It is with great pride and admiration that I nominate Lara for the prestigious title of Apprentice of the Year. Lara's journey throughout her apprenticeship has been nothing short of inspirational, marked by unwavering dedication, resilience, and remarkable growth. From the outset, Lara exhibited a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to learn that set her apart. Despite initial challenges, her determination never wavered. Over time, we have witnessed her confidence blossom, her skills sharpen, and her passion for her chosen field ignite. Lara's commitment to excellence has been evident in every aspect of her apprenticeship. She has approached each task with diligence and enthusiasm, consistently exceeding expectations and delivering results that speak volumes about her talent and dedication. What truly sets Lara apart, however, is her ability to go above and beyond the call of duty. Not content with simply meeting the requirements of her apprenticeship, Lara has sought out opportunities for growth and development at every turn. She has actively sought feedback, embraced constructive criticism, and utilized every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. As a result, Lara has not only surpassed the expectations of her apprenticeship but has done so with distinction. Her contributions have been invaluable to our team, and her positive attitude and infectious enthusiasm have left an indelible mark on all who have had the pleasure of working with her. In nominating Lara for Apprentice of the Year, I have every confidence that she will continue to excel and inspire others with her passion, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence. She is a shining example of the incredible potential that lies within our apprenticeship program, and I am honored to have played a part in her journey.

Matt Greenwood is one of my Contract managers who does alot for a local childrens charity. His daughter required heart surgery when she was young and Matt and his family have done regular fundraising for the Childrens heart surgery fund. Matt every year in January entertains us all by getting into a bin full of ice cold water with various family, friends and colleagues to raise funds for the local hospital. Matt for 2024 has raised over £11,000 for the Childrens Heart Surgery Fund.

Michael works tirelessly to organise an Easter egg collection every year for the children at the local hospital. this year over 600 were collected and delivered. He also organises a food bank collection at Christmas, this has proved to be such a huge success every year, with more and more being collected. This has been fantastic for local food banks, he was able to distribute to 3 this year as there was so much collected, one of which might have to have closed because the donations were wearing thin until Michael delivered a huge donation to them. He does all of this off of his own back and initiative. Greater Anglia has been very supportive of this venture but Michael is the driving force behind it, without him it wouldn't happen. I feel very privileged to help Michael in this every year and thoroughly enjoy the reception we get when delivering the food or eggs. I would love Michael to receive recognition for this and all his efforts.

The reason why I’m nominating Tracey is, as I appreciate all the efort that she is putting in all charity work. I support her completely. Well done Tracey!

In the early hours of 21st March 2024, Security officer Humaas Shakeel was conducting his routine patrols at Manchester Victoria station, as part of these patrols that occur through the night Humaas is tasked to search the station whilst ensuring anyone passing through the station is given the highest standard of customer service and given any information they require to assist them. During the early hours whilst Humaas was patrolling and searching the station he became aware of a female with a pushchair sat down on the benches within the station, concerned for her welfare and given it was at this point the early hours of the morning Humaas reached out to gauge if she was ok and how he could best support. The female confirmed she was homeless and had no where to stay for the night, Humaas noticed two young children with the female and was immidiately concerned for all of their safety and made the decision to allow the young family to remain in the station, warm and safe where he could monitor them throughout the night. With Humaas attempting to make contact with Police he then made the selfless decision to order the family some warm food to keep them going until the morning with Humaas accepting a delivery and taking the family three large meals much to the happiness of the children’s mother who couldn’t thank Humaas enough for his generosity and kind gesture. Humaas not only monitored the family whilst present but went above and beyond expectations showing empathy, understanding and ultimately doing the right thing in putting others first at their time of need. Having watched back the footage of the interaction we was amazed and proud to see one of our officers displaying such traits and showing the softer side of a role which can often be extremely challenging and dangerous. A selfless act from fantastic individual who genuinely cares for others around him.

Our team Ahmed Nunow, Alfred Opoku, Michelle Cummings-Hutchinson, Aimee Yates , Chenelle Phillips, Olayinka Olaleye, Rhianna Harrison-Yates, Joana Amoh, Ombretta Edie, and Mourad Abada was honoured to be part of the historic moment as Arriva Rail London ran their first trial for Overground service to run into London Bridge. The energy from our passengers was great as they were able to experience ARL’s service into this iconic station. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that our team put in to make this moment special for all involved. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do - to provide a seamless and reliable service for our Client and a journey passengers will always remember. The team have worked previously together including events, ensuring passengers receive a world-class service, and they take pride in always delivering. When the Team work together they regularly receive great feedback from passengers and colleagues for the support they give. The team have been identified for several awards which include Superstar awards within Carlisle. Well done to the Team and keep up the great work!

I would like to nominate Lorraine for Customer Service Person of the year because she is awesome, I had the pleasure of working with Lorraine when I worked at Harlow Town, this woman is a force to be reckoned with she is always there trying to help people out, always trying to make peoples journey's more pleasurable with her excellent customer service skills, nothing is too much, she'll be there during disruption helping people and even if its just a nod she makes you feel like she cares (which she does) she is a credit to the company always happy to help with a smile

Ontrak Recruitment & Training is an exceptional organisation, who demonstrate outstanding dedication to providing top-notch customer service in the railway industry. Their commitment to excellence, professionalism and innovation sets them apart from their competitors in the field. One of the primary reasons Ontrak Recruitment & Training deserves to be nominated for the Customer Service Team Award is their unwavering dedication to their clients and candidates. They consistently go above and beyond in their organization, planning, teamwork and management in various projects and events, to ensure the safety of the passengers and candidates are met through their daily travel plans. Ontrak take part in a crucial role when dealing with passenger accessibility. We cover over 35 locations and stations where our staff provide efficient and effective ramp and welfare assistance to the passengers on a 24-hour basis. Ontrak ensure that the passengers receive personalised attention and support they need, to maintain a smooth travel experience throughout their day, and work closely with the clients to explore new ways to enhance the customer service experience and improve the services they offer. By prioritizing a customer-centric philosophy, implementing effective strategies, investing in employee training, actively seeking and acting upon customer feedback, and understanding the broader impact of exceptional service, Ontrak has set the standard for customer service excellence in the recruitment and railway industry. As the company continues to evolve and grow, their commitment to exceptional customer service will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of their success.

