Nominations
Click on the award categories below to view people who have been nominated for this year's RailStaff Awards.
Have a read through to see who you would like to win, then once the voting opens you can click on 'vote now' to let the judges know your favourite.
Please note, due to feedback & demand we have extended the nomination entry deadline to 10th October. (Your nominations will be processed and will go live as soon as possible)
Voting 12th-20th October
19
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award is intended to recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals new to the rail industry who have gained early and exceptional professional or civic achievements.
Example job titles in this category:
HSEQ Business Partner Apprentice, Apprentice Signalling Designer, Supply Chain Apprentice, Trainee Train Driver, Degree Apprentice Project Manager, Trainee Train Service Manager...
You can see all the past winners here.
Antonia, Barraclough
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am honoured to nominate Antonia for the Apprentice of the Year award. Despite facing significant challenges, including the difficulties of lockdown and an extended Break from training due to this and a life-altering medical issues, Antonia has demonstrated unwavering dedication, resilience, and a remarkable drive for knowledge.
Throughout the lockdown, Antonia faced numerous difficulties , yet she remained committed to her apprenticeship, proactively reviewing material and routes. Her ability to adapt to the sudden changes and continue her learning journey with determination was truly inspiring. Even more impressive, Antonia has navigated personal medical challenges, which were life changing due to the fitting of a Stoma with courage and grace. Despite these setbacks, she has not allowed her circumstances to hinder her progress or dampen her spirit.
Antonia's commitment to her apprenticeship is evident in her consistent effort to excel and her engagement in the apprenticeship and has shown a remarkable capacity for learning and an eagerness to acquire new skills. Her perseverance through tough times and her dedication to her craft set her apart as a truly exceptional apprentice.
In addition to her technical knowledge Antonia brings a positive attitude and a strong work ethic with her engagement in reviews. She contributes to a collaborative work environment. Her resilience, determination, and passion for her work make her a role model for other apprentices.
In conclusion, Antonia’s journey is a testament to her strength, dedication, and unwavering pursuit of excellence. She is an exemplary candidate for the Apprentice of the Year award, and I wholeheartedly support her nomination.
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Caitlin, Mayhew
Company Name
Transport for Wales
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Since joining TfW a year ago, Caitlin has grown from a shy individual to a confident young woman who strives to take on any challenge thrown at her.
We were keen to ensure Caitlin had every opportunity available to her and she had grasped each and every one of them and more.
As a team, passionate about honest and accurate information for our customers, we've involved Caitlin in projects which allow her to learn but also have positive, tangible output to demonstrate her abilities for her NVQ. Caitlin's work to review and upgrade some of our station information in Knowledgebase will be of utmost importance to customers, along with her continuing efforts to enable W3W locations to be used to identify Rail Replacement Pickup Points. Caitlin shares our passion for making the transition from Rail to Bus, seamless during disruption enhancing the customer experience by giving our customers the best information possible. Improvements in this space are purely down to Caitlin's determination to review information for every station on the Wales and Borders route, and attention to detail in identifying the correct information.
Caitlin's personality has emerged over the last six months particularly. In an office space where we're so pleased to have more female presence than ever before Caitlin is one of those future stars who can communicate with anyone in the room professionally and personally. Communicating in Control is such an important part of being a Controller, and we're really pleased that Caitlin has taken the leap of meeting new people and building her confidence with the TfW and Network Rail teams.
Our plan for this last year was to give Caitlin as many opportunities to learn as possible, by giving her access to the Controllers and allowing her as much time as she needed to become a competent Controller herself. We're so pleased that she has learnt two of our customer facing roles and is now proficient in providing information to customers using our CIS software and is able to provide British Transport Police and other agencies with evidential footage. This is a big responsibility for any individual so for Caitlin to have come into the business with no previous rail experience and mastered these technical skills is testament to her keen ambition to learn about the railway.
She has moved into learning from our Customer Support Controllers and is now almost a competent CSC too. Again, we've wanted to give Caitlin the opportunity to hone her skills with providing information to customers to give tangible evidence to use as subject matter for her NVQ work. In learning how the CSC's operate, Caitlin has put herself into challenging situations with real life disruption facing distributing information to our customers and has been doing such a fantastic job of it.
We're really proud of Caitlin, how far she's come personally and the skills she has gained. Her development has been so rapid that we're incredibly proud to have recently offered her a permanent position in our team too.
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Jack, Hopkins
Company Name
AtkinsRealis
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Jack joined AtkinsRealis as a degree apprentice in September 2020. Over the past four years, he has honed his professional and academic skills, becoming a valuable member of the Signalling design team in Birmingham. Jack is dedicated to learning new skills, overcoming challenges, and supporting his team to the best of his ability.
Jack has played an important role in various projects, including Feltham Phase 3/4 and the North Downs Line – Level Crossing Upgrades. He played an instrumental role in delivering various systems and software design initiatives for these projects. Notably, Jack’s growth and dedication were highlighted by his successful delivery of the Feltham Phase 3/4 and NDL Frauscher axle counter data, where he was the producer of these design packages. These projects were both large and complex, yet Jack managed them with efficiency, determination, and a quality-focused approach. His various experience in project design work enabled him to obtain his IRSE Signalling Designers Licence in June 2024. Jack now independently produces designs and contributes to project delivery.
In addition to his IRSE qualification, Jack has earned a variety of work-related and academic credentials. These include the Basic and Intermediate Signalling Technology courses, the MOD-5 qualification, and a distinction in his foundation degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Currently, Jack is pursuing a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Top-Up Degree and working towards completing his dissertation and preparing for his final apprenticeship assessment. He effectively balances his work and academic commitments, consistently maintaining a positive attitude.
Throughout his apprenticeship, Jack has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting his team. He has taken on the role of a buddy for new apprentices, guiding them through the onboarding process and ensuring a smooth transition into the company. Additionally, Jack has trained other apprentices and junior staff in areas where he has experience and has provided crucial support to the team to help meet project deadlines. His efforts have not gone unnoticed; Jack has received significant praise from both managers and colleagues for going beyond what was expected of him.
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James, Snell
Company Name
Alstom
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
James joined Alstom in 2020 in the APSL product team in Hatfield as an apprentice. Since then, and since then, he has continually surprised everyone with his determination and commitment to go above and beyond
James helped organize an all-day event in the Southern region for the apprentices to present to the Management Hub team on their journey so far with Alstom . This was a resounding success and is a representation of how James worked with his fellow apprentices but also engaged with the wider business to plan and execute a positive collaborative event, James has also continued to work with the team to enable the creation of an effect T- slides pack and weekly dashboard to ensure all the team get the collective information in one single source. This has increased efficiency and supported continuous improvement within the project. The outstanding performance and positive feedback that James receives from his various project activities reflect not only his hard work but also his commitment to excellence.
James shows continuing progress in learning new skills and assisting others. Currently James is working as an Assistant Project Manager on VIC4 and continues to put himself out there to learn and meet new people and has fitted seamlessly into the team and carries out professionally all tasks given to him. He demonstrates an aptitude and maturity that often surpasses the usual standards for his role, excelling in core Project Management skills that are vital to the organization
James is an inspiration, he sets the bar high but encourages his fellow apprentices to follow suit. He is actively promoting all the work he is doing on LinkedIn and continues to rise to all challenges that are set for him, he leads other to achieve the goals of the project requirements no matter how experienced a room James takes control and achieves the goals set up to him. His contributions are not only impressive but also serve as an inspiration to those around him, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration within the team
James was originally taken on as an apprentice within customer services, he has shown that through determination and going above and beyond that he can adapt himself to any discipline and exceed expectations and his performance and feedback from the projects he has worked with reflects this. James demonstrates aptitude and maturity beyond expectations and has excelled with core Project Management skills. Demonstrating a high level of desire to assume responsibility & leadership to deliver work. James has demonstrated exceptional communication skills and a calm manor whilst assuming an autonomous desire to understand, learn & apply Alstom Process, supporting OTD of project milestones such as DFQ Gate Reviews a Key
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Joe, Dodman
Company Name
Motion
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Joe Dodman's passion for trains and the railway led him to secure a Telecommunications Technician Apprenticeship with Motion last year. Joe's enthusiasm was evident from his first interview, and he has dedicated himself to supporting others through his learning, experiences and innovation.
Joe, who is neurodiverse, faces unique challenges in the workplace and social interactions. However, he has not let these challenges deter him and his resilience is truly inspiring. Integrating and building a rapport with whoever he meets, Joe is gaining his independence and is already a valued member of the rail industry.
“Joe is inspirational, his knowledge of trains is exceptional, and he is a joy to have by your side at any event. He takes every opportunity to discuss opportunities available within the rail industry.” Janice Mitchell-Rose, Network Rail
A Beaver Scout leader, Joe embodies Motion's values supporting local communities and took it upon himself to get involved with local Scout groups and STEM events. Joe uses Motion Reality - virtual reality headsets and 3D gaming technology, to engage youngsters, raise awareness and improve level crossing safety and promote rail careers - in his own time. Joe also helps Scouts earn their Railway and Safety Badges.
Using innovation to connect with the next generation, Joe has engaged over 1,000 youngsters in the past 12-months, including training Worcester’s Scout district on railway level crossing safety. Joe is making our industry a 'cool' career option.
Passionate about social value, Joe volunteered at the Welsh Eisteddfod event with Network Rail, engaging young people and their parents. He was also involved in the national slips, trips, and falls roadshow and Rail Safety Week, using Motion Reality to train railway and British Transport Police teams.
Proactive and always striving for improvement, Joe is collaborating with the University of South Wales to develop Motion Reality, introducing new trespass scenarios and deploying a multiuser version.
Involved in the national RailNet project, Joe travels to various locations, signal boxes and interacts with signallers to test live systems, which can be daunting for anyone. However, Joe has taken the experience in his stride, and his technical competence continues to improve as a result.
Unfortunately, Joe was in a road traffic accident on his way to a worksite. Handling the situation professionally and sharing his experience, vehicle data and learning with colleagues, Joe has helped change the perception of trackers to encourage safe driving.
Joe’s personality is infectious, and he brings people together. He encourages his peers and friends to get involved in CSR through Motion Reality. One of his friends enjoyed the experience so much that he applied for work experience with Motion and is now looking for a railway apprentice.
Joe is a great role model to everyone he meets. Despite his challenges, which he continues to overcome, he has embraced Motion’s values and is helping to attract the next generation and bridge the industry skills gap.
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Katie, Pierce
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Guards manager Katie Pierce joined South Western Railway (SWR) from Sainsbury’s in March 2022 where, as a 20-year-old apprentice, she had had little to no experience of working under the pressures that people managers on the railway are subject to. Prior to joining SWR, Katie mainly worked on the shop floor and carried out checkout duties.
Katie wanted the challenge that went with joining the SWR Apprenticeship scheme. After she joined, Katie was placed under the supervision of the guards depot manager for the suburban area, based in Woking, to gain some insight into people managing.
Katie also undertook placements within various other functions of SWR, including with the stations, security and Rail Community Officer teams. It is a testament to her dedication and hard work that, following each of her placements, every function she worked in asked if she would like to join them on a permanent basis.
Before the end of her apprenticeship and while still completing her apprenticeship coursework, Katie success
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Kyle, Martin
Company Name
Northern Trains Ltd
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
As Kyle Martin’s Engineering Apprenticeship Line Manager, I would like to nominate Kyle for the prestigious title of Apprentice of the Year for his for his exceptional professionalism during his time on his Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician (Traction and Rolling Stock) Apprenticeship.
Kyle previously worked as an Operations and Depot Manager within the bus industry after finishing university. However, he made the decision to change careers and join the rail industry to retrain within train maintenance through joining Northern to undertake a level 3 in Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Apprenticeship.
Kyle has just started the third year of his apprenticeship and has achieved the highest possible grade of Distinction in every assignment and piece of work submitted throughout his apprenticeship. Having a proactive approach to learning, Kyle takes on new tasks and challenges wherever possible to learn and develop his practical skills and knowledge. He has also completed multiple training courses to continue learning wherever possible.
Not only is he committed to his work he is keen to help others. Kyle regularly works alongside new apprentices and new starters when completing tasks to offer advice and guidance where possible.
Kyle has volunteered at new apprentice interview assessment days, welcome days and at job and career events. He is keen to engage people and promote engineering in the railway industry as an attractive career opportunity for people from all backgrounds and experience levels.
I have total confidence that Kyle has a fantastic career ahead of him and he is a shining example to all.
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Lara, Marks
Company Name
TSO
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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.
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Liam, Turish
Company Name
GTR - Southern
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate this individual due to exceptional professionalism during his ICA.
I am Liam's Competency Manager and was conducting his Initial Competence Assessment after nearly 14 months of continuous training. We were in an unfortunate position on Day 1 of 5, on the first train of the assessment, to have had a fatality up the Arun Valley whilst travelling at 60 MPH. Albeit a hazard of the job as a train driver, for this to happen during your final assessment as a driver is extremely rare. Liam had never dealt with any situation like this previously and was also an external candidate into his new position of Trainee Driver. Liam remained calm throughout and followed all due process without hesitation. He was able to complete a very accurate and thorough communication with the signaller. However, the issues of the day did not end there. We had a passenger who was on her way to London for a cancer appointment, she was not feeling well and owing to the curvature of the line we were unable to provide the passengers with the hot weather contingency, as we did not want them to be able to witness the aftermath of the fatality. The passenger was feeling very unwell so the decision was made to put her in the front cab with us and the windows open. Liam provided her with a bottle of water that he sourced from the Mobile Operation Manager who attended the scene. Then on top of this, we then had a family of 10 wanting to egress the train as they were concerned about missing a flight from Gatwick. In training school we all learn how to deal with these incidents. However Liam had 3 incidents in one, which in my opinion he dealt with very well. He followed all rule book processes, spoke confidently and upheld a high level of customer service to our unwell passenger. This passenger complimented Liam to myself after the incident and said that he made her feel at ease when speaking to her in the cab.
I believe Liam should be recognised for his outstanding contributions to customer service and the handling of a very stressful situation professionally while under assessment conditions, He in my opinion as an individual new to the rail industry, has demonstrated exceptional professionalism.
After a short amount of time away from work with post trauma support, Liam was able to return to work less than 4 weeks later. Completing his ICA over the same route to an exceptional standard and is an asset to both the railway and Southern Rail.
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Lucas, Wilshaw
Company Name
GeoAccess
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
It is with great enthusiasm that I nominate Lucas for recognition as an Outstanding Apprentice. Over the course of their apprenticeship, Lucas has consistently demonstrated an exceptional combination of initiative, impact, attitude, and innovation that has significantly contributed to the success of our team and organization.
From day one, Lucas has exhibited an impressive ability to take charge of their learning and growth. Rather than waiting for tasks to be assigned, they proactively sought opportunities to contribute to projects and solve problems. They independently identified areas within our operations where processes could be improved and took the initiative to learn the necessary skills to implement these changes. Their eagerness to take on challenges, often beyond the scope of their role, has set them apart as a standout apprentice.
The impact of Lucas's work has been profound. One of their most notable contributions has been during the development of our GeoAcademy, where they applied their fresh perspective and innovative thinking to develop a new virtual reality module from scratch, resulting in a first of its kind in the industry, and a huge improvement in user engagement and safety training. Their contributions have directly improved team productivity and positively influenced the overall performance of our company. It’s rare to see an apprentice create such tangible results so early in their career.
Lucas approaches every task, no matter how challenging, with an exemplary attitude. Their enthusiasm for learning, resilience in the face of setbacks, and commitment to high standards have earned them the respect of both peers and mentors. They embody a growth mindset, constantly seeking feedback and using it as a tool to enhance their skills. Their positive energy and willingness to support others has contributed to a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Innovation is where Lucas truly excels. They consistently bring fresh ideas to the table, challenging the status quo and offering creative solutions to complex problems. In one instance, Our GeoAcademy, they proposed and developed a new way of working, which was not only adopted by the team but has since been shared across the organization as a best practice. Their ability to think outside the box and apply innovative approaches to traditional problems has had a lasting impact on our operations, and soon the wider industry, when our GeoAcademy is released outside of GeoAccess later in the year.
In summary, Lucas has demonstrated a remarkable combination of initiative, impact, attitude, and innovation throughout their apprenticeship. Their contributions have exceeded all expectations, and they have proven themselves to be a highly valuable asset to our organization. I am confident that Lucas has an incredibly bright future ahead and wholeheartedly recommend them for this recognition.
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Marcin, Karwacki
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Marcin has joined the apprentice scheme later than most and is committed to improving himself, he signed on to college him self and is a really high achiever and I see great future for him. He constantly shows great initiative and stands out from the crowd. He has a fantastic approach to learning and wants to proceed in his career and the way he acts I can see a great future ahead of him.
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Mia, Dorta-Hulme
Company Name
Northern Trains Ltd
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
As Mia Dorta-Hulme’s Engineering Apprenticeship Line Manager, I would like to nominate Mia for the prestigious title of Apprentice of the Year for her exceptional professionalism during her time on her Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician (Traction and Rolling Stock) Apprenticeship.
Mia grew up in Tenerife attending Spanish schools. Previously working in the hospitality industry, despite having no knowledge of railway engineering she made the decision to change her career path and join the rail industry. To enable her to retrain Mia joined Northern to undertake a level 3 in Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Apprenticeship. She was initially nervous as Spanish was her first language. However, she demonstrated dedication and commitment to starting a new challenge.
Mia has just started the third year of her apprenticeship and has gained technical and knowledge skills. Her dedication is evident in the high quality standard of work that she consistently submits alongside the practical tasks she completes safely and on time..
Mia has a strong work ethic and works well under pressure. Her approach to learning and willingness to seek help and work with colleagues has made her a good team member. She approaches every task with enthusiasm and a desire to learn and brings a positive attitude to the team.
She is adaptable and dedicated in every task she undertakes and helps new apprentices improve in their apprenticeship whilst building strong relationships with colleagues.
Mia is a shining example to all what can be achieved with hard work and dedication and I’m confident she has a fantastic career ahead of her.
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Oliver, Denman
Company Name
GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Oliver is an exceptional apprentice, who has integrated into his placement in the Control Point at London Victoria very well. Despite being the youngest member of the team, nothing phases him. He is always the first person to volunteer for any task and always approaches any work activity with enthusiasm and passion.
Oliver is a very quick learner and has picked up everything he’s been shown extremely well. The various roles we have at the Control Point come with a high level of responsibility and at times a huge amount of stress. Oliver has conducted himself extremely professionally at all times when covering a majority of these roles.
Oliver is a very kind considerate individual, who is always willing to help and look after his colleagues. He has a passion for the rail industry, and this really shines through with the way he approaches work. He makes sure he goes out of his way to support his colleagues breaks and he has an infections level of energy, which is very much appreciated.
Oliver is very respectful and has brought a fresh perspective to many of the process we do at London Victoria. He has also volunteered to work nights shifts and amend his working shift at short notice to support our customers.
Oliver has great communication skills; he has an excellent attitude and is able to relate to all members of the team at a different level. I have no doubt that Oliver has a great career ahead of him, where he will achieve great things. Oliver embodies and displays GTRs values with everything he does, and he is an asset to the company.
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Owen, Redden
Company Name
Network Rail - Engineering Services Design Delivery
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
At extremely short notice, Thomas was able to travel from his home base in Birmingham to the Western Route to proved the additional staff Slough Delivery Unit needed to install SWIX track monitoring equipment to S&C units as part of the Project Brunel improvement scheme to increase route wide reliability and reduce delays for passengers. He had to undertake out of normal [for a track designer] training to install the monitors. He was able to provide this support on multiple subsequent occasions in the February to March timeframe of the project.
Thomas was a very recent PTS holder having only joined the company the previous September, when faced with a new and unexpected call on the Design Team he rose to meet the challenge in an enthusiastic and positive way, a definite example of a 'can do' attitude. Thomas' contribution to this project was recognised and greatly appreciated by senior leaders within ESDD and the route.
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Paige, Stallard
Company Name
Alstom
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Paige joined Alstom in 2022 as a project apprentice. Since then, she continues to show commitment supporting other areas of the business to expand her knowledge base and remains committed to her apprenticeship and project support. Paige is extremely adaptive in the essence of effective collaboration lies in the ability to work harmoniously with others, fostering strong and meaningful relationships . Paige played an instrumental role in organising a remarkable all-day event in the Southern region for the Victoria Phase 4 commissioning , providing a vibrant platform for all stake holder to share their views within the commissioning teams. This event was not just a successful milestone; it symbolized the power of teamwork and Paige’s dedication to ensuring that all the activities were covered in detail and all points were actioned and valued. By engaging actively with the broader business community, she was pivotal in planning and executing many events that were both collaborative and enriching for all participants. Furthermore, Paige has continued her commitment to teamwork by collaborating with the team to develop an effective T-slides pack and a comprehensive weekly dashboard. This initiative is designed to ensure that everyone on the team has access to vital information in a streamlined manner, reinforcing the spirit of unity and shared purpose within the organization. Paige consistently demonstrates remarkable progress in acquiring new skills and providing invaluable assistance to her colleagues. Currently, she holds the position of Project apprentice on the Victoria Phase 4 project, where she shines brightly with her enthusiasm and dedication. Paige actively embraces opportunities to learn and grow, making a conscious effort to connect with new people in the industry. Her ability to integrate seamlessly into the team is a testament to her collaborative spirit and professionalism. With every task assigned to her, Paige approaches it with a sense of responsibility and excellence, showcasing her commitment to not only personal development but also to the collective success of the team. Her positive attitude and willingness to contribute make her a valued member of our organization, inspiring those around her to excel as well. Paige truly embodies inspiration in every sense of the word. She not only sets a high standard for herself, but she also motivates and encourages her peers to strive for excellence and follow her lead. Actively promoting her impressive work on LinkedIn, Paige showcases her commitment to transparency and sharing knowledge with the wider community. She continually rises to every challenge presented to her, demonstrating a remarkable ability to handle even the most demanding situations with grace and confidence. Whether in a room full of seasoned professionals or alongside her peers, Paige takes the initiative to lead, guiding others toward the successful achievement of project goals. Her dedication to collaboration and teamwork ensures that everyone works together harmoniously, fostering a positive environment where achievement is not just a personal milestone, but a collective triumph
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Ricky, Nuttall
Company Name
GTR Southern And Gatwick Express
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Apprentice Driver Ricky was out with his Driving instructor when his DI saw Ricky go above & beyond his Drivers role by immediately helping a lady who's young son began choking in front of us. Ricky administered first aid and called for an ambulance to attend. He then stayed with the woman keeping her and her children calm until the ambulance arrived. I have little doubt his quick thinking and direct action prevented the incident from having a more serious outcome and although not directly Driver related believe it demonstrates a professional and caring attitude to customers again at apprentice stage to go above and beyond. Truly deserved
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Thomas, Gallagher
Company Name
Network Rail - Engineering Services Design Delivery
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
At extremely short notice, Thomas was able to travel from his home base in York to the Western Route to proved the additional staff Slough Delivery Unit needed to install SWIX track monitoring equipment to S&C units as part of the Project Brunel improvement scheme to increase route wide reliability and reduce delays for passengers. He had to undertake out of normal [for a track designer] training to install the monitors. He was able to provide this support on multiple subsequent occasions in the February to March timeframe of the project.
Thomas was a very recent PTS holder having only joined the company the previous September, when faced with a new and unexpected call on the Design Team he rose to meet the challenge in an enthusiastic and positive way, a definite example of a 'can do' attitude. Thomas' contribution to this project was recognised and greatly appreciated by senior leaders within ESDD and the route.
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Vaughan, Morgan
Company Name
GTR Southern And Gatwick Express
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate Driver Vaughan Morgan who at the time was a apprentice train driver after only two weeks at the company – he became the hero of the hour when a drunk passenger caused an explosion on the line.
Vaughan sprang into action when the person threw a defibrillator onto the tracks, causing it to explode instantly.
Vaughan made an emergency call while off duty, so going above and beyond despite having only gained PTS competence just a few days before. By displaying a hand danger signal to a driver whose train was pulling into the station, the driver was able to stop the train short of the debris on the track. 2 weeks in and Vaughan was excellent in his actions that has already seen him win a Star Award (Internal).
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Yaamina, Vorajee
Company Name
Amey Consulting
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate Yaamina as she has made a big difference to the team and strives to make a difference to the industry through her meticulous, enthusiastic, confident and understanding approach to engineering solution and beyond. Her ability to understand complex structural problems quickly and work through them in an efficient way stands out from her peers. She has therefore been able to deliver grillage analysis using MIDAS independently for a complex temporary and permanent propping and renewal scheme at M8 Woodside Viaduct and been able to lead delivery of the viaduct packages on Transpennine Route Upgrade.
During the viaduct design delivery, she had to consider the impact of the works on stakeholders and communities through the completion of a Diversity Impact Assessment. Yaamina in the assessment had to consider movement of the public and third parties during construction by considering temporary works and potential full or partial road closures. The main consideration was given to the struggles of expecting mothers, people with caring duties e.g. pushing a wheelchair or pushchair etc. At MDL1/90 in particular the considerations extended to movement of potential worshipper to a mosque which was on one side of the railway while the domestic housing was on the other. Yaamina through thorough collation of the data ensured all diverse groups are considered and the impact accounted for and mitigated through design solutions and public consultations.
Yaamina is a rising role model in the industry, coming from an ethnic diverse background and as a female she faces the day to day in a male dominated world with an open mind and enthusiasm. She always wanted to be a structural engineer, and she did not want to just go to university. She therefore did her research and considered her options and evaluated all the pros and cons in the way she assesses technical and delivery challenges.
But she is keen to bring her experience to the next generation of engineers and has volunteered to act as a social value champion organising the Amey Challenge Cup in the Manchester Office. The Amey Challenge Cup is a national STEM event Amey host in multiple offices which is tailored specifically for girls to give them a look into the work of engineering. Spending a day in one of the offices, delivering a challenge project with a winner at the end. Yaamina beside organising looked after the event on the day and received great feedback from the schools involved.
She also made a different as a Sustainability Champion, producing a Carbon Workshop CPD to present recent learnings to the wider team where she discussed the role of Rail in relation to carbon and sustainability.
Yaamina also embodies the Amey Zero code attitude during her observations while working on site she made sure not only to follow the brief, but also was very vigilant in identifying site-specific new hazards, feeding back to supervisor and adjusting her work approach giving safety utmost priority.
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26
CHARITY AWARD
Do you work with someone who truly has a heart of gold? Someone who makes a difference in the world of Rail just because they have a heart of gold? Charity and compassion is about caring for each other and we wanted to highlight those who have this message at heart.
Nominate that person who puts colleagues and commuters first, goes the extra mile, raises money for charity, is selfless, and is always first to help out.
We want to hear about these special people so they can be celebrated. Anyone who works in the Rail industry can be nominated in this category. The charity they have raised money for does not need to be a Rail based charity.
You can see all the past winners here.
Andrew Morris and Tim Brawn, .
Company Name
Merseyrail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Andy, over the last 12 months has successfully raised over £15,000 for numerous charities, from a project of his own undertaking involving the de-commissioning of the 50X fleet, as Merseyrail transitions to the new 777 Fleet. This number is expected to reach in excess of £30,000 by the time the last 50X leaves our network.
In his spare time, Andy worked with Merseyrail, Stadler, Merseytravel and Angel Trains to arrange for the removal of a large number of pieces and equipment from the 50X fleet. He spent numerous hours reading up on each individual piece of equipment, uploading each piece of memorabilia on to eBay, promoting them through rail enthusiast groups and arranged their sale, packaging and posting.
Andy is also arranging for larger components such as the bogies and other heavy metal items to be sent to scrap yards to bring in additional funds. Not only this, he reached out to the wider business to allow for those interested, especially long serving staff members to purchase Builders Plates from individual units to allow them to own a piece of the fleet that they worked with for so many years, whilst also enabling them to contribute to charity.
The work that Andy took on involved countless evenings and weekends packaging and posting sold items, liaising with Angel Trains, and even spending hours working on the de-commissioned units to remove the parts for sale.
Alongside Merseyrail’s Timetable Planning Manager, Tim Brawn, Andy is also working to arrange for a “50X Sunset Tour” of the Merseyrail Network for delegates and enthusiasts to pay homage to trains that have served Merseyside for over 40 years. This is expected to raise up to an additional £7000.
The money that Andy has raised has gone towards Merseyrail's charities of the year, local charities, and the Railway Children charity.
Andy took on this mammoth task, without being asked, out of the goodness of his own heart and without the expectation of recognition, knowing it was the right thing to do, so I believe the Rail Staff Charity Award would be the perfect way to thank Andy for his tireless, selfless work.
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Andy, Turner
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I am delighted to nominate Andy Turner for the Charity Award in recognition of his extraordinary dedication and efforts in raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK. Andy, who serves as a Fleet Planning Manager at Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to this cause, especially during our recent ROC Wellbeing Week.
During this annual event, Andy seized the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK by organizing a raffle and a bake sale, alongside donations from a family and friends’ day BBQ. His efforts were nothing short of astounding, selling nearly 800 raffle tickets and raising close to £800 from this one fundraising initiative alone. In total, through these activities, Andy managed to raise almost £1500 in just one week. This feat is a testament to his dedication and organisational skills.
In addition to his fundraising during the ROC Wellbeing Week, Andy is also preparing for an impressive charity bike ride from Lands’ End to John O'Groats. This gruelling 980-mile journey, set to take place in September, showcases Andy’s relentless drive and commitment to supporting Prostate Cancer UK. He has already surpassed his initial fundraising target of £2500 and is now approaching the £3000 mark, aiming to complete this challenging ride in just 9 days.
Andy Turner’s exceptional fundraising achievements and his ongoing commitment to Prostate Cancer UK make him a deserving candidate for this award. His efforts have not only raised significant funds but have also heightened awareness of prostate cancer, inspiring many others to contribute to this worthy cause.
Please consider Andy Turner for this prestigious award as a recognition of his outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to making a difference.
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Angela, McEwan
Company Name
ScotRail
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Angela has been with Scotrail for more years than she cares to remember,she is based at Greenock Central where she welcomes not just local customers but a great many international customers who arrive at Greenock.
Angela for the last 4 years has held a pre Christmas fund raiser.
allowing her to provide much need equipment for local hospital and schools. So far Angela and her family have so far bought
A chair to aid patients at the Beaton Cancer hospital.
A Lifting Hoist for Inverclyde hospital
And the last 2 years defibrillators for local schools
In the Inverclyde area. Angela's aim is to make sure as many schools have access to this vital equipment.
Angela works silently on her projects with the help of her family and friends, with each of them given tasks for big night.
Angela is very modest and isn't Looking for praise or thanks.
Angela says its her way of giving a little bit back ,her way of supporting the community which she not only works but lives. Angela on behalf that community thank you ?
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Billy (William), Walker
Company Name
Freightliner
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Billy has gone above and beyond to raise funds for St Luke's Hospice in Cheshire in memory our beloved colleague Yin-Kin Wu who sadly passed away last year due to cancer. YK (as he was affectionately known) was a driver at our Eastleigh depot before moving to our Crewe depot. He was respected and loved by all who met and knew him.
Billy has raised over £4000 by arranging a charity memorial Summer Ball in YK's honour at Eastleigh football club, raffled lots of prizes and auctioned signed sporting memorabilia to raise the cash. The amount of effort and dedication that Billy has put in to this deserves recognition. The evening was a great sucess and was thoroughly enjoyed by all that attended. Billy is one of the nicest people I have ever met and would like for him to be recognised for all his hard work and dedication to such a great cause. The attached photo shows Billy presenting YK's sister (Hilary) with a memorial plaque of YK doing the job that he absolutely loved which Billy had had made especially for her.
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Cambridge North, Welcome Hosts
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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In September the team set themselves a challenge to walk/run/cycle/swim 1,000 km to raise money for two baby loss charities, Tommy's and Theresa's Tiny Treasures. We'd completed this distance in two weeks, so we converted to miles... by the end of September we had, collectively, walked over 2,000 miles.
We wanted to raise £1,000 by donation, cake sale and raffle - we absolutely smashed this target - raising in excess of £2,500
This shows teamwork of the highest order and a huge heart for charity
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Dale, Haggett
Company Name
Network rail
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Dale is a remarkable individual who dedicates a significant portion of his time and energy to helping others, both through his professional and volunteer work. His involvement with various charitable organizations and volunteer groups showcases his selflessness and commitment to making a positive impact on those around him.
Volunteer Work:
Exeter City Community Trust & Exeter Sporting Memories Group:
Dale volunteers his time and culinary skills to support elderly gentlemen who often live alone and have limited social interaction. Twice a year, he organizes and cooks meals for up to 50 people, offering both a summer BBQ and a Christmas dinner. These events are particularly meaningful for many attendees, as it might be their only chance to enjoy a Christmas dinner and socialize with others.
