signet Solutions is an independent railway signalling training academy based in Derby, UK. Since 1996, we have earned our reputation as the safe pair of hands that the rail industry trusts to develop its signalling workforce.

Our motto, "small but global," captures everything we stand for: the personal attention and specialist focus of a boutique training provider, combined with the reach and credibility to deliver railway signalling training courses to networks around the world.

We are not a faceless training mill. Every course is delivered by experienced industry professionals who have worked on live signalling systems. Every session is built around practical, hands-on development using real equipment. And every delegate, whether they are a new entrant on their first Introduction to Signalling BS1 & 2/ Mod 5 (Test Assistant) course or a senior Mod 1 (Tester in Charge) refreshing their knowledge, receives the same level of care and expertise.

Accrediation & Industry Recognition

Approved and trusted by the railway industry's leading authorities

Delivering compliant, safe, and authoritative signal engineering training that meets rigorous national and international standards (NSAR, IRSE, Sentinel).

Our Story

From One Room in Derby to a
Global Academy

Founded in 1996 by Jonathan Tillin

Since its founding in 1996, Signet Solutions has built an outstanding reputation in the field of Signal Engineering, both within the UK and internationally. Jonathan Tillin, the company’s founder, played a key role in major projects at a strategic level within Testing and Commissioning and was instrumental in developing detailed process documentation for various Railway Administrations. He also chaired the committee responsible for reviewing Testing Licences within the IRSE scheme and was deeply committed to the professional growth and development of industry personnel.

Andy’s Vision Was Simple but Radical

In 2003, Jonathan handed over the role of Managing Director to Andy Knight, entrusting him with leading the company into its next phase of growth. Andy had joined Signet Solutions in June 2001 as Operations Director and has since demonstrated exceptional expertise in delivering tailored training and development programmes across the sector.

Three decades later

Three decades later, that vision has not changed, but the scale has. We have trained thousands of engineers across more than 15 countries. We have adapted our programmes to keep pace with the evolution of signalling technology, from relay-based systems to digital and ETCS. And we have done it all while staying true to the hands-on, practical approach that Jon insisted upon from day one.

Meet the Experts

The People Behind Signet
Solutions

Andy Knight

Managing Director

Andy Knight is widely recognised as one of the UK’s foremost authorities on railway signalling training. With over 40 years of experience in signalling engineering, testing, and education, Andy has led Signet Solutions with a singular goal: to raise the standard in signalling development by making training practical, rigorous, and directly relevant to the work engineers do every day.

Andy remains actively involved in course design and delivery, and his hands-on leadership is a defining feature of the Signet Solutions experience. His reputation within the industry is a significant reason why many of the UK’s largest rail organisations, and an increasing number of international operators, choose Signet Solutions as their training partner.

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Karan Wood

Office Administrator

Admin

Karan Wood
Office Administrator

Karan joined the team in April 2018 as Office Administrator having previous experience as a Data Controller within the Railway Industry.

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Karan deals with all pre-course administration and joining instructions.

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Karan holds the certificate for First Aid at Work and is a Fire-Warden.

Rebecca Jackson

Office Administrator

Admin

Rebecca Jackson
Office Administrator

Rebecca joined the Signet team in November 2021 to assist with course administration.

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Rebecca assists with booking enquiries and training programmes. She also processes all post course administration and the issue of certificates.

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Rebecca is an Emergency First Aider & Fire-Warden.

James Boden

Training Consultant

Consultant

James Boden
Training Consultant

James joined the team in September 2024. James delivers a variety of introductory and maintenance courses in the UK & Ireland. He’s also our resident first aider and mental health first aider.

Trevor Bradbeer

Principle Training Consultant

Consultant

Trevor Bradbeer
Principle Training Consultant

Trevor comes to Signet Solutions with continuous railway service in S & T engineering since 1985, starting as a trainee technician. He has continued to become a trainer/assessor and then completed the IRSE Route to Membership and Chartership. He is experienced in providing training throughout the UK and Norway, Singapore and Hong Kong providing exposure to differing principles, equipment culture, language and terminology. He has experience in both mainline and metro rail systems.

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He has Developed and delivered in-house and external training modules in support of Network Rail project. He has a wide area of experience from a proven rail industry career that covers all disciplines of the Signalling arena. He has experience in other countries providing exposure to differing principles, equipment culture, language and terminology. He has provided training, consultancy and general support in signalling event monitoring projects.

Ian Bridges

Associate Training Consultant

Consultant

Ian Bridges
Associate Training Consultant

Highly experienced Signalling Engineer for over 45 years. Performing roles in the capacity of 'Head of Signalling and Engineering Director amongst others for major Railway Signalling companies within the UK.

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Former President of the IRSE (Institution of Railway Signal Engineers) for the year 2021-22.

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Joining Signet in 2024, Ian now delivers SWT Mod 2 Principles Tester RRI and CBi courses.

John Steatham

Associate Training Consultant

Consultant

John Steatham
Associate Training Consultant

John became part of the Signet Team in March 2013 as an Associate Consultant. His wealth of knowledge and experience in the Industry is a great asset to the portfolio of Signet Solutions' courses. He is a qualified Teacher and has been a Technical Trainer within the Railway Industry for many of years.

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He has delivered and developed a wealth of training courses including Basic Signalling, Electrical Installation, Point Machine courses, SMTH, Cable Jointing, Track Circuitry, Route Relay Interlocking, Correlation, SPWEE, Wrong-side Failure Investigation as well as a range of Signal Works Testing Modules.

Jonathan Geddes-McClure

Associate Training Consultant

Consultant

Jonathan Geddes-McClure
Associate Training Consultant

Jonathan joined Signet Solutions in October 2022 after a 30 year career in the Rail Industry, initially as a Testing & Commissioning Engineer and subsequently as a Signalling & Telecommunications Instructor, Workforce Development Specialist and most recently as a Signalling Designer.

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Jonathan has also supplied consultancy support for Northern Ireland Railways, the RSSB, Cambrian ERTMS Project, Indian Railways and Network Rail's National Infrastructure Reliability program and he has an extensive knowledge of signalling design, installation procedures, testing and commissioning, maintenance and fault rectification techniques and processes.

Paul Ollivant

Associate Training Consultant

Consultant

Paul Ollivant
Associate Training Consultant
Our Training Centre

The Signet Solutions Training Centre, Derby

Our purpose-built training centre in Derby is equipped with working signalling apparatus that replicates live operational conditions. This is not a classroom with a few diagrams on the wall: delegates work with real interlockings, real test equipment, and real documentation throughout their training.

The centre provides a focused, distraction-free learning environment with everything your engineers need to develop genuine practical understanding.

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About Page FAQs

What standards does Signet Solutions train to?

Our training programmes are NSAR-assured and designed in alignment with IRSE professional development standards. We continuously update our course content to reflect changes in industry regulations and best practice.

Who owns Signet Solutions?

Signet Solutions is independently owned and was founded by John Tilling in 1996. It is led today by Andy Knight and operates as a specialist railway signalling training academy. It is not part of a larger corporate group.

Ready to raise the
standard?

Partner withthe training academy the rail industry trusts. Get in touch to discuss yourdevelopment needs today.

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