I would love to nominate Chirag Patel (Route Facilities Manager), Paul Chappell (Shift Station Supervisor), Alex Kerr (Shift Station Manager) and Nick Jones (Station Control Assistant) for saving the life of their colleague, Abrar Ahmed (Station Control Assistant), who suffered a heart attack while they were working on shift together at St Pancras International station on 15 November 2023. Chirag, Paul, Alex and Nick – demonstrated a remarkable amount of courage, strength and professionalism through their actions that day, which in turn, saved Abrar’s life. They are the definition of heroes and I hope through the award nomination below – they are given the recognition they truly deserve for their bravery. While on shift, Abrar reported feeling severe chest pains and advised his fellow control room colleague - Nick, of this. Nick swiftly called an ambulance and made the on-duty Shift Station Manager, Alex, aware of this. The team arranged for Abrar to be transferred to the first aid room to look after him further where they had a defibrillator on standby and waited for the ambulance to arrive. The team escalated the call when they noticed that Abrar's symptoms had started to worsen. A motorcycle paramedic attended following their call and diagnosed Abrar's symptoms as a heart attack. Shortly after, Abrar went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated by the paramedic with help from his colleagues, Paul and Chirag. Abrar was then taken to hospital under blue lights, accompanied by Chirag, with Alex needing to inform Abrar’s family of this news – no call any colleague should have to make. Thankfully, later in the evening, following emergency heart surgery, the team received the news that they had all been praying to hear. Abrar was stable, awake, and resting in hospital. Chirag stayed by Abrar’s side at hospital until midnight, comforting his family when they arrived through the most terrible time – and even drove Abrar’s car home from work so that it was one less thing his family needed to worry about. Chriag continued to visit Abrar even once he was discharged from hospital, to ensure that his recovery was going well. Abrar has since made a full recovery which the team are thrilled about, and he had this to say about his colleagues who saved his life: “My life was saved by the great team work and quick action of my colleagues. I am very grateful to my colleagues and owe my life to them. I was told by the doctors that I had only a 6% chance to survive if my colleagues had not done what they did on that day. For me and my family, my colleagues truly are my heroes.”

Peter has shown exceptional leadership skills and dedication to ensuring the success of Barking Riverside Overground Station. Peter was involved in the opening of the station and has had many achievements while working at the Station including receiving 100% for the SIS scores, His commitment to providing excellent customer service and ensuring the station runs smoothly is truly commendable. He is a valuable asset to the team and deserves to be recognized for his hard work and dedication. Well done Peter.

Tyreece is an ambassador. He stands out and he has so much potential in the railway.

Vanessa Wragg, project manager at Network Rail and co-chair of Inspire, Network Rail’s gender equality employee network Vanessa consistently uses her platform to showcase the rail industry's spectrum, while promoting, developing and inspiring individuals across the rail sector - particularly through her work on gender equity in the industry. Her involvement in the planning for future stages of the East Coast Digital Programme – a landmark scheme set to introduce in-cab digital signalling on the southern part of the East Coast Main Line - underscores her commitment to innovation and creating a more integrated and robust network. Specifically, Vanessa leads Britain’s first dedicated European Train Control System (ETCS) technical support team; a pivotal role in advancing ETCS operations. Her exceptional leadership focusses on the immediate operational enhancements as well as fostering collaboration across the industry. Vanessa's emphasis on collaboration is shaping Network Rail’s Eastern region’s approach to ETCS management and she is instrumental in influencing the trajectory of the railway's future. For diagnosis in the ETCS world to be successful, Network Rail, train operators and others must work together. Vanessa is forging those connections and proving it’s not a blame game. Vanessa is also a co-chair for Inspire, Network Rail's gender equality employee network and the biggest employee network at the company with more than 2,200 members. In this role, she tackles issues associated with gender equality, while challenging senior leaders to make informed decisions and hosting impactful events. Recent discussion topics have included pornography in the workplace, sexual harassment, female-fit PPE and period dignity. In fact, she was instrumental in Inspire’s work with the equity, diversity and inclusion team to roll out female-fit PPE and period products across the company. And her proactive engagement with executive leaders showcases her commitment to making the industry a great place to work for everyone. Vanessa's accomplishments include organising and hosting Inspire’s 10th anniversary conference, which was attended by 130 people and had the participation of senior leaders including Network Rail’s chief executive. It attracted press coverage by Modern Railways and New Civil Engineer - which ran an article written by Vanessa with her byline - and was promoted on Network Rail's national social accounts, notably LinkedIn, which has more than 290,000 followers. Feedback from delegates: “You created a wonderful, safe space where attendees felt they were able to be there full selves and share some personal experiences.” “Renewed encouragement to continue.” “Renewed sense of purpose and confidence, solidarity with female colleagues and allies, sense of being heard and having my viewpoints respected and potentially used to shape change.” Vanessa appeared in and co-produced a new Inspire film - premiered at the conference, to spread the word of Inspire, highlight its achievements and encourage more people to join, including non-Network Rail employees. It's part of her work to encourage greater collaboration across rail, engineering and infrastructure to achieve gender equity together. Watch the film (Vanessa appears in PPE at 0:19 seconds in): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AybBRHu1... Michelle Handforth, former managing director of Network Rail’s Wales and

Ontrak Recruitment was founded in 2007 with a vision to revolutionise the recruitment process. They have since been providing top-quality recruitment services to a wide range of train operators and their stations. Their team of experienced recruiters and consultants work tirelessly to match the right candidates with the right employers, ensuring a perfect fit for both parties and meeting strict deadlines. One of the key factors that set Ontrak Recruitment & Training apart from other recruitment agencies is their unique approach to delivering high standard training to the candidates recruited. They understand that every client and role is different and therefore, they tailor their service to meet the specific needs of each department. This personalised approach has helped them build strong relationships with both candidates and clients, resulting in a high success rate in fulfilling vacancies to given deadlines. Ontrak Recruitment have built a reputation for understanding the needs and requirements of their clients. The company takes time to understand the culture and values of its clients, ensuring a better fit for both the company and the candidate. This has led to long-term partnerships with clients, who trust Ontrak to find the best talent for the organization. At Ontrak, excellence is not just a word, it is a way of life. They are committed to providing the highest quality services to their clients, and this is evident in their candidate retainment and permanent placements within the railway sector. They have successfully placed thousands of candidates in various locations including Southern, Southeastern, East Midlands, Southwestern and Greater Anglia stations. Ontrak provides compliance managers to multiple stations checking in on candidates’ performance, completing knowledge assessments and dealing with any concerns where needed. This has ensured that the standards and criteria for each role are consistently met and always maintained. Ontrak is always looking for ways to improve and innovate its services. They understand that the recruitment industry is constantly evolving, and they strive to stay ahead of the curve. Their use of cutting-edge technology and innovative strategies has helped them streamline the recruitment and management process for both clients and candidates. In conclusion, Ontrak has demonstrated exceptional achievements and excellence in the strategic management of railway recruitment, client expectations and candidate welfare through innovative and effective practices. By prioritizing recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, employee engagement and retention, diversity, inclusion and successful planning, Ontrak has been able to build a strong and dedicated team that is committed to achieving the company’s mission.