Through these events, Dale helps create a warm and welcoming environment where individuals can come together to talk about shared interests, such as sports, making a profound impact on their mental and emotional well-being.
Scout Leader:
In addition to his charity work with the elderly, Dale also serves as a scout leader. This role requires a considerable investment of his time and effort as he mentors and develops young people. He plans and organizes weekly meetings, monthly and quarterly activities, and even takes time off work to attend summer camps and joint activity weekends.
His dedication to educating and guiding young people not only fosters growth and learning for them but also highlights Dale’s passion for making a difference across different age groups.
Personal Commitment:
Dale manages to balance his extensive volunteer work with his responsibilities at home, raising a young family while also excelling in his career on the railway, where he has quickly risen to a supervisor role and is actively pursuing a managerial position.
His drive to continually grow and improve is evident in the numerous courses he has volunteered for, including becoming a Mental Health First Aider and a Wellbeing Champion, as part of his desire to support and positively impact everyone he encounters.
Why Dale Should Be Recognized:
Dale’s tireless commitment to helping others, whether through his charity work, his role as a scout leader, or his dedication to mental health and well-being, makes him an exemplary individual. His ability to balance all of these responsibilities, while still striving to achieve more in his career, reflects his remarkable character. He is a true asset to his community, and his kindness, compassion, and willingness to go above and beyond for others deserves recognition.
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David, Cranstoun
Company Name
Arriva Rail London Ltd
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David was very passionate about running a food bank at Acton Central station and with the help of management at Arriva Rail London partnered with City Harvest and took part in the City Harvest Festival through October. The station received donations of 264 kilograms of food which equates to 629 meals delivered. He went to the warehouse along with 6 colleagues and volunteered for the day and he was also able to secure £1,000 donation from Arriva as the charity initiative winner for October.
Through promoting this to his peers and being so passionate about the cause Arriva will once again be supporting the food drive this year not just at Acton Central but at 17 locations across the network. None of this would be happening if it was not for David's passion for the cause and his enthusiasm to involve his peers. A team of exec will also be taking part in a volunteering day next month at the warehouse having been inspired by David.
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David, Jones
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I am thrilled to nominate David Jones, a dedicated Train Services Manager for Govia Thameslink Railway, for the RailStaff Charity Award. Over the past 11 years, John has been a vital member of our railway family, but it’s his outstanding commitment to charity work that truly distinguishes him. His selfless dedication to improving the lives of others has made a lasting impact both within our company and across the wider community.
David’s charitable contributions are remarkable. He spearheaded the self-titled “Great British Railway Adventure”, whereby he attempted to visit every railway station in England Scotland and Wales in just over 6 weeks. Spending the best part of 5 months planning his enormous route from Cornwall to the Highlands in Scotland David managed to visit 2538 of the 2580 stations. This included fundraising initiatives like bake sales to raise £3,000 for Great Ormand Street Hospital and Oslo University Hospital.
David’s leadership extends to his colleagues as well. He offers support whenever
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David, Spruce
Company Name
Pre Metro
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Dave Spruce is a train driver for our Stourbridge Shuttle rail service and has been consistently raising funds for various charities for many years, as well as organising local events such as the Stourbridge Vehicle Parade every armistice day. His commitment to community support and charitable causes has earned him widespread respect and admiration both within our business and the larger Stourbridge community.
Dave has a longstanding relationship with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MMA) after previously working for the organisation and has been fundraising in this free time for over 20 years. His extensive efforts have not only provided vital funds for the charity but also raised awareness about its lifesaving services, it has also led us to connect with them and support their vital work.
Working with Dave in July, we supported him in achieving a funding milestone with the MMA of £100,000, an incredible achievement for one single person to have achieved. He is also working with the local council in Stourbridge to make the upcoming third annual Vehicle Parade bigger and better than ever. We believe he is a prime candidate for this award due to his decades of charity work and his community event development, as well as his stellar driving skills of the Shuttle!
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Don, Coffey
Company Name
TransPennine Express
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We’d like to nominate Don Coffey from TransPennine Express for all his brilliant support for Samaritans over the years.
Don runs his own YouTube channel where he publishes videos of various rail routes from a driver’s POV (with permission) interlaced with interesting facts about the area, rail network and local history.
Don puts hours into editing his videos and seeks out permission to film new routes to create a comprehensive record of Britain’s rail network.
Incredibly, though his channel Don has been able to donate over £38,000 to Samaritans since 2017 and continues to support the charity via YouTube.
In addition, Don has helped raise awareness of Samaritans within the rail industry to ensure that as many staff as possible are familiar with the essential support that Samaritans can offer his colleagues on the railway.
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Esther, Steele
Company Name
East Midlands Railway
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Esther has a natural passion for helping others. This is reflected every day within her role as Station Duty Manager at Sheffield. She goes out of her way to support the homeless people within our local community by bringing food and clothes for them and helping to link up with other local charities for accommodation. She even looks after their pet dogs by feeding them and has been known to bathe and dress an eye abscess recently too!
Esther channels her enthusiasm into supporting community projects such as the Routes of Remembrance ceremony, which takes place on Armistice Day annually. Esther arranged for a commemorative plaque to be displayed at Sheffield station, to honour the Pridmore brothers, who all died in the war. This was unveiled as part of the ceremony alongside the Pridmore family, dignitaries, Armed Forces and the Sheffield community.
Esther has worked with a local charity, to create a station exhibition called ‘Tails from the Rails’, whereby children and adults with learning difficulties have taken part in drawing activities, where they have created railway related pictures and told stories about the history of Sheffield railway station.
Further to this, Esther is a huge advocate for supporting The Railway Children charity and has held events in the station to promote their services, along with inviting them to station tenants’ meetings, holding tabletop exercises to create wider awareness of vulnerable people travelling.
Esther has worked with South Yorkshire Ambulance Service to organise training for staff to become first responders. This takes time outside of her busy day job to arrange training space as well as ensuring staff are released from duty.
Embracing diversity is demonstrated via the several occasions that ArtWorks have been invited to the station to support with the decorative poppies for Remembrance Sunday, creating artwork for ‘Tails from the Rails’ and making drawings and crafts in the lead up to Christmas. Bringing the team in Sheffield together to support the delivery of these ventures has fostered a ‘one team’ culture, where they feel proud to be EMR and Team Sheffield.
Esther’s relentless enthusiasm for these causes has allowed Sheffield to build a wide group of stakeholders who we now work closely with on initiatives that promote and benefit the local community. We received so much positive feedback and personal praise for Esther after the Pridmore bothers plaque was revealed, there were over 100 guests invited and the family were extremely grateful too.
Esther is the embodiment of care and compassion and it is evident in everything that she does for the local communities and charities.
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Georgia, Harris
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Georgia House has demonstrated exceptional commitment to South Western Railway’s (SWR) charitable endeavours. As the driving force behind our charity partner programme, Georgia has played a pivotal role in establishing it as one of the cornerstones of our operations.
Starting as an apprentice at our traincare depot in Bournemouth, Georgia identified her passion for sustainability early on and is now a sustainability manager. She is on her way to successfully completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science whilst juggling a full workload.
Georgia has shaped SWR’s charity offerings into an official corporate charity partnership programme, which colleagues are actively involved in. Under her guidance, the charity partner programme has now expanded to SWR supporting six colleague-nominated charities.
Georgia has overseen the nomination and selection of local charities that resonate with our colleagues, fostering a strong sense of connection and engagement within the business. Georgia has been instrumental in facilitating company support for campaigns and fundraising initiatives, ensuring our efforts make a tangible difference in the communities we serve.
The enthusiasm and momentum surrounding the 2024 charity partner nominations are a testament to Georgia’s success. She played a pivotal role in establishing colleague-nominated charities local to our network, fostering a strong sense of community involvement.
We now have two-year partnerships with six charities, nominated and voted for by colleagues. As well as continuing our partnership with The Alex Wardle Foundation, which Georgia was instrumental in establishing in 2022, we have partnered with a charity for our four regions and one for our wider network:
West region – Devon Air Ambulance – providing emergency medical services with two helicopters
South region – Forget Me Not Fund – supporting families who have experienced late miscarriage, stillbirth or babies lost shortly after birth
Metro region – Scotty’s Little Soldiers – supporting children whose parents have died while serving in the armed forces
Central region – SERV Surrey and London – transporting blood products, urgent samples, medical supplies, and donated breast milk to hospitals and milk banks across Surrey and London
Network-wide – YoungMinds – fighting for children and young people’s mental health
Georgia's establishment of charity champions has empowered our colleagues to support fundraising initiatives and raise awareness of the vital work our partners are doing.
Georgia has since worked with the business and the Alex Wardle Foundation to help push forward the importance of defibrillators at stations. The project to install publicly accessible defibrillators, available for use day or night by colleagues and local communities at all the stations on SWR’s network, resulted in the installation of 154 at our staffed stations by October 2023 and at the remaining stations across the network by September 2024.
Georgia’s boundless enthusiasm and hard work are a great example of what can be done if you believe in the project and throw yourself into it wholeheartedly. SWR is very proud of the way she has shaped how we work with charities and is delighted to nominate her for the RailStaff Charity award.
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Heather, Waugh
Company Name
Freightliner
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Heather has been instrumental in rallying the rail industry to donate and dig deep for many good causes for the Railway Family Prize Draw and Fundraiser.
Over the last 3 years she has raised vital funds for Ukraine aid, Cambodia Education and most recently Railway Mission and Andys Man Club all whilst maintaining her day job as a freight train driver.
Heathers strength of character, determination to help others and unwavering commitment has ensured many charities have been assisted, with plans for more to be helped in the upcoming years.
A true friend to many and a great ally to all, Heather is most worthy of this recognition
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Iain Perry, Stuart Young, Simon Cooper, Andrew Driscoll, Nick Turpin, Mainline Terminals Run
Company Name
GTR
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Team GTR came about as a result of a 2023 charity fund raising idea.
In 2023 Iain Perry Great Northern Rail Enforcement Officer ran a half marathon every month in aid of The Childrens Air Ambulance, a small charity that receives no government or lottery funding.
The call for runners for the grand finale was put out with the accompanying idea of running around London, while visiting every mainline terminal, starting at St Pancras International (Thameslink Gate line) and concluding at Kings Cross Station.
As a result of the call Stuart Young Great Northern Rail Enforcement Officer, Simon Cooper Great Northern Revenue Collection Officer, Andrew Driscoll Southern Driver and Nick Turpin, US Air Force employee and friend came together in December to take on the challenge.
Having already raised £2,504 the intention was to increase the total while running the London Mainline terminal run.
All donning the green TCAA tee shirts with QR codes emblazoned on the back the runners set off. During the run the team took the money raised total to £4,290.00 an increase in 4 hours of £1,786.00 with donations coming in from total strangers, other train company staff at the stations and members of British Transport Police & City of London Police, either via the JustGiving link or scanning the QR code.
Robert Oram, Community Fundraising Executive from The Children’s Air Ambulance said….I wanted to personally thank Iain and the team for all the hard work and dedication in supporting The Children’s Air Ambulance. Your fundraising efforts, including the incredible success of the December run, have made a significant impact. Your commitment and passion truly make a difference, and I’m so grateful for everything you do to help our cause.
Thank you for being such a vital part of our fundraising efforts.
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Leah, Cable
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Leah Cable is being nominated for her exceptional dedication to both her role in the company and the well-being of her colleagues. She consistently demonstrates genuine concern for the needs of employees, particularly those at the stations she oversees, and actively works to enhance her leadership for the benefit of both staff and customers.
Leah has spearheaded several impactful initiatives, such as providing free healthcare products for female employees and organising fundraisers and charitable efforts to raise awareness about various challenges faced by individuals. Through these programmes, she has shown unwavering support for her colleagues and made a significant difference in their lives.
In addition to her commitment to supporting employees, Leah is deeply invested in improving the conditions at the stations she manages. She frequently visits the stations to address issues such as wear-and-tear, vandalism and graffiti, ensuring these concerns are resolved promptly. Even when facing difficulties, such as delayed orders for station improvements, Leah’s persistence and determination ensured that these challenges were overcome and the necessary resolutions were made.
Her efforts have had a profound impact on morale at the stations, with noticeable improvements in the working environment. Leah takes great pride in enhancing the station conditions and supporting her team, making her a vital asset to the company. Her contributions go beyond her immediate role and Leah’s dedication truly deserves recognition for the positive difference she has made.
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Matthew, Greenwood
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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We would like to nominate Carlisle Support Services’ Nothern Contract Manager Matthew Greenwood for raising over £18,000 for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) by dipping in cold freezing water for a minimum of 2 mins every single day throughout January for the past two years in outside temperatures of down to –6°C. Besides the significant amount of money, he was able to raise, Matt was also able to generate a remarkable amount of awareness, making it into the news several times and being broadcasted live on ITV News as evidenced in the following video: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/childrens...
Eleven years ago, Matt’s youngest daughter Lauren had open heart surgery at Leeds General Infirmary in the first few days of her life. During this time, his family experienced a wide array of support from the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) including parent accommodation throughout Lauren’s time in hospital. This support alleviated the stress of consistently travelling to and from the hospital during her treatment.
Following this support all those years ago, Matt launched a ‘Wheelie Bin Cold Dip Challenge’ to raise money and help other families in need like his was. The challenge involved taking a cold dip for 2 minutes every single day throughout January which increased by 15 seconds every single day.
Following his amazing success in raising £8,000 in 2023, Matt made it his mission to take the challenge to the next level in 2024 by involving his family, friends and fellow colleagues from within the rail industry. In doing so, he remarkably convinced 70 people of all ages from 11 to 74 to join the cause and raise an outstanding £10,140 as well as a remarkable amount of awareness for the charity. This saw 33 guest dippers join him in person as well as 37 remote dippers from across the UK who are now known as the official ‘Bradford Bin Dippers’.
At Leeds General Infirmary where Lauren was treated, the Congenital Heart Unit is supported by the work of CHSF who help facilitate and supply the ward with emotional, financial and practical support for families affected. The charity does great work over the region as it also supports 19 regional clinics alongside the hospital and a Cardiac Nurse Specialist at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bradford.
Matt has made the news several times and has been named Fundraiser of the Month by the Children's Heart Surgery Fund.
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/n...
https://www.chsf.org.uk/fundraiser-of-th...
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Matthew, Pye
Company Name
Network Rail
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Matthew took it upon himself to organise a charity football match at York City's ground. the football match involved the British Transport Police and Network Rail staff. He organised for the game to go ahead communicating with several external stakeholders so as the event took place. He arranged for stewarding on the day, recruited all the players, recruited the officials for the game as well as working closely with York City promo team to make the event happen. The ground opened up the bar for everyone to enjoy refreshments and attend to see the organised raffle that took place after the game. He ran numerous things for the event including an auction, raffle and worked tirelessly to gain donations for prizes. Everyone that attended the event commented on what a fantastic day it had been, with lots of people asking if it would be happening again next year. The match was opened to the public with the stands been open and all the takings were put towards the charity. In the end a total of £3392 for the Railway Children Charity.
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Michael, King
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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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.
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Sarah, Livingstone
Company Name
Heathrow Express
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I am honoured to nominate Sarah Livingstone for the Charity Award, recognising her exceptional compassion and dedication within the rail industry. Sarah embodies the spirit of charity and selflessness, consistently putting others first while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Through her work with Pursuing Independent Paths (PiP), a charity that empowers adults with learning disabilities, Sarah has developed a programme aimed at helping students overcome their travel anxieties. Her commitment to creating inclusive experiences has not only transformed the lives of these students but has also enriched the wider community.
Every quarter, Sarah organises workshops that invite PiP students on a journey from Paddington Station. She goes above and beyond, dedicating her personal time to ensure each student feels supported and empowered. These workshops include interactive activities, such as wayfinding games, which help students gain confidence in navigating the rail system. The highlight of the experience is their journey on the Heathrow Express, where Sarah teaches them how to travel safely and encourages them to engage with the airport environment.
Sarah’s hands-on approach fosters a sense of belonging and community, ensuring that every participant feels valued and heard. Her ability to connect with students and address their concerns with empathy demonstrates her genuine care for others.
Her dedication to inclusivity extends beyond direct support; she collaborates with various stakeholders to ensure these programmes are accessible to all students. A significant project she undertook involved working with Heathrow Airport’s engineering team to develop a design competition for PiP students. The winning design was transformed into a livery for the Heathrow Airport Pods—driverless, electric vehicles that transport passengers across the airport. This fresh, vibrant pod was showcased at the London Science Museum during half term, inspiring children to explore the fields of engineering and transportation..
Sarah’s impact is evident in the heartfelt gratitude expressed by the students, some of whom have shared letters thanking her for the difference she has made in their lives. One particularly inspiring story involves a student who had not travelled in years due to fear—thanks to Sarah’s support, he is now excitedly preparing for his first holiday!
All of this remarkable work is accomplished outside her responsibilities as Lead Assessor, showcasing her dedication and passion.
Her unwavering dedication to charity, compassion, and inclusivity truly embodies the essence of the Charity Award. I nominate Sarah Livingstone for this honour, as she is a fantastic example of how one person can make a profound difference in the world of rail and beyond.
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Sheree, Whetren
Company Name
SWR
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As a teacher from a school local to Hedge End train station, I constantly liaise with Sheree. She always has tha community's needs at heart and often suggests ways in which our children can benefit from opportunities that SWR can offer. Sheree gives her personal time freely, especially when she organises the area's favourite community event - the station Christmas market and Santa visit!
Over the last 4 years, our Yr R classes have walked to the station, hung recycled, home-made decorations on the tree that she has organised and visited Santa in the waiting room. There is tangible joy on their faces as Santa reads them a story and answers their questions. Sheree ensures that each child receives a gift too. This has become the highlight of the year for many children, some of whom do not experience a great Christmas at home. She really makes the experience magical.
In the evening, after a long day, Santa and Sheree stay on and host the school choir, giving them an opportunity to perform to a large audience. She has worked hard to arrange stalls run by local, small business holders and she sets up a grotto for more children to visit.
Sheree also arranges visits to the station by our older children who are studying the local history of the area. She gives talks about the station, how to keep safe and she inspires them to use rail travel.
She has also set up working groups of pupils who tend the 'Berrywood Planter' on the platform and/or litter pick. She coordinates the other volunteers and finds funds needed to keep the station looking lovely.
Over each year, Sheree organises collections for various charities, such as 'Toys for Tots' and 'Gifts for the Elderly', and she delivers the items gathered. She is, deservedly, adored in the community of Hedge End.
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Simone, Carter
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate Simone Carter, the Area Station Manager at Stourbridge Junction Railway Station, for the Charity Hero category in the Rail Staff Awards. Simone is much more than an exceptional station manager; she is a beacon of compassion, a true community leader, and someone who brings heart and humanity to her work every single day.
Known affectionately as “The FC” on social media, Simone has dedicated herself to making a genuine difference in the lives of her colleagues, passengers, and the wider community. She consistently goes above and beyond, not because it’s expected of her, but because she truly cares. Her compassion is evident in everything she does, from helping passengers with their journeys to supporting her team through difficult times.
Simone’s contribution to the Stourbridge community is perhaps best known through her guardianship of George, the Stourbridge Station Cat, who has become a beloved local figure and a source of comfort for many. Simone’s care for George is just one example of her commitment to making Stourbridge Junction not just a station, but a welcoming and supportive place for everyone who passes through.
Outside of her work at the station, Simone is also a talented artist and a passionate advocate for local charities. She uses her artistic abilities to raise funds for various causes, consistently using her creativity to benefit others. Simone is particularly committed to raising awareness of mental health issues, a cause she holds close to her heart. She has organised numerous fundraising events, participated in awareness campaigns, and provided a platform for others to share their experiences, helping to reduce stigma and promote mental well-being.
Simone’s dedication to charity work is tireless, and her impact extends far beyond the rail industry. She is always the first to offer help when needed, whether by organising charity events, lending a supportive ear, or raising funds for important causes. Her efforts have touched the lives of so many, making her a true hero both within the rail community and beyond.
In a world where kindness and selflessness can sometimes feel in short supply, Simone Carter is a shining example of what it means to genuinely care for others. Her dedication to putting others first, raising money for charity, and going the extra mile every day makes her an outstanding candidate for the Charity Hero award.
Simone embodies everything that this award represents: selflessness, compassion, and a relentless drive to make a difference. I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition, and I wholeheartedly support her nomination.
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Stevie Welsh & CRSA, Welsh
Company Name
Central Rail Systems Alliance
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Over the Past 5 Years, Stevie has been the inspiration for the CRSA Annual Charity Efforts culminating in circa £50k in charitable donations for the like of Teenage Cancer Trust and the latest - Acorns Children’s Hospice
Stevie has been the driving force behind these monumental efforts that have seen teams from across the business and our Supply Partners tackle the following walking challenges.
The Yorkshire 3 Peaks
The National 3 Peaks
John O’Groats to Lands End on foot
Walk Across the Way - East Coast to West Coast
Stevie doesn’t like or want the spotlight but absolutely it’s right that his efforts should be acknowledged.
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Susan Temple, Johnstone Train Station
Company Name
Scotrail
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I am very happy that I have this opportunity to advise you of the charitable efforts of Susan and the support she has given her local community.
Susan has organised various collections of goods to be given to people in need, from Christmas gifts to toiletries for social work services, mainly Turning Point Scotland. She has also had several collections of food to be handed out to struggling families, and works with local organisations such as Morrisons and Poundland to take in their surplus stock so that it can be distributed to people who need it. The only thing that prevents Susan developing this further is the lack of storage in the locality.
Susan was particularly active during the COVID pandemic. To assist me in my role as Provost she helped me collect and distribute thousands of pounds worth of toiletries for local hospitals, hospices and care homes at the height of the pandemic, as these places were struggling to provide essential items as nobody could enter the hospital, therefore families could not provide as they normally would.
Susan also runs a book lending service from the station which provided a lifeline during lockdown as council buildings and library services had to close. For most people who used it, and still do, they walked to the station providing them with their daily exercise and for many of these, the station staff were the only people they spoke to that day. For the last three years, Susan joined me in a Christmas Pyjama Appeal, which requested donations from the public for new pyjamas for children whose families were in crisis. With her help, we managed to collect several hundred pairs of pyjamas which were donated to individual families, Homestart Renfrewshire, Womens Aid, Renfrewshire Social Work [childrens services] and Barnardos Threads Project. Susan works with local community groups, encouraging them to get involved in giving, which has resulted in substantial donations from organisations such as Johnstone TOA, Girl Guides and Slimming World Johnstone – amongst others. Many of the donations are single donations from the customers travelling via the station.
Lastly, but certainly not least, she is a fervent supporter of MND Scotland and has helped raise in the region of £12,000 in the recent past. It is due to her support of MND Scotland that she and I met, and we have remained in contact ever since. My mother died in 2011 following a fight with the disease, and I have worked since to raise awareness of the illness. Susan supports me in everything I do for the organisation. She will do anything asked of her to support her community and is always there to support me in all of my fundraising efforts.
I hope you take from this how much care and love she provides to local people. Of course, Susan will tell you herself that she could not do any of it without the help of other station staff members, who accept and sort donations and support her always.
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The Alex Wardle Foundation Team, .
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Introduction: It is with great admiration and respect that I nominate the team at The Alex Wardle Foundation . This nomination recognizes their unwavering commitment to combating Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) and their remarkable success in deploying life-saving defibrillators across the community.
Background: The Alex Wardle Foundation was established by Steve Wardle in memory of his son, who tragically passed away due to SADS. Steve is based in Basingstoke and is a Driver trainer. The charity has, over the past few years, become a beacon of hope and a pillar of support for those affected by this condition.
Outstanding Contributions: Under Steve’s leadership, with the invaluable support of Sheree from the Wellbeing team and Georgia House from the Sustainability Team, the foundation has:
• Raised thousands of pounds for the procurement of defibrillators.
• Successfully installed these devices in pubs, lifeboat stations, and community groups.
• Spearheaded the huge defibrillator rollout initiative across SWR stations, ensuring all staffed stations are equipped.
• Supported this initiative to non-staffed stations, significantly enhancing community safety.
Impact: The team’s efforts have not only provided essential equipment but also fostered a culture of preparedness. Their CPR and defibrillator training sessions have empowered colleagues with the confidence to perform life-saving skills. The innovative recycling of scrap metal from stations has further contributed to the charity’s funding, demonstrating their creative approach to resource utilization.
Peer Recognition: The entire SWR community stands united in support of this extraordinary charity. The team’s initiatives have garnered extensive media attention, further amplifying their message and mission. The participation of 85 colleagues in the Great South Run is a testament to the widespread influence and inspiration the foundation has instilled.
Conclusion: Steve Wardle, Sheree Whetren, and Georgia House are the driving forces behind The Alex Wardle Foundation’s remarkable journey from strength to strength. Their tireless efforts to raise awareness, support the community, and save lives are deserving of the highest recognition. This nomination is a humble attempt to honour their dedication and the profound impact they have made.
Supporting Documents: Attached are letters of support, photographs of the defibrillator installations, and news articles documenting the foundation’s achievements.
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Their story is truly inspiring, and I hope this nomination does justice to their incredible work.
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Tracey, Cheung
Company Name
Amulet
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I want to nominate Tracey Cheung for her exceptional dedication and remarkable achievements in fundraising through endurance running. Tracey’s unwavering commitment and tireless efforts have significantly impacted numerous charitable organisations, all are rail connected.
London Marathon 2023 - Oasis Charitable Trust In 2023, Tracey ran the prestigious London Marathon, raising an £2,105 for the Oasis Charitable Trust. Her participation not only showcased her physical endurance but also her dedication to supporting underprivileged communities and promoting social inclusion.
London Marathon - Ben Kinsella Trust Tracey also took part in another London Marathon, this time raising £660 for the Ben Kinsella Trust. Her efforts contributed to the fight against knife crime, supporting educational programs and campaigns that aim to keep young people safe. Her passion on reducing county lines and knife crime on the railway.
c2c Ultramarathon - The Railway Children Demonstrating her exceptional stamina, Tracey completed the c2c ultramarathon, running 50 miles down the Essex Riviera. Her remarkable achievement raised £155 for The Railway Children, an organization dedicated to helping vulnerable children living on the streets.
Annual Christmas Carol Singing Since 2016, Tracey has organized the annual Christmas carol singing event underneath the Christmas tree, bringing festive cheer and a sense of community while raising funds for various causes. Her enthusiasm has made this event a beloved tradition.
Sleep-Out Events In 2022, Tracey participated in the sleep-out event at St Pancras for The Railway Children, and in 2023, she took part in the sleep-out at Millennium Point for St Basils. Through these events, Tracey raised awareness and funds for homeless and at-risk youth, highlighting her compassion and commitment to making a difference.
c2c Football Charity Matches For the past three years, Tracey has been actively involved in
the c2c football charity matches, raising money for The Craig Tyler Trust and Samaritans.
Her participation in these events underscores her dedication to mental health awareness and
support.
Tracey Cheung’s extraordinary fundraising achievements through endurance running and
community involvement make her a deserving candidate for this nomination. Her relentless
spirit, compassionate heart, and unwavering dedication have not only raised substantial funds
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Tracy, Jarvis
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Tracy has been in post as CSR Manager for just over a year and in that year she has transformed GTR's support for charities, galvanising staff to take part in events and support their local charities. She has:
- Set up a three year partnership with MIND, supporting mental health services that are important to the rail industry,
- Organised corporate volunteering events for GTR events including annual support for the Great British Beach Clean, joint station transformation events with Network Rail and coat collections at stations for Wrap UP
- Provided fundraising advice for community rail partners, helping them win grants from third party organisations
- Supported a new initiative Art on the Line, working with local arts groups and station partners to display art at GTR stations
- Worked with three football clubs to establish partnerships for their academy players to take part in community events at stations and local charities, including donating signed shirts for fundraising raffles
- Managed a partnership with adult learning disability charity for their members to gain valuable environmental work experience at our stations.
In addition to her work with GTR she continues to coach a local girls football team and also run an annual fundraising event at a local airfield which raises over £10,000 each year.
Her enthusiasm, work ethic and willingness to help has made her invaluable to GTR and the community organisatiions the company supports
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38
CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON OR TEAM AWARD
Do you know someone who has amazing customer services skills in challenging situations and incidents by demonstrating a cool head?
Example job titles in this category:
Train Presentation Supervisor, Rail Coordinator, Customer Services Assistant, Oyster Helpline CSA, Training Coordinator, Administrator, Community Relations Manager, Roster Clerk, Planning Manager, Security Operations Manager, On Board Service Manager, Customer Host, Train Manager, Train Guard, Station Officer, Team Leader...
You can see all the past winners here.
Adele, Bussey
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Always giving 100% looking helping customers no matter what background or disabilities Adell is a shining armour for the company and for Ely Station
We are all very proud of her Adell should be recognised for everything she does. Customers always glad to see her and are very proud to come to Ely to travel.
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Aleck, Heetun
Company Name
GTR Southern And Gatwick Express
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am thrilled to nominate Aleck for the Rail Staff Awards in recognition of his exceptional work as our Roster Clerk. He is a massive part of our team, consistently going above and beyond to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Aleck has an incredible ability to manage complex schedules with precision and efficiency. No matter how challenging the task, he handles it with ease, ensuring that everyone is where they need to be, when they need to be there. His attention to detail is second to none, and he always seems to have a solution to any rostering problem that comes his way.
But it’s not just his technical skills that make Aleck outstanding, it’s his dedication and positive attitude and always willing to go the extra mile, to resolve last-minute issues, His commitment to the job is honourable.
We are incredibly thankful to have Aleck as our Roster Clerk this is from the management team and the driver depots that Aleck rosters for, his hard work ensures that the depots he rosters run as smoothly within his capacity, for all these reasons and more, I believe Aleck is highly deserving.
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Birmingham New Street Station, Assisted Travel Team
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The Assisted Travel team at Birmingham New Street station assist in excess of 7000 passengers using the passenger assistance service over a rail period of 4 weeks. Which is the highest number of recorded assistance across NR managed stations. The station is the biggest interchange station on the UK network which has its own challenges. The team who manage, coordinate and assist passengers at the station, ensure they deliver daily a service to offer a supportive service to their passengers. This amazing team who genuinely care about providing a brilliant service to their customers, go above and beyond to ensure that everybody feels safe and supported. Enabling equality for passengers to travel without prior booking using the Turn Up And Go service. A team that are quickly able to adapt to an ever changing and demanding environment, but still enabling to consistently deliver for their customers. The team are also leaders in company standards, by introducing the first Assisted Travel Lounge for Network Rail and adopting the Hidden Disability sunflower lanyard for Network Rail, all of which derived from ideas from the Assisted Travel team at the station.
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Cambridge Ticket Office clerks, .
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Cambridge Ticket Office clerks form a team of 17 outstanding individuals who excel in customer service. In 2023 as a team they sold in excess of 650,000 tickets to destinations across the whole of the UK. There are a few language schools in Cambridge and the clerks regularly work out deals for large groups of sometimes 100 customers or more. Their geographical knowledge of the United Kingdom and the various routing restrictions is second to none. They are a diverse bunch of people with a cluster of skills including10+ languages between them, ranging in age from early 20s to late 60s and between them have over 250 years of railway working experience. They work extremely well as a team and are the pinnacle of clerks here at Greater Anglia. Despite all of the uncertainty over the past year regarding whether or not Ticket Offices would survive, the team have remained upbeat and always keep the customer at the forefront of their minds. When the news was announced that the culling of the Ticket Offices had been revoked, so many customers came in to express their delight and the clerks are thanked multiple times daily by customers who are impressed by the service and return time and time again. There is no customer service if you have no customers and the number of tickets sold day in day out by this fantastic team supports the fact that they are simply the best.
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Chase and Stour valley South, Customer experience managers
Company Name
West Midlands trains
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Introducing an Exceptional Team of Customer Experience Managers at WMT
Since the restructuring at WMT in January, a dynamic and diverse team of four Customer Experience Managers has come together, each bringing a unique background and set of skills that have enriched the group as a whole. Despite their different starting points, they have developed new skills and learned on the job, supporting and enhancing one another’s strengths. This collaboration and teamwork have quickly established them as one of the best-performing teams in their region.
Each team member’s diverse experience strengthens the group, creating a well-rounded approach to customer service. Whether it’s someone with a background in operations, another in customer relations, or others from varied fields, their collective skills allow them to tackle challenges from multiple perspectives. This synergy enables them to not only support the front-line teams but also consistently deliver top-tier customer service to passengers.
What makes this team exceptional is their shared commitment to delivering excellence. They go above and beyond every day, constantly pushing the boundaries of what it means to provide a seamless railway experience. By leaning on each other’s strengths, they engage with both front-line teams and customers alike to create an environment where customers want to return time and again.