Blue Collar North at Coyles works tirelessly to ensure they provide 24/7 cover giving 100% to everything they do A team who have worked together for several years all holding rail qualifications from pts through to engineering supervisor. They nurture blue hats providing a pathway to the industry and the specialisations available to them. A team who care for each other the company they work and the industry as standard.

Carolyn has worked in Capacity Planning since 2019 and was initially tasked with working on a level 3 paper for our more experienced operational planners. Carolyn took this one step further and worked with the Chartered Institute of Rail Operators - together all of her teams assessment and competence papers and endorsed learning and training programmes gave the Ops planners at Network Rail a professional qualification in Timetable planning. This has been key in the development and recognition of the planning community and professionalised a service which can often be over looked but is key to the efficient running of the railway.

Being an Ambassador for a specific cause or activity demonstrates your passion and commitment to achieving success by sharing your knowledge, broadening your horizons, utilising the best of resources and by going above and beyond to achieve the collective goals. When I see ‘Rail Ambassador of the Year’ the standout name that comes to mind as a nominee is Alan McDonald who has dedicated and invested his time to rail and engineering. In the last 12 months alone, I have seen Alan take his career to a new level by seeking ways in which he can best utilise his knowledge and network to better our Rail Industry. This has not only been in terms of seeking better practices or tools to deliver his projects but also by strengthening the foundations of the personnel in our industry. Alan has been extremely successful in organising the delivery of Subject Matter Expert (SME) training to newcomers, apprentices, electricians, managers and senior engineers in Rail. He has successfully delivered training courses such as, Railway Low Voltage Systems Design Appreciation, Railway Signalling Power Design Appreciation, Railway Electric Point Heating Design, Electric Vehicle Charging Point Design Appreciation and Arc Flash Hazard: The Fundamentals of Electrical Safety for Buildings & Infrastructure by collaborating with industry experts and professional institutions. Alan has also extended his reach to seek professionals and experts working in other parts of the world from other rail industries or other engineering industries to join him in applying the best practices in which he can offer more optimum and innovative solutions in his design delivery. A recent initiative Alan has been involved with is cyber security and data protection, seeking ways to prioritize the security of our data and that of our clients, which is ever so important as we move ever closer to a more digital world. Alan has gained recognition for how he has developed his business in 2024 and has also been successful in obtaining railway industry verification for his quality. Alan is truly working around the clock to offer his support to the UK rail industry and has also been sharing the best practices we carry out in the UK in Rail to those in other parts of the world such as Ireland, Spain and Poland, with a view to learning from them too. Alan is very deserving of this award as he continues on his journey to grow as an Ambassador to rail in the UK and engineering. As a former colleague of Alan and collaborative partner between my company ASAVRAIL and GemENG, it would be rewarding to see Alan win this prestigious Railstaff Award. I wish him all the best in his journey of success.

Mohammed has supported me through my CRE mentorship. He is always able to talk things through and help me with my project on HS2

Demonstrating exceptional stakeholder engagement, innovative thinking and inspirational leadership to overcome unprecedented challenges, Alana Davoren enabled the safe delivery of Barking Riverside Overground rail extension and station opening five months earlier than scheduled. Collaborating with multiple stakeholders to establish priorities, and secure buy-in, Alana instigated a new programme, taking full accountability for reporting project progress, trialled eviFile, an innovative tracking and real-time reporting tool and created a new commissioning readiness procedure. Leading a diverse team comprising 60 different ethnic backgrounds, Alana facilitated an environment that empowered everyone to have a voice, establishing a one-team approach and common sense of purpose. Demonstrating exceptional stakeholder engagement, innovative thinking and inspirational leadership to overcome unprecedented challenges posed by Covid, Alana Davoren enabled the safe delivery of Barking Riverside Overground rail extension and station opening five months earlier than scheduled. Originally due to open in December 2021, a planned single five-day possession over Easter 2020 to undertake signalling works had to be cancelled by Network Rail (NR) due to the pandemic. With Transport for London (TfL) setting a revised opening for December 2022 and the opportunity for another single possession unlikely for four years Alana, Alstom's Lead Project Manager, devised and managed a staged delivery strategy to carry out the critical signalling works over 16 weekends. Recognising effective and efficient communication was key to the project's success, Alana instigated a new programme, taking full accountability and responsibility for collating and reporting project progress. Tracking critical activities and challenges, Alana's seamless ability to identify and resolve key project issues and use lessons learnt formed the foundation for continuous improvement and swift programme recovery. This enabled TfL to open the line extension and terminus station in July 2022, five months ahead of schedule. "Alana is an extremely accomplished and passionate Project Manager, always going the extra mile, her passion is infectious. A people person, she encourages her project delivery team to strive for continuous improvement to achieve the best outcomes. Alana saw every commissioning as a learning opportunity not just to grow her own experience, but that of her team and the business. Always going over and above, Alana leads by example and has exceptional communication skills and a special talent for building relationships; within her team and with clients and stakeholders." Richard Denton, Project Director Alstom

Becky has recently become an assistant area customer services manager for Cambridge but that as not stopped her getting stuck in and involved in other stations in their moment of need. Just the other day Ely was experiencing major disruption, Becky was passing through on her way home after doing her own shift and immediately grabbed a radio and got stuck in. She supported the whole team and went straight out the front of the station in extreme heat and started the taxi process while also giving out bottled water to our passengers, we also had a medical emergency ongoing and Becky made sure the staff dealing with this were ok and helped look after the passenger so the rest of the team could dispatch trains and perform safety duties. Becky really went above and beyond checking in on the team and staying for 3 hours to help and support, when her dinner was waiting for her at home. Before she left she got all relevant information from a conference call regarding the disruption and made sure things had started to settle down before leaving to go home as she knew there were only 2 staff members on site to deal with the remaining disruption. Becky was so supportive, calm and a real asset to the team. Even though Becky is not our station manager she was not going to leave the team which really shows she cares and really wanted to help us, she nearly did a 12 hour shift! Becky was also very recently on call and personally came down to the station to help a staff member who was lone working at the station due to staff shortages, as they too were experiencing disruption so she came down to helpout! Becky always stops to say Hi and asks if everything is going ok when passing through the station and has a little chat when she can.

Isabelle is a fantastic manager, always seen and always there to help or advise. She is very approachable and is well liked across her whole team. You really feel like she has your back and she is interested in YOU. If she can help you she will. Isabelle has been particularly supportive to me through some very difficult times that I have had personally whilst working for Greater Anglia and I cannot thank her enough for her support during this time, I would love her to receive some recognition for her superb management skills.

I want to nominate Jamie for this award as he so deserves it! He is the best manager anyone could ask for, he is always there for you no matter what! he will go out of his way to help you, whether its work or personal, nothing is to much for him, he helps out during disruption, joining us on the frontline any time we ask, even dispatching train if necessary, he is a firm but fair manager, he has empathy, and compassion in all that he does. Its such a pleasure to work with someone who really cares and is interested in you.

Luke was my guard's manager when I was a conductor for Transport for Wales, he was awesome, always there when I needed him. Recently I lost my mother and Luke really looked after me. I couldn’t have asked for a better manager.

Paul has changed the atmosphere in the region and the wider business with his positive and inclusive attitude to all staff he interacts with. He has been a leader in changing the railway from its old management style to a fresh people focused approach. Nothing is to much trouble when it comes to staff and he looks for the good in everyone and every situation, whatever challenges he may be facing himself. I have never seen Paul shy away from a task or challenge and even when others think he has taken on a mountain to climb, he just knuckles down and finds ways to work through the situation, quickly winning over the individuals he is working with because of his enthusiasm and commitment to try and achieve the best outcome for all involved. As a team we think he deserves recognition for the hard work and efforts he has shown and providing us with a great working environment.

Peter leads from the front and is effective at empowering his team. Peter is a genuine manager who will help if he can. He takes the time to listen to his team and you do feel like he genuinely cares . His management style is a great blend of professionalism and humour which in turn, really engages his team. I would like Peter to be acknowledged for his relentless hard work and commitment to his team.

I would like to Nominate Simona Daraba. Simona works as an Area Customer Service Manager. There are lots of reasons why I nominate Simona for the best Manager. Simon always goes above and beyond the call of duty in pursuing excellence. She will always support any employee at any time. She is hard working and everything she does must be to perfection. She brings high standards into the workplace and everybody speaks out highly about her work and commitment. She is a mother to two young boys and I am amazed how she can organise her very busy schedule. She is a very good listener and she always supports staff when needed. Simona will support and encourage Staff to develop in the company. When I was promoted to the Supervisor role I was scared and worried if I was going to be good. Simona gave me support and made me believe nothing is impossible. She teaches me how to deal with difficult situations and stay professional at all times. She was supporting me when I went through difficult times in my private life and she is supporting me in my career path. I am very proud to be part of her Team. She is a very strong and confident woman. Every woman would like to be like her in the Company. She also brings all staff together who are working at different stations by organising events. I couldn't wish for a better Manager.

This nomination is for a core member of the TSO operation and someone who has been a mainstay on the contract since its existence several years ago. Bradford TSO supervisor Balbir Birring has not only been ever present since the contract was formed but has continued her rise up the ranks to now be in the position of officer in charge in the East region. Bal has overcome numerous obstacles throughout her time with us including becoming our only current female supervisor in an industry predominately male dominated, Bal being in such a position and leading by example whilst demonstrating to other females without our operation that this achievement is possible is something we are extremely proud of and something I hope Bal takes immense pride in. In recent years Bal and her team have continued to shine and exceed all expectations with a large percentage of this coming down to Bal's planning, preparation and passion for her team to be the best on the railway network. What I feel makes this nomination so special and personal is each and every one of Bal's officer's have sent me personal messages over the last few months asking for this to be put forward as they want their leader to feel as special and appreciated as she makes them feel on a daily basis whilst representing both company and client.

Jane goes above and beyond, she does this in many ways. Ensuring that she uses her knowledge of the railway to give them explicit journey plans. The most important thing she does is empathise with the multiple types of customers visiting the station, who have many challenges, mental health etc.

Northern Trains Travel Safe Officer George Mitchell continues to display all the skills and qualities that we embrace from our officers with him playing an essential part in not only keeping people safe in his presence but educating those who may be unfamiliar with the dangers of the railway. George takes immense pride in the results he achieves across the network and was recognised at last years Rail Staff awards where he was highly commended for his heroic life saving intervention and proudly represented both Northern Trains and Amulet as a finalist at the prestigious awards. The initial intervention and George's clear and obvious passion for public safety gained interest from the wider network leading to TSO Mitchell taking part in the Samaritans "Small Talk Saves Lives" campaign which launched in Feb 24. George as a representative of both company and client travelled to London Kings Cross to assist, share his personal but heroic story and offer advice to those who may have fallen on hard time and be struggling to see light at the end of the tunnel. George has followed this initial launch event up by also attending Samaritans follow up event in Leeds station, this done in his own time away from his daily duties as an officer which I believe emphasises his commitment to ensuring others utilising the network always have someone to turn to during a time of need. George's presence and commitment to the nationwide campaign led to numerous positive emails being received from Samaritans themselves thanking George for the part he played and even noted an emotional interaction George had with an elderly male who came over to thank Samaritans for saving his life. Anyone would think being a full time officer securing the railway network but somehow finding time to assist with such campaigns would be enough for TSO Mitchell but knowing George how we do it came as no surprise when in addition to the above George recently took time out to enquire to our client Northern Trains regarding school educational material which was subsequently acquired and hand delivered by George to his local primary schools. Selfless acts to educate and protect others seem to go hand in hand with George and to have an individual that not only saved a life in extremely distressing circumstances but then followed that up by committing his time to ensure others don't find themselves in the same position is something we should be immensely proud of. An initial outstanding act, followed with building trust and relationships in his local community by sharing essential educational material with local primary schools and playing an essential part in a nationwide campaign that no doubt will prevent more lives being taken is nothing short of truly amazing and we are incredibly lucky to have TSO Mitchell out across the network keeping others safe.