As their manager, I couldn’t be prouder of how this team has evolved. Whether handling day-to-day operations, stepping up to cover major football events, or tackling business-as-usual tasks, no challenge is too big or too small. They always come together as one cohesive unit, and in just under 10 months, they’ve accomplished so much.
This team is truly a powerhouse of collaboration and commitment, and I am excited to see how they will continue to raise the bar for customer experience across WMT.
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Dominic, Russell
Company Name
Hull Trains
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I would like to nominate our On Board Manager Dominic Russell for the ‘Customer Service Person Award’ for the following reasons:
Our Customers
Dom always has customer service at the forefront of his role as Train Manager. He goes above and beyond on a daily basis - making a real difference to Hull Trains passengers. He regularly receives praise due to his actions on board our trains. He offers a such a warm welcome to passengers on a level that you do not see very often in the rail industry. His entertaining announcements regarding the history of our trains gives passengers a unique insight to Hull Trains and beyond. One of his major strengths is his level head - he is very cool in a crisis and provides exceptional communication to passengers when they really need it. Dom also regularly represents the company at industry events to showcase Hull Trains on the national stage.
Our Colleagues
Since Dom joined Hull Trains, his support for his colleagues has been unwavering. Even down to a simple smile or words of
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Duty Customer Service Leader (DCSL) Team, .
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Kelly, Jo, Alan, Kevin, Toni & Tony, the ever present DCSL team at Stansted Airport should be considered for the RSA Team Of The Year for 2024. They are the 24/7 engine room at Stansted Airport railway station and experts in their craft. They offer an exhaustive output; protecting our train performance KPI's, overseeing day to day internal & external communication and H&S & assets tasking, managing time & attendance, implementing and overseeing the station's station security plan, providing daily instruction and support for the wider Stansted team and co-ordinating the overall Customer Experience at the station (to name but a few), particularly during periods of disruption where they really come into their own - their knowledge base in this area specifically is second to none.
The other great thing about this team is that they all excel in different specialised areas, so in combination present a formidable supervisory force (not to mention the 100 years+ experience they share between them). They are always flexible to the needs of the business, often at short notice, ensuring full supervisory coverage is in place as standard which protects the business and provides the station with a consistently robust steer. They're also calm under pressure, dealing with every conceivable scenario you can think of in real time, and such is our strategic importance in a Category A international airport, this really matters. There's no doubt, the DCSL Team are passionately committed to achieving Customer Orientated, & Operational excellence, each adding significant value to the ongoing success we've enjoyed together this year.
On a personal note, they have been a great source of strength and support for me in my role as a manager at Stansted Airport over the past two years and I love how that as a collective, we've grown during that time. It's an invaluable feeling to know that when one of the DCSL's is in the front office, everything is under control. I do hope they are chosen to be recognised at this year's Rail Staff Awards, they thoroughly deserve it - I certainly never take them for granted.
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Farringdon Station Thameslink Team, GTR
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The Thameslink station team at Farringdon have shown the upmost resilience and dedication over the last year. Since the opening of the Elizabeth Line, Farringdon has become a constant hub of activity facing many challenges outside of the direct control of the station team. Passenger numbers have increased significantly, and the layout of the station has required a new operating model to be implemented to ensure the safe management of the PTI at our busiest times. The team have been receptive to this and often provide constructive feedback on how things can be improved even further showing their commitment and dedication to ensuring the right thing is being done for our customers. Being in the centre of the Core, with access to 3 major London Airports, Farringdon sees a mix of leisure and commuter travellers with varying needs of assistance. The past year has been extremely challenging, however despite the staff shortages and incidents on the station, the team have continued to be supportive of each other and work towards a common goal of keeping each other and our customers safe.
Things have not been easy, but I would love for the team to be recognised for raising to the constant challenges and remaining supportive of each other, being professional and remaining dedicated.
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GTR, Customer Relations Contact Centre
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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The GTR Customer Relations Contact Centre consistently deliver great service to our customers in a high-profile, complex sector.
The team is lean, with a headcount of around 70, but have resolved c176k contacts (complaints, praise and enquiries) in the last year. They manage incoming contact via phone, email and letter about varying topics and an agile approach ensures they can adjust to varying volumes, dependent on demand and channel.
A small specialist team arrange bookings and offer support related to Assisted Travel. This highly skilled team deals with an average of 1.8k bookings a period. Positive feedback is received around their helpfulness and professionalism with one customer saying “The person I spoke to couldn't have been more helpful making suggestions when I thought assistance would be unavailable.”
Another specialist team validate and process Delay Repay claims - 889k claims were received in the last 12 months with this critical team reviewing c218k.
The team’s ethos is ‘fix things’ and raise impactful customer issues alongside emerging trends indicating something isn’t working as it should. They are tracked through to completion and escalated while the team keep customers warm and informed when a resolution may take longer.
With an appetite for development, the team regularly highlight areas to strengthen their knowledge to support first-time resolution. Collaborating directly with teams in GTR, they widen their expertise recognising there is always something new to learn in a fast-paced industry.
During recent Industrial Action teams were proactive - the Assisted Travel team contacted hundreds of customers personally to discuss options- this was well received by customers appreciating the human approach.
Their dedication to improving processes and systems is shown in the last 12 months where using customer feedback, changes were made to the Delay Repay customer-facing portal, website content and multiple retail issues around the purchase of tickets resolved.
They’re committed to improving the service and a dedicated resource focuses solely on quality assurance. Regular checks take place identifying actions or support needed and celebrating positive customer outcomes.
Recently the ‘Voice of the Customer’ survey was launched, reaching out to customers who have been in touch. The survey asks for feedback and delivers the insight necessary to understand how customers feel about their experience with GTR.
For those who say issues remain unresolved, a close-the-loop process has been designed where the team reach out directly to the customer to discuss their complaint again and establish if more could have been done. Positive feedback has already been received with one customer saying they didn't expect such excellent customer service and the team had gone above and beyond by getting back in touch.
Using text analytics, information provided by surveyed customers is used to highlight key elements that drive satisfaction and dissatisfaction. This covers the contact centre and wider business with the aim of delivering tangible improvements.
The team are loyal, dedicated and driven to deliver the best they can for our customers in a demanding and intense role and truly deserve to be recognised.
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Gaby, Salinas
Company Name
Network Rail
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I am proud to nominate Gaby Salinas, Commercial Scheme Sponsor for the National SCADA Programme. Gaby puts her passion for customer service into everything she does, she sees everyone she interacts with as a customer and treats them as such. Gaby's genuine interest and care for others is obvious, and this translates into the way she engages with everyone. Gaby has enthusiastically take the lead in initiatives to drive support and engagement with key stakeholders at all levels, with outstanding results.
Gaby initiated our customer service improvement workstream across a complex and challenging national programme, covering delivery and BAU support, she engaged our internal and external stakeholders to understand what improvements were needed, and what we were doing well, gathering both survey and first hand feedback that were used to implement a continuous improvement initiative. Gaby has ensured that our team, at all levels, including our supplier, have received customer service training and she constantly challenges us to think 'customer' in everything we do across the programme.
In preparation for a recent major commissioning milestone, Gaby went out of her way to engage directly with our frontline staff, ensuring that there was a common understanding of the significance and benefits of of achieving a successful system migration. Gaby quickly developed exceptional working relationships that resulted in outstanding levels of support that were a significant component of the successful delivery of a key milestone. This has also led in a marked improvement in support and confidence in the programme in other key areas, improving engagement that enables the collaboration necessary to succeed.
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Humaas, Shakeel
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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.
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James, Martin
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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James is a new starter in the team at Cambridge and has recently completed his first six months. He is at least the third generation of his family to embark on a career on the railways and he is a true railwayman already. James knows where all the obscure stations are his route knowledge is excellent. James has recently been tasked with creating a monthly brief for the team noting forthcoming engineering works so that the team can give best service to our customers. James has dealt with some tricky queries in his time here but has gone above and beyond to help customers. This has been recognised by our customers as they have been writing in to our Customer Relations department praising James for his service. James has really impressed with his thorough knowledge and calm, reassuring manner with customers.
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Kayleigh, Holt
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Demonstrated amazing customer service and leadership skills in all situations and incidents prioritising the customer at all times. Great at multitasking!
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Landsheriffs ASB Team, .
Company Name
Landsheriffs
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am pleased to nominate the Landsheriffs ASB Team for the Customer Service Team Award.
This dedicated team of 18 members covers the regions of Anglia, Cambridge, Hertfordshire, and Essex, handling various challenging situations, including anti-social behavior, intoxicated members of the public, CFW-related issues, and individuals in suicidal distress. They are always on hand at all Greater Anglia (GA) stations, providing vital support to GA staff across numerous locations along these routes.
Over the past year alone, this team has successfully managed over 20 critical interventions, ensuring timely and essential assistance to the public while minimizing delays. Their responsiveness and efficiency have significantly contributed to maintaining smooth operations, often going above and beyond their duties to help with tasks such as carrying luggage, providing directions, assisting with train timings, and addressing other customer concerns.
The Landsheriffs ASB Team is a true asset to both Landsheriffs and Greater Anglia, embodying professionalism and commitment. Their hard work and dedication deserve recognition, and I believe they are thoroughly deserving of this nomination.
Well done, team—your efforts are deeply appreciated.
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Lee, Scott
Company Name
GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Lee worked for Greater Anglia for a number of years before gaining a promotion with another TOC earlier this year. This nomination is based on the time he spent with us here at Greater Anglia. Lee started his career working on the Gateline at Cambridge North. He impressed us with his customer service skills, his personality and his willingness to get stuck in when the going gets tough. We then managed to get Lee to come and join us here at the Ticket Office in Cambridge. Lee was a very valued member of the team, always looking out for his colleagues and working extra when we were short staffed so that colleagues wouldn't be lone working for longer than their shift should be. His level of customer service was excellent and he had certain customers who would hang back in the queue waiting so they could be served by Lee. Lee is very much about interacting with customers, speaking with people and advising them. He has a firm but fair outlook and will also try and help those in need. He is an absolute legend during disruption and would always be one of the first to volunteer for anything that needed doing to help get passengers moving.
As well as this, Lee was part of the Incident Care Team for Greater Anglia and became a team leader. His passion and enthusiasm for this voluntary role led to him recruiting a few of his colleagues onto the Incident Care Team. At the training events Lee always made the effort to speak to everybody and bring us all together as a team.
Lee was also a great advocate for events whether that would be decorating the office to celebrate Christmas or to raise awareness for Pride month. He was very good at chivvying his colleagues along to join in whether that involved putting up bunting, holding raffles to raise money for charity, wearing Christmas jumpers, baking cakes or just getting involved.
Lee has now jumped shift over to GTR where he works as a Revenue Protection Inspector, a role that he loves. Lee is very much missed by us here at Greater Anglia but he is still at Cambridge and always pops over with a cheeky grin to say hello and have a chat. GTR, you've got a diamond geezer in Lee. He has a heart of gold and truly deserves this award.
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Liz, Paul
Company Name
Freightliner Group
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am pleased to nominate Liz Paul, Head of Credit at Freightliner for the award of Customer Service Person
Liz joined Freightliner in August 2023 and her results are a testament of her hard work and efforts since joining the business Her performance, leadership qualities and customer service skills have earned her respect across the business and with our customers
Liz has been a driving force behind our Credit Teams success. Her approach has fortified supplier trust, ensured high standards of service delivery, and improved cash flow. A strong advocate for continuous improvement, she has cultivated a culture of excellence, optimised workflows, and maximised productivity through:
• Process reviews with internal and external customers
• Problem-solving initiatives
• Training sessions with her to improve the customer service provided
• Implementation of SLAs
• Improved reporting for our customers
• Strong influencing and communication skills to coordinate with key stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Fostering a supportive and engaging work environment.
Under her guidance, the team have achieved a:
• Reduced SLAs from 5 days SLA to 24 hours SLA
• Reduced Overdue debt by working with our customers by 72%
Liz’s Customer Service, leadership, innovative mindset, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a deserving recipient of the Customer Service Award
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London Bridge / Carlisle Support Services Team, .
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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!
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Lorraine, Portnow
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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
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Lynn, Carter
Company Name
CrossCountry Trains
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
There are so many different reasons for my nomination of Lynn.
Firstly and foremost, her caring, passionate and kind nature and consideration of her colleagues makes such a difference to all who are fortunate enough to work with her. She makes such a difference in so many ways.
Her support and care for all around her means so much to so many people. Lynn's teamwork has enabled continuous growth and improvement within the team and the business. She doesn't realise this, but she has single handedly raised standards, and in turn improved our customer experience.
Lynn is a true ambassador of the company and the industry as a whole. When she is working onboard, her talent for customer service is exemplary. She radiates positivity, happiness, calmness and professionalism.
When she isn't working onboard, delivering incredible customer service, it is because she is supporting her local management team, and the business, going well above and beyond what is expected of her. Nothing is ever too much to ask of Lynn. She cares passionately and makes a difference, each and ever day.
Lynn leads by example, both in a professional capacity and also in a personal capacity. She inspires those around her to be better, myself and our team, included.
She'll hate this nomination, as she never accepts praise , but she is truly incredible and deserves recognition for all she does, every day, for our team, our colleagues and everyone who is fortunate enough to come across her when using the railway. Lynn truly deserves to be recognised as not only an ambassador for customer service within the industry, but for her contribution in driving positive change and continuous improvement.
Thank you, Lynn, for the difference you make and all you do each and every day!
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Marta, Wierdak
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am proud to nominate my supervisor for the RailStaff Award, as she embodies the qualities of an exceptional leader. She consistently goes the extra mile to support her staff, always available for a chat or to lend a helping hand when we need it most. Her approachable nature creates an environment where we feel comfortable discussing challenges and seeking advice.
Beyond her day-to-day support, she is deeply committed to our professional development. She provides valuable guidance that helps us improve our skills and advance in our careers. Her dedication to mentoring and encouraging us sets a powerful example of leadership and commitment to her role.
Moreover, during disruptions and busy times, she truly excels by helping staff navigate these challenging situations and staying extra hours outside of her regular working schedule when needed. Her commitment to providing excellent customer service, even in the most stressful circumstances, further highlights her dedication. Her unwavering support and genuine care for our growth not only enhance our individual performance but also foster a strong team spirit. For these reasons, she truly deserves this award, as she significantly contributes to our success and the overall positive atmosphere in our workplace.
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Michael, King
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Michael has recently begun training new recruits to Greater Anglia, a role that he has succeeded in with enthusiasm and unwavering commitment on top of the already stellar customer service he provides daily. He is a pillar of his community, with customers routinely praising his helpfulness, product knowledge, insightfulness and warm sense of humour, as well as his charity work and annual station decorations that he produces at his own expense. It is his passion and diligence that makes the station more than just a way point for boarding, but a focal point of the local community.
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Mikey, Talland
Company Name
Land Sheriffs
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am writing to nominate Mikey for the Customer Service Award in recognition of his actions during an incident at Southend station.
During a routine patrol at Southend, Mikey noticed an individual who appeared distressed, sitting on a bench with his head down. Demonstrating great concern, Mikey approached the individual to check on his well-being. The male, upon being asked if he was okay, immediately broke down in tears, stood up, and, in an emotional moment, reached out to hold Mikey.
Understanding the situation, Mikey gently guided the male outside to a more private space, offering him a cigarette when he learned the individual did not have any of his own. During this time, the male confided in Mikey about the recent loss of his partner and his dogs, events that had impacted his mental state.
Understanding the need for further support, Mikey continued to engage the individual in conversation, showing empathy. After about five minutes, Mikey was joined by his colleague, and together they reassured the male, listening attentively to his concerns.
The male expressed a desire to return to his home but felt he was being judged by station staff due to his appearance. In response, Mikey personally assisted the individual in purchasing his ticket and provided the necessary travel advice to help him reach his destination. Mikey stayed with the male for approximately 10 minutes, continuing to offer support and reassurance until his train arrived.
Before departing, the male hugged Mikey and repeatedly expressed his gratitude for his assistance and reassured them that he was not contemplating self-harm, but simply wanted to return home and rest.
Mikey’s actions during this incident are a testament to his dedication, empathy, and professionalism. His ability to connect with a vulnerable individual in a time of need, provide emotional support, and ensure the individual’s safe travel reflects the highest standards of customer service.
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Nick, Keys
Company Name
GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
There are few people who maintain the professional standards in the way Nick Keys does. As an On Board Supervisor with Southern (GTR), he blends excellent customer service skills with a brilliant safety and revenue awareness, ensuring that customers receive great care and arrive at their destination safe, on time and happy.
Nick transitioned to the OBS role from platforms, and brought with him a real zest and passion for the railways. He warmly welcomes all the customers who join his service, and goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone is having a safe and comfortable journey.
Nick is astute – he always ensures that every ticket is checked, and provides expert advice for customers looking for onward travel. He handles even the most difficult situations in a calm manner, and his positivity continues to shine even when challenging conversations or situations have had to be had on his service.
Our customers love Nick. Not a day goes by when we don’t receive an email, tweet or letter of thanks for his work. At the end of busy journeys, whole groups of customers have been known to thank him for his support and applying his expert route and operational knowledge to help them get to where they need to be.
Nick is creative, building on announcements to personalise them for journeys and making sure to be inclusive. As one customer told us: "He really transformed a mundane journey into something more positive and reminded me of the wonderful things in life we can be grateful for. What a legendary guy."
Another customer added: "Nick was the onboard supervisor and I have never seen someone so friendly, kind, approachable and helpful with so much personality. It's great that you have someone like him working here, I was at the start of my 5 hour journey back home and watching him interact with all the passengers, wishing them a good day, being so attentive, helping each passenger with their luggage was so lovely."
This sentiment is something local groups, including Bexhill Rail Action Group, have shared with us.
Outside of the railway, the community ethos which Nick embodies extends to his volunteering, where he mentors young people.
In all aspects, Nick personifies the best aspects of the railway: thinking of others, delivering for customers, love for public transport, and positivity. He is an outstanding star, a firm customer favourite, and someone we are immensely proud of.
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Noel, Idonije
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Noel is a shining example of an employee who consistently transforms basic customer service interactions into excellent customer experiences by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.
GTR’S aspiration is for our customers to love travelling with us. If they love travelling with us, they are more likely to return and also become advocates for travelling on our railways. To create great journey experiences, we must show our customers that we care about them.
Doing simple things such as smiling, making eye contact, giving a friendly greeting, and actively listening can create positive emotions in customers and make them feel valued. Body language also influences whether customers have a positive or negative impression of an interaction.
GTR use and an external, independent agency to conduct “mystery shopping” surveys across our network at stations with a quarter of the surveys being carried out by shoppers who require some form of assistance. The surveys help assess the level of customer service and hel
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Ontrak UK Limited, UK
Company Name
Ontrak UK Limited
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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.
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Paul Chambers and Mickey Carter, Ipswich ASB Team
Company Name
Land Sheriffs
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am nominating Paul Chambers and Mickey Carter, who are part of the Land Sheriffs Ipswich Anti-Social behaviour team, for their excellent vigilance and compassion during an incident involving a 16-year-old female who was found intoxicated at a station.
The officers encountered the young woman, who was barely able to walk and was accompanied by an older male. She was crying hysterically and insisted on traveling to see her boyfriend despite her intoxicated state.
Seeing the immediate risk, the officers informed both the young woman and her companion that she was too intoxicated to travel. While the male accepted this decision, his responses to questions from Land Sheriffs about his relationship with the female were vague and raised suspicions. Concerned for her safety, the officers separated the pair and quickly determined it was unsafe for the female to remain with the male, who then left the station.
The officers then supported the young woman, guiding her to the waiting room while they contacted her family and arranged for them to pick her up from the station. While waiting, the young woman revealed that the male may have spiked her drink, she then went on to detail that she had been raped by the male earlier. Land Sheriffs promptly called an ambulance and updated the police with this new information.
The female’s mother, brother, and emergency services arrived shortly after, at which point Land Sheriffs handed over the young woman, completing their duty of care.
The dedication and professionalism displayed by Paul Chambers and Mickey Carter highlight their commitment to public safety and welfare. Their swift response in a challenging situation likely prevented a potentially catastrophic incident.
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Paul Chappell, Alex Kerr, Chirag Patel, and Nick Jones
Company Name
Network Rail High Speed
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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.”
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Peter, Campbell
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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.
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Richard, Mannion
Company Name
Freightliner
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Richard Mannion is Freightliner’s Head of Solution Design in the Commercial team at Freightliner, having been with the company for an impressive 21 years.
Richard is at the heart of Freightliner’s Heavy Haul business and has been pivotal in a number of new business wins and initiatives over the year, ranging from the development of Freightliner’s new business with Strabag for the delivery of HS2 tunnel segments, our spoil movements for SCS, polyhalite deliveries for ICL and even the organisation of retired locomotives for export to Bulgaria.
Richard not only has a strong and respected relationship with our Heavy Haul customers, having worked with and supported them for many years, but also with many of our Intermodal customers having crossed boundaries as a service orientated specialist who understands, operationally, how everything works and how to bring custom solution designed options to our customers. Not only does he cross boundaries in our UK businesses, but he has also been instrumental in sharing opportunities with our Polish business, offering cross border support there over the years.
Over the past 12 months, Richard has worked on some really challenging projects, such as the Strabag contract and the sale of the Class 86 locos to Bulgaria. Richard manages to successfully coordinate the vast array of team members required for these projects, while maintaining fantastic customer relationships, all the while with a smile and some humour thrown in the mix. His knowledge of our business (given his 21-year tenure!) is a true asset, and he is a railway man through and through, which just shines in the passion that he puts into the projects.
“I highly recommend Richard Mannion for a RailStaff Award. Richard was pivotal in the successful implementation of Freightliner’s rail logistics supporting the Skanksa Costain Strabag JV and HS2s excavation and tunnelling projects. Richard was highly motivated and positively engaged throughout the process, serving as a true professional in his field.
The project we are delivering is extremely high-profile and over the course of the last two years Richard has coordinated multiple stakeholders to deliver the successful implementation of excavated material and tunnel segment deliveries to/from our Logistics Hub at Willesden. A combination of Richard’s technical know-how, stakeholder management and motivation to deliver make him an excellent candidate for this award.”
Graeme Murray
General Manager - Rail Logistics
Willesden Euro Terminal
Team colleagues express their pleasure to work on projects with Richard, as they understand and appreciate that they will get schooled in the technicalities of our industry.
A combination of Richard’s technical know-how, stakeholder management and motivation to deliver, make him an excellent candidate for this award. Richard's experience combined with technical know-how perfectly complement his perseverance, determination and dedication to our sector. A true leader, Richard’s relentless commitment to customer service, designing and developing bespoke solutions for for customers, passion
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Ruhen, Uddin
Company Name
Ethos Farm Limited
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Award Entry for Ruhen Uddin: Customer Service Person Award
Ruhen Uddin is not only a valued member of the team but is also receives appreciation from passengers for his warmth, calm demeanour, and unwavering dedication to customer service. In the most challenging of situations, Ruhen's ability to remain composed while delivering outstanding customer service is a testament to his professionalism. As one colleague shared, "Ruhen excels at problem solving and tries to help in every way he can," embodying the spirit of excellence that Ethos Farm strives for.
His influence extends beyond his team, with passengers benefiting from his compassionate and thoughtful approach. One colleague highlighted, "He’s got passengers at heart," reflecting Ruhen's constant focus on ensuring an outstanding passenger experience. Whether handling complex incidents or routine interactions, Ruhen brings positivity and patience that resonate with both his colleagues and those he serves. "Ruhen always spreads positive vibes," says another, capturing the essence of his impact.
Ruhen's ability to lead with empathy, remain calm under pressure, and build trust with both passengers and peers makes him a standout candidate for the Customer Service Person Award. His contribution to creating memorable and reassuring experiences aligns perfectly with Ethos Farm’s commitment to service excellence at the Luton DART.
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STM GWR Security Team, STM GWR Security Team
Company Name
STM Group Ltd
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The Reading Festival Team Deployment for Great Western Railway (GWR) was a critical security initiative undertaken by STM Group to address the heightened risks associated with the annual festival in August 2024. With an influx of up to 30,000 passengers at Reading Station within a short timeframe, the project demanded exceptional customer service skills to manage overcrowding, intoxicated passengers, and security threats while maintaining a safe environment.
Facing challenges like crowd control, violence, intoxication, and fare evasion, STM mobilised 60 SIA-approved personnel to provide round-the-clock security throughout the festival period. Despite being awarded the contract only four weeks prior, STM rapidly formulated an action plan to address these risks, showcasing their ability to work under pressure. The team worked closely with GWR to identify peak travel times and high-risk areas, allowing them to develop a robust strategy for managing the surge in passengers.
To handle intoxicated individuals, a primary concern during the festival, STM provided intensive de-escalation training to all staff. This preparation proved invaluable as the team effectively managed multiple incidents involving disruptive passengers, preventing potential violence and ensuring the safety of everyone at the station. Through a visible and proactive approach, STM created an atmosphere of order and calm in a potentially chaotic environment.
Crowd control was another key focus. The sheer volume of festivalgoers posed a risk of platform overcrowding, which could lead to serious accidents. STM implemented real-time monitoring of foot traffic, intervening whenever platforms neared their maximum capacity. Their ability to anticipate and redirect passenger flow was crucial in preventing dangerous bottlenecks, demonstrating their commitment to passenger safety. No incidents of overcrowding or platform accidents were reported during the festival period, underscoring the effectiveness of STM’s measures.
The team also played a significant role in preventing fare evasion. Working alongside GWR ticket inspectors, STM personnel provided additional monitoring at ticket barriers, deterring would-be fare evaders. This collaboration not only helped protect GWR's revenue but also contributed to an orderly and secure station environment. The presence of security personnel proved a strong deterrent, resulting in a noticeable decrease in fare evasion incidents.
Additionally, theft and property crime were key concerns, given the large, often inebriated crowds. STM strategically positioned staff in high-traffic areas to minimise the risk of theft. Their vigilance and visible presence significantly reduced the likelihood of such crimes, with no major theft incidents reported during the festival.
The project’s success was further reflected in the positive feedback received from passengers and GWR staff, who appreciated the team’s professionalism and calm approach in managing difficult situations. Senior Station Manager Andrew Gallaugher remarked, “STM’s ability to mobilise a skilled workforce in such a short timeframe was impressive. Their crowd management, de-escalation techniques, and overall professionalism were key to the success of this operation.”
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Sean, Kennedy
Company Name
ScotRail Trains Ltd
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
While assisting a gentleman who had fallen ill on the Dalmuir platform, Sean demonstrated exceptional kindness and responsibility. When the paramedics couldn't take the gentleman's dog (Hector) to the hospital, Sean generously took the dog home. He cared for Hector overnight, ensuring his safety and comfort until his owner was well enough to retrieve him from the station the next day.
Sean's compassion and dedication went above and beyond, embodying the true spirit of ScotRail employees. His quick thinking and willingness to help in an unexpected situation showcase his commendable character and dedication. His actions not only ensured Hector’s safety but also provided peace of mind to the gentleman in a difficult time.
Going the Extra Mile
Sean's willingness to go the extra mile is a testament to his extraordinary character. In an industry where customer service is paramount, Sean stands out as a shining example. His decision to take Hector home and care for him overnight was not a part of his job description, but it was an act of kindness that speaks volumes about his dedication to helping others.
Impact on the Community
The impact of Sean’s actions extends beyond just the immediate incident. His willingness to help in a moment of crisis reflects positively on ScotRail and its commitment to customer service. Such acts of kindness foster a sense of trust and community among passengers, knowing that they are cared for not just as customers, but as individuals. This level of personal attention and care helps build a strong, positive relationship between ScotRail and its customers.
Embodiment of Company Values
Sean’s behaviour is a perfect example of living the core values of ScotRail. He exhibited responsibility, empathy, and initiative, all of which are crucial traits for anyone in customer service. His actions have set a high standard for his colleagues and have shown that going above and beyond the call of duty can have a profound impact on individuals and the broader community.
Conclusion
Sean's empathy, quick thinking, and willingness to help in an unexpected situation make him an outstanding candidate for the UK Rail Staff Customer Service Award. His actions on the Dalmuir platform exemplify the best of ScotRail’s values and mission. Sean not only ensured the safety of a beloved pet but also provided invaluable peace of mind to a customer in distress. His dedication to customer service is unparalleled, making him a truly deserving candidate for this prestigious award.
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Shabana, Haroon
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Shabana Haroon is being nominated for the Frontline Manager of the Year Award due to the outstanding support she provides to both her colleagues and staff at Barking and West Ham. Shabana’s commitment to her role and her continuous development through her leadership apprenticeship have been evident in every aspect of her work.
One notable example of her leadership occurred in November when she was the on-call manager handling a highly sensitive situation—a suspicious death at Basildon station. Shabana demonstrated remarkable resilience and professionalism in managing the investigation. Her ability to apply the skills she gained from her c2c training and apprenticeship, coupled with her natural empathy, allowed her to provide crucial support to her colleagues during this difficult time.
In the course of the incident, Shabana had to review CCTV footage to determine the time of the death and handle a disturbing situation involving interference with the deceased. Despite the emotional toll this situation took on her, Shabana received the necessary support and navigated the circumstances with incredible strength and composure.
Shabana’s dedication and growth during her time at Barking have been transformative, creating a positive and supportive work environment for everyone she leads. Her continued development, resilience and commitment to her team make her an exceptional candidate for this award.
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Stanstead Airport Ticket Office Team, .
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate Stansted Airport Ticket Office Staff. I am Ticket Office Supervisor and I joined the Team in January 2023.
I was from the beginning warm welcomed and I received massive support. I enjoy coming to work because I know it will be always a day full of enjoyment. Unfortunately October 2023 my husband has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. It was massive shock for both of us because my husband was never ill. He is very strong person but this time he totally gave up to fight. I had to stay strong for myself and him. Managers offered to take days off but I refused because the workplace was the only place I could still live a normal life. Ticket Office Staff supported me every single day. They kept me going, fight, stay strong, laugh and don't give up. Being around work colleagues, I felt strong and I believed everything would be ok.
My husband had a kidney removed and he is fully recovered. I couldn't dream of a better Team. Everybody who has problems in our team gets support. We all have different characters for being understanding it makes us the Perfect Team.
Is nice to work in the workplace and you feel your problems are their problems and you always get support.
I couldn't asked for better Team!!!!
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Telford and Wellington, .
Company Name
West Midlands Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The team at Telford and Wellington really go above and beyond to provide excellent customer service. They are always on hand to assist customers and passenger assistance. They take pride on their stations and I regularly see them out and about the station making sure its clean and presentable.
Just recently the team at Telford were involved in a concern for welfare for a suicidal teenager. The team worked together to bring this stressful situation to a close by placing a block on the line to stop all trains and offered assistance to the person until help arrived.
They really do display all the values of how a rail team should work together.
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Thurrock / Greater Anglia, Amulet TSOs
Company Name
Amulet
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The DFT funded TSO team working on behalf of the council's and on Greater Anglia line, have made such a massive positive impact to the customers , stakeholder and staff. The TSO started back in February earlier in the year and both RSAS and CSAS trained. They are there to support and safeguard the public and have been responsive and constantly praised for their proactive interventions and professional manners. The team have really embraced their role to keep the communities safe and should be recognised for their efforts.
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Tyreece, Hewitt
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Tyreece is an ambassador. He stands out and he has so much potential in the railway.
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Wesley, Williams
Company Name
GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Wesley is a long-term serving member of staff at Peckham Rye station.
I am nominating Wesley for his exceptional dedication and commitment to customer service at Peckham Rye station. Having worked here for over 30 years, Wesley brings a level of energy and enthusiasm that is truly inspiring to others. His positive attitude is infectious, and he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure every passenger has a seamless experience.
During disruptions, Wesley doesn’t just stay behind the ticket office; he proactively steps out onto the platforms to make announcements, guiding passengers with alternative connections and transport options. His approachability and willingness to assist create a reassuring atmosphere, especially for those who may be unfamiliar with the area. Whether it’s directing passengers to bus stops or providing detailed information about local services, Wesley’s knowledge is invaluable.
His interactions with passengers reflect a genuine care for their well-being. He takes the time to listen to their concerns and offers solutions, making a significant difference in their travel experience. During times of disruption Wesley has a remarkable ability to remain calm under pressure, which not only helps to ease the stress of passengers but also sets a standard for his colleagues.
His continued dedication, positive attitude, and exceptional customer service make him an asset. I support his nomination for recognition, as he embodies the core values of our organisation and continuously inspires those around him.
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17
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION PERSON OR TEAM AWARD
This award is intended to recognise individuals and teams who have helped highlight the importance of Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion within the rail industry.
Example job titles in this category:
EDI, Advocate, Culture and Engagement Business Partner, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Equality Specialist...
You can see all the past winners here.