Paul is a selfless individual that is always willing to listen to others and advise where possible. Paul has an extensive amount of railway experience and knowledge and collaborates with different contractors and consultants within the railway industry helping them improve their safety performance. He always makes time for others putting their health and well-being as a priority. He is easy to talk to and everyone I have spoken to within rail gets along with him and only says nice things about him.

Eugene Obeng has now operated as a Travel Safe Officer on the Northern Trains Contract for over 2 years. Throughout this time, he has consistently represented himself, Northern Trains Ltd, Amulet Security and the RSAS Scheme to the highest of professional standards whilst ensuring safety and security remain at the forefront of his mind. Where TSO Obeng really excels, is in his ability to ensure he is a prominent presence on the railway which has best placed him to intervene when offences have been committed or be the help that someone is looking for when they have found themselves in a vulnerable place. This can be best evidenced by his reporting figures for Railway Year 2023/2024, in which TSO Obeng submitted 909 reports for incidents ranging from anti-social behaviour, trespassing, unauthorised access to stations, individuals in need of safeguarding and intelligence reports. With this, what TSO Obeng has demonstrated is the ability to not only adapt to different incidents but changing situations as well. As an example, it is not uncommon for TSO Obeng to initially begin dealing with an individual who has committed an offence but is then identified as someone who requires further intervention from a safeguarding perspective, be it missing persons or individuals suffering with mental health issues. In this way, TSO Obeng shows he possesses the ability to deal with any situation that presents itself in a proportionate and compassionate way to achieve desirable results. The impact of TSO Obeng’s efforts can be broken down by further analysing his reporting figures as follows; of the 909 reports submitted, 837 were offences witnessed and dealt with by TSO Obeng. Of these 837 reported offences, 744 were instances of an individual or individuals being identified as committing an offence, with the remaining 93 instances being where vehicles have been found in breach of Northern Trains Ltd’s parking policies. With each of the parking offences reported carries a fixed penalty of £50, showing that TSO Obeng’s consistent efforts not only aids in reprimanding individuals committing offences but also there is revenue to be earned back from them. There are actually over 250 occasions where TSO Obeng has in fact obtained details of individuals for offences committed, with which Northern Trains Ltd are afforded the opportunity to earn back further lost revenue. Without doubt, the Northern Trains network is a safer place with TSO Obeng active on it. He consistently displays all the desired qualities of a Travel Safe Officer being proactive, professional, compassionate and honest whilst providing the necessary deterrent or intervention to protect the networks passengers and assets.

The Northern Trains Travel Safe Officer team continued to add much needed value and benefit to the safety and security of all of Northern Train's valued customers across the network. A team of 60 plus officers patrolling and securing the network is often first on the scene for some of the most challenging and distressing incidents whilst demonstrating essential soft skills to safeguard and support both staff and passengers going about their daily tasks. The team which spans all four of Northern Trains regions share immense passion, pride and commitment to deliver a service to be proud of whilst serving the communities they operate within to the highest possible standards, this is reflected in the rewards and recognition not only individual officers have achieved but also the success the contract has seen as a whole at recent awards ceremonies including scooping three highly coveted awards at the 2023 Amulet awards including the Outstanding Act award for the second successive year and having 9 finalists present at the prestigious rail staff awards held at the NEC in Birmingham. The TSO operation continues to influence the safe running of the Northern network whilst ensuring all incidents both minor and major have minimal disruption to commuters and railway staff a like, this service being delivered in there to compliment the hard work being carried out by colleagues at The British Transport Police across the network as an extension of the policing family and is only made possible by hard work and a commitment to deliver a bespoke training package going hand in hand with a team of 60 plus officers spread across five teams who share the same vision, values and passion as ourselves and respective stakeholders. The TSO cohort have assisted and interacted with no less than 126 individuals they would consider vulnerable and ensured they remain safe whilst in their care whilst supporting 55 individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts at stations up and down the country and being first on scene and delivering first aid for over 174 medical incidents some of which was extremely distressing for the officers present including two incidents involving knife attacks. The last year has seen some real success stories shared from across the TSO teams including officers regularly and actively taking part in community engagement events alongside fellow railway stakeholders, TSOs attending local schools to relationship build and educate those children who utilise the network on a daily basis, TSO's taking part in a nationwide suicide awareness campaign whilst officers took part in a first of its kind Violence Against Women experiment in collaboration with Northern Trains and Professor Barak Arial from Cambridge University. This six month long commitment to improving safety and security for women and girls has drawn immense praise industry wide but also from Professor Arial who off the back of the campaign has selected TSOs also to take part in a further commitment piece centred around reducing violence in the work place due to commence in summer 2024.

The Northern Trains Travel Safe team based out of Bradford Interchange epitomises all that we stand for whilst embracing the values and culture of our partners at Northern Trains. The East region made up of 14 accredited professionals led by Bal Birring continues to go from strength to strength and consistently seek and achieve results that astound us within Amulet but in addition, receives glowing feedback from our clients thanking them for taking such pride in their efforts to keep the travelling public and Northern Trains staff safe on a daily basis. This team is no stranger to accolades and continues to produce special individuals from within only made possible by the unrivalled leadership from both Bal Birring and her second in command Richard Scotton which cannot be underestimated. This team in particular continue to set the standards for an operation that prides itself on professionalism, integrity, dedication and commitment to drive change in society and remain a visible presence in a bid to deter antisocial behaviour and criminal activity in the communities they serve. Despite operating under the biggest and most demanding geographical region, the team over the last 12 months have amassed over 3,900 incident reports that have been witnessed and resolved across the railway network for railway byelaw breaches whilst issuing 1,419 parking notices across the last 12 months to keep our clients stations and car parks readily available and assessable for genuine customers. In addition to the above the team have also prevented 9 individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts from ending their lives whilst responding to 33 separate medical emergencies across the Northern Trains network ranging from broken bones to individuals in cardiac arrest and being severely unwell. Over the last year we have had officers from within the team attend local schools to share educational material with primary school children in a bid to promote railway safety, we have also had an officer hand-selected by Samaritans to take part in the ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign which took place at London Kings Cross station. The team not only fulfils their daily obligations but regularly look to surpass any goals laid out by embracing the challenge of making the railway network a safer place.