Alexander, Garnett-Scherer
Company Name
Transport for London
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
From various Pride events to the Notting Hill Carnival and support of Armed Forces charities, Alex's commitment to not only the inclusion but also the active promotion and uplifting of diverse colleague groups has been unwavering. Alex is an advocate for and active participant/leader in TfL's colleague network groups and has made it his business to ensure that all colleagues have access to groups to which they may which to join by attending events such as apprentice/graduate onboarding sessions and the like. Alex has been a champion and driving force behind TfL's inclusion in D&I focused events, promoting the company's contribution both internally and externally to the business; this has had the effect of showcasing TfL to staff and customers alike in a positive light. Alongside his day-job and vast array of extra-curricular activities, Alex also devotes significant amounts of his personal time to support the development and supply of TfL commemorative pin-badges which are immeasurably popular and have raised many thousands of pounds for charities including Anthony Nolan and the Royal British Legion, raising the profile of said charities and their associated causes in the process.
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All Aboard, Inclusion and Diversity
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
To coincide with National Inclusion Week in September 2023, South Western Railway (SWR) launched a major campaign called All aboard, with the aim of is tackling discrimination and abuse on the railway and affirming that everyone is welcome on its network.
SWR believes that no one, whether colleagues or the travelling public, should face discrimination or abuse of any kind on its trains, at its stations, or anywhere else on the railway. SWR takes a zero-tolerance approach to such behaviour - in all its forms.
The All aboard campaign encourages anyone who experiences or witnesses discrimination, or abuse, to report it by texting the British Transport Police (BTP) or calling 999 in an emergency. Reports to the BTP can also be made using the Railway Guardian app. The campaign also focuses on discrimination within the workplace, with advice to colleagues on how to report such incidents.
A key aspect of the campaign was a survey conducted by YouGov, which found that 10% of the public had experienced discrimination while travelling and 15% had witnessed it. However, while 52% indicated they would report incidents, 56% were unclear on the reporting process.
To address this, SWR launched All Aboard with posters, social media content and events at Clapham Junction and Southampton Central, two of SWR’s flagship stations, where customers and colleagues signed a pledge to treat everyone with respect and report any abuse.
Stuart Meek, Interim Managing Director of SWR, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about how to report incidents, with support from other figures including:
Huw Merriman, Former Minister for Rail and HS2, who commented: “While incidents of abuse and discrimination are rare, it’s reassuring to see operators like South Western Railway highlight some of the challenges faced and the steps being taken to tackle them.”
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, who commented: “It’s great to see South Western Railway launching this campaign to give passengers the confidence to report any discrimination they experience or witness on their network. Increased reporting and accountability will help to bring down instances of discrimination and abuse and build a better, safer transport network for everyone.”
The campaign’s benefits included high levels of engagement and continued collaboration across the rail industry and the All Aboard message continues to be sustained through ongoing events, such as those celebrating Pride, where materials and pledges are revisited.
All Aboard is just one part of SWR’s broader Inclusion and Diversity Strategy, reinforcing its pillars of engaging, equipping, and empowering both customers and colleagues to create a more inclusive railway environment.
Additionally, SWR has established Inclusion Allies to advocate for underrepresented groups and promote diversity. Its Pride network, focusing on sexual orientation and gender identity, has recently adopted Vauxhall station, further embedding the All Aboard message.
SWR remains proud of the campaign’s success in fostering an inclusive culture and aims to continue its efforts to ensure the railway is welcoming to all.
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Carolyn, Robins
Company Name
Hitachi Information Control Systems Europe Ltd
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am pleased to nominate Carolyn Robins for the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Awards at the Rail Staff Awards 2024. Carolyn has shown exceptional leadership in bringing the HICSE EDI policy to life through several impactful initiatives, significantly enhancing our workplace culture, promoting inclusivity, and fostering mental well-being.
Under Carolyn's guidance, our staff intranet now features a dedicated EDI section and a Wellness Corner, providing easy access to a wealth of resources and information. This initiative has greatly improved awareness and accessibility of support services for employees.
Carolyn played a crucial role in implementing Trained Mental Health First Aiders at each site. These professionals offer immediate support and assistance, ensuring mental well-being is prioritised across all locations. This initiative has created a supportive environment where mental health is openly addressed.
Recognising the importance of mental well-being, Carolyn established Quiet Corners in each office. These designated spaces allow employees to step away from work and recharge in a peaceful environment, significantly contributing to their mental health and well-being.
The EDI Newsletter, another of Carolyn's initiatives, is a quarterly publication featuring insightful articles from staff and external experts. It serves as a platform for ongoing education and engagement with EDI topics, fostering continuous learning and dialogue within Hitachi.
Carolyn also collaborated with the wider Hitachi Group and rail partners to deliver a Multimedia Programme. This collection of webinars, podcasts, vlogs, articles, and support materials provides employees with diverse EDI content, catering to different learning preferences.
Additionally, Carolyn was instrumental in forming the Positive Impacts Group (P.I.G.). This group, comprising staff from various regions, focuses on collaboration, engagement, and support for EDI initiatives and new staff programmes. By leveraging the collective voices of our employees, P.I.G. fosters a positive, inclusive, and understanding workplace aligned with our organisational values.
Through these initiatives, Carolyn has advanced our EDI project, promoting mental health, fostering inclusivity, and driving continuous learning and engagement. Her dedication and innovative approach have built a more equitable and supportive community within and outside our organisation.
For her outstanding contributions and tireless efforts in promoting EDI, I wholeheartedly support Carolyn's nomination for the EDI Awards at the Rail Staff Awards 2024. She embodies the spirit of equality, diversity, and inclusion, making a lasting impact on our organisation and beyond.
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Carys, Thomas
Company Name
Great Western Railway
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Carys has worked at Great Western Railway (GWR) for eight years and has continually devoted her time to advocating for safety, career opportunities, and accessibility within the railway sector. Over the course of her career, she has selflessly volunteered over 500 hours of her own time, supporting various departments and community rail partners with projects/initiatives. Some of these include participating in community painting at Montpellier Station, leading several LGBTQIA+ events, founding partnerships with safety initiatives such as the Life Skills Learning Centre, and conducting driver simulator sessions to encourage girls to join the railway in STEM-related areas.
Carys has also led and supported numerous young railway professional events and volunteered for the Envision Project, where she was named Mentor of the Year for two consecutive years. Additionally, she has provided support for the Prince’s Trust programme, further highlighting her commitment to making a positive impact on the industry and its future workforce.
Throughout her career, Carys has been an invaluable mentor to her colleagues, helping them navigate their educational and career journeys. Her mentees describe her as resilient, knowledgeable, trustworthy, supportive, empathetic, and inspirational. Carys has guided them through educational qualifications, provided interview training, assisted with career mapping, and supported them through personal challenges. She has gone beyond her formal role to extend this support as a mental health first aider, engaging in over 100 colleague interventions and providing them with guidance and signposting in relation to mental health matters.
Her dedication is not limited to passengers and community partners. Carys also supports her colleagues through her role as a safety auditor. She pioneered an internal "Introduction to Audit" training course, the first of its kind, designed to help new, experienced, and prospective colleagues understand the audit process. This course has been widely used by colleagues across GWR for self-development and has been adopted by apprentices as part of their educational qualifications. Carys also developed a "Colour-In Safety Hazard" sheet to assist community groups and schools in recognizing railway hazards, demonstrating her creativity and proactive approach to promoting railway safety.
Carys is a passionate accessibility advocate, tirelessly volunteering to support others. She has led several "Try a Train" sessions, teaching people with disabilities how to confidently use the railway. She also contributed to virtual tours focused on station safety/accessibility and created an activity booklet to help non-verbal passengers retain information from the sessions.
Her most notable achievement is producing *Rupee and Sushi Travel by Train* in both English and Welsh. Collaborating with train companies and accessibility experts, she ensured the book is inclusive, highlighting railway safety and accessibility in an engaging, rhyming format. With 20,000 copies distributed across the UK and integrated into schools and digital platforms, including BSL adaptations, . In addition, she’s self-funded some memorabilia linked to the book to further support those most vulnerable during try a train confidence building sessions and has volunteered further time to. Carys' work has reached diverse audiences. Her dedication makes a lasting impact on rail accessibility and safety, truly deserving recognition.
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First Rail Consultancy EDI Working Group, .
Company Name
First Rail Consultancy
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
When First Rail Consultancy’s (FRC) EDI Working Group started three years ago, its members wanted to spread awareness of the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues that affected their colleagues’ lives. They sought to bring these issues to light and make the consultancy as inclusive as possible. Through their activities, discussions, presentations, surveys and informal updates to colleagues, they have raised awareness of underreported issues, identified opportunities and made things better.
The group members have done their best to redress the gender balance within the rail industry. Our consultancy has a healthy gender balance at senior leadership level and the total ethnic diversity of FRH is 14.4%, just 0.4% behind the 14.8% UK Census figure. In the group’s Inclusion Week article series, they shared information about health-related menopause impacts, and promoted a gender-balanced approach to interview panels in their recent presentation on inclusive interviewing tips. They also called attention to the gender pay gap and the representation of women and minority ethnic employees at a management level.
The group uses its regular, consultancy-wide presentations as a platform to discuss important topics including neurodiversity and unconscious bias. To help cultivate a supportive environment that respects the needs of employees, the members helped establish new menopause and EDI policies. The working group completed pilot EDI training modules, with a view to rolling the training out across the consultancy. In the group’s recent presentation and discussion on Inclusive Interviewing, they provided advice on encouraging under-represented applicants, making job posts more accessible and accommodating neurodiverse candidates.
The EDI Working Group comprises colleagues from a mosaic of cultural backgrounds, including India, Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, and Ireland. Team members use their diverse heritages to celebrate cultural and religious events such as Eid and Vaisakhi, enhancing their colleagues’ awareness and appreciation of global traditions. The impact of their efforts is reflected in the “Pulse” staff survey results, where 95% of employees reported an increased understanding of EDI issues since joining the consultancy, compared to 82% in 2021.
To help promote EDI outside the consultancy, the group took part in the FRC-sponsored Big Rail Diversity Challenge, which highlighted the benefits of diverse teamwork. Similarly, their “DISC Tribes in Space” activity during the employee away day showcased how neurodiversity, and a range of diverse characters, make teams more successful.
The group is proud to have made a positive impact on FRC’s culture. Indeed, the aforementioned survey revealed that 95% of the workforce currently regard the consultancy as an inclusive place to work Its members go beyond their professional obligations to extol the virtues of equality, diversity and inclusion. From tackling ageism to enhancing digital accessibility, they spread awareness of under-reported issues – issues that affect people’s wellbeing.
They are proud to play a small part in creating a more inclusive, fairer workplace, though they are aware there is much to learn, and much to do. We hope the group’s hard work and passion make them deserving candidates for the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Award.
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Howard, Thomas
Company Name
GTR Southern
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I would like to nominate Howard Thomas for this award.
The Race Equality Network was founded in 2020 with Howard being one of the critical founding members.
Howard has been involved in a number if initiatives designed to help all our colleagues and especially our colleagues of colour feel welcome and part of GTR. We have consistently highlighlighted that GTR has an ambition to make D&I part of our DNA and Howard has led from the front to make GTR a more diverse and welcoming work environment.
Howard has been instrumental in:
• Development of management guides such as those supporting colleagues during the holy month of Ramadan. Helping managers have more productive and engaging support structures for colleagues observing Ramadan.
• Mentoring/Coaching: Howard has been an advocate for mentoring/coaching and reverse mentoring. Helping senior managers better understand different cultures. Promoting senior managers of colour coaching and helping colleagues looking to improve their careers or develop.
• Championing representation and leading from the front as a manager to celebrate and recognise colleagues from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Leading on campaigns such as celebrations of Black History Month, Diwali, etc. Helping GTR show colleagues they are passionate about them as individuals, recognising and then welcoming their differences as part of the culture at GTR.
• Leading on welfare campaigns. Focusing on mental health support and highlighting other health areas largely experienced by people of colour. Raising awareness for individuals to engage with the health support available.
• Providing safe spaces where colleagues can share their lived experiences. Enabling peer support, helping individuals identify early signs of mental health concerns
Howard is so deserving of this award.
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Josh, O'Sullivan
Company Name
Amey OWR - Amey Consulting
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I like to nominate Josh, a beacon of diversity and inclusion from whom we all have much to learn. His guiding principle is to empower individuals to reach their full potential. He stands as an ally for all, demonstrating empathy and understanding towards differing perspectives, even when they diverge from his own.
Over the past year, Josh has made significant contributions within to the Pride Network Affinity Group, particularly in the area of transgender rights. He was instrumental in launching the Amey Gender Identity Policy, a policy that did not exist until he identified the need and took action. Josh drafted the initial document and then collaborated with a working group, which included HR personnel and others from the Affinity group and the wider business, to develop the policy and accompanying guidance documents.
The resulting policy outlines how Amey supports transgender and non-binary individuals within the business, whether they are coming out or undergoing a full transition. The guidance notes provide advice to line managers on supporting transitioning delegates and considerations for setting up a transition plan.
Josh’s drive to raise awareness and educate on transgender rights extends beyond policy development. He has hosted Trans-Visibility Days throughout the year and presented at the Trans-Awareness Week each year. He also advocated for the availability of sanitary products in both male and female toilets in the offices, or in a neutral safe place if gender-neutral toilets are not available.
This year he became co-chair for the Pride Affinity group a recognition in his achievements over the years and has continue to raise the profile of transgender issues through presentation and support which provide further guidance for transgender individuals within the safety of the affinity group on topics such as their rights, name changes, coming out at home and at work, and obtaining gender recognition certificates.
Having observed Josh’s interactions with the civil engineering team and the Pride Affinity group, Josh is a person, who embodies the ethos of diversity at its core.
As Michelle Gard (Safety Advisor) said about him - Josh is brave, not many people I’ve met are as brave and courageous as Josh. To openly and publicly speak about trans rights takes a lot of strength and courage. He does it, not for himself, but for the benefit of others, for an entire community of people. [..]. Many speak loudly and brashly to be heard but no one can do it in the modest, quiet but confident way that Josh can.
Josh’s applies his ED&I ethos also to project delivery which has lead to high quality delivery. Luke Peters (Trainee CAD Technician) who Josh has mentored also said - I think his best traits are that he's always willing to help with any problem that you have, he's always considerate of what other people are going through, he's always kind even to people he doesn't know and if things aren't going 100% right he doesn't let it get to him and carries on.
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LGBTQI+ Network, .
Company Name
GTR Southern and Gatwick Express
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Ben, Victoria, Molly, Ralph, Hema and Dante have made a huge impact at GTR down to the work they've been doing to highlight LGBTQI+ issues within the company. They have offered help and support and been a visible presence at various events showing that GTR does care about supporting the community within that identifies as LGBTQI+
In a time when the lives of LBGTQI+ people are becoming increasingly politicised and hate crimes against the community are increasing, it's a reassuring site to see people like Ben, Victoria and Molly, Ralph, Hema and Dante supporting and highlighting our lives and the value a diverse workforce can bring to a company.
They have held various events throughout the year which has been a huge help to the various communities that sit under the umbrella LGBTQI+ term. Due to their work I know I feel more included and know there is a place to turn to if I need any help, support of advice. They have also been instrumental in helping GTR shape it's diversity polices going forward.
They all do this work on top of their demanding full times jobs in various areas of the business.
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Package for a Friend, Team
Company Name
LNER
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Following extensive research into period dignity with LNER customers and growing feedback from many onboard crew members, the Package for a Friend (PFAF) team, Gill McKay, Tracey Barber, Sara Jensen and Zoe Belhomme, hit the ground running with plans to change travel for those “caught short”. From the sourcing of 100 per cent sustainable organic period products, design of eye-catching stickers, a development of the ‘Let’s Eat at Your Seat’ ordering app, and coordination of getting products onboard, the PFAF team went above and beyond to turn an idea into an ongoing provision for both colleagues and customers.
In March 2024, LNER was proud to be the first UK train operator to offer free period care products on its trains, as well as across all its stations and offices. Research shows one in five people (22 per cent) have experienced a time where they needed period products for themselves or someone else but couldn’t access any. LNER customers can be on a train for 8 hours from London to the Scottish Highlan
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Paulette, Blackstock
Company Name
FES FM Ltd
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Paulette has been in in the Rail Industry for many years and leading the Soft Services Operations on the MTREL (Elizabeth Line) for the last 8 years. This nomination is for the considerable efforts Paulette has given to Equality Diversity and Inclusion within our business. The diversity within the team is huge with 20 plus different languages, a multitude of cultures and values. Paulette has formed and led the EDI committee bringing the team together and celebrating their diversity and promoting best practice in the values the business aspires to. Paulette gives of her time freely supporting the team and liaising with the Board to bring closer inclusivity to business. Celebrating the wonderful diversity we have in the team and sharing the benefits that that brings to the understanding of everyone is a challenging one but a rewarding one for us all. In these difficult times Paulette's leadership in the Diversity, Inclusion and Equality arena has been excellent and helps bond us as a tight, cohesive team.
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People and Culture, Bianca - People Director, Suzanne - People Operations Manager, Carley - Talent Acquisition Partner, Tracy - HR Consultant
Company Name
TES 2000 Ltd
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The People and Culture (P&C) team focus on making the workplace more inclusive, equitable, and diverse by embedding DEI principles into every facet of the organisation, including mandating all staff complete DEI and sexual harassment training. Focusing on enhancing recruitment practices, improving training opportunities, creating a supportive culture, and ensuring fair policies where every individual, regardless of background, feels valued, supported and has a fair chance to succeed.
This has been pivotal in attracting and supporting a diverse workforce. By partnering with employment support organisations, they’ve opened opportunities for underrepresented groups, including individuals with additional needs, prison leavers, and those facing long-term unemployment, resulting in a 20% increase in diverse hires. Along with simplifying the application process to reduce the number of incomplete applications which dropped significantly since implementation.
P&C team leverage funding initiatives, significantly reducing recruitment time and training costs. One cost saving initiative by P&C is Skills Bootcamps funding stream, which has saved TES circa. £96,000 in training the future TES workforce. This has contributed to TES’s ability to successfully deliver over 54,666 shifts in 2023 with a skilled workforce, meeting high operational demands.
P&C’s innovation extends beyond recruitment. Managing TES’s brand communications, social media, and company newsletter, sharing stories that foster a sense of belonging and community. For example, their feature on neurodivergence and the Mental Health Wellbeing Group inspired increased engagement from front-line staff, creating a more aware and inclusive culture. As ambassadors for the Rail Industry Neurodiversity Charter (RINC), the Railway Mental Health Charter, and the EDI Charter, the P&C team embodies TES's commitment to a truly inclusive workforce.
The P&C team’s dedication has led to tangible benefits for TES. Their cost-saving initiatives in recruitment and training have enabled more investment in staff development and well-being, improving overall efficiency, retention, with a decrease in turnover of staff from 94% throughout 2024 to September’s figures showing a clear decrease in turnover at 88%. P&C has increased the representation of women, now having the highest number of females on the frontline in TES's history.
Safety improvements are a standout achievement, with TES recording its lowest-ever safety statistics: AFR of 0.21, LTFIR of 0.99, and FWI of 0.027, directly linked to the P&C team’s efforts in fostering a culture of engagement and safe behaviour.
P&C successfully promote work-life balance, encouraging employees to take more time off with increased annual leave and employing local staff, with 95% of employees working within the communities where they live. As a result, job satisfaction, well-being, and engagement scores have soared, contributing to TES's impressive 15-year average length of service. The team's initiatives empower leadership, from the Board Members being made up of 50% women, including Bianca, a Board Director, to advocate for policies that protect every employee’s rights and dignity.
The P&C team’s unwavering commitment to DEI has transformed TES into an industry leader. Their efforts have improved performance, safety, and staff satisfaction, demonstrating the profound impact of a dedicated HR team in shaping a thriving and inclusive workplace.
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RDG Staff Network Leads, .
Company Name
Rail Delivery Group
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I am honoured to nominate the Chairs of Rail Delivery Group’s employee networks for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Dani Maki, Emma Finnegan and Hollie Walsh lead the Empower and Empower Allies groups for gender equity; Sheila Nazir and Emma Palmer lead Embrace (race equity), Raye Fullard and Sophie Morrow for Platform (LGBTQ+), Dominic Lund-Conlon and Kim Webster lead the Disability Awareness Network, Elizabeth Hancock leads the Carer’s Community, and Phil Harrison leads the Working Parents network.
Each of the chairs carries out their role passionately in addition to their day jobs, helping to foster and sustain the inclusive culture at RDG. Over the past year, these network leads have organised a wide range of impactful initiatives and events which have brought vital issues to the forefront. From hosting panel discussions (a joint initiative on allyship), mentoring circles (Empower), and awareness workshops (Platform; Disability Awareness Network), whilst also providing support for their members, their efforts have created tangible change. These events not only increased understanding of the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities but also inspired allyship across the organisation, encouraging employees from all backgrounds to actively participate in shaping an inclusive culture.
This collaborative effort has been instrumental in shaping RDG’s culture, promoting diversity across all levels. With their spirit of teamwork, dedication and intersectionality, the RDG employee networks leads are a group we are extremely proud of.
Dan Mann, RDG’s Director of Industry Operations, has provided the below testimonial for Empower, to illustrate the engagement the networks have with our senior leadership:
“Dani, supported by Empower’s members, has created something really quite special in the Empower network. Empower is fundamental in helping to build a caring and empathic culture within RDG. It’s a proactive, inclusive and engaging group – bringing to life our company values whilst creating a safe-space for colleagues to share their lived experiences both inside and outside of work.”
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Rozanna, Short
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Rozanna is an integral part of any team whether as Customer Experience Design Manager or as co-chair of the Gender Equality Movement (GEM). She is determined, extremely dependable, and continually shows willingness to create a long-lasting, safe space for women. Her optimism and passion for her endeavours are wide-reaching and have contributed to a sharp rise of members in GEM’s leadership team, with an increase of 133% from 2022 to 2023.
Working in a male-dominated industry, she holds this focus and identifies opportunities to use her compassion and empathy to elevate others. She became a White Ribbon champion in 2023 and has inspired me to join them as an ambassador.
Rozanna perseveres no matter what challenges are thrown her way, having built the work ethic to rise through adversity. Coming from a background in financial technology, Rozanna was told “You’re not management material” after applying for a Team Leader role. She went on to manage 3 different departments there and her crucial role at GTR exemplifies the powerful and underestimated contributions women make across industries.
She leads with courage, respect and resilience. Never afraid to speak up, take up space, or demand improvements for women. Rozanna helped with campaigns for International Women’s Day, Women’s Health Month, and hosted a National Inclusion Week webinar on the topic of unwanted sexual behaviour. For Women’s Health Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she promoted chest checking for all.
In 2023, Rozanna and co-chair rebranded the Women’s Network to the Gender Equality Movement. This was a huge step towards further inclusivity in the network, while its primary focus remains addressing recruitment, promotions and support for women, many gender equality issues faced by women involve men, so addressing current issues and making space for male allies to drive meaningful change is at the forefront of her efforts.
A priority of Rozanna’s is career development, specifically supporting frontline colleagues to bridge the gap to management positions. In 2022, she advocated for more career development, asking members what support they needed. GEM delivered their commitment by dedicating September to ‘Career Development Month’, a successful endeavour 3 years running.
Rozanna is a role model because she stays curious and passionate about the world. If you get the chance to be mentored by Rozanna, she invests everything in you, following up on your conversation with additional thoughts, book suggestions or supportive advice. She adapts to change, never making you feel like adjustments can’t be made to make your life easier. Our time with Rozanna has taught us to see things from a wider perspective, from understanding the importance of pronouns and challenging stereotypes to highlighting the history and contributions of women in society. Whoever she meets, she inspires you be to a better person.
Rozanna is forward-thinking, anticipating how we can improve life for others. In her dedication to GEM, she investigates new initiatives and best practices from other TOC’s. After participating in World Menopause Day, Rozanna and Sophie raised the idea of GTR’s own workplace menopause policy.
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Sophia Bourika and Alexandre Fleming, ED&I Reporting project team
Company Name
Arriva
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Recognising the importance of data and insights in driving the next phase of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) journey, Alex and Sofia have been pivotal in transforming how Arriva UK Trains understands and improves workforce diversity. Their initiative over the past 12 months has resulted in the development of a comprehensive dashboard that tracks workforce and recruitment demographics. This innovation has standardized our approach to measuring and reporting on ED&I initiatives, allowing us to assess progress not only at the company level but also across functions, job types, and geographical areas.
One of their key achievements was integrating workforce data with national census information, enabling us to accurately assess how representative our workforce is compared to the communities we serve. This data-driven insight has significantly enhanced our transparency with employees, highlighting focus areas like female and ethnic diversity in management and leadership roles. It has also empowered business units to develop targeted initiatives that support the broader inclusion agenda.
A standout example is Arriva Rail London, which operates the London Overground for TfL. Through the data, it became clear that the representation of the Asian community within the workforce did not reflect the broader London population. This insight prompted the company to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month for the first time, an initiative that received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our Asian employees.
Additionally, this new insight has allowed us to communicate clearly about the ethnicity and gender balance across the business, addressing concerns about career progression. For instance, we can now show that 49% of vacancies in 2024 have been filled internally, with 31% of all hires since January 2023 being female. Furthermore, 56% of internal hires were female, and 45% were from ethnically diverse backgrounds, showcasing our commitment to a more inclusive workforce.
This nomination celebrates the team's dedication to excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Their groundbreaking work has modernized how we analyse ED&I data, enabling employees at every level to make informed, strategic decisions that strengthen Arriva UK Trains as a leader in diversity and inclusion.
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Tracey, Barber
Company Name
LNER
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A true champion of others, Tracey leads by ensuring she raises the voices of others.
Since taking on EDI at LNER Tracey’s focus has been on reviving our main employee inclusion network – Being You. This required a tough decision at the time – closing existing employee networks which weren’t getting any traction, there only in name. This could have seemed like a backwards move, but believing in the power of employee voice Tracey set about concentrating efforts on building belonging. Going from no active contributions to a thriving community empowered to act themselves.
Employees have now created their own identity-based networks:
- Together(LGBTQ+)
- Empower(women)
- Elevate(ethnic minorities)
- Nurture(caring responsibilities)
- Mankind(men)
Under no illusions of the challenge we face, Tracey has worked to ensure there is something for everyone. Working in EDI we are familiar with the refrain that we are too ‘woke’ and exclusionary of some. Tracey is not one to shy away from challenging this but also meets people where they are to create change. She has ensured that anyone – whatever their background/identity – has a network to join.
We now have many champions for EDI speaking on issues which are both personal to them and as allies. This is more powerful than any corporate spokesperson.
In the words of a network-chair:
“Tracey has inspired, motivated and encouraged so many frontline staff to own and drive forward ED&I groups. She has engaged us and made us see that we are more than just a staff member. That we can make a difference in LNER.”
Tracey is always poised to pick up an opportunity. There is no better example than our Package for a Friend initiative.
In an industry first, this provides period products on-train, in stations and at our offices. This went from Tracey and a frontline manager talking, to an initiative in only months. Not only does having period products available reassure customers, it highlights the inequities and discomfort that can be faced by people who menstruate.
Not satisfied with an industry first, in true Tracey style, she has since met with other TOCs to help them launch similar initiatives.
We have received many pieces of feedback, perhaps the most moving was from a customer experiencing a miscarriage onboard, who felt able to approach a male train manager for help.
Tracey has recently taken on being Chair for Women in Rail South region. This is obviously not her region – but she knows there is vital work to be done. Her passion shines through in ensuring women in the industry can thrive, 43% of our workforce at LNER are women, but Tracey is not resting at that . She’s always keen to learn what others are doing and bring it to LNER. As well as sharing what we’re doing so the industry can benefit.
Tracey is there to challenge and disrupt the industry and it'd be easy for many to lean back into conventions without this. It’d be a duller world without her!
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Vanessa, Wragg
Company Name
Network Rail
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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
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Young Rail Professionals, .
Company Name
Young Rail Professionals
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Introduction: The Young Rail Professionals (YRP) team has been a transformative force within the rail industry since its inception in 2009. With a mission to promote the rail sector as an attractive career choice, inspire the next generation of talent, and develop young professionals, YRP has consistently supported the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). This nomination highlights YRP's important contributions to creating an inclusive environment that helps young individuals from diverse backgrounds thrive in the rail industry.
Promoting Equality and Diversity: YRP has made significant progress in promoting equality and diversity within the rail sector. By creating a platform that welcomes individuals from all areas of the industry—engineering, asset management, train operations, and marketing—YRP has built a diverse community. The organisation’s commitment to inclusivity is clear in its membership policy, which has no age limit, encouraging participation from individuals, especially those with ten years or less of experience. This approach enriches conversations within the industry and ensures that different perspectives are heard and valued.
Inspiring the Next Generation: YRP’s initiatives aim to inspire young professionals and highlight the importance of EDI in their career development. Through mentorship programmes, networking events, and workshops, YRP actively engages with young people, providing them with the tools and support they need to navigate their careers in the rail industry. The organisation’s outreach efforts have successfully reached underrepresented groups, ensuring that all aspiring railway professionals have access to opportunities that empower them to succeed. Notably, YRP organised a "Santa Express" that took 180 children with life-limiting disabilities or those in residential care homes on a steam train, complete with Santa, elves, and presents. Additionally, the IntoRail initiative has participated in over 15 career fairs to inform young people about the opportunities there are within the rail industry.
Recent Achievements: In the past year, YRP has achieved significant milestones that show its commitment to EDI. The expansion into the Republic of Ireland marks an important achievement, as it is the first time all regions across the UK have been represented within YRP. This expansion has increased membership by 34% and led to a 28% increase in events, demonstrating growing interest in the organisation’s mission. These accomplishments reflect YRP’s dedication to inclusivity and its ability to adapt to the needs of young professionals in the rail industry.
Conclusion: The Young Rail Professionals team shows the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion within the rail industry. Through innovative programmes, outreach efforts, and impressive growth, YRP has made a real impact on the careers of young professionals. For these reasons, we wholeheartedly nominate the Young Rail Professionals team for the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Award at the Rail Staff Awards. Their commitment to creating an inclusive environment is paving the way for a brighter, more diverse future in the rail industry.
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12
GRADUATE OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award is intended to recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals new to the rail industry who have gained early and exceptional professional or civic achievements.
Example job titles in this category...
Graduate Engineer, Graduate Project Manager, Graduate Electrical Engineer....
You can see all the past winners here.
Catrin, Wellsbury
Company Name
Transport for Wales
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Catrin put herself forward to support with a major event and was key in the success of its delivery. Her involvement demonstrated real success in getting more people to use public transport over the car.
The National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural festival in Europe, attracting over 100,000 visitors over 8 days. In 2024, the event was to be held in the town of Pontypridd - an urban Eisteddfod is still quite rare and therefore major planning was required to change the behaviours of thousands of attendees to leave the car behind and to opt for public transport. Catrin was intrinsic in the planning and delivery of the transport required for the event. In the early days of planning, she developed a Gant chart with a schedule of all activity required prior to the event (7 months ahead) and gathered updates from all section heads to ensure it was up-to-date and moving forward. Additionally, she ensured we had governance around decision making and moving forward - that is, making sure that all involved were briefed in an accurate and timely way. As time moved on, Catrin engaged with the local primary school to ensure they felt involved in the event and coordinated a school's project (they were tasked to draw pictures that could then be on display during the event). Also, she participated in a 2 day festival where we further engaged with the public around public transport options. I can honestly say that no task big or small was a challenge for Catrin - she just got on with it. As the event took place, Catrin not only helped at the corporate stand during the day which involved talking to around 1000 visitors a day, she then volunteered to work at the railway station nearby to ensure that passengers made their way home safely after the event. From the very start, Catrin understood the scale and importance of the event, not only as a high impact on the rail system but more importantly on our customers, the cultural significance of the event and importance of getting it right.
In addition to this, Catrin has demonstrated the importance of engaging with the Welsh community - on those who are learning Welsh, those who lead on Welsh matters and how best we improve Welsh language provision on the railway.
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Dieu Merci, Duambe
Company Name
BTTC
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Dieu Merci is an exceptional graduate whose achievements and dedication make him a deserving candidate for this award. His contributions to our organisation, BTTC, are a testament to his hard work, innovative mindset, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Dieu Merci has consistently gone above and beyond during his time with us, demonstrating an extraordinary level of dedication to his work, his colleagues, and the wider industry.
Dieu Merci was a standout candidate during our graduate career’s day. Despite still being a university student, his forward-thinking approach and outstanding application of knowledge convinced us to offer him a part-time role while he completed his studies. This decision proved to be highly beneficial for BTTC. Dieu Merci has balanced his master’s degree in project management with his responsibilities at our organisation seamlessly. Not only did he excel academically, but he also pursued additional qualifications, including the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification and the 100 Railway Basic Principles qualification. His commitment to continuous learning and professional development is further exemplified by his current studies for Module A of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers. Dieu Merci’s drive to enhance his expertise and skills underscores his dedication to personal and professional growth.
Dieu Merci’s role in implementing our new competence framework has been instrumental. This framework enables all employees to understand their capabilities, identify areas for development, and recognise the requirements for promotions. Dieu Merci conducted extensive research in his spare time, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring the best outcomes for our organisation. His efforts have resulted in a comprehensive and effective framework that supports the career growth of our entire team. Additionally, Dieu Merci has shown a deep commitment to the health and wellbeing of his colleagues. He created and implemented a robust Health and Safety strategy, which has been a significant step towards our goal of achieving ISO45001 certification. His proactive approach and dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment are truly commendable.
Dieu Merci is a team player, always willing to support various areas of the business. His recent participation in collaborative behavioural training highlights his commitment to fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration. He has played a key role in developing training materials for the supply chain management team, helping in the conduction of behavioural workshops for our client Metrolinx in Canada. His efforts have not only enhanced the skills of our team members but have also strengthened our relationship with an important client. Dieu Merci’s dedication to collaboration, a core value of our company as reflected in our name (Better Through Total Collaboration), is unwavering.
In conclusion, Dieu Merci’s exceptional academic achievements, significant contributions to internal projects, and outstanding teamwork make him a standout candidate for this award. His dedication, innovative mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement have had a profound impact on our organisation. Dieu Merci embodies the qualities of a young professional who not only meets but exceeds expectations. His accomplishments deserve to be celebrated.
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Harry, Bateman
Company Name
Alstom
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Harry Bateman has been pivotal in promoting a culture of innovation, inclusion, and wellbeing at Alstom. Since joining the company as a Business Development and Tendering Graduate in September 2023, he has consistently gone above and beyond his standard job responsibilities. He initiated the podcast series focusing on mental health and diversity, which was not part of his original role. His proactive approach and strong commitment to mental health advocacy and diversity initiatives make him an exemplary candidate for the Graduate of the Year award
He has played a key role in connecting diversity, inclusion and mental health initiatives. He created and developed Alstom’s inaugural UK & Ireland podcast series, where he now serves as host, editor and producer. The series highlights the ‘Voices of’ groups: Women, Pride+, Cultural Diversity and Disability. The series aims to share lived experiences and challenge groupthink in shaping strategic policies. Within just three months of joining, Harry collaborated with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) team to successfully develop a compelling business case for the podcast. The first episode of the series focuses on Alstom’s “Voices of Disability” Employee Resource Group. In February 2024, Harry interviewed Connor Lowe, who shared his experience of living with ADHD. Harry’s successful hosting and high-quality editing have received positive feedback from employees and the series is now an established monthly feature. Within its first two days, the podcast attracted over 100 listeners within Alstom UK & Ireland — a clear sign of its positive reception and engagement within the organisation. With a growing list of participants eager to share their stories on a wide range of topics, the podcast is set to further expand its audience reach and engagement.
Harry's commitment to mental health awareness has been profound. He has actively supported Alstom’s involvement in the Baton of Hope, the UK’s largest suicide prevention initiative. His efforts to promote suicide awareness within Alstom included organising events and serving as a representative at the Baton of Hope conference. Mike McCarthy, Founder of the Baton of Hope, stated, “The way Harry supported our suicide prevention charity when we came to give a presentation at Alstom was incredibly impressive. His open, friendly, and intelligent approach helped enormously in creating a sensitive and honest atmosphere in which his colleagues clearly felt comfortable and at ease. He embraced the day and played a key role in helping to ensure that it was the success it became, opening up about his own struggles. Thank you, Harry. People like you are making the workplace a much better place to be.”
Harry Bateman embodies the spirit of innovation, inclusion, and wellbeing at Alstom. His commitment to promoting mental health awareness and advocating for diversity initiatives sets him apart as an exceptional leader and ambassador. Harry has made significant contributions in his short time with us at Alstom, and in turn, we have learned just as much from him.
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Helen, Marriner
Company Name
WSP
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Helen joined WSP in Sept 2023 as a Civil Engineering graduate to pursue ICE chartership and is currently carrying out placements across the business. She is bright, a quick learner, enthusiastic and extremely dedicated. She has unbelievable drive seeing issues as challenges with a dogged determination to solve them, never shying away from difficult conversations.
Whilst on placement as a civil engineer on Sizewell C Helen received the following compliment from WSP Head of Rail (Dan Bishop) “You have been working as a civil engineer on platform designs in EWR and have played a crucial role in developing design options. You have received praise from both senior engineers and CEMs while working on the project and have performed above and beyond expectations. Your report was one of the best reports I have read in a long time requiring little guidance and supervision”.
Her involvement in London graduate community, social value events and being a STEM Ambassador acting as a role model inspiring young people helps keep her CPD up to date. WSP Director Martin Heffer commented “Helen has made significant effort to entice Early Career Professionals to engage with Social Value delivery in WSP Rail. She has shown herself to be highly proactive and focused. Clearly a high performer. Helen demonstrates a very high level of 'can do' attitude balanced with a healthy dose of realism.”
On her current PM placement (managing £5m/yr of projects) Helen has impressed the whole team with how she conducts herself. She shows a level of calm and maturity above her years and experience making robust educated decisions and then moving on. She understands the importance of fostering trusted relationships both internally and with clients. She has been working with WSP's Integrated Complementary Resourcing Centre (iCRC) providing guidance and mentoring more junior team members.
She embraces ethics and diversity in the workforce treating all as equals from iCRC to the client. She is an exceptional self-starter offering fresh perspectives and new energy whilst keeping an eye open to expanding WSP’s offering. On NWC Aspro she worked closely with the client to understand the interface with third parties and develop a reporting mechanism to suit their requirements. This opened the door to further work.
For a recent tender Helen took it upon herself to interview existing staff and piece together examples of relevant evidence. These snippets made the difference between an average and an exceptional submission. Her hard work and attention to detail has put WSP in a fantastic position to secure a further 5 year commission.
On W&W Aspro project there was concern with invoices being incorrect. Helen faced the issues head on working with the client to agree a way forward turning the relationship into a really positive one where WSP are now a trusted partner.
In summary, Helen is bright, enthusiastic, driven, self starter who lives and breathes WSP and Rail Values. She is a quick learner who always delivers, understands engineering, the railway, WSP's business and is viewed as a future leader.
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Ifan, Beech
Company Name
Transport for Wales
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Ifan plays a crucial role in supporting all colleagues within the business, regardless of their role. He embodies our values day to day and is fundamental to the successful delivery of events and planned rail replacement. He follows the plans implemented, engages with all colleagues supporting and demonstrates clear leadership skills in empowering the resources in place to take responsibly for their own area to deliver. He has been able to win trust by engaging the local teams, encouraging ownership and giving praise. We have previously received feedback that the local teams feel undermined or not quite sure what role the management support plays - Ifan has taken responsibility for this and ensured we approach situations differently, ensuring continuous improvement is a key focus.
He played an integral role when planning ahead for the National Eisteddfod, a major cultural event that attracted around 150,000 people over 8 days. Ahead of the Eisteddfod, Ifan would support planning by taking an active coordination role, ensuring area owners were on top of their actions and amending our reporting accordingly. He went above and beyond by attending site visits and ensured that engagement with a local primary school was delivered and closed out. Another key focus in preparation for the delivery of this event was station presentation. A task was set to improve the station conditions at multiple locations which required working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to achieve a common goal. Despite this not sitting within his remit, Ifan recognised this wasn’t going to plan and worked hard to ensure all locations were completed to time to achieve the goal set. Senior leaders of the business recognise this achievement and are really grateful for his selfless approach. During the event, he was tireless in his support engaging with the public and also at the station. He was the nominated event lead for the biggest day of the event which conflicted with a major event in Cardiff, and confidently applied all of the skills he had learnt in the lead up to the event. He understood the cultural importance of the event, in particular the importance of our contributions in celebrating the Welsh language and heritage. His support came voluntarily and no task was too big or small for him. His commitment was inspiring to the team around him and his passion not only for the language but delivering the best experience to our customers was contagious. Every business should have an Ifan!
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Lewis, Cheadle
Company Name
Alstom
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Lewis joined as a graduate trainee in September 2023 and has already made a significant impact through his dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm. Graduate trainees participate in a rotational program that enables them to collaborate with various teams, thereby gaining a comprehensive understanding of the business.
Almost immediately, Lewis became an indispensable member of the Systems Team, quickly adapting to support his colleagues across diverse tasks. He introduced numerous innovative ideas aimed at enhancing efficiency and minimizing errors and rework. He conducted site visit, learned various subsystems to collect logs and presented these t
During his second rotation, Lewis took on the mechanical design aspects of a test cubicle used for ETCS (European Train Control System) testing. He swiftly learned about the new technology, completing CAD designs and custom harness configurations for bespoke patch panels. In addition, he developed mechanical schematics and cubicle designs that adhered to installation constraints while effectively interacting with suppliers and procurement to fulfil the Bill of Materials (BoM). He also assisted the installation team by addressing technical queries related to electrical and mechanical schematics during the build phase. His contributions were so impactful that the team requested an extension of his tenure to ensure the successful completion of tasks.
Moreover, Lewis successfully organized and managed a work experience week in Hatfield, coordinating a complex schedule for 18 students from local schools. His efforts to engage over 25 colleagues in supporting this initiative were highly appreciated, showcasing his collaborative and leadership capabilities.
Beyond his technical contributions, Lewis has made a meaningful impact through corporate social responsibility, inspiring students to pursue STEM careers, particularly in engineering and the transport and rail industry. He serves as a role model and is an asset to any team.
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Molly, Wakelin
Company Name
Chiltern Railways
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Molly Wakelin has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to make a positive impact on every team she has been part of. Joining Arriva’s Business Graduate scheme in 2021, she quickly established herself as a passionate advocate for creating a better workplace for all employees.
Her commitment to fostering collaboration and inclusivity was recognised as she was one of the winners of the "Building Bridges Award" last year. This award, selected from 60 nominations across the entire business, highlighted Molly's exceptional ability to connect with colleagues and drive positive change.
Molly has been a driving force within Arriva's GAIN network, passionately advocating for women at the start of their careers. As Member Engagement Lead, she has significantly expanded the network's reach and fostered a supportive community. Her impactful presentation on #EmbraceEquity during International Women's Day, attended by over 130 colleagues including the CEO and CPO, showcased her ability to articulate complex issues and inspire change.
Molly's strategic thinking was instrumental in developing GAIN's new structure, with a particular focus on empowering graduate representatives. Her influential leadership secured approval for presenting this innovative approach to the Arriva Management Board, demonstrating her capacity to drive initiatives from conception to implementation.
Molly was instrumental in securing the CrossCountry Direct Award, demonstrating exceptional project management skills and unwavering dedication. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement, Molly further enhanced her skill set by obtaining a Project Management Qualification.
Moreover, Molly’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to develop the “Arriva Ideas Engine,” a platform empowering employee to contribute innovative solutions. This initiative demonstrates her commitment to continuous improvement and employee engagement.
Upon completing the graduate scheme in 2023, Molly swiftly transitioned to a permanent role as Contract Delivery Lead at Chiltern Railways. Molly's attitude and quality of work has been exemplary since joining Chiltern. She's taken on full ownership of various elements of Business Planning, picked up industry and regulatory processes quickly and played a key role in building a strong relationship with our Market Team at DfT, especially when it comes to contracts and procurement. She's also a member of our People Steering Group and Co-Chair of the Equality Diversity & Inclusion Working Group where she continues to promote Chiltern and Arriva values passionately.
Molly’s exceptional talent, drive, and dedication make her an outstanding candidate for Graduate of the Year.
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Muaaz, Sand
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate Muaaz Sand for the Graduate Engineer of the year due to his exceptional hard work and dedication since starting with Greater Anglia (GA)
Muaaz joined GA as Graduate Engineer on the RDG graduate scheme. Muaaz has already spent time working in the Technical and Production teams at Ilford Depot, and has worked with our maintenance provider Alstom. Alstom provided a lot of praise for Muaaz’s attitude and behaviour when working with them. Muaaz was hard working, punctual and polite.
Muaaz is now working with the Norwich Depot technical team where he is continuing his hard work and dedication to making a difference. Muaaz has volunteered to take the lead on Engineering Changes (under supervision) to further his experience and knowledge.
In his short time with GA, Muaaz has already updated some of the Engineering teams key procedures, has helped with safety investigations and he is always willing to help with whatever needs doing. Muaaz has built good relationships with all the Engineering team and the feedback from colleagues has been very positive.
Muaaz consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence. As stated before he has updated some key procedure within GA, and when he hasn’t understood something he will always ask for help. He has a very positive attitude and willingness to help others within the team, but will also help others outside the team. Muaaz has had a very positive impact on our team and is an asset to Greater Anglia.
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Nafeesa, Aziz
Company Name
Alstom
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Starting in September 2023 with the Project Engineering team, Nafeesa focused on materials management, making significant contributions to the electronic Bill of Materials (eBOM). She created over hundred part numbers using the Orchestra tool and effectively coordinated with the procurement team across different platforms. In addition to these responsibilities, she undertook various tasks, including drafting project documentation, updating the box plan, creating AIR sheets, and maintaining WPPs. Nafeesa also gained expertise in ETCS, producing approximately 200 balise positioning forms over a six-month period, as well as developing "wheel-free" maps to identify areas of the track that needed to be cleared for the safe testing of balises.
During her placement in Project Systems, Nafeesa collaborated closely with her team, learning and supporting System Architecture for multiple projects. She conducted site visits for various subsystems, collecting evidence for team to ensure the safe operation of the systems.
Nafeesa transitioned seamlessly into the Control Systems department, where she learned how to use MicroStation to develop block schematic maps. She also produced siting forms for location cases and axle counter distribution boxes.
In addition to her technical skills, Nafeesa actively engaged in the InspiHER initiative, hosting 12 girls aged 11-16 at the Ramsgate site. During this event, she delivered a presentation on pursuing a career in engineering and conducted an informative site tour. Furthermore, she represented Alstom at a Careers Fair on July 4, 2024, at Hartsdown Academy, where she engaged with approximately 200 students from years 8 to 13 to discuss opportunities in engineering and highlight Alstom's contributions to the field. Nafeesa facilitated a week-long work experience program at the Hatfield office for 18 school students, providing them valuable insights into transport, signalling and engineering.
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Rumbi, Chiparamandu
Company Name
AtkinsRéalis
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
We have heard the statement 'You can't be what you can't see', and Rumbi ensures that she remains a visible role model so that others feel encouraged and empowered to pioneer their own journeys.
Wise beyond her years, from guiding apprentices to working with Directors and co- feature in industry podcasts, Rumbi can communicate effectively and respectably to everyone. Her excellent communication skills, in a straightforward and concise manner, being able to comprehend exactly what she wants to say, provided more clarity and openness to various points of view. Rumbi quickly becomes a reliable individual during consultations and is well-known as a very powerful young individual.
Following her successful first years in the industry, Rumbi shifted her focus to implementing initiatives within the business that embodied equity and provided colleagues with the resources they needed to progress within their own careers.
An example of this was the implementation of the AtkinsRéalis Culture of Sponsorship Program which was created for the purpose of matching colleagues from underrepresented groups with business leaders with the aim of providing more targeted individual support, enabling greater career progression and helping individuals to realise their full potential. Colleagues who participated in the programme feedback how the programme facilitated their progression greatly with some achieving their goal of promotion. Rumbi was a key member of the development and expansion of the initial programme, which is expected to begin its second season in the business with a new cohort.
The business’ unshakable confidence in Rumbi is a direct result of her immense maturity for someone of her age to the point where she has been entrusted to sit within Senior Leadership Team and Divisional Leadership Team meetings where her thoughts and feedback is sought for and respected. She also chairs regional meetings with the business' people networks to promote collaboration and consistency across the wider organisation.
As Rumbi's current line manager, I admire her ability to overcome the challenges of transitioning from Commercial&Procurement to the Estimating team and enhance her rail technical proficiency and take on feedback quickly. This illustrates a successful leader willing to listen and who shared knowledge on how to manage tasks efficiently while being a champion in the ED&I industry.
From her project work on HS2, ECDP and Network Rail, she has received positive feedback. Rumbi is viewed as an evolving dynamic employee who is proactive and ready to change and adapt according to the project and the changing environment. Her role in achieving success within key projects consisted in her technical expertise but also competencies such as interpersonal and cognitive skills to manage and interact with internal and external stakeholders.
As she progresses in her career, I strongly support her nomination for this award and I am confident that her contributions will continue to inspire the future of next industry leaders.
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Samuel, Roberts
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Since joining Network Rail on the General Management Graduate Scheme in September 2023, Sam has become a highly regarded and valued member of the WCS Operations team. In his short time with us so far, Sam has demonstrated that he is highly capable, flexible, conscientious, hardworking, and output driven.
Since September, Sam has had a number of placements within Network Rail where he has made meaningful improvements to how we operate the network including:
Resourcing - working extensively with the WCS resourcing manager in developing of a novel PowerBI solution to analyse roster productivity for signallers and MOMs
System Operator - supporting the co-ordination and assurance of workforce readiness and resilience activities on a national level
Recruitment - playing a pivotal role in the development and delivery of a new approach to attraction and selection for managerial staff
Operational Projects - supporting the delivery of a cross-industry trial of GPS technology within the operational environment
Sam's willingness and capacity for learning, coupled with a desire to practice and embed the knowledge he gains, exemplifies the value of graduate schemes within our industry. Looking forward, we have no doubt that Sam will continue to add to his accomplishments during the remainder of his graduate scheme, and has a very bright future ahead of himself within the rail industry.
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William, Morgan
Company Name
Amey OWR - Amey Consulting
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate Will as he strives to make a difference to the rail industry as a diligent, highly motivated, disciplined and conscientious engineer. He has worked on multiple projects where he has been working towards Net Zero something he is very passionate about. For example, on the CVL (Core Valley Lines) Gilfach project, he championed the reuse of existing infrastructure where possible reducing carbon and construction cost and disruption to the railway. CVL requires multiple assurance approval level and Will confidently outlined and presented his design solution to the stakeholder panel on various meetings. Another example is that he was involved in the production of drainage pipe bedding calculation validating British Standard requirements for the project. He did so by speaking to numerous drainage suppliers to discuss their product information and test his analysis in comparison with the technical specification provided by them. His work was recognised when the analysis was used as a template for other parts of the business.
For over a year Will has been the Carbon Champion for the civils team and has been one of the most proactive of all involved developing a Carbon Spreadsheet to support develop better carbon reporting from the engineering team and supporting training on the RSSB (Rail Safety and Standard Board) tool through multiple CPDs which also included best practices. He embodies the strive the Net Zero in everything he does.
Will embodies the next generation of engineers which is required for the design delivery of infrastructure in an ever-growing complex world. Versatile in his approach to solving engineering problems and champion carbon reduction, he is a role model for more senior engineers in the industry.
Will is actively involved in STEM events esp. the Amey Challenge Cup (a yearly event for girls to get them into engineering normally held around International Women in Engineering Day in various offices throughout Amey). At the event, he presented his career journey discussing how he first started in media before moving to engineering and his role as engineer in climate change. He was also supporting a team of girls on the day with the challenge, which was to build a bridge out of KNex. On the day, a VR headset was shown to the girls to show how design is using 3D to develop engineering solutions. Will answered questions and the feedback was that they really enjoyed seeing the 3D aspect of designing and found it better then more traditional drawings.
He has also been involved in looking after work experience students to make the day for the candidates as enjoyable as possible. His involvement will lead to some students coming through as apprentices in later years helping the skill shortage found in the civil engineering and rail disciplines. In his own words he really enjoys seeing the development across the day and how the challenges he sets engages their thinking.
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19
HEALTH & WELLBEING PERSON OR TEAM AWARD
Poor physical or mental health can destroy lives even faster than a workforce injury.
The Health & Wellbeing award is to recognise those who have promoted great practices in this area with innovative and proactive activities and interventions and have enabled people to lead healthier and happier lives as a result.
Let's help save lives and make the industry a healthier and happier place.
Example job titles in this category:
Health & Wellbeing Promotions Manager, Health and Wellbeing Partner, Mental health advocate, Incident Care Team Voluntary, Occupational Health technician...
You can see all the past winners here.
BTTC's Health and Wellbeing team, BTTC's Health and Wellbeing team
Company Name
BTTC
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
We are proud to nominate our Health and Wellbeing team for this award. This team tirelessly advocate for their colleagues’ health and wellbeing, ensuring this sits at the heart of our business.
Understanding the importance of mental health alongside physical health, the team drove an initiative for over 10% of our workforce to be trained Mental Health First Aiders. These individuals are equipped to offer guidance and support during times of crisis. To maintain a high standard of support, this training is refreshed every two years, ensuring that our First Aiders stay updated on the latest resources.
The team, dedicated to feedback and continuous improvement, also conduct bi-annual health and wellbeing surveys to understand employee’s needs and develop action plans accordingly. From the results of these surveys, the team has implemented: flexible working policy; menopause policy; enhanced maternity/parental leave; the right to disconnect policy, ensuring employees aren’t contacted outside their core hours. By
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Bianca, Molloy
Company Name
TES 2000 Ltd
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
We are honoured to nominate Bianca Molloy for the Wellbeing Champion Award. As the People Director at TES 2000, Bianca has not only embraced her own journey of self-discovery and acceptance but has also transformed the workplace culture to prioritise the wellbeing of all employees.
Bianca's path to understanding herself has been profound, shaped by her diverse background and recent diagnosis of autism and ADHD, in which we published an article around Bianca's experience (8) Impact Matters with Bianca Molloy | LinkedIn. Rather than allowing this to hinder her, she has used her experiences to foster empathy and adaptability in her leadership. She has turned her sense of "otherness" into a powerful tool for creating an inclusive environment where differences are celebrated rather than hidden.
Under Bianca's guidance, TES 2000 has shifted from a traditional HR approach to a "People and Culture" model, which emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion. By sharing her own story, she has opened the door for conversations about neurodiversity, dismantling barriers and misconceptions that may have existed. Her proactive initiatives, including flexible working arrangements and awareness training, ensure that every individual feels valued and empowered to thrive.
Bianca’s commitment to listening and creating a safe space for all employees exemplifies her dedication to wellbeing. She has established open channels for communication, promoting a culture of understanding where everyone can express their needs without fear of judgment. Her implementation of sensory-friendly spaces and adaptable policies demonstrates her genuine care for the unique strengths of each team member.
Moreover, Bianca's leadership style is rooted in authenticity. She understands the importance of routine while also valuing flexibility, which has allowed her to manage her role effectively, signifying the compassion that permeates the workplace under her direction.
Chair for the TES internal MHWB group and TES rep and ambassador for RSSB mental health charter – undertaking peer collaborative workshops to share best practice with other industry members, secretary for RINC – Rail Industry NeuroInclusive Community. Along with volunteering for a befriending scheme with a retired gentleman undertaking weekly ‘check in and chat’ service with RBF.
Bianca Molloy embodies the spirit of a Wellbeing Champion. Her unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment at TES 2000 not only enhances employee wellbeing but also sets a powerful example for all leaders. Her journey inspires others to embrace their uniqueness and to create workplaces where everyone can flourish. I wholeheartedly recommend her for this award.
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Capacity Planning Health and Wellbeing Group, .
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Network Rail's Capacity Planning Health and Wellbeing group continues to do some outstanding work to help colleagues, with the members fully deserving of recognition for their work.
The group runs a quarterly wellbeing survey, which has been extended to other areas of the business due to its success. As well as a chance to gauge how colleagues are feeling, it allows the group's Ambassadors to produce action plans about how to improve life for others at work.
This may be as simple as promoting services and offers which already exist, such as free eye checks, to organising weekly walks, a choir and board games clubs. Meet the pets always proves incredibly popular. And while this can only be virtual, the group did organise a training event with Medical Detection Dogs where several of the charity's dogs came into the Milton Keynes office to carry out a training exercise screening for urinary tract infections.
This was a win-win, as the charity was able to carry out a screening exercise among a large group in a busy environment. For staff, it was a chance to meet some of these amazing dogs (great for wellbeing) and find out more about volunteering opportunities with the charity.
Network Rail employees get five volunteering days per year and the group's Ambassadors are great advocates for this, promoting where they gave been. This includes everything from a local pig sanctuary and other animal charities, to sorting stock for charity shops and helping PTAs by setting up school summer and Christmas fairs.
Members are passionate about different subjects and use their own experiences to raise awareness with colleagues about often tricky subjects such as eczema, menopause, mental health and polycystic ovary syndrome. This is using everything from presentations and roadshows, to the quarterly health and wellbeing newsletter and weekly Wellness Wednesday posts. The latter have been extended from just Capacity Planning to being shared right across the business and get some amazing feedback.
A significant proportion of the group are Mental Health First Aiders with others on the wait list to do the training.
The group is always on the lookout for ways to better help colleagues, recently helping Samaritans to trial some of their new bitesize learning modules. This was following feedback that managers would like to learn more about dealing with difficult subjects such as grief, but either the resources aren't out there or they don't have the time to do a full day's training.
The group is constantly expanding its offering and building up contacts and is definitely viewed as a beacon of how to effectively improve colleagues' physical and mental health and wellbeing.
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Carolyn, Davy
Company Name
Coyle Personnel
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Carolyn works in the H&S team at coyles. she is always looking at ways to make the day easier for her colleagues, always carries out her work with a smile and finds time for a chat. The commitment she has to ensuring work is safe for everyone is second to none and she goes above and beyond every single day.
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Clare, Ward
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Clare has been beyond incredible within our team.
I started four months ago and we've had four more people join this then within the team. Clare has taken time with each of us, checking if we have any questions, organising an office lunchtime walk, getting a cup of tea with us and using that alone time to ask how we're getting on so there's no pressure in front of anyone.
She's helped me so so much with BravoNR, I can't quite believe it!
All of this while trying to do her contracted job which doesn't include training people on systems and doing wellbeing checks. She's quickly becoming an office mum to me, someone to help point me in the right direction, to give time whenever she can. She's an incredible asset to the team and I hope she's given this award to show our appreciation to her, because I'm not sure I could match my thank you to the amount she's helped me ad the others.
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First Rail Consultancy Health & Wellbeing Working Group, .
Company Name
First Rail Consultancy
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Since its inception in 2021, First Rail Consultancy’s (FRC) Health and Wellbeing Working Group (H&WWG) has worked tirelessly to ensure its colleagues have the tools to lead healthier and happier lives, not just at work but at home too.
Whether raising awareness for sensitive issues including pregnancy loss, sharing information about support systems like our employee assistance programme and Mental Health First Aiders, or encouraging colleagues to get active through ‘Movement Challenges’, the H&W champions go far beyond their day jobs to make FRC a healthier and happier place to work.
The twice-yearly ‘Movement Challenges’ bring colleagues together to cover a certain distance in May, and considering the darker November days, to exercise a certain number of hours. The team has virtually travelled the length of Great Britain and the Orient Express route. The challenges have had a huge impact, jumpstarting colleagues’ fitness journeys into running the London Marathon, swimming the Great North Swim and participating in several parkruns.
The H&WWG prides itself on its inclusivity – the focus isn’t on clocking up miles but about enjoying the journey, with prizes available for most interesting activity and best photo. One colleague said:
“The challenge prompted me to be mindful of every movement I made. Instead of relying on my car for short trips I opted to walk, not only enhancing my fitness but also reducing costs and pollution. It significantly improved my fitness and left me feeling mentally sharper and more resilient.”
The H&WWG also organises ‘Grab a Brew’, randomly pairing colleagues to get to know each other better over a cuppa. Colleagues value this initiative as an opportunity to step away from work and connect with team members they might not typically interact with.
Recently the H&WWG collaborated with FRC’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) working group to celebrate Neurodiversity Week, hosting presentations, sharing valuable resources and personal stories. The impact of this week left cannot be underestimated; with a colleague saying:
“I thought I understood what being neurodiverse meant [...] I was wrong. Reading the symptoms of ADHD, I felt my whole world turn upside down. It was like reading a description of my own brain, and suddenly, so many lifelong issues made sense.
I spoke to my GP, and after an exceptionally long and thorough list of questions, she agreed that I sound like a "classic case of ADHD in girls and women" and referred me on for a formal assessment. Having this acknowledgement from a medical professional has been hugely validating […] I wanted to share this information, as the work undertaken by the H&W and EDI teams, on top of all they do in their day jobs, is so valuable. It has literally changed my life.”
While we could elaborate on the fundraising activities, the book club, or the football and cricket clubs the H&WWG organises, we have simply run out of space! To summarise, we’re proud of their work that makes our Consultancy a healthier, happier and more inclusive workplace. We hope you agree.
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Good to know Roadshows, .
Company Name
Thameslink and Great Northern
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Tracy Donohue and Lynn Howarth created and manage a 'Good to Know Roadshow' for staff on Thameslink and Great Northern Routes. With the Railway being so busy frontline staff can not always seek assistance from all the different departments at relative times. Managing your rosters, pay, personal uniform, health and financial responsibilities can cause a lot of stress and have a toll on your health and wellbeing. Tracy and Lynne recognised this and created the Roadshow to give staff face to face access to the following departments: Payroll, Rosters, Uniform, Occupational Health, Safety Teams, Employee networks, pensions, Brass, RBF and many many more. Each roadshow goes out to the stations so easily accessible to staff while they work. Each roadshow offers a 20min Health check with the company Dr, again highlighting any issues or medical concerns. This scheme has been running for many years and is always one staff look for on the calendar. This is all organised alongside their day jobs. I think this is a great piece of work that should be recognised.
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Health & Wellbeing, South Western Railway
Company Name
South Western Railway
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At SWR, we believe that wellbeing is everyone’s business. We take a holistic approach which relates to all aspects of working life including physical, mental, environmental, and social.
With the UK enduring an extended cost-of-living crisis, and our industry facing significant change and uncertainty in the future, our colleagues are facing extraordinary challenges at home and at work.
Our three-year strategic plan reflects this challenge, with one of our six People and Culture goals being: “To ensure all SWR staff feel supported at work and understand the wellbeing levers of support that are available.”
Our Aims
Increase knowledge, skills, and confidence in relation to wellbeing and mental health
Develop strategies around key issues, e.g. trauma related mental health issues
Encourage collective responsibility for individual and community wellbeing
Develop provision that’s responsive to the changing nature of the workplace and its demographic, is accessible and reaches every member of the workforce
Over the past 12 months we’ve introduced five initiatives to support these aims.
Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) Training:
TRiM addresses the risk of psychological distress from traumatic events that SWR employees may encounter. It provides managers and employees with skills to manage trauma, offering tools to recognize, cope, and recover from such incidents.
Pregnancy Loss Awareness and Support:
Recognizing the frequency and impact of pregnancy loss, SWR introduced a supportive policy for those experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or termination for medical reasons. The policy was launched during Baby Loss Awareness Week, accompanied by company-wide awareness activities.
Workforce Safeguarding:
In response to a rise in violent assaults on railway staff, SWR established the position of Workforce Safeguarding Coordinator. This role focuses on increasing awareness of incident reporting, supporting victims, and ensuring staff feel safe. They also assist in criminal proceedings where staff are witnesses and promote public awareness of the effects of abuse on rail workers.
Defibrillator Installation & Awareness:
In collaboration with The Alex Wardle Foundation, SWR installed publicly accessible defibrillators across all stations. These devices, listed in the British Heart Foundation’s emergency database, are available 24/7, and their use in emergencies has already shown life-saving results.
Enhanced ActiveHub Partnership:
SWR expanded its partnership with ActiveHub, introducing activities like a five-a-side football tournament and monthly guided walks. These initiatives foster team spirit, encourage physical activity, promoting overall wellbeing.
The Results
We have trained 90 TRiM practitioners and 4 TRiM managers. Many have already applied their training in real life situations.
In May, we were praised for convening the railway’s first national safeguarding conference, dedicated to exploring and enhancing the protection of colleagues and customers on the rail network. Our work in this area has been recognised as industry-leading.
Between June 2023 and June 2024, the access code for defibrillators at SWR stations was given out 325 times by ambulance services across the network and the units have been used on patients eight times during that period. Thanks this life-saving equipment and quick actions of the colleagues involved these people were given a chance of survival.
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John, Sidebotham
Company Name
Network Rail
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John is Network Rail's health and wellbeing guru! He runs regular online lunchtime wellbeing sessions covering a huge range of topics, from nutrition and mental health to addiction and gambling. Some sessions will be attended by hundreds of people. However, the metrics are not as important as the impact they have on people, offering them advice and places to go, plus giving them the courage to tackle what can be perceived as taboo subjects head on.