The Central Rail Systems Alliance East Resource team work tirelessly to deliver projects in their region under challenging circumstances. They do this whilst still working in an efficient, friendly, extremely collaborative and inclusive manner. The team consistently demonstrate a remarkable spirit of commitment and an unwavering dedication to getting the project requirements met, whether on the domestic or project front, As an agency dealing with them, it is a delight that processes are in place to ensure smooth running at every turn. The area and projects that the team cover are vast and varied running from Kings Cross and St Pancras to the Scottish Borders making it all the more fun on a daily basis working alongside with them. Dealing with Jade Price, Alan Clegg, Mark Dickson, Jodie Fletcher, Charlotte Bullock and Gemma Roper is always a delight. Lovely people, lovely team and well worthy of the award.

On 29th March 2024 whilst patrolling a busy city centre train station within the Central Region Travel Safe Officers Saul Stapley and Matthew Clare were requested to attend the toilets situated on the concourse due to a group of young males that were congregating without intentions of travelling. After several minutes of back and forth and the group becoming quite argumentative the group was ushered out of the station by TSOs present, seconds later the group suddenly turned around and began shouting towards a male and a female accompanying him who was situated on the busy station concourse. One male then brandished a bladed article and proceeded to slash another young male around the neck area only to be deterred by TSOs who at this point were running towards the danger ahead in an attempt to avoid any further damage coming to the victim. TSOs Stapley and Clare without care or thought for their own safety attempted to apprehend several members of the group who managed to escape the station grounds, the panic alarm was pressed by officers with them alerting other officers present of the knife attack before taking it upon themselves to give chase in an attempt to ensure no further harm came to any other members of the public. TSOs Stapley and Clare was joined by TSOs Jonathan Clowes and Danielle MacDonald with the team apprehending one male across from the station. Whilst this was ongoing Supervisor Gareth Preston was responding to the panic alarm and arrived on scene to treat the young male who had suffered a large laceration to the back of his neck with at this point dozens of onlookers watching proceedings unfold. Gareth continue to administer first aid until Paramedics and other officers arrived from the Police force The incident despite it's extremely challenging and dangerous nature only highlighted officers' bravery, courage and willingness to run into the face of adversity would have likely resulted in the group stabbing the victim multiple more times potentially ending his life. This is a real life example of the challenge faced by officers but the lengths they go to in order to protect the public and maintain safety and security. A truly outstanding and selfless act by a group of officers who take immense pride in their role and the network they are there to protect.

The ERTMS Technical Support team deserve this award. They have jumped in to support the East Coast Digital Program. I have worked closely with all of the team and they will go above and beyond to help with any ERTMS technical support. The contribution to the modern railway from the team is invaluable. Thanks for all the hard work! I'm proud to nominate them for this as they deserve it!

I would like to nominate Lee, Dave, Jay and Dan (collectively the ERTMS Technical Support Engineers) for their contribution this year. The team was formed in May 2023 and they have achieved so much in such a short space of time. They have devoted themselves to learning about the new world of ERTMS, bringing in their knowledge from their previous roles and learning the new complex system. They have been working collaboratively with train operators and the project delivery team over the last year, firstly for the testing of the system playing a key role in providing diagnostics and faulting to the onsite teams during testing shifts, and then providing rapid diagnostics as the system entered in to service on the Northern City Line. Without the team, their willingness to learn and adapt, the operational teams would not have the confidence in Network Rail's ability to successfully run an ERTMS network.

Safwaan is the Operational Lead for VolkerFitzpatrick on all structures related delivery for the Camp Hill Line stations project in Birmingham. Safwaan has driven a culture of safety on the project and across the business, engaging the client WMCA, Network Rail, designers and subcontractors to adopt the same focus and culture of 'safety first always'. Safwaan was the key member of the project team who organised the emergency rescue response when a vulnerable young man was walking on the live railway track at the Kings Heath station during live operational hours; Safwaans quick thinking and calm demeanour helped bring the team together to contact the signaller, access track safely and bring the young man to safety and returned to re-unite with his mother and loved ones. Safwaan took a backstep when the business was providing their thanks to the team for this amazing rescue effort, as he is an extremely humble and hard working individual who cares about people genuinely and is an ambassador for VolkerFitzpatrick. Safwaan has a robust attitude and approach to reviewing safety documents such as risk assessments, method statements, task briefs, ALO plans, temporary works and permanent works designs, and always speaks up to highlight safety concerns and provides sensible, efficient and cost effective solutions to problems that he identifies on site and in designs. Safwaan has a fun and gentle character and puts people at ease, whilst addressing sensitive matters on health and safety that typically can put people on edge. He is a true ambassador for safety in the railway sector and will no doubt continue to develop and foster a culture of safety first always.

I am nominating Richard Bonella for the Safety Person Award. Over the last year, Richard has personally delivered over 10 CSM-RA safety assessment awareness briefing sessions to Railway staff across the country. Richard has decades of experience in the railway and uses his experiences to take attendees on a journey to better understand CSM-RA. Helping a new generation of railway experts continue to make the UK's railways safe for years to come.

Introduction: Project Leaders Ltd are thrilled to nominate Andrew Burrows, Construction Manager for the Safety Award. Since representing Project Leaders and carrying out the role of Construction Manager for MTR, Andrew has significantly enhanced the Health and Safety (H&S) practices, proving himself a pivotal asset in the continuous efforts to provide a secure working environment. His actions have not only improved safety but have also fostered a culture of proactive safety management across the projects MTR are delivering in infrastructure. Commitment to Safe Practices on Site: Andrew has been instrumental in elevating on-site safety standards. His ability to identify and rectify unsafe practices has led to considerable improvements in operational procedures. A prime example of his impact is evident in his contributions to the McLeod Mews project. Here, Andrew identified critical inefficiencies in how materials were handled on-site. By pioneering a new approach, he significantly mitigated potential hazards, enhancing safety for all personnel involved. His readiness to halt work to address safety concerns underscores his dedication to the well-being of every team member. Proactive Health & Safety Monitoring: Beyond immediate safety interventions, Andrew has championed the importance of proactive H&S monitoring. His efforts have led to a substantial increase in the reporting of "close calls" on our sites. This shift towards early identification of potential issues is crucial, as it allows risks to be addressed before they escalate into actual incidents. Andrew’s strategic foresight in H&S monitoring not only prevents accidents but also embeds a culture of safety that permeates throughout our projects. Impact and Leadership: Andrew’s extensive experience and exceptional communication skills have made him a respected leader in safety. His approachable manner and clear communication have encouraged staff to more actively engage in safety practices and discussions, contributing to an overall safer and more aware workplace. Conclusion: Andrew Burrows is a deserving candidate for the Safety Award, given his unwavering commitment to safety, proactive approach to risk management, and influential leadership. His contributions have not only enhanced safety but have also instilled a sustainable culture of caution and care. We believe that recognizing Andrew’s efforts with this award will not only honour his accomplishments but also reinforce the importance of safety in our industry.

Agnes works regularly at London Fields Station and is fully aware of the station, Agnes always arrives early for her shift that starts at 0500, on this morning Agnes was completing a Station Security Check and noticed in the distance someone walking along the line. Agnes very quickly started to take action - contacting the signaller and Emergency services, the person on the track was taken off in time before the train arrived at the station and received the care needed. - Please see the report from the ARL Manager. I want to send my commendation to Agnes regarding the suicidal person who was apprehended at her station this morning. Her coming into work hours before the start of her shift almost every day goes to show her commitment & dedication to her job. The incident is an example of reporting for duty early enough to have things set & ready for work. Well done to Agnes for her hard work. Agnes is an extremely committed staff member who always goes beyond and above her duties, she is also very well known at the station to the passengers and regularly receives gifts as passengers travel to their destination. I would like to nominate Agnes for saving a life at the London Fields Station Well done Agnes.

Aimee was faced with a challenging situation while on duty supervising, Aimee noticed a young gentleman close to the edge of the platform. Aimee approached the gentleman who was looking upset and distressed. He told Aimee that he wanted to end his life. Aimee got him away from the edge of the platform and managed to get him to safety. Aimee persuaded him to come into the platform office where he broke down. Emergency services were called, and Aimee stayed with the gentleman ensuring his support was on the way. The report from Management on duty: We had a busy rugby event in WHL, so SVS station ( p2) was extremely busy, Aimee was conducting Crowd Control supervising duties. Despite dealing with overcrowded platforms and staff members, she spotted a young age passenger, standing towards the Country end of the platform, He looked visibly distressed, so she approached him to start the initial interaction. I witnessed the way she communicated with him, which was calm, emphatic, professional, and patient. At first individual didn't want to interact and engage but only thanks to Aimee's experience and skills, he slowly started opening up and cooperating. He said that a lot is happening in his life, and he wants to end it. Aimee was encouraging him to get away from the platform. They both got inside one of the rooms, where they carried on talking. In the meantime, BTP arrived, and took over the situation, making sure that relevant contact had been made and passengers were taken to safety. Following this situation, Aimee returned to carrying her Event Crowd Control Supervising duties. I want to reiterate that during extremely busy circumstances, Aimee managed to spot a customer in need, and used skills, experience and knowledge in a way that ultimately saved a young person's life. Well done to Aimee for her actions saving a young person's life!

Aminul is our resident staff member working at Whitechapel Overground Station, he is very well respected by all TOCs that work at the station and has been involved in many life saves for passengers. On this occasion, a passenger became seriously ill Aminul was the 1st on the scene & he assisted the passenger to avoid a fall as the passenger collapsed when disembarking from the train. Aminul went above and beyond his normal duties in showing care/compassion to the customer and his colleagues But, more importantly, his immediate and timely call for assistance to colleagues while assisting with First Aid helped save the customer’s life, emergency Services arrived and took over. Although this incident was extremely upsetting Aminul continued to keep passengers calm and safe while the passenger received the care he needed. Well done Aminul !

On 29th April Northern Travel Safe Officers Hayley Hall & Paul Bean were onboard a service when they became aware of a visibly distressed young female, upon striking up a conversation the girl notified officers that she had been subject to assault and unwanted sexual behaviour TSOs attempted to console the female whilst gathering essential facts regarding the incident in order to notify local Police to respond to the situation. The female deboarded with officers and where a family member was also contacted to ensure someone could come to the site to ensure she remained safe whilst awaiting Police. Both Hayley and Paul showed compassion throughout which is an extremely challenging situation which was recognised a week later when we recieved an email thanking both Paul and Hayley for their actions and support throughout the incident. In addition to both mentioned Officers ensuring the female remained safe in their presence both Officers also recently dealt with another difficult situation when on 15th May TSOs Hall & Bean came across a young male who claimed to be suffering from low mood and depression. Both TSOs took the time to reassure the male, gather his back story and sit with him for some time to ensure he remained safe until Police could arrive and take him to a position of safety at the station. On two occasions within weeks of each other Hayley and Paul have found themselves faced with extreme challenges and supporting individuals who have found themselves in distressing situations, the actions of both TSOs ensured no further harm came to them and they were both able to receive further care and attention whilst maintaining their dignity in what are two very sensitive situations.

Ivan saved a colleague's life while on duty. It started as a normal day at work unexpectedly his colleague started to fit on the platform. Ivan's first instinct was to ensure his colleague was put in a safe position, along with ensuring passengers were kept calm and the service kept to minimum disruption. Ivan quickly called for assistance, he also kept calm while staying on the phone with emergency services the entire time, alerted staff and ensured all was well while remaining calm and composed! ultimately saving a life. His quick thinking and calm demeanour in a high-pressure situation exemplify his dedication to the safety and well-being of others. Ivan's actions were truly heroic and deserving of recognition with a lifesaver award.

Sodiq Oyedunmola along with Michelle Cummings-Hutchinson saved a life at Wood Street Station. After noticing that a passenger looked distressed he was approached and informed that he wanted to take his life, he was spoken to by both staff and helped into the office at the station where he was kept safe, Emergency services were called and the person received the support he needed. Both Michelle and Sodiq did an amazing job in recognising this passenger as in need of help. Please see the Arriva Rail London Manager's report: Please do extend our appreciation to both Sodiq Oyedunmola and Michelle Cummings for a job well done this morning at Wood Street Station by displaying a high level of calmness, Teamwork, and lifesaving by averting a suicidal person who approached them on Platform to wanting to take their own life. They have saved a life today with their approach by contacting the relevant bodies to calm and take away the person. Well done both Sodiq and Michelle! Amazing work.