John is a really decent, caring guy, and it is this persona which allows him to be so effective in the health and wellbeing sphere. It has allowed him to build up relationships with a wide range of charities and support services, making his wellbeing offerings even better.
I work with John on producing a quarterly health and wellbeing newsletter, and having direct links with charities such as StepChange and GamCare adds a gravitas to articles which may not carry the same weight had I written them, for example.
Thanks to his extensive contacts, the newsletters reach thousands of people across the UK, which I know having received feedback from East Anglia to Milton Keynes to York.
John's work doesn't just benefit those working within Network Rail, though. For example, getting messages on station totems about gambling addiction ahead of the Grand National is just one way which he works with the wider rail industry to help everyone.
John was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to wellbeing during the Covid pandemic. Some would see this as a crowning achievement and step back. Not John, as his enthusiasm continues to grow despite being in his 60s. I know how hard it is trying to find some spare time in his calendar, as he is constantly in demand. That's from attending conferences right down to regular wellbeing calls which he carries out with Network Rail colleagues who need some extra support.
I could continue to wax lyrical, but instead I'll round off by saying that it would be brilliant for John to gain some reward and recognition himself, given how much he gives back to others.
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Knifesavers Team, Merseyrail
Company Name
Merseyrail
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Following a number of knife incidents on the network, and following the need for bleed control kits being made available in public places being highlighted during the Manchester Arena Bombing Enquiry, Merseyrail’s team of Directors made the decision to install bleed control kits at every station across the Merseyrail network, to not only provide life-saving equipment at our stations, but to also support the local communities in the areas we serve.
Merseyrail was gifted two bleed control kits by local knife-crime campaigner Laura Hughes. Laura is the lead in the In Memory of Colin McGinty campaign, whose mission is to make people aware of the traumatic effects of knife crime in the hope of deterring people from carrying a knife. They also raise money to fund youth related knife crime prevention work across the North West, and the overall campaign aim is to be able to purchase vital Knife Savers bleed control packs and install them across areas that need them most. After receiving funding from Formby Parish Council, Laura gifted bleed control kits to Formby and Freshfield stations, which prompted a conversation between Merseyrail’s Team of Directors.
We are the first TOC who have committed to house a bleed kit at every station and within our on-call vehicles. We are also the only TOC whose kits are accessible to both employees & the public in times of need. Alongside the procurement and installation of the kits at all our stations, we have trained 800 frontline employees and our management team on how to use the kits in an emergency. Our Head of Learning & Development is the only trainer in the UK that can provide bleed kit training who is not a trained clinician and able to deliver the training in-house. The KnifeSaver application has been rolled out to every Merseyrail phone. The application is a training tool, but also used to guide a person in an emergency, whether they have access to a bleed kit or not. We have also hosted a series of roadshows at our underground stations which were used to educate the public on the usage of bleed kits. The roadshows were attended by the surgeons from Aintree NHS Foundation Trust (founders of KnifeSavers) and the British Transport Police. We are also currently working on the programme to have them installed on all our trains. We hope to have these in place by the end of 2024. The programme is also heavily supported by our Trade Unions. This new approach also supports our “Code Silver” initiative which was successfully launched to support employees in responding to a knife incident. This phrase, when used, prioritises British Transport Police (BTP) deployment, whilst avoiding passenger alarm and distress. We hope that all these initiatives will blaze a trail for all TOCs in the UK to follow suit and help to protect communities against knife crime and anti-social behaviour.
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Lee, Coates
Company Name
Network Rail
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Lee has made a great effort this year by losing over 20kg in body weight. Not only has he improved his physical condition but has also made great strives towards improving his mental well being. His overall improvement in his general health and well being has had a positive impact on his peers and colleagues alike. He's an inspiration to us all as he continues in his well being and fitness journey.
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Mark, Newns
Company Name
Keltbray Infrastructure Services Ltd.
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Mark is the backbone of Keltbray Infrastructure Services' (KISL) health and wellbeing team. With over 30 years experience, he is driven by a passion to educate people about their health and well-being. He’s keen to provide positive role models and the information people need to make the right health choices.
Mark grew up in the Northwest, starting his career during times of high deprivation. There was a lack of opportunity and huge health inequality in terms of services and information. Mark often talks about how he had benefitted from some key role models who were both positive and active in their support. Mark could have followed a very different path, but they inspired him to want to help others and become a positive role model too.
Since then, Mark has always wanted to help people get the best out of their health. He originally set out to be a PE teacher and went to night-school as a mature student. Mark had to work hard in the early part of his career. He would have to go anywhere and everywhere for work to provide an income for his young family, spending a lot of time away from home, away from his family and often slept in his car to keep expenses down.
Mark has worked with a wide range of industries and has honed his skills over the years, working with people from a wide range of backgrounds, often having to find ways to overcome language and cultural barriers.
For the last 11 years, Mark has been developing the Health & Wellbeing strategy at KISL. This has been no mean feat, as he has had to engage a hard-to-reach workforce and win the hearts and minds of senior leaders. Mark is tenacious, energetic, innovative and continues to find engaging ways to reach our workforce, seeking out best practices, he uses tools, stories and humour to get people interested in some very difficult topics.
Since 2017, when the Mindmatters study in construction revealed that a man working in construction is more likely to die from suicide than a fall from heights, Mark led the charge in trying to break down stigma. He’s improved access to support and getting people talking about mental health in a male-dominated workforce. He has introduced the Mental Health First Aider training programme and has created various opportunities through training and briefings to improve understanding, get people talking more and get the support they need early.
Recently, Mark has worked with the Rail teams, encouraging the workforce to attend events like Rail Wellbeing Live, Thinking Clearly Under Pressure training as well as providing access to Health & Wellbeing Checks to all site and office teams.
There are countless stories over the years, where Mark’s training, education and support have had significant impacts on someone’s life. We would like to nominate Mark for a Rail Staff Award for his ongoing commitment, for bringing health and well-being to the forefront of the industry and for being a constant source of
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Ruth, Cooke
Company Name
Transport for wales
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Ruth has been a train driver with TFW for a short time when she began experiencing symptoms of the menopause at a young age.
This in itself is troubling and upsetting time,she even felt before she found out what was happening she became worried that her career would be at risk.
Instead of going through this alone, Ruth felt it would be better to use experience as an opportunity to support friends and colleagues who either we're going through the same,were concerned about the menopause or for partners of people who were or have experienced the menopause.
This started as a small group who met in their own time to support each other, this grew over time to more regular meetings to being something that became supported by the driver performance manager Luke Doutch as the positive support network it was, for something that can do damaging to people's wellbeing, while not being understood or supported in the workplace.
The group grew and people attended were from all grades, sexes with everyone being welcomed with the respect and dignity they deserve.
The group also wasn't closed to TFW staff, people have attended from Avanti, northern and Mersey rail.
The group still runs, and others have started around the TFW network.
Following from this a menopause support steering group has been created help create the direction TFW can take to support staff, contractors and passengers that may impacted by the menopause.
There have been menopause awareness seminars with consultants brought in to advise.
The people attending have been able to discuss their issues and problems and not feel so alone.
Guidance for managers to understand and how to support colleagues and friend has been written.
Training for staff to become menopause champions to support colleagues.
Products being available, spare uniform being available, changes made to uniform design to help with symptoms. Conversations had with depots how to try and locate locations on units for products to available on units to support colleagues and passengers.
Reaching out to colleagues to be allies in support.
Overtime more and more people are invested, but they wouldn't be if it wasn't for what was started by Ruth who still dedicates so much of her own time to run support groups, to help colleagues and friends and advise others including myself how best to support colleagues.
Ruth's dedication, humility and integrity has led to a positive movement and encouraged others to talk, support and make changes for the people affected.
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Sheree, Whetren
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I am thrilled to nominate Sheree for this Award. Her unwavering commitment to improving the well-being of others and her tireless efforts to raise awareness of SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome) make her an outstanding candidate.
• Sheree has dedicated countless hours to training her colleagues in essential lifesaving skills. Her confidence-building approach ensures that everyone knows how to use a defibrillator and perform CPR effectively.
• Her training drop in sessions have empowered colleagues with life-saving knowledge, potentially making a difference in critical situations.
• As a volunteer for The Alex Wardle Foundation, Sheree actively contributes to the community. The foundation’s mission to raise awareness of SADS resonates with her, and she has taken it upon herself to spread the word.
• Sheree’s passion for this cause has led to increased awareness about SADS, potentially saving lives.
• Sheree’s dedication extends beyond awareness campaigns. She has actively raised funds to install defibrillators in local communities.
• By ensuring that these life-saving devices are accessible, Sheree has made a tangible impact on community safety.
• Sheree consistently goes above and beyond her responsibilities. Whether it’s providing training, participating in fundraising events, or simply being there for those in need, she exemplifies selflessness.
• Her commitment to making a difference is evident in her actions.
Sheree’s remarkable dedication, compassion, and community spirit make her an exceptional nominee for this Award. Her positive influence has touched many lives, and I wholeheartedly endorse her for this well-deserved recognition.
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Stuart, Young
Company Name
GTR
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Fancy a cuppa and a chat about mental health? That was the question GTR's Rail Enforcement Officer, Stuart Young asked in January 2024.
Engaging with the traveling public between Peterborough and London, Stuart organised and arranged the "Brew Train" and invited other key stake holders and mental health charities on board a "Special Brew Train Service"
Invited to discuss mental health with travelling customers were representatives of The Samaritans, Andys Man Club (Men's Mental Health Charity) , The Jordans Trust and representatives from Stevenage Football Club. Running this initiative on a morning peak service into London allowed customers that would normally be in a rush or pre-occupied the time to engage.
Stuart has been a strong advocate and driver of mental health, promoting the many options available to those who find themselves in crisis along with being a TRIM practitioner for colleagues. It is a testament to Stuart and his drive to see mental health incidents across the rail network reduce by engaging with partners and charities and he deserves to be recognised for his passion and dedication in relation to Mental Health and support.
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Susan, Smith
Company Name
Network Rail
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Susan works tirelessly across a number of areas impacting positive change for the wellbeing of colleagues within Network Rail.
Susan goes well above and beyond her day job in supporting colleagues through the national Cancer Support Group. The Group is a safe space for colleagues who are living with, or supporting those living with, cancer to come and have a friendly chat, receive signposting and information with likeminded colleagues. Susan has been involved with the leadership of this group from its inception and has shared her own experiences, mentors colleagues in similar situations and is thoroughly inspiring. For those colleagues that she mentors, Susan is always available during and outside of work hours as a listening ear. She has even held space for colleagues on the phone whilst they have been anxiously awaiting results in oncology rooms. She goes above and beyond checking on her mentees, even when on holiday.
Susan has single handedly set up an entire support network of fifty TriM (trauma support) and StRaW (stress support) practitioners, including five TriM managers, to support all staff on Anglia route. Susan co-ordinates the team and ensures there is a process in place for anyone to make a self-referral for support, as well as for line managers to make a referral. This process is entirely voluntary on Susan and her practitioner’s parts, it is not a company HR process. As a result colleagues feel that they have a completely safe and confidential space in which to seek support. Susan has now also helped other routes set up their own support teams, all of this completely voluntarily. Susan and the team have supported employees across all disciplines, recently completing a group intervention for a team whose colleague suffered a heart attack at work.
Susan has achieved all this, selflessly, whilst balancing her own ongoing cancer journey and her role as a Team Organiser. This speaks volumes to the type of person Susan is: caring, empathetic, generous and inclusive.
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TRIM Team, .
Company Name
Southeastern
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The TRIM team was formed in 2022 after it was identified that there was a need to provide support for staff involved in traumatic events. It is made up of 24 individuals from all parts of the business. Every member of the team is a volunteer and takes part in addition to their regular duties. The process is fully confidential and great care is taken to preserve the privacy of all who choose to use it. The scheme has proved useful and the team have a full caseload.
The team reaches out to staff involved in an event in a non-intrusive fashion and reminds them that they are available if needed. The process is not forced or mandatory, support is provided when and if staff feel ready to engage. Care is not incident driven - support is available for any colleagues that need and request it, and for any type of event.
TRIM Practitioners undertake accredited external training and are encouraged to complete BTEC level 3 in Trauma Risk Management, which is combined with a probationary mentored period to ensure that they are fully competent before they take on their own cases. The more experienced TRIM Managers are similarly trained and are encouraged to complete BTEC level 5 in Trauma Risk Management. This on-boarding process has resulted in a well-educated team that performs at a professional level.
Each and every member is committed to helping their colleagues find their way through difficult situations, not all are the result of incidents at work, but every single person is treated with discretion, care and understanding, and the team continue to offer support until those who sought it feel they are in a position to go forward alone.
The team gives freely of their own time on a daily basis and help so many of our colleagues through difficult periods that it feels appropriate to recognise all they do – including their dedication in educating themselves so they are fit for the task and their devotion to completing it. We all need support at times, and it is a wonderful thing that people are willing to undertake a not inconsiderable role as volunteers.
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Talking Wellness LNER, .
Company Name
LNER
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Sharon Wyatt and Sam Woods are mental health advocates who openly share their personal experiences with mental health conditions and the challenges they've faced. Sharon was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2013 and tragically lost her father on New Year's Eve 2019. Sam, on the other hand, became a widow in 2013 and had to raise her two children alone. Despite these hardships, both women actively advocate for mental health awareness and wellness.
Sharon was asked to put together a presentation on mental health support for her team in Grantham. This led to her being tasked by the Head of Stations with leading a Mental Health project, and she reached out to Sam for assistance. Together, they launched "Talking Wellness" in the Spring of 2023, which started as an internal project and later evolved into a recognized brand. The project includes interactive and thought-provoking sessions delivered in person to frontline management teams, utilizing their own life experiences to transform people’s perception of wellness.
Realizing that their project sessions were limited in terms of reaching their desired audience, Sharon and Sam proposed launching a podcast called "Talking Wellness." The podcast features interviews with LNER colleagues and covers various topics related to mental health and wellness. Not having a background in health and wellbeing, they rely on their lived experiences to advocate for others and promote the importance of mental and overall health.
Their efforts have been inspiring and have sparked important conversations. The podcast has grown to nine episodes and continues to expand, with the aim of reaching more individuals in the rail industry. Despite their full-time jobs, they are committed to delivering wellness sessions within LNER and managing the podcast's content and social media presence, as well as promoting relevant resources.
Their dedication has not only led to personal growth but has also had a positive impact on the LNER community.
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Tim, McCarthy
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
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Tim never fails to support everyone in our office. He's always searching the internet for any development courses, wellbeing webinars and any kind of mental and physical support. Everything he finds is always sent office wide and is always well appreciated. throughout the year Tim is also responsible for organising and running wellbeing weeks/days. making sure our staff have the opportunities to raise their concerns and gain support from all sources available. To organise these events takes up a lot of his time and are always received positively which shows the effort he always puts in and how much he cares about our colleagues and partners.
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14
HR, RECRUITMENT & TALENT ACQUISITION PERSON OR TEAM
The HR, Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Award recognises those individuals and teams that have demonstrated exceptional achievements and excellence in the strategic management of human resources.
This award celebrates outstanding contributions to the fields of HR, recruitment, and talent acquisition, highlighting innovative approaches in attracting, selecting, and nurturing top talent.
Recipients of this award are recognized for their ability to create and implement effective strategies that not only enhance the recruitment process but also contribute to fostering a positive workplace culture and optimizing overall organizational performance. Whether through innovative hiring practices, talent development initiatives, or transformative HR strategies, awardees in this category have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the capabilities and success of their workforce.
Example job titles in this category are:
Recruiter, Recruitment Consultant, HR Manager, HR Consultant, HR Assistant, Talent Acquisition, Personnel Manager, Employee Relations, Recruiting Manager, Staffing Resources, Employer Brand Manager, Sourcer, Resourcing, Human Resource...
You can see all the past winners here.
Blue Collar North, .
Company Name
Coyle Personnel
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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.
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Daniel, Ridler
Company Name
Alstom
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Dan is an incredible person, he works tirelessly and is supportive of everybody and is a huge champion of inclusivity. He is relentless and has clear passion to help grow the business. Although he is of a senior leadership level he makes time for everyone and is never too busy should you need him. Through encouraging thank you Friday’s, Kudos has now seen an increase of 700%.
Dan provides for his family of two children, wife and dog and commits to working long hours, even when he is on leave he is found logging on to assist when he can. He will go above and beyond to help individuals even helping non Alstom employees in his spare time with HR support and guidance.
Dan continually strives to be a champion of gender balance within D&IS. Supporting and encouraging women within Management and also within railway. Dan is always approachable, knowledgeable and has a genuine passion for his work and this is truly shown through how the business has grown and listened to employee feedback
Dan continues to inspire woman to opt for a career in the sector, one of his team had no experience within Rail and through Dan’s motivation and enthusiasm she was inspired to take on the new challenge. He also encourages woman to be attained within railway and if there are opportunities which are appropriate for an individual to progress he will encourage and inspire those around him to develop and grow. He has collaboratively worked and so has the team with ATRS for 4 years to ensure our recruitment is fair and encourages equality, diversity and inclusion. The female population has increased by 300% over three years.
Dan has implemented a number of different initiatives within the work force, employee engagement back in 2021, followed by two consecutive years with fantastic engagement videos, follow ups and implementation of feedback. Route to role last year was a fantastic initiative which is changing how we work across the business which is maintaining our attrition rates at a good level. Championing within APSYS (Alstom) governance framework and a role model on how a Senior Leader within the business should behave.
Dan has set up the D&IS people SharePoint and is exceptional in excel spreadsheet to track and ensure KPI’s are accurate and action plans are determined from the results
He has also implemented the XLT within D&IS UK which has given more females the opportunity to speak up and showcase how we can change and influence the decision making going forward. As there are few women on the SLT this has given those the level below this to demonstrate and have a platform to establish their skillsets to a wider more senior audience.
Dan is a true inspiration to all and should be recognised for the difference he has made and continues to do so not only within Alstom but the wider Railway industry.
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Gayle, Campbell
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
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Gayle Campbell is Employee Relations advisor for SNGX. Handling queries and cases from all areas of the business and supporting each manager with their teams. Gayle's unfaltering dedication is remarkable, how she can stay focused and supportive for each individual is astounding. Gayle is a font of knowledge and support, no question is off limits and no is never the answer. As a new manager to the railway, the sheer volume of policies, procedures and legal responsibilities was overwhelming for me. Gayle was able to guide me through the madness to ensure I felt comfortable and confident with the material, and has been a consistent oracle for the teams she supports. We would be lost without her. Thank you Gayle.
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Georgie, Bright
Company Name
Network Rail
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We have had a massive manpower shortage in our signalling & telecoms maintenance and faulting teams. Georgie took the lead in supporting recruitment by placing adverts in the press, on websites including social media platforms. She also arranged and supported CV sifting, and also arranged assessment centres for candidates. She took great care of the assessors' and candidates' welfare making sure the assessment days ran on time and all felt welcome - which is a great promotion for the railway industry.
Georgie goes well above/beyond her remit in ensuring hiring managers are fully briefed and supported during the entirety of the recruitment process, and candidates are also given meaningful feedback on their success or failure. She is a very caring individual.
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Jeantene, Willoughby
Company Name
South Western Railway
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South Western Railway (SWR) is proud to nominate Jeantene Willoughby, Head of Recruitment and Succession for the HR, for the Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Individual award.
Jeantene, known by most as JT, joined SWR in March 2018 as a Recruitment Supervisor and in the six and a half years since, her skills, talents and experience have seen her rise to her current role of Head of Recruitment and Succession. Over the last year JT has restructured her team and taken on the additional responsibility of looking after SWR’s Learning and Development programme.
JT has an exceptional ability to draw the best out of people and is constantly available to lead and support the whole Recruitment & Talent Development team. She spends as much time as possible out on the SWR network building excellent relationships with other functions and leaders, championing everyone working together to get the best results. When change is needed she has tough conversations, leading by example and showing integrity in everything that she does.
JT is always supportive, taking the time to understand her customers, (the functions around our business) challenges and constraints. JT’s knowledge of the different directorates around our business is highly impressive and she has well established relationships with many people that her function serves.
The way JT leads her team to deliver for her customers is personable and caring. She is always looking out for them and finding ways to help grow their own developmental needs, which is evident in the new ways of recruiting we have tried.
JT’s entire team is really flexible and will adapt to new ways of working. A recent example is the mass recruitment days that have been held for stations. With a large vacancy gap to fill, the team tried recruiting enmasse during single day assessments. Across the two days, 36 people were recruited.
The recruitment team are working harder than ever and without JT's support, this wouldn't be possible. JT never fails to acknowledge how busy her team is and how much effort they put in. Year on year, the volume of new entrants and colleague moves has gone up from 742 in 2021 to 1,104 in 2023.
2023 saw lots of changes across the recruitment team, in various recruitment processes and the introduction of new technology to support businesses growth. JT sees it as part of her responsibility to make SWR a better place to work for everyone in it.
JT has worked closely with the Diversity and Inclusion team to ensure that, as a team, Recruitment & Talent Development are doing everything they can to increase diversity in the business and ensure that people are supported in developing their careers further.
JT is a highly talented and motivated individual who wants the best for her team and for SWR and is prepared to make whatever changes are necessary to achieve those goals.
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Jess, Hall
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Jess Hall has made a significant impact across c2c, delivering remarkable changes despite working with a limited budget and resources. Her dedication and passion for c2c—the route, the people and its potential—are truly infectious and she has become a key driver in improving processes that benefit both new and existing employees.
Jess has transformed the induction process, helping to foster stronger collaboration and understanding among colleagues. Through initiatives like the Exec breakfast for new starters, she has enhanced connections within the company, ensuring new employees feel welcomed and integrated from the start.
One of Jess’s standout achievements is her success in leading the Stations Training programme. Despite facing the challenge of having no dedicated trainers and restricted resources, Jess’s leadership and commitment have had a profound impact on her colleagues, their managers and the overall onboarding experience for new employees.
Her resourcefulness, combined with a deep sense of responsibility to her team, has left an indelible mark on c2c. Jess’s contributions go beyond her role and she has become an invaluable asset to the company. Her achievements in improving processes, building connections and creating a more positive workplace culture deserve recognition.
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Leadership & Personal Development Team, .
Company Name
Network Rail
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The Leadership & Personal Development Team is nominated for their innovative redeveloped induction programme, which will significantly enhance new starter's to Network Rail onboarding experience. This programme not only supports new starters gaining a good basis for a career within the rail industry but is delivered in an inclusive and immersive way that will engage everyone. In addition technology has been brought into the induction to help elevate the immersive experiences. All this has been achieved within 6 months which is a great achievement for such a large and impactful programme and is a testament to the hard work, teamwork and collaboration all of the team have contributed to achieve a great induction for new starters
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Louise, Livesay
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Louise Livesay has made a transformative impact on the way HR cases are managed within the station environment. Through her determination and tenacity, she has worked closely with teams to significantly improve wellness in the stations, ensuring complex HR cases are handled with the utmost care and precision.
Louise’s methodical and meticulous approach has led to the development of comprehensive action plans that have been instrumental in supporting staff to return to work as quickly and smoothly as possible. Her efforts have directly contributed to improved staff visibility, with more employees returning to work, reduced sickness rates and lower costs associated with absence cover.
What truly sets Louise apart is her unwavering commitment to doing what is right for individuals going through any HR process. Her focus on the well-being of staff, combined with her structured approach, has had a lasting positive impact. The genuine care she brings to each case makes a profound difference and her contributions to improving wellness and managing HR cases deserve recognition.
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Ontrak UK Limited, .
Company Name
Ontrak UK Limited
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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.
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People Team, .
Company Name
AEGIS Engineering Ltd
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The People Team at AEGIS have themselves gone through a period of growth ad change and have still managed to deliver the people strategy that focusses heavily o engagement and wellbeing. Creating a dynamic and fluid People Strategy that wholly supports the wider business goals and truly enhances employee experience at AEGIS.
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People and Culture, Bianca - People Director, Suzanne - People Operations Manager, Carley - Talent Acquisition Partner, Tracy -HR Consultant
Company Name
TES 2000 Ltd
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The People and Culture (P&C) team focus on making the workplace more inclusive, equitable, and diverse by embedding DEI principles into every facet of the organisation, including mandating all staff complete DEI and sexual harassment training. Focusing on enhancing recruitment practices, improving training opportunities, creating a supportive culture, and ensuring fair policies where every individual, regardless of background, feels valued, supported and has a fair chance to succeed.
This has been pivotal in attracting and supporting a diverse workforce. By partnering with employment support organisations, they’ve opened opportunities for underrepresented groups, including individuals with additional needs, prison leavers, and those facing long-term unemployment, resulting in a 20% increase in diverse hires. Along with simplifying the application process to reduce the number of incomplete applications which dropped significantly since implementation.
P&C team leverage funding initiatives, significantly reducing recruitment time and training costs. One cost saving initiative by P&C is Skills Bootcamps funding stream, which has saved TES circa. £96,000 in training the future TES workforce. This has contributed to TES’s ability to successfully deliver over 54,666 shifts in 2023 with a skilled workforce, meeting high operational demands.
P&C’s innovation extends beyond recruitment. Managing TES’s brand communications, social media, and company newsletter, sharing stories that foster a sense of belonging and community. For example, their feature on neurodivergence and the Mental Health Wellbeing Group inspired increased engagement from front-line staff, creating a more aware and inclusive culture. As ambassadors for the Rail Industry Neurodiversity Charter (RINC), the Railway Mental Health Charter, and the EDI Charter, the P&C team embodies TES's commitment to a truly inclusive workforce.
The P&C team’s dedication has led to tangible benefits for TES. Their cost-saving initiatives in recruitment and training have enabled more investment in staff development and well-being, improving overall efficiency, retention, with a decrease in turnover of staff from 94% throughout 2024 to September’s figures showing a clear decrease in turnover at 88%. P&C has increased the representation of women, now having the highest number of females on the frontline in TES's history.
Safety improvements are a standout achievement, with TES recording its lowest-ever safety statistics: AFR of 0.21, LTFIR of 0.99, and FWI of 0.027, directly linked to the P&C team’s efforts in fostering a culture of engagement and safe behaviour.
P&C successfully promote work-life balance, encouraging employees to take more time off with increased annual leave and employing local staff, with 95% of employees working within the communities where they live. As a result, job satisfaction, well-being, and engagement scores have soared, contributing to TES's impressive 15-year average length of service. The team's initiatives empower leadership, from the Board Members being made up of 50% women, including Bianca, a Board Director, to advocate for policies that protect every employee’s rights and dignity.
The P&C team’s unwavering commitment to DEI has transformed TES into an industry leader. Their efforts have improved performance, safety, and staff satisfaction, demonstrating the profound impact of a dedicated HR team in shaping a thriving and inclusive workplace.
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Rajvinder, Kooner
Company Name
Network Rail
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Me and my wider team have had the opportunity to work with Raj on a number of occasions over the last 18-24 months. The support that she provides is absolutely spot on, every time. She recognises that the value she adds is by adoting a dis-passionate and informed approach, recognising that there are human beings involved in what can be a very stressful and potentially confrontational situations. She is always fair and balanced in her delivery, and is respected by everyone.
One particular instance stands out. We were dealing with a complex and prolonged employee relations case that had gone on for too long (and pre-dated Raj), which had been hampered by inconsistent and sometimes contradictory information provided to the line manager over time. This created confusion and made it difficult to reach a resolution, which is always bad for the individual, the line manager and the wider team. Raj demonstrated exceptional professionalism by taking the time to thoroughly pre-read all the case details before her initial engagement. Her preparation and attention to detail were fantastic. This resulted in her coming back with a well-structured and clear approach to move forward. She outlined not only the next steps for the line manager, but also provided a precise breakdown of what actions the company could and could not take within our policies and Employment Law. She was clear what measures the employee and the line manager had to take in moving forward.
By shifting the focus back to the employee and line manager, and clearly defining their obligations, Raj was able to put an end to the circular discussions that had previously involved multiple parties including the manager, the employee and different members of HR Support teams. This allowed us to bring closure to the case more efficiently and ensured that the process was handled in a fair and structured manner, and with a final and binding outcome.
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Rebecca, Hendrickx
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Rebecca Hendrickx has played a pivotal role in transforming the way HR cases are managed within the station environment. Through her determination and persistence, Rebecca has collaborated closely with teams to significantly improve wellness in the stations, ensuring even the most complex HR cases are handled with precision and empathy.
Rebecca’s methodical and detail-oriented approach has been key in developing comprehensive action plans that have supported staff in returning to work swiftly and efficiently. As a result of her efforts, staff visibility has improved, sickness rates have declined and the costs associated with absence cover have been reduced.
What distinguishes Rebecca is her deep commitment to doing what is right for individuals navigating the HR process. Her focus on both staff well-being and the operational needs of the stations has made a lasting positive impact. Rebecca’s contributions to managing HR cases with care and precision deserve recognition for the difference they have made.
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Volume Resourcing Team, Group HR
Company Name
Network Rail
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I am nominating the Volume Resourcing Team at Network Rail for embodying a true team spirit and can-do attitude.
As a team, we look after several high volume recruitment campaigns including:
- National Signaller Recruitment
- Early careers - national graduate and apprentice campaigns
- Operations roles - crossing keepers, signalling apprentices and ECROs.
The team deals with around 50,000 applications from candidates each year (across all of our campaigns) and manage these together with our delivery partners, Amber Jack. We are dedicated to running fair, reliable and valid recruitment processes and always challenge ourselves in achieving the best EDI outcomes for the business so that our candidate pools are diverse and reflective of the communities we serve.
We work across the business to deliver this service to all routes and regions from attraction to onboarding. The team does so with dedication and care towards our business but also our candidates, who they support to do their best in the recruitment processes. This includes many candidates with disabilities and reasonable adjustment requests which the team handle with compassion and care.
To deliver these processes, the team have got to grips with working via digital assessment platforms but also, ensuring we are able to deliver assessment centres in person. This can mean staying away and working long hours to ensure a great candidate experience.
The team are constantly improving our approach and we've recently introduced significant changes to our assessment processes both for signallers and also for early careers. This has included the inclusion of a brand new bespoke online signaller selection tool that the team helped create. Everyone took part in photo shoots to capture the true essence of s
The image I've included is from a recent photo shoot that the whole team helped out on to create a brand new assessment tool for Signalling. As a team, we created scenarios for our candidates which showcased the amazing work our signallers do day-to-day.
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26
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY PERSON OR TEAM AWARD
The Innovation & Technology Award recognises those teams and individuals that have demonstrated outstanding achievements and advancements in the realm of innovation and technology. Whether it be groundbreaking inventions, transformative processes, or revolutionary solutions, recipients of the Innovation & Technology Award are celebrated for their commitment to pushing the envelope and driving positive change through cutting-edge technologies.
You can see all the past winners here.
Aquarius R2R Hoist OTP, .
Company Name
Aquarius Railroad Technologies
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The Aquarius Rail team has demonstrated innovation and excellence with the supply of the R2R OTP Hoist Bodie System to Network Rail. This cutting-edge system enhances the efficiency and safety of on-track operations, streamlining maintenance tasks and reducing downtime. Their dedication to delivering advanced, practical solutions has made a significant impact on rail infrastructure management, solidifying their reputation as industry leaders in rail maintenance technology.
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Ashley, Reynolds
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Ashley is one of the managers in the West area of Greater Anglia. He is the go to person when it comes to tracking or monitoring information. He is a spreadsheet wizard and has made his colleagues' jobs far easier by creating spreadsheets for recording all manner of information. Not only does this mean time savings for his colleagues, it also ensures that data is collated in a consistent manner which then makes dissection of this information much easier. Ashley is a great team player and is very generous in sharing his technological knowledge with colleagues who are not as tech savvy as he is.
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BIM Team, .
Company Name
SPL Powerlines UK Limited
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The SPL Powerlines UK Team has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in driving digital innovation through exceptional work on the Midland Main Line Electrification (MMLE) Programme. As the Lead Design Organisation for this critical infrastructure project, the Building Information Management (BIM) team has harnessed cutting-edge technology and innovation to transform how large-scale railway electrification projects are delivered.
One of the achievements of the BIM Team has been their implementation of Bentley Systems' ProjectWise as the Common Data Environment (CDE), providing a centralised platform for real-time data access and collaboration. This approach has enabled seamless integration of multidisciplinary designs across the footprint of MMLE project irrespective of contractual relationship, a key factor in its success. The team's ability to manage and integrate information from over 20 design organisations is testament to their technical and collaborative approach.
Central to their success is utilising Bentley’s iTwin and other integrated software. These tools empower the team to adopt a "build it digital" strategy, allowing for accurate design production, streamlined data management, and real-time coordination among all stakeholders. The result achieved optimised system design and enhanced information management processes, delivering tangible benefits to stakeholders, including Network Rail and all design organisations.