After Oluwarotimi was alerted by a passenger that they had received a call from a friend who was at Hackney Central Station where Oluwarotimi was working, who then informed him that the friend had informed they wanted to end their life and sounded very distressed. Along with the passenger, Oluwarotimi searched the platforms for their friend who was found at the edge of the platform. The passenger was very distressed, Oluwarotimi managed to move the passenger away from the platform edge where there was an oncoming train - Oluwarotimi swung into action and stopped the train, ensuring passengers waiting for the train were safely away from the edge of the platform and ensuring the distressed passenger was kept calm. Emergency services were called and the service continued. The passenger was kept safe until support arrived. Well Done Oluwarotimi !

I would like to nominate Wedian in recognition of how she is valued by customers and colleagues. The quotations in the section below describe what her team said about her. This is echoed by the station managers she supported who commented how helpful and supportive she is. This shows how she embodies South Western Railway values and behaviours; she seeks to deliver excellence, seeing tasks through, and helping, supporting and developing others. Wedian sees how effective teamwork makes a difference, notices when people need extra support and can be relied upon at all times. She notices when the team needs a boost and acts upon it with her unstinting enthusiasm. She is highly professional, makes suggestions for improvement, but never forgets the importance of fun. She is one of the faces of Staines and a great role with the local community. Wedian is a team worker who supports her team on a regular basis.” “She encourages people to find out answers for themselves while supporting their decisions.” “She listens to colleagues’ problems/issues and offers support.” “She organises team events e.g. Christmas shoes box collection, Macmillan coffee morning.” “She always does her best to ensure tasks are seen through to the end.” “All of this is done with a smile.” “I nominate Wedian for her overall contribution to the team and her helpful attitude towards colleagues.” Wedian is also great at encouraging us to take part in team activities. She strives every day to ensure that despite all the challenges thrown at her she would spend her shift with a smile on her face, making the most out of every day. I don’t think I ever saw Wedian in anything other than a great mood.

Ahmed Nunow, Mourad Abada, Babatunde Kehinde, Michelle Cummings, Charlotte McClean, Chenelle Phillips, Alfred Opoku all part of The Supervising Team at Arriva Rail London together have saved 13 lives and have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in ensuring the smooth operation of our client ARL's services. They go above and beyond in supporting and empowering our staff, providing regular welfare checks and ensuring that all team members are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to deliver a world-class service to our customers. Their proactive approach to problem-solving and their commitment to fostering a positive and collaborative work environment has significantly contributed to the success of our operations. We are proud to nominate our Supervising Team for their outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication

Danny has worked tirelessly over the past few years - working hard during the royal coronation and the Royal weddings while battling many personal issues, Danny has always put his best foot forward supporting his colleagues and working hard, Danny is the kind of guy that we all aspire to be when knocked down Danny gets back up learning and developing new strategies to continue to be the best at what he does.

We proudly nominate Jayson Mark Gill for the prestigious Station Person of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding advocacy for station staff and exceptional leadership qualities. Jayson’s commitment to the well-being and success of his colleagues sets him apart as an exemplary team leader deserving of this honour. Advocacy for Station Staff: Jayson has demonstrated unwavering dedication to advocating for the needs and rights of station staff. He consistently listens to his colleagues, addresses their concerns, and actively works towards solutions that benefit everyone. Through his leadership, Jayson has fostered a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and respected. Pride in Appearance: Jayson exemplifies professionalism by taking great pride in his appearance. His attention to detail and presentation not only reflects personal integrity but also inspires others to uphold high standards within the station team. By leading by example, Jayson instills a sense of professionalism that positively impacts the entire staff. Caring for Passenger Safety: Jayson’s dedication to passenger safety is unparalleled. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that safety protocols are followed diligently. Whether it’s coordinating emergency procedures or implementing safety initiatives, Jayson’s proactive approach significantly enhances the overall safety and experience for station visitors. Improving Union Experience: Recognising the importance of collective representation, Jayson has actively worked to enhance the union experience for his colleagues. He advocates for fair working conditions, improved benefits, and better communication channels. Jayson’s efforts have strengthened unity within the team, empowering each member to voice their concerns and contribute to positive change. Exceptional Team Leader: Jayson Mark Gill embodies the qualities of an exceptional team leader. His leadership style is characterised by empathy, integrity, and a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment. Under his guidance, the station staff has flourished, achieving greater cohesion, productivity, and job satisfaction. In summary, Jayson Mark Gill’s outstanding advocacy for station staff, pride in appearance, commitment to passenger safety, and efforts to improve the union experience make him a deserving candidate for the Station Person of the Year award. His leadership has made a lasting impact on the station community, reflecting his unwavering dedication to excellence and service. We wholeheartedly endorse Jayson Mark Gill for this esteemed recognition.

I can see potential from this young man. He deserves the recognition for his hard work and consistency

Will always gives a 5 star service to every single passenger that passes through our station, he always making children laugh and showing them a little fairy house he helped build on platform 1, and going above and beyond to help passengers. A few months ago we had a passenger that was out of control on our platform not only did the whole team pull together to turn this unsafe situation into a safe one but I feel special praise/acknowledgement needs to be given to Will Ashworth. He was there from start to finish and at one point put himself between the passenger in the scooter and between the approaching train (in a safe way) telling the passenger 'I'm not going to let you do this'. Within 10 minutes Will had the passenger away from the edge in a safe spot and was starting to calm him down and talk him round even though the passenger was quite simply hurling abuse and out of control, and at one point trying to get his stick out his bag to hit Will. This enabled the rest of the team to call signallers, put blocks on line, realise with train crews and most importantly calling the police. Will eventually calmed him down and got him a cup of tea and stayed with him from 13.30 up until the passenger eventually taken away in a police van at 1600. Will even offered to get on the train with the man to PBO however I wouldn't let him do this due to the abuse we had all witnessed. In times like this Will really took control of the situation which enabled the rest of us to get on with our jobs ensuring other passengers' safety. It would be lovely for Will to be recognised in some way for this.