Digital innovation is at the heart of the BIM Team’s approach, ensuring efficient, sustainable, and collaborative principles are upheld throughout the MMLE Programme. Their forward-thinking use of technology has not only optimised project delivery but also established new standards for railway infrastructure development. As a result, the team has been recognised globally, being shortlisted for Bentley Systems' prestigious 2024 Going Digital Awards in the Rail and Transit category—a testament to their commitment to innovation and excellence.
The digital innovations implemented by SPL Powerlines are not restricted to the design phase of the project only. The team gathers real time data from sites that are imported into the iTwin. This means activities that once required site visits and staff to be on site are now carried out in the digital environment. This has a massive impact on safety, removing risk associated with being on site and enables carbon reduction through travel reductions.
The team's success is a direct reflection of their ability to integrate vast amounts of data, maintain real-time collaboration, and ensure that all stakeholders had access to the most up-to-date information. This has driven efficiency and mitigated risks, setting a new benchmark for future electrification and infrastructure projects.
In recognition of their exceptional digital innovations, technical expertise, and commitment to excellence, the BIM Team is an ideal candidate for the Rail Staff Technology & Innovation Award. This nomination highlights their contributions to both the success of the project and the future of digital transformation in the industry.
Benefits of the approach:
o On time under budget delivery of London to Wigston section
o Site walkouts reduced by 94% using digital engineering approach
o 6-month early commencement of design phase
o Digital tools saved over 3200 hours of project time
o Automation of processes checked over 15000 designs
o Carbon reduction of over 1000 tons
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Beth, Morley
Company Name
Amulet / Northern Trains
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The Northern Trains security operation is a fast paced ever changing environment in which data analysis is crucial to our security strategy and overall approach to combating antisocial behaviour across the railway network.
Beth Morley operates the demanding position of data analyst on an operation seeing over 75 security professionals consisting of Northern Trains Travel Safe Officers who patrol and secure the NTL network.
Beth as part of her role has the task of being the eyes and ears of the operation, ensuring her knowledge and understanding of each region complements the masses of data being Collated, sifted and produced to our frontline professionals as well as key stakeholders from within the railway.
Beth continues to piece vital information together to assist with our intelligence led and driven deployment and has recently worked on some fantastic projects in order to share with colleagues from the British Transport Police and drive the results being achieved across the regions.
Beth spends countless hours not only reading incident reports but then create a response plan in order to combat the issues prior to them becoming a bigger problem for the network, alongside the sharing of intelligence to internal and external teams Beth also works alongside our partners at Northern Trains to ensure event planning is captured and executed alongside our BAU plan of action.
In a world now driven by data, Beth's input into our ever increasing operation is crucial not only for the day to day running of the contracts but the results in which our officers are able to achieve through Beth's ability to ensure that those on the frontline have everything they need and more to be able to carry out their duties to the highest standard.
The TSO/CT operation is one of only a few with a designated data analyst invested in my our partners at Northern Trains, this approach coupled with Beth's knowledge and expertise to produce documents of real significance in relation to combating crime and antisocial behaviour is something that has continued to push the operation to a new level.
Whilst it's our officers who rightfully claim the plaudits of a positive result on the network, none of that is possible without an individual like Beth co-ordinating our approach and response from behind the scenes.
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Business Intelligence Team, .
Company Name
Arriva
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Over the past 18 months, the Business Intelligence (BI) team has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and expertise by successfully rebuilding the BI platform across four train operating companies and rail services teams within Arriva UK Trains. Their remarkable achievements reflect not only technical proficiency but also their ability to drive meaningful change and innovation across the organisation.
This massive undertaking involved replicating and redesigning hundreds of dashboards and reports, tailoring them to meet the specific needs of various operational teams. The new platform has transformed how local managers access and use data, providing them with timely, relevant, and function-specific insights. For the first time, managers across the organisation can make informed decisions based on real-time data, significantly enhancing safety, operational efficiency and driving growth.
Despite the complexity of the project, the BI team ensured the continuity of business operations by maintaining legacy systems while the new platform was rolled out. This careful management of resources and transition timelines was crucial to avoiding disruptions to data access during the transition. The team’s meticulous approach guaranteed that all users experienced a seamless transition, minimising downtime and confusion.
The BI team’s achievements extend beyond the technical reconstruction of the platform. Their commitment to fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making is evident in their establishment of a Centre of Excellence within Arriva UK Trains. This centre is now a recognised hub of expertise in data integration, advanced modelling, and cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies. By setting this standard, the team has positioned the organisation as a leader in BI innovation within the rail industry.
In addition to technological advancements, the BI team prioritised empowering the workforce. Over 300 users were trained on the platform’s enhanced capabilities, with the team promoting a self-service model that has upskilled staff across departments. By implementing robust data governance measures, they ensured that the integrity, consistency, and security of data are upheld throughout the organisation.
This nomination recognises the Business Intelligence team’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Their work has not only modernized the company’s data infrastructure but also empowered employees at all levels to make informed, data-driven decisions that contribute to the overall success of Arriva UK Trains.
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David, Bartholomew
Company Name
Heathrow Express
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I am thrilled to nominate David for the Innovation & Technology Person Award, recognising his pivotal role in the introduction of Heathrow Express' touchscreen totems—the first of their kind to operate live on a platform.
David’s innovative approach addresses a critical gap in the corporate traveller experience by providing tailored communications directly to passengers. The interactive totems replace static signage, offering a dynamic interface that keeps travellers informed with real-time updates, thereby reducing uncertainty and minimising the risk of missed connections.
These totems serve as comprehensive resource hubs, providing not only train information but also ancillary services such as bus routes, live flight departures, and station maps. This forward-thinking solution aligns with Heathrow Express’ commitment to delivering seamless and user-centric travel experiences.
One of the unique value propositions of this innovation is its strategic placement on the platform, allowing communications to be directly tailored to departing and arriving passengers. The ability to customise content for different totems has resulted in more effective messaging. Notably, the eye-catching reminders to "Mind the Gap" have contributed to a decrease in customer accidents, demonstrating the interactive design's efficacy in enhancing passenger safety.
The solution significantly enriches the traveller experience by offering real-time information, service updates, and essential reminders—all at the touch of a finger. For international passengers, this is especially valuable, providing them with immediate assistance for their onward journeys. Additionally, the feedback feature allows passengers to share their thoughts on the service instantly, providing crucial insights for continuous improvement.
The timeline for developing the totems spanned five months, although the implementation phase took longer due to the robust approval process with Network Rail. Challenges, such as power socket requirements and screen brightness issues, further delayed the project. Despite these hurdles, David’s persistence and commitment to innovation have led to a successful rollout.
The response to the totems has been overwhelmingly positive. Corporate travellers, who often have demanding schedules, have particularly appreciated the personalised assistance and streamlined access to information, significantly enhancing their travel experience. Leisure travellers and tourists have also responded positively, highlighting the convenience and engaging features of the totems.
David’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation in transportation technology exemplifies the spirit of this award. His work not only enhances the passenger journey but also sets a new standard for customer service in the rail industry. I nominate David for the Innovation & Technology Person Award, as he truly embodies the essence of transformative progress.
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Digital Team, c2c
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Introducing c2c
c2c is an award-winning train operator running services in east London and south Essex between London Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness. c2c is recognised as one of the industry’s most punctual, reliable and popular rail companies. c2c’s team of 700+ employees are responsible for running 350 services a day, carrying c35 million passengers each year.
Our Digital Team
c2c’s in-house Digital department is an experienced, high-performing team of technology experts committed to exploring and introducing new and innovative ways to reduce and resolve issues, whilst striving to provide the best-in-class user experience for customers. The Digital team is behind c2c’s award-winning Mobile App (“Highly Commended” at the Transport & Ticketing Expo 2023), helping to support the operator’s continued high-performing rail services and industry-leading customer satisfaction scores.
The role of c2c’s Digital Team is wide and varied and directly responsible for supporting, maintaining and continuing to develop the company’s suite of ticket purchasing channels, ensuring they are always accessible to customers.
The remit includes 56 Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), 55 Ticket Office Machines, the back-office system (for support and after-sale functions), handheld ticket and card validation devices (used by Revenue Protection Officers), the c2c website and our 4.7 rated (iOS) Mobile App.
Innovation and future development
The team is also responsible for strategic thinking and the delivery roadmap for all c2c digital channels, helping to ensure that all systems and technology are robust and future proofed. c2c works in partnership with leading UX designers to regularly perform robust user testing to establish new functionality, driving the optimal customer user experience.
Support and monitoring
The team uses cutting edge diagnostic tools to monitor the live activity and performance of its digital sales channels. These tools also identify and troubleshoot any issues remotely (where possible), allowing the team to decide whether to deploy technicians to site.
The quality assurance function in the team continually monitors and tests c2c’s digital systems in order to identify any defects or performance issues, while also meeting the criteria of the TVM testing accreditation.
The team remains committed to keeping up with technological advancement in ticketing and payments - through regular training, conferences and knowledge sharing - exploring new ways of making travel and ticket purchasing easier while also reducing our carbon footprint in the process.
Training
Our state-of-the-art training facilities located across the route provide a wide range of IT equipment and software which allows us to recreate real life situations when training Ticket Office and gateline staff. These facilities are also used when introducing colleagues to new functionality and system changes.
App enhancements
The c2c App is the fastest growing sales channel for c2c, achieving over 60% growth in the last year. Customer feedback has revealed that users enjoy the sleek and easy to use design, quick and easy access to important journey information.
We have recently added push notifications to the App, providing users with up to the minute enhanced journey information
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Eddie Bell and Mike Sharp, .
Company Name
Siemens Mobility
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This nomination recognises Mike Sharp and Eddie Bell from Siemens Mobility for their pivotal role in driving innovation to enhance safety in high-risk rail environments. This includes collaborating in the development of a new geospatial innovation alongside Tended and the European Space Agency.
Named the Digital Worksite, the system leverages space-based assets with Tended’s geofencing solution to provide a highly accurate digital representation of a worksite. It automatically turns the location of plant and equipment into a live map, where locations and movements are displayed in real time. Supervisors are then alerted to potential hazards, including plant or machinery operating on an open line, increasing the risk of accidents, and if plant approaches critical infrastructure, such as trailing points. Colliding with these can cause considerable damage, delays and high costs.
The system supports the accurate placement of marker and possession limit boards - a persistent issue in the rail industry. With close proximity to rail lines, complex worksites and human factors, workers can lose situational awareness when placing these and access the worksite before lines are blocked, stray onto open lines or install protection in the wrong location. This can lead to collisions or trains running through live worksites, significantly increasing the risk to workers.
The Digital Worksite is revolutionising the management of possessions and rail infrastructure projects. Traditional industry practices to manage and monitor the movement of plant and equipment rely almost entirely on human intervention, supported by paper-based documentation, 2-way radio communication and physical barriers. Limited access to the infrastructure creates time and cost pressures, requiring additional tools to reduce the risk to the workforce and passengers.
Challenging conventional practices, Mike and Eddie have been instrumental in the development of this new technology that provides unrivalled worksite visibility and will help put an end to preventable incidents, including the 1-2 worker fatalities that occur yearly.
They have overcome numerous barriers that have arisen from the development of novel technologies, stakeholder resistance and union involvement by working closely with Tended throughout the development process. Quarterly joint product development sessions were run to evaluate progress, plan how to tackle hurdles and agree focus for the next three months of development.
Their deep experience in rail and insightful perspectives brought a focused approach to the creation of the Digital Worksite, with the determination and resilience to see it through to completion. The solution has now been rolled out across Siemens Mobility’s operations - an initiative championed and delivered by Mike and Eddie within nine months from the original pilot.
Mike and Eddie have helped to develop a cutting-edge solution to significantly improve the safety of their colleagues and are setting a new standard for the industry. It's the dedication and determination of individuals like these who are shaping the future of rail and helping to ensure no more lives are lost on our rail infrastructure. Their commitment to challenge the norm, take calculated risks, and cultivate a culture of continual improvement will help shape track worker safety for decades to come.
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Elizabeth, Hardman
Company Name
Southern
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Liz has transformed Our Newsletter with Innovation and Impact
I would like to nominate Liz for her exceptional contribution in transforming our newsletter into a powerful tool for driving positive innovation and change within our organisation. Through her vision & technical expertise, Liz has not only reimagined how we communicate but also fostered a culture of innovation and engagement initially across metro south depot however this has now been shown to all other SNGX Depots
Under Liz's direction, the newsletter was transitioned to a dynamic, interactive platform (Sway), embracing modern technology and design to deliver content in a more compelling and accessible way. Liz seamlessly integrated cutting-edge features, enabling multimedia storytelling, embedded analytics, and real-time updates, all of which have elevated the reader experience and enhanced engagement across our depots. Liz's attention to detail and understanding of user experience allowed the newsletter to become not just a communication tool, but a hub for innovation. By leveraging the power of technology, Liz has ensured that our newsletter is not only informative but also inspiring. The shift to this new format has increased readership, facilitated collaboration, and encouraged more stakeholders to contribute their ideas. This has resulted in a more vibrant, forward-thinking culture, where innovative ideas and success stories are shared widely and celebrated.
Liz's passion for driving positive change through technology is evident in the way they continually look for new ways to improve and refine the platform, making it a critical part of our organisation’s innovation journey. Their ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible while keeping the user experience at the forefront has been instrumental in the success of this transformation. Thank you Liz for someone that is thriving to be innovative not just in newsletters but for safety tools between our drivers.
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FELIX Project Team, .
Company Name
Network Rail and Loccioni
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I am nominating the FELIX Project Team for their unwavering commitment to accelerating innovation and technology in the rail sector.
The project team, predominantly consisting of members from Network Rail's Research and Development department and Italian manufacturers, Loccioni, are leading the implementation of a new, trailblazing, and innovative Automated
Measurement Trolley for the inspection of Switches and Crossings (S&C)- introducing ‘FELIX’. FELIX uses non-contact and non-destructive technology: a combination of cameras and lasers. As the product-approved trolley moves, a new scan is taken every 2mm to check that the various track geometry and critical rail profile measurements are compliant with S&C inspection standards. Upon completion of the inspection, digital Track Engineering Forms (TEFs) are autonomously generated. The key benefits are increased productivity, improved safety through a 'boots off ballast' approach, and the provision of more accurate, consistent, and objective data which helps extend the lifespan of our assets.
Current S&C inspections are time-consuming, laborious, manual activities that rely on 19th-century gauges. This means they are often less efficient, less productive, subject to interpretation, and offer a lack of repeatability. Therefore, new technology is required to automate this process. To put it into perspective, a manual 053 inspection takes approximately 37 minutes whereas FELIX can do seven different inspections in 15 minutes. This is real cutting-edge innovation, led by motivated individuals.
The team have invested countless hours into fuelling this acceleration. They have taken it from a stagnant project with a lack of business-buy-in, to a successful project currently being deployed in four of Network Rail's routes: Sussex, Wessex, Anglia, and Scotland. They have persevered through industry barriers, they have dedicated weekends and sacrificed personal time to be hands-on during track shifts, and they've loaded their years of expertise. This is no mean feat- it takes resilience, innovative thinking, and hard work. It takes real strength to deliver such ground-breaking and transformative change not just for Network Rail, but also the industry. The team have done this whilst overcoming multiple barriers, from adverse stakeholder engagement, union consultation, funding restraints and an ambiguous socio-economic and political environment. This is not just their day job, they're enthused by passion and go above and beyond for innovation.
The team, and indeed the project, has been so successful in their endeavours that it is attracting attention across organisations and industries. The team have collaborated in some sense (be it sharing of lessons, reported to, or worked alongside) with National Highways, the Office of Rail and Road, Department for Transport, and CrossRail, as examples. They have also gone overseas and partnered with other infrastructure owners such as ProRail (Netherlands) and Deutsche Bahn (Germany).
The introduction of FELIX onto the network promotes preventative maintenance- moving from 'find and fix' to 'predict and prevent', making it safer for passengers on our network. Fundamentally, it is helping fulfil Network Rail’s safety vision of getting everyone home safe every day. This underpins the work of Research and Development and is at the forefront of the project team's mind, always.
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FREIGHTLINER ETCS First In Class (FIC) FITMENT Team, FREIGHTLINER ETCS First In Class (FIC) FITMENT Team
Company Name
Freightliner
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Freightliner’s FIC locomotive has made great progress thanks to the Leeds based Freightliner team.
A major challenge faced by the fitment team has been the adaptation of the ETCS design to various locos. Usually, this requires the remanufacturing of a bespoke bracket or finding alternative solutions to integrate the common system with other class B systems (such as TPWS). Despite these challenges, and due to the hard work, commitment and collaboration of the teams involved, ETCS has all but been fitted to Class 66591and testing is scheduled to start in November 2024.
This is largely due to the efforts of Freightliner’s ERTMS Maintenance Specialist, Dave Whitham and ERTMS Lead Engineer, Euan Rideout.
Dave manages the installation of ETCS equipment to the class 66591 Freightliner loco. This is a fundamental piece of work and a critical cog in the development of ERTMS capability and milestone achievement within the ECDP programme and in support of the industry in digital signalling implementation.
Dave established and leads the fitment team, ensuring their continued development both of knowledge and capability. He runs the day-to-day fitment operation, consulting with various stakeholders including Siemens, ESG, Network Rail and Freightliner both on the shop floor and management.
He is always focused on challenging the norms and finding improvements, introducing a pioneering approach to methods of untried and unique loco modification. He has a can-do attitude and motivating personality and in a complex environment has led the initiative to reduce complexity and improve timescales.
As Lead Engineer for Freightliner’s ERTMS team, Euan brings a wealth of experience both from within the ECDP Programme, having spent 8 years on the Freightliner project, and from an Engineering background in the military. Ensuring Engineering change is managed effectively, safely and to strict quality constraints, Euan is a true asset to the team. He always has a solution to a problem, and commands respect across his peers in a challenging environment. Always with safety and performance at the forefront of his mind, Euan guides the team from a strategic perspective and enables them to flourish in a complex and challenging new environment.
As well as managing and guiding the team, Euan challenges best practice and adopts new ways of working. He has introduced efficiencies to cut costs whilst never compromising on Engineering principles.
Euan provides security solutions for the ETCS System rollout and is an industry leader in terms of his knowledge of Cyber Security, a critical aspect of safe ETCS operation. He also provides detailed analysis of the complex design application of ETCS, offering ways through difficult problems.
Together, Dave & Euan are worthy contenders for a RailStaff award in this category.
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Finance, Systems Team
Company Name
South Western Railway (SWR)
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The Finance Systems team was established following a restructuring of the finance function, underscoring the necessity for an in-house systems team deeply familiar with current SWR processes and systems. Their key responsibilities include:
Documentation, development, maintenance, and support of finance systems.
Administration of SAP S4, SAP Neptune, Infor EAM (stock management), Concur Expense Management, and other systems.
Understanding and enhancing finance system interfaces.
This new team was tasked with quickly taking ownership of financial systems and serving as the primary contact for troubleshooting, implementing revisions, and creating a roadmap to optimize SWR's diverse solutions for a more effective finance function. Led by Gnanalingam Kandeepan (Deepan), with strong support from Gertrude Torto (Trudy), the team has achieved significant milestones in a short period:
They successfully cleaned up, revised, and updated Purchase Requisition Workflows and Approval Limits for requisitions initiated in S
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Gareth, Parry
Company Name
Networkrail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am pleased to nominate Gareth Parry for the Innovation and Technology Award. As the Station Manager at Euston Station, Gareth has demonstrated remarkable foresight and dedication to improving operational efficiency through technology.
Gareth's most significant contribution is the introduction of the HALO app at Euston Station, which has since been adopted by several Network Rail stations. This modern application has revolutionized the way daily station logs are maintained by allowing instant sharing of images and videos, ensuring that relevant personnel are promptly informed and able to respond to issues more efficiently.
Through the implementation of HALO, Gareth has not only enhanced communication and coordination among staff but also set a new standard for station management. His innovative approach has shown tangible benefits, including improved response times, better record-keeping, and a more streamlined workflow.
Gareth Parry's commitment to leveraging technology for the betterment of station operations makes him a deserving candidate for this award. His work with the HALO app is a testament to his forward-thinking mindset and dedication to excellence in the railway industry.
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Kerry, Phillipson
Company Name
Arriva UK Trains
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
This nomination is for Kerry Phillipson, Retail Product Manager at Arriva UK Trains.
Kerry is nominated for her work in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many businesses are getting to grips with the opportunities and risks that AI present and Kerry has been at the forefront of that within Arriva.
Kerry had the foresight to quickly evaluate the benefits of this emerging technology and was proactive in bringing these opportunities into Arriva. Kerry quickly assessed the customer benefits that AI could deliver and proceeded to develop a prototype of a responsive chat product called VITA (Very Intelligent Travel Assistant). Using a Large Language Model approach, VITA is able to consume significant amounts of relevant information in order to curate effective responses. In other words, VITA can answer queries relating to travel planning, travel disruption, train ticketing and other elements of the travel and passenger experience. Future plans include selling tickets, processing refunds and amending journeys. And key to this is VITA curating and articulating complex responses back to the customer in real-time in language that the customer will find easy to read and understand.
Kerry has been deeply involved with developers to shape and hone VITA, as significant effort and testing was required to get VITA to a position where the responses given are 100% accurate 100% of the time.
Kerry played a pivotal role in the development of VITA but also in raising awareness of the progress already made. Kerry has been championing AI both to stakeholders within Arriva but also to her peers in the rail industry.
In March 2024 Kerry presented at Transport Ticketing Global in London. The focus of the presentation was the journey Arriva had taken so far in considering and developing AI to deliver better passenger outcomes.
In April 2024 an interview with Kerry was published in Intelligent Transport, titled "Venturing into generative AI to enhance the passenger experience”.
In June 2024 Kerry presented at the World Passenger Festival in Vienna, updating the rail industry on the progress made with VITA. Confidence in VITA was such that a live demonstration was possible in the presentation which really demonstrated the potential of VITA and made the audience aware of what is possible within their own organisations.
The feedback Kerry received from these events was very positive and validated her own progress in this area.
Kerry has been a great ambassador for Arriva, promoting our business within wider communities and whilst never telling an audience what to do, has offered some valuable insights into how the AI opportunity could be tackled and how it could work within public transport.
Kerry is nominated for all of the above reasons and for being a trailblazer for an emerging technology that will deliver better customer outcomes across the industry.
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Mike, Kendall-Selwyn
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Mike is fantastic! He continually goes above and beyond - there are so many examples of this but a key one is how he supported Western route control with creating a PowerBI to capture feedback following an incident. Mike is really hot on innovation and technology and finding new ways to do things to make people's jobs easier. He took the time to explain in depth how to do this - with so much patience and kindness and without ever being patronising! This may seem simple but it was such a complex process with coding but with Mike's support, we now have a product which saves time and enables senior leaders within the team to focus on incidents, rather than manually filling out forms. Plus the output looks really slick and professional.
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Passenger Assist Team, .
Company Name
RDG
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Passenger Assist is a service delivered by the rail industry to ensure that those needing additional support when travelling by train receive the support they need. It is the Passenger Assist (PA) team that are being nominated for the programme of work they have undertaken that enriches the customer experience and makes the UK railway inclusive and accessible for all.
This feature-rich system gives customers greater confidence when travelling on the rail network and provides staff with a toolkit to deliver the service consistently across the industry. As a result, customers have the confidence their assistance needs will be met. This confidence is due to the delivery of multiple innovations to the PA system which the team have delivered to train operating companies (TOCs) and contact centres over the last twelve months. These multiple innovations include:
• the facility to request assistance at the same time as buying a ticket which provides a one-stop shop for customers
• the provision of real-time journey information within an assistance enabling TOCs to manage assistances better during disruption
• enhanced approaches to conducting a handover providing customer confidence their assist will be delivered
Successful programme delivery has been a collaborative approach across the industry between the PA team, TOCs, customers groups and external suppliers. The PA team worked at pace to deliver these innovations on time and on budget and used extensive stakeholder engagement processes to make delivery possible across the whole industry. This included:
• Consulting with customer groups to fully understand customer requirements and ensure new functionality accurately reflects customer needs
• Leading and managing industry wide requirements - capture and solution development
• Delivering workshops to help TOCs understand the new functionality
• Supporting TOCs during system roll-out by engaging with frontline operational teams through training and station visits
As well as delivering system updates, the team has worked tirelessly with TOCs to help them adopt and embed the use of the new PA system enhancements. To date, there has been a 39% staff usage uplift this year alone on the new enhancements. This means assistances are being recorded correctly, which results in the customer having more confidence their journey will be met by the TOC delivering the actual service.
The immense amount of work put in by the PA team is evidenced in the significant increase in assistances being recorded. Since 2021/22 assistances per period have more than trebled, when compared to the same rail period in the respective years, going from 74,454 to 234,824 – this is a huge increase.
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Permaquip MK2 Trolley, .
Company Name
Permaquip
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The Permaquip team is deserving of recognition for their outstanding contribution to rail safety and efficiency through the Permaquip MK2 Link Trolley. By supplying this innovative equipment to Network Rail, they have enhanced track maintenance capabilities, reduced downtime, and increased operational safety. Their commitment to engineering excellence and meeting industry needs has made a lasting impact, ensuring smoother, safer railway operations across the network.
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Phil, Tobin
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate Phil Tobin- Area On Board Manager - (Southern).
Phil has demonstrated exceptional leadership and creativity in transforming the way our Onboard team handles, processes, and utilises data. Through innovative practices, collaborative working and forward-thinking strategies, Phil has significantly enhanced the way we interpret our revenue protection data and onboard productivity statistics, empowering the department to make more efficient, scalable, and long-term decisions across the business.
Tasked with leading a workstream to improve the use of technology in the Revenue Protection space, Phil devised and implemented two highly successful projects. Firstly, the Fare Evasion App was designed and developed by the workstream he leads, from inception to roll out and ongoing support, Phil has been instrumental in the success of project. Using the Power Apps platform, Phil co- created a user-friendly portal where staff can record incidences of fare evasion in a few moments, which builds in
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SWR Innovation Team, South Western Railway
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
South Western Railway (SWR) is leading innovation within the rail industry by delivering projects with the ultimate aim of improving customer experience.
This year, SWR’s dedicated innovation team has supported three successful ‘first of a kind’ projects funded by the Department for Transport (DfT):
• Whoosh – AccessRail - empowering the untapped market of disabled rail passengers to travel independently. AccessRail provides a journey planner for passengers needing to use accessible facilities. The planner uses live data to allow disabled passengers to plan travel while ensuring their needs are accommodated. AccessRail will be a key tool for planning independent travel without relying on rail staff.
• Signapse - using AI to transform the deaf customer experience. A mobile-based solution that uses AI to translate timetable, on-board and in-station information into British Sign Language, transforming the customer experience for deaf passengers.
• Atmo - smart depot and asset savings - creating a digital twin tool to identify under-performing assets. It creates a real-time ‘digital twin’ for our depot in Salisbury by deploying internet-connected sensors. These augment data already generated to create a digital representation of the depot. This allows algorithms to find optimisations and gives depot managers an overview of asset performance on site.
No other Train Operating Company (TOC) has been involved in as many funded projects, demonstrating SWR’s position as an industry leader. SWR are also co-founders and the current chair of the ‘TOC innovation community’, a group of TOC innovation leads working collaboratively to push the industry forwards.
In March 2024, the team hosted and delivered the SWR customer and innovation showcase – a two-day event with over 170 attendees, including representatives from other TOCs, Network Rail and the DfT. This demonstrates SWR’s open approach to innovation and sharing the outcomes with the wider industry, providing cost-efficiencies and a better customer experience.
The team works closely with functions across SWR and has facilitated co-creation workshops to ensure challenges are understood and colleagues’ voices are heard. The team has also developed and delivered the ‘Track’a’thon’ innovation challenge event, which guides colleagues through ‘design thinking’ methodology to develop an idea as part of a group to solve a business challenge.
Attendees pitch their idea to a panel of judges including senior leaders and customers. The team then progresses the winning idea into a proof of concept, as has recently been demonstrated through the ‘One Scan’ QR code project, which allows customers to scan a single QR code and find journey information. It is now being rolled out to more than 90 trains.
The team also works closely with suppliers and other parts of the industry including trade bodies and Innovate UK to influence and champion rail innovation.
Whilst only having a small innovation budget the team works creatively to deliver innovation and develop the innovation culture within SWR. The team’s work was recently attributed to an 6% improvement in colleague ‘empowerment’ scores in an employee survey.
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Sirocco/Solano, Development team
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
South Western Railway’s (SWR) Sirocco/Solano project team has worked efficiently and collaboratively to provide three systems that will transform train service performance and customer service, through their improvements to communications and the management of the train service, delays and train defects.
The team, made up of colleagues from the planning and performance, operations, service delivery and engineering functions, have worked with Mistral Data (MLD) to provide:
Sirocco, a decision support tool for control centre colleagues, which helps to manage service disruption and allows train services to be swiftly replanned
South Western Railway’s (SWR) Sirocco/Solano project team has worked efficiently and collaboratively to provide three systems that will transform train service performance and customer service, through their improvements to communications and the management of the train service, delays and train defects.
The team, made up of colleagues from the planning and performance, operations, service delivery and engineering functions, have worked with Mistral Data (MLD) to provide:
Sirocco, a decision support tool for control centre colleagues, which helps to manage service disruption and allows train services to be swiftly replanned
Solano, an app for front-line colleagues that provides duty details, service information and train delay management in real-time
Solano Berth Maps, which shows where trains are positioned on the network, used by front line colleagues through Solano and also by colleagues in the control centre and those overseeing station control points
The project team’s members came together in addition to their day jobs, investing huge amounts of time and energy to develop these systems, which have made big changes to the way SWR operates.
To develop and roll out these systems, the team worked in close partnership with MLD and technical experts and rail operations managers. In doing so, they ensured all three systems worked together from the moment they launched.
For Sirocco, the project team and MLD worked collaboratively to develop specifications and provide both a proof of concept and a prototype. SWR led the project with a roadmap and key milestones while MLD provided technical expertise and a detailed specification. Both parties had to overcome the challenges of gathering data from many different sources and provide information that was easy to digest.
Through Sirocco, the team has transformed the ability for SWR to manage train services more effectively. It has enabled train service controllers to make positive decisions for customers and ensure a smooth service recovery when disruption occurs. It is widely acknowledged that what the team has produced is well ahead of anything else available in the industry.
The team’s work on Solano has allowed SWR to understand even the smallest delays to train services in both depth and detail. Their efforts have provided a unique tool that front line colleagues now use for live, two-way communication; live updates; and the ability to feed information to control.
The team has been praised for providing unique, groundbreaking systems that are benefitting SWR’s millions of customers - and which hold a great deal of potential for the wider industry.
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Smarter Information, Smarter Journeys, .
Company Name
Network Rail / Rail Delivery Group
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The nominated team is the Smarter Information, Smarter Journeys (SISJ) Programme team for the work they have done in enabling Personalised Journey Notifications (PJNs) to be sent to customers who brought their ticket online/via an app when there is a change to their journey.
Customers wish to buy tickets for train journeys in advance and be kept informed of changes prior to departure. Before the PJN project, customers could buy a ticket online/via an app but were not notified if their train time in the timetable had changed or been cancelled. The impact intensified if the customer had a ticket that needed to be used on a specific train (for example an Advance ticket). With timetable changes/cancellations commonplace, operators were less confident about selling tickets before the timetable was fully confirmed as this could have a reputational risk.
The above were longstanding issues/customer pain points.
Through cross-industry working, the SISJ programme, the industry’s customer information programme, took on the challenge of addressing the above. The SISJ team created a technical solution, collaborating with the supplier SilverRail, that has now been implemented by Retailers, allowing for a consistent customer experience across Great Britain’s rail network.
This solution was ‘Personalised Journey Notifications’ (PJN). If a customer has purchased their ticket via a digital retailing channel, they are automatically notified when there is a change to their scheduled train. With PJNs in place, together with the customer benefits, there is also reduced reputational risk to retailers who customers would have brought their ticket(s) from. In April 2024, PJN was added as a Standard published via the Rail Delivery Group’s standard platform ASSIST. This means that all B2C retailers must deliver this functionality by 18 April 2025, creating a consistent experience for customers regardless of who they have purchased their ticket with.
Since PJNs launched, to date 4.1 million notifications have been sent to customers by ticket retailers (including train companies, independent retailers, or travel management companies).
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TRU WEST OF LEEDS W34 RAIL SYSTEMS, OLE SUPERSTRUCTURE DESIGN TEAM
Company Name
AMEY Consulting
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate the TransPennine Route Upgrade W34 OLE Structure Design Team for the Innovation and Technology Team Award. The Team are part of the Rail Systems Integrated Design Alliance who are working on the TRU Programme which aims to improve journey time and provide a fully electrified railway across the Pennines between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
The team were tasked to check and verify that the proposed 400+ OLE Structures on the route were adequate for the OLE wiring arrangements. The team developed a data input sheet which utilised the newly devised Amey Integrate Technology to import the data and coordinates from the OLE design. This information is then processed by the team to formulate the resulting structural reactions for the foundation design and verification as appropriate.
The innovation has allowed the Team to vastly improve efficiency and the time taken for the design processing task has been accelerated in the order of 300%.
The Team has also worked alongside our Alliance partners to rectify issues which have emerged in the previously designed OLE structures on the TRU route. This involved the development of other complex analysis processes and reverse engineering to enable clear and concise results being readily available for discussion with our Client and Assurance Teams.
The whole Team should be applauded for their exemplary approach to a complex engineering challenge. They have successfully implemented cutting-edge technology and creative problem-solving to develop a cost-effective and highly efficient solution.
The Team has a truly collaborative approach, and their culture of continuous learning and improvement has ensured that each team member is empowered to contribute their thoughts and ideas with the common goal of quality and innovation at the forefront.
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Telent SCADA Team, .
Company Name
Telent
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Telent has set a new benchmark in SCADA technology with the successful commissioning of its advanced electrical control system at Raynes Park, London, marking a pivotal milestone in the national SCADA platform initiative for Network Rail.
Telent’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Traction Power Centralised Management System (TPCMS) will replace outdated SCADA systems, bringing them onto a single, robust platform. This will provide an increased functionality for users via a common set of deliverables across every control area – and deliver significant resilience across all control areas nationally.
Supported by significant user-group research and software development by Ematics (part of the Morson Group), the TPCMS V5 was successfully deployed at Raynes Park ECR. This was a huge success for the project team, and restored positivity in a project which had previously been plagued by technical difficulties.
Whilst the technical achievements of the project are undeniable, the innovation celebrations do not lie simply with the successful deployment. Without a significant shift in the team’s collaborative working practices, the project would look very different today.
Working alongside Network Rail, the SCADA team worked tirelessly to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, to ensure project clarity and transparency at every stage of the process. The continual engagement of user groups, during the product design, development and testing phases have helped ensure that V5 is well-received at every stakeholder level – not always a simple task when introducing a new initiative.
Internal team development has been a key feature within the project, with senior leaders ensuring the mentoring and training of team members, building a reliable and engaged team that will remain with the project for years to come. The project has now become a benchmark for exemplary project management, with Engineering Director for Rail James Morrissey and Programme Manager Tom Royds being requested as expert speakers, to advise other project managers of their innovative methods for undeniable project success.
The rollout of the TPCMS V5 highlights Telent’s commitment to innovation and excellence, transforming how traction power networks are monitored and controlled. However, the achievement of the team behind the product in developing such an innovative and collaborative way of delivering a project should be equally applauded.
The ability to successfully fast-track an established project, working with multiple stakeholders on safety-critical technology is complex, however Team TPCMS have not only delivered an innovative project, but also designed an innovative working framework.
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Thameslink Central, Management Team
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am honoured to nominate the Thameslink Central Management team for the Rail Team of the Year award in recognition of their exceptional initiative in creating a periodic virtual meeting platform, designed to enhance engagement and improve information sharing among our frontline teams.
Understanding the challenges of managing frontline teams working across multiple locations, the team took the innovative step of implementing a regular meeting in virtual format to be delivered to over 200 front line team members. This initiative not only delivered crucial updates but also fostered an inclusive environment that encouraged participation and feedback from frontline staff, also ensuring that each one is conducted on a different shift rotation to allow everyone the opportunity to attend at least one and recording the session for those who couldn’t attend, to be able to watch back.
The team's efforts have improved employee engagement by ensuring that all frontline teams felt connected and informed, reflected through positive feedback and regular views of around 100-150 per session. By ensuring that all frontline teams felt connected and informed, the meetings have provided a platform for open dialogue, allowing team members to voice their concerns, share insights and feel valued.
Through these sessions, the team have effectively streamlined the flow of information, ensuring that all team members were equipped with the latest developments and organisational updates including guest speakers from different departments to capture insights and best practices from across the business, leading to improved collaboration and a stronger sense of community. It has also has led to a more informed workforce, ultimately enhancing overall productivity and morale and a greater understanding of how their role fits within the wider business.
In recognition of their exceptional contributions and commitment to enhancing communication and engagement within the team, I wholeheartedly nominate the Thameslink Central Management team for their dedication to improving team dynamics and performance, making them truly deserving of the award.
Thank you for considering this nomination.
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Tom, Langford
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I’d like to nominate Tom Langford for going above and beyond to support a team on a completely different route. Over the past 12 months, Tom sacrificed his weekends to ensure that the Wales performance measurement team was able to correctly allocate delays and cancellations. The Wales route were struggling with resources and Tom stepped up and proactively offered his ongoing support. I know this sounds a bit techy but it’s really important as this data is used to help Network Rail and the wider rail industry to understand the root cause of delays which have an impact on passengers and freight customers. This data is used to improve performance and has also resulted in significant financial savings to the business as without Tom’s input, the delays and cancellations would automatically default to Network Rail – costing the tax payer greatly. Tom has also supported Wales route with re-signalling scheme projects by assessing the impact that these changes had on the TRUST system (used to capture train running information). I don’t feel that Tom has received any formal recognition for his gallant efforts and I’d really like him to be considered for an award.
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Yuji, Isayama
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Yuji is a digital wizard, helping every department that comes to ask for help with their digital projects. Whether he is re developing the FAQs and refunds pages or if he’s upgrading our whole website back ends. Working with multiple departments across the company to ensure that projects are planned and delivered with a positive outcome. Some of the innovative projects that Yuji has completed this year to continue to build on the digital progress of the company include:
• Drupal 9 release across both websites – a project that took hours of development to ensure that our websites offer the best CX and buying experience for our customers with a focus on the following:
• Accessibility and best practise for fonts, colour contract, readability, also the installation of ‘request passenger assist’
• Geolocation updates to highlight nearby stations – making it easier for passengers to use
• New ‘Buy again’ feature for past purchases – helping drive revenue with easy purchasing
• Rainbow boards, in app notifications, bus replacement improvements
• Onboard wifi rebrand and release with clear log in to ensure data capture and ease of use for the passengers
• Accessibility – different font weights were introduced to menu items to improve visibility as well as screen reader to support search results
• 100+ destination and attraction pages published across sites to promote inspiration for days out and help us rank higher organically
• Continued development of the 40k+ routes pages across both sites to ensure that our ranking is strong for those leisure searches
• Installation of the ‘smart app banner’ targeting website users to install the app
• Refresh of existing pages – FAQs, About us, Help to ensure that customers ability to use these pages is at an optimum
• Live times tool enhancements to give passengers clear information through colour coding, platform information, ability to show and hide stops
• Amends to the 2for1 feeds from RDG to ensure up to date information and ability to digitally download the code/voucher
• Screen brightness adjustment on feedback from customer meaning the screen will automatically adjust to scan barcode which came from customer insight fed back to Yuji through CX.
• Trains to taxi API module implementation to give passengers clear and up to date onward travel information on the website
• Improved opt in ability across the website – giving customers the opportunity multiple times to sign up
•Redesign of the booking widget – a key conversion tool for passengers – workshops were held to establish the needs and enhancements
•Global breadcrumb enhancements across multiple pages of the website
Yuji did all of this whilst also helping to plan digital paid media across all digital channels, oversee our PPC and SEO agencies for the BAU advertising activity and so much more it’s hard to capture. Yuji is truly forward thinking, he doesn’t wait to be told, he goes out there and looks for the things he can fix and wants to continue
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17
LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT & INVESTING IN PEOPLE AWARD
Is there someone you know that makes their candidates feel welcome, who is passionate about development and unlocking their potential? Who has the patience of a saint?!
Example job titles in this category:
Rail Safety Trainer, Training Specialist, Training & Competence Manager, Team Leader, Trainee Trainer, Operational Trainer, Signaller Trainer...
You can see all the past winners here.
Alan, Godding
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am pleased to nominate Alan Godding, as he truly exemplifies the values and dedication that this recognition stands for. Although we work in different departments, I had the privilege of getting to know Alan a few months before the Learning at Work week in May. As the Learning Design Manager, he welcomed my interest in assisting him with some learning content, and it was during this collaboration that I witnessed his unwavering passion for education and professional development. Alan’s enthusiasm for his work is contagious, and he consistently inspires others to engage in meaningful learning experiences.
Alan's commitment to his role is evident through his exceptional work ethic and the care he demonstrates for his department and the entire company. He approaches each project with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that all learning materials are not only informative but also engaging and accessible. Alan is always attentive to the needs of his colleagues, offering support and guidance whenever necessary, and fostering a collaborative spirit within the organization.
What truly sets Alan apart is his humility and willingness to share his knowledge. When I asked him how to create certain things, he didn’t hesitate to share his insights with me. Even now, he remains available to share his experience, and I know he would do the same for anyone else. He is always ready to lend a helping hand, even outside of standard working hours, making it clear that he values the growth and success of his colleagues over any personal accolades. His supportive nature creates a safe space for organisation members to seek his advice and learn from his expertise. Alan’s selfless dedication, exceptional work ethic, and genuine care for others make him a deserving candidate for this award.
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Becky, Eason
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Becky Eason joined South Western Railway (SWR) in September 2019 as a Fleet Depot Administrator. During her five years in the company, she has changed roles and is snow a Leadership Development Manager in the Culture & Change team. Culture and Change is a team of specialist HR colleagues dedicated to making SWR an even better place to work.
Becky strives to set the highest standards in everything she does, ensuring that her work delivers maximum benefit to the business. This value has shone since she transitioned to the role of Leadership Delivery Manager.
Becky has been responsible for creating and developing two of SWR’s flagship Learning and Development programmes: LEAP (Leadership Excellence and Performance) and Leading Our Journey to Better.
Shortly after moving into her Leadership Development role in 2023, Becky took on LEAP, a leadership development programme aimed at SWR’s future leaders. She transformed the initiative from a single-day event into a full week of dedicated learning, skills development and networking opportunities. She also collaborated with the Senior Leadership Team, who lead sessions on mentoring and share their experiences.
In addition, Becky has led the development of SWR’s Leading Our Journey to Better initiative, a leadership training programme is designed for all managers within the company. This initiative provides managers with essential tools to effectively support SWR’s evolving business strategy and mission. This program promotes leadership skills that empower managers to drive operational excellence, enhance team collaboration, and contribute to SWR’s success.
Becky worked with both internal and external stakeholders to create an engaging and educational experiences focused on leadership behaviours. Using the feedback from the previous year’s event, she ensured the programme reached its highest quality yet. Throughout, she maintained a clear vision and uphelf the highest standards across all the events.
Her work has inspired others from different parts of the business to get involved in the delivery of the programme, some of whom had previously participated in LEAP.
While her primary focus is on developing SWR’s leadership team, she is always looking at how her training can be extended to frontline colleagues. This dedication is evident in how she has adapted elements from the LEAP and Leading Our Journey to Better programmes to create bespoke training sessions for different areas of the business.
With every challenge she faces, Becky not only sets clear goals for herself but ensures that her team members are also given objectives, allowing each person to deliver the best version of themselves. She inspires others through her commitment to SWR’s corporate values, embedding these values into every training session and leadership programme she delivers.
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Cambridge Ticket Office Peer Training Team, .
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Diana, Jiri and Peter are the Peer Trainers for Cambridge Ticket Office. Cambridge is a rather unique place with a broad customer base which includes students, commuters, leisure travellers and large groups. Last year the team sold over 650,000 tickets so the clerks need to be at the top of their game. Diana, Jiri and Peter have trained four new starters over the past 15 months and will be training two more new starters in the coming weeks. Considering we are a team of 20 clerks, including our two new starters, this is a high percentage of the team. It is a testament to their knowledge and ability that our new starters have performed so well in their roles and have integrated so well into the team. Diana, Jiri and Peter have excellent knowledge not just of the ticket issuing system but also of the various restrictions and valid routes. They also demonstrate excellent customer service day in day out and always have a positive impact. They say that a team is only as strong as its weakest link. By having such an elite team of peer trainers there are no weak links here at Cambridge. Diana, Jiri and Peter deserve this award for their achievements and to let them know how much their efforts are appreciated by the rest of the team.
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Capacity Planning Health & Wellbeing Ambassadors Team, .
Company Name
Network Rail
Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The Capacity Planning Health & Wellbeing ambassadors willingly give their time and energy on behalf of the 600 people in System Operator's Capacity Planning team. They organise, contribute and raise awareness of H&W awareness events in the business and locally in Capacity Planning, encouraging and nurturing people's involvement and interest. They actively support the H&W services available that they directly provide, or that are available across the wider Network Rail business. from the wider business. Our ambassadors are passionate about the different issues covered by the H&W, and by the team they help. One of the key activities that they support is the quarterly H&W Survey that takes place across System Operator. They actively promote engagement by our people, consolidate and analyse the survey results, and share the key issues and opportunities through the team meeting structures. They work with the business teams in turning this analysis into improvement plans, and drive best practice.
Their efforts are widely appreciated by the wider team, and they deserve recognition for their contribution to our team. The sponsor in Capacity Planning is Lindsey Nalton, Timetable Production Manager, though there are a large number of people working in theambassador role.
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Carolyn, O'Sullivan
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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.
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Christopher, Permo
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Chris Permo has been a Train Driver at Bedford for nearly 25 years, and a Driver Instructor for 7 years . Chris is very calm, conscientious, and kind-hearted individual, he carries himself with utmost professionalism. Chris is very knowledgeable and as a Driver Instructor, he leaves no stone unturned in imparting this knowledge to his trainees to train them to not only succeed in their final assessments but teaches them to be Safe and professional in their driving careers. Chris put up a board in the depot with pictures of his colleagues who sadly passed away as a reminder of all the good times in the messroom. Chris is very helpful, and it was pointed out by a few of his colleagues who appreciated his help as he assisted them with setting up their new work mobile phones. Around Christmas, Chris will always be the first one to find time in his busy schedule to set up the Christmas decorations in the Messroom. A humble soul, professional Driver, consistent performer, and the one to always have a genuine smile when facing some arduous situations.
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City & Guilds / HMP Highpoint Rehabilitation Team, City & Guilds / HMP Highpoint Rehabilitation Team
Company Name
City & Guilds / HMP Highpoint Rehabilitation Team
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
This application is not the work of one individual, but the work of many who are making a real fundamental sustainable life changing difference to a number of young men.
Their purpose is to help people into a job, on the job and onto the next job. In partnership with HMP Highpoint, together they have developed a Rail Centre of Excellence that allows prisoners to access a range of railway engineering training with a focus around employment on release. Their aim is to continue to partner with companies to provide support, training, equipment, and job opportunities to the prisoners on release to support their reintegration into society and reduce the prospect of reoffending. Together, with the delivery of industry accredited training and a combined focus on providing rail opportunities to serving prisoners and ex-offenders, they can collectively combat skills shortages through best-in-class skills for employment.
So far, they have delivered training to over 130 learners at HMP Highpoint alone, with a remarkable success rate of 75% of individuals in employment.
The project has attracted the attention of The Telegraph, BBC News and Downing Street (videos available on request)
The Rail Centre of Excellence at HMP Highpoint is the first prison to ever have the facilities for both an Overhead Line training span and Signalling and Telecoms in the UK. They are incredibly grateful to the partnerships we have formed, and the dedication, commitment, and donations we have received from Keltbray. Together, these facilities and opportunities will allow prisoners from across the UK to transfer to Highpoint to access the training then return to their local prison for release into employment in their area of release.
As a team, their ambition is to enable prisoners to access skills training, opportunities, and employment on release to help them change their lives and enter the journey of rehabilitation without stigma.
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Customer Experience Team Managers and Customer Driver Managers, As above
Company Name
Lumo
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
We would like to nominate Danielle Daglish, Kieran Dunlop and Natalie High our Customer Experience Team Managers and Aaron Fleming, Craig Lumsden, David Hawkins and Derek Shotton our Customer Driver Managers at Lumo for their ongoing commitment to training and development within Lumo.
All new colleagues who join go through a ‘Welcome Aboard Induction’ with the People and Safety Teams which is then followed up by the Customer Experience Team Managers and Customer Driver Managers doing a more role specific induction.
Since Lumo launched in 2021 we have either completed or on our way to complete x23 Level 3 Customer Driver Apprenticeships and x49 Level 2 Passenger Transport Operative Apprenticeships and x3 Level 4 Assessor Coaches Apprenticeships.
The Customer Experience Team Manager’s (Danielle Daglish, Kieran Dunlop and Natalie High) and Customer Driver Managers (Aaron Fleming, Craig Lumsden, David Hawkins and Derek Shotton) have designed engaging and comprehensive training programmes to support the apprent
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David, Joyce
Company Name
GTR Southern
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate Dave Joyce, Driver Instructor Development Manager, for this year’s Rail Staff Awards. Dave has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment in the development of driving instructors, since this new role as DIDM Dave has had a profound impact on the quality of training and development for driving instructors across metro south depots, Dave’s leadership has revolutionised the way driving instructors are developed, introducing tailored training pathways that are more aligned with the evolving demands of the rail industry. Dave initiatives have ensured that instructors not only possess the technical skills required but are also equipped to mentor drivers effectively, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety.
As the Driver Instructor Development Manager, Dave has been at the forefront of initiative, specifically aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of driving instructors. His strategic vision and innovative approach have been instrumental in reshaping how instructors are trained and supported, resulting in a highly skilled, confident, and motivated driver instructor. Dave not only develops driver instructors but also is there to mentor apprentice drivers who are out with the Driving instructors from a competency point of view which in turn works closely with DM's, Trainers and CDM Teams.
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James, Beckingham
Company Name
GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am nominating James for a Rail Staff Award in recognition of his exceptional commitment to development not only over the past year but over several years. James has consistently gone above and beyond within his role as a competency development manager to develop all he works with.
His tireless efforts have made a significant impact on the drivers he works with bringing previously unseen levels of engagement and a safer more efficient climate.
James has also actively sought to introduce new technologies to enhance development, including the creation of a digital channel to provide drivers with accessible training and resources. His innovative approach reflects his commitment to continuously improving competency development across the team.
He truly deserves this award for his invaluable contributions and steadfast dedication to the growth and success of those around him. James is not just a colleague and a manager to those around him but also friendly and supportive for anyone and everyone.
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Leadership & Personal Development Team, .
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The Leadership & Personal Development Team is nominated for their innovative redeveloped induction programme, which will significantly enhance new starter's to Network Rail onboarding experience. This programme not only supports new starters gaining a good basis for a career within the rail industry but is delivered in an inclusive and immersive way that will engage everyone. In addition technology has been brought into the induction to help elevate the immersive experiences. All this has been achieved within 6 months which is a great achievement for such a large and impactful programme and is a testament to the hard work, teamwork and collaboration all of the team have contributed to achieve a great induction for new starters
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Mark, McGregor
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Mark 'Mac' McGregor is the training and competence manager for the Western route control team. Not only is he great at this, but he also proactively supports other areas of the business with their training needs. Mac has offered his support to be a contingent electrical control operator (stepping up whenever he's needed) and has also taken it upon himself to deliver training to this area of the business, rather than employing an expensive consultant. His expertise has been called upon recently to develop and deliver a training programme for the new Control Operational Leadership Academy (COLA). Mac cares deeply about his job and making sure teams have the knowledge needed to deliver for passengers and freight customers and is a real asset to the team.
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Michael, Hawksworth
Company Name
GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
As a Driver Instructor Development Manager (DIDM) at Southern, Michael has consistently demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the standard of support provided to DIs and trainee drivers in his area. He works as part of the Training and Competency Development team and can often be found supporting others in their day to day roles on top of his own.
As part of his day to day work, he has worked to improve support systems and processes, ensuring that DIs have the tools and resources they need to perform their roles effectively, ensuring robust standards and support systems.
We have a fast-paced and challenging Railway at Southern! Mike absolutely excels in building and maintaining strong relationships with everyone around him. He has an ability to navigate some complex situations with DI's and Trainees with a calm and constructive demeanour and everyone is pleased to see him when he arrives.
He's the "go-to" person when I have an issue or need some support with development, and he is the man who drivers know they can rely on in a crisis.
His contributions not only enhance the day-to-day operations but also have positively impacted the morale of his team too and I am delighted to nominate him for this RailStaff award.
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Network Rail NW&C C&P Governance and Assurance Team, Victoria Hill-Stanford / Adam Robson / Naomi White
Company Name
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The North West & Central C&P G&A team were tasked with the design and delivery of a NEC4 transformation programme for the North West & Central to upskill and train all staff on the NEC4 contract. This contract had never been used before in Network Rail and the scale of the training programme was to encompass over 4000 employees across the Region. The NW&C G&A team used traditional and innovative techniques including face to face classroom training, the design and development of a digital NEC4 handbook, periodic ask the expert surgeries. The face to face training used the latest classroom innovative techniques such as View360 to make the scenarios reflect real life experiences for the attendees and all the training events were recorded and edited so that any new staff in the future could undertake the same learning or existing staff revisit learning. The use of face to face training, recorded webinars ( tailored to specific disciplines eg engineering / commercial / planning) allowed for multi-learning styles to be accommodated and were aligned to ED&I principles. The Digital handbook was also industry leading and reinforced learning supported by a Frequently asked questions platform and lessons learnt insights. The training was so well received that it was rolled out across the whole of Network Rail along with the digital handbook ensuring that the whole business not just one region benefitted from the training . Over 10,000 hours of NEC4 training has been delivered and by designing and developing the course in-house the tax payer has benefitted from the significant savings that this approach has delivered compared to historic practices of using external providers. The training has also allowed the Region to understand where improvements in process and systems has been required enabling us to unlock further savings for the tax payer over the next 5 years . The training has meant that the delivery teams have the confidence to move forward using a new contract and the introduction of monthly surgeries with an open ask the expert slot means that the training moves into a real life environment ensuring the the staff are supported through all of the project lifecycle. The feedback from attendees has been highly positive and by its adoption by the whole of Network Rail is a testament to the quality of the product that was designed and delivered. The training videos are a fantastic library for staff to revisit learning and by tailoring them to the professions it means that we focus the learning to the role . To complete this piece of learning the team had to learn new skills such as how to record and edit videos from live workshops , How to create interactive learning using the View 360 platform, how to create digital interactive handbooks using Sharepoint, and how to use newsletter technology all of which are skills that can be used for other courses moving forward . It has been a massive success for the region and for strong cohesive teamwork.
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Robert, Angelosanto
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am nominating Robert Safety Trainer Manager at South Western Railway for Learning development & Investing in People Award. Robert joined South Western Railway in 2020, and from the very start, it was noticed all the phenomenal work done by Robert. My nominee brings strong assets to their role and our company is incredibly fortunate to have him as a Safety Trainer.
Robert's willingness to assist others and his commitment to educating colleagues are unequaled. Rob has proven himself to be the go-to guy for all other training staff. He regularly volunteers to mentor new Managers.
Rob jumped at the chance to research new safety training courses that would directly impact South Western Railway employees and took pride in being able to create new classes to develop our colleagues. His efforts not only benefitted the entire company, but they also set an example and inspired his colleagues to stay safely proactive. South Western Railway colleagues have all noted that Rob is thorough in his training, and provides great detail about the subject matter. He consistently follows through to ensure understanding and that all loose ends are completed. In addition, Robert regularly volunteers to assist during special events such as the Hampton Court Flower Show, and Royal Ascot Races.
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Southern & Gatwick Express Operational Driver Training Team, .
Company Name
GTR Southern And Gatwick Express
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate our Operational Driver Training team for their exceptional contribution to Learning and development of our apprentice trainee drivers and drivers. This team plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our rail operations by training and developing both our new recruits and existing drivers to the highest standards.
The Operational Driver Training team has demonstrated outstanding dedication to creating a comprehensive and engaging training program. They’ve meticulously designed courses that not only cover the technical aspects of driving but also emphasises safety, efficiency, and the importance of customer service. Their innovative approach ensures that every driver is well-prepared to handle the complexities of the job, from day one on the tracks to many years down the line.
What truly sets this team apart is their commitment to continuous improvement. They actively seek feedback from apprentice trainees and drivers & are always exploring new methods and technologies to enhance the learning experience. Whether it’s through hands-on simulations, real-world scenarios, or ongoing professional development for our drivers, the team ensures that all our staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to excel.
Moreover, the Operational Driver Training & development Team fosters an environment of support and encouragement. They understand that becoming a driver is both a challenging and rewarding journey, and they are there every step of the way to guide and motivate our apprentice trainees. This personalised approach, unwavering support of our drivers and apprentice drivers helps build confidence and competence, which is reflected in the quality of service they provide.
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Toby, Kemp
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Toby Kemp is the Train Planning Development Manager at GTR, having held previous roles across multiple TOCs and a short period with the DfT. Toby has transformed the train planning unit (TPU) by creating an industry leading trainee and University Placement programme, which was critical upon the introduction of GTR given the complex nature of the train service, difficult IR positions, and the need to merge two previously separate teams, which saw ‘gaps’ in train planning resource. GTR found itself in some difficult situations during the early years with a need for regular injection of planning resource capable of delivering compliant and quality outputs under extreme pressure.
Toby is also critical for the ongoing development of the department – often having sessions with planners to discuss their needs and creating bespoke development plans. Toby is always the first person sought out by both planners and managers for any potentially complex HR process requirements – his calm and empathetic nature makes him the ideal person to approach.
I’m nominating Toby for this award for his exceptional guidance, passion and expertise in train planning. His innovative approach, deep knowledge and ability to simplify complex concepts have been instrumental in teaching me (and others) the intricacies of this complex field. Through his mentorship and hands on training, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of train planning to ensure GTR provide the optimal train service for passengers.
Almost 50% of GTR TPU is now made up of people that started as a Trainee Train Planner with Toby, including myself. I owe him a lot for teaching me the basic skills of train planning which has given me my career; I have now been in the TPU department for almost eight and a half brilliant years.
Toby is also instrumental in bringing in new technology into the TPU. We are now industry leaders with new train planning software that other TOCs often want to see in use, which Toby facilitates.
Toby is passionate to share knowledge and increase Learning and Development opportunities across the wider Industry and is often engaged in collaborative activities e.g. assisting Network Rail with its own Level 3 competency in rolling stock planning and leading the TOC development of the 'Transport Scheduler' Apprenticeship scheme this year. Toby worked with Network Rail to develop and specify the requirements for this apprenticeship course to enable it to be relevant for new entrants into train planning. This has now been adopted by a number of TOCs, with CIRO becoming the end point assessor. Without Toby’s specialist input and enthusiasm at the start, this course would not be relevant or available to future talent.
Such is his success and that of his trainee programme; other TOCs have created similar roles and most placement students – completing a year at GTR in industry – return for full time employment once they finish their studies. Toby’s legacy is the wide-ranging roles across the industry that members of his ‘Training Academy’ have populated in multiple organisations and functions.
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47
LIFESAVER AWARD
Do you know someone who has used their communication skills to save a life? Did they spot someone in trouble and use talking and listening to help them? Do you know someone who should be recognised? If so, we want to hear from you.
You can see all the past winners here.
Agbata, Anthony
Company Name
Land Sheriffs Ltd
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Agbata Anthony works as a security officer patrolling the MTR Elizabeth Line providing a security presence and passenger safety in stations and on trains. Agbata and his co-worker noticed a female sitting alone on the platform bench at Langley Station just before midnight looking distressed so they approached her to ask if she was ok and upon approaching her they could see signs of self harm with a small amount of blood on her hands and clothing. Once they gained her trust they asked her to walk with them to the main concourse area away from the platform to which she did and also offered her first aid for her injuries. The Emergency services were called to attend and when the female heard this, she ran from the station and hid in a nearby business estate. The team remained at the station monitoring her movements until Thames Valley Police arrived on site and then the team were able to direct them to her where they took over the incident to get her the help she required. The decison making and actions by Agbata and his co-worker during this incident ensured the female was safe and received help. Great work using his training effectively.
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Agnes, Alaiya
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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.
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Aimee, Yates
Company Name
Carlisle Support Service
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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!
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Aminul, Islam
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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 !
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Angela Durrant & Hayley Hall, North East TSO Team
Company Name
Northern Trains/Amulet Security
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
On the evening of 19th June 2024, North East based TSOs Angela Durrant & Hayley Hall was onboard a service conducting their high visibility patrols.
A short time later they was made aware of a female who appeared extremely vulnerable and in distress on the platform at Blaydon Station.
TSOs made the decision to disembark and made their way across the over bridge to meet the female and distinguish what her intentions were.
Upon Officer's introducing themselves it became apparent very quickly that the lady had driven to the station to end her life and appeared incredibly down openly admitting she had now had enough.
TSO Angela Durrant then built up conversation with the female remaining calm under pressure which is testament to TSO Durrant's Professionalism and ability to follow all of her training and protocols, this was made even more challenging due to TSO Durrant knowing the individual personally.
Whilst TSO Hall was now fact finding with her distressed husband that had arrived on the station, Angela continued to reassure the female she would be OK now and consoled her on a number of occasions to keep her calm and occupied whilst awaiting the emergency services.
TSO Durrant spent approximately 20 minutes sat with the female on the station platform in an attempt to occupy the lady for the time necessary, a short while later colleagues from the British Transport Police arrived at the station and was briefed by officers as to how the female had found herself in such position.
The initial response coupled with officers showing empathy, understanding and ultimately remaining professional despite this situation being extremely personal to one particular officer is a testament to the pair, not only did they prevent a life being taken at the station but hopefully through their encouragement and comfort the female and her family will now recieve the support she appeared to be missing until the day in question.
A truly outstanding effort from TSOs Angela Durrant and Hayley Hall and one we are extremely proud of and one the pair deserve immense praise for.
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Barry, Town
Company Name
Southeastern
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
On Friday the 30th August Barry was on his way home having finished his shift for the day, when he reached Plumstead Station he saw an incredibly distressed female on the bridge parapet who was threatening to take her own life, this is when Barry stepped in. To give some context into the severity of this incident the KICC had been advised by a driver that the female was threatening to jump and the Dartford MOM and BTP were enroute, trains were currently unable to run through the Station. Barry approached the female who was in crisis and attempted to talk her down, she was incredibly distressed throughout and wanted to end her life. Barry held onto the female for at least 15 minutes whilst waiting for the emergency services to arrive, constantly reassuring her that she would be ok and physically restraining her from her attempts at ending her life. The BTP did eventually turn up and took the lady away from the Station.
I am proud of Barry, he stepped in and quite clearly saved a life, he is a compassionate human being and showed great life experience and expertise in preventing a tragic outcome, Barry is not someone to shout his achievements from the rafters, but needs recognition for his actions, he truly encompasses the company values and his actions that night on the 30th August were nothing short of heroic.
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Becky, Bray
Company Name
Network Rail Ltd
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Becky has been a steadfast advocate in promoting and reducing suicide across the Anglia Rail network for the past five years. Her dedication to this cause is exemplified by her innovative approach in integrating mental health support directly into the rail environment. One of her most successful initiatives was the introduction of an NHS Mental Health Clinical Nurse to the Anglia team. This ground-breaking project not only provided immediate support to those in crisis but also led to a significant reduction in suicide incidents during the first two years of its implementation. The success of this initiative has been so profound that it is now being adopted across other rail routes as best practice, setting a new standard for suicide prevention on the UK rail network. Not one to rest on her laurels Becky is also now working closely with operator colleagues to explore the opportunity to jointly fund a second nurse to provide additional coverage and support for the local community, and has led on proving the business case to justify the value in this additional cost against a challenging financial backdrop for the industry.
Becky's passion for making a difference in people’s lives is evident in her relentless drive to overcome challenges and her ability to lead by example. Her commitment to suicide prevention goes beyond her work in Anglia; she has taken on a national role, aligning various suicide prevention projects under one central team. This strategic move has not only reduced duplication of efforts but has also facilitated the sharing of best practices across the country, ensuring that every region benefits from the most effective strategies and interventions.
Her efforts have had a ripple effect, fostering better communication and collaboration between Policing Teams and Local NHS Trusts. This has enhanced the overall response to mental health crises on the rail network, ensuring that individuals in distress receive the support they need promptly and effectively. Becky's work has not only saved lives but has also inspired those around her to take action, proving that with passion and dedication, it is possible to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Becky's tireless efforts in suicide prevention, her leadership in uniting national projects, and her unwavering commitment to the well-being of others make her a deserving nominee for this recognition. She continues to be a beacon of hope, driving change and inspiring others to follow in her footsteps to create a safer and more supportive environment for all.
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Charmaine Russell, Arfath Rahman & Germel Panton, .
Company Name
GTR - Southern
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Rail Enforcement Officers involved - Charmaine Russell, Arfath Rahman & Germel Panton
On Saturday 20 Sept, whilst conducting a routine train patrol along the Tattenham Corner line of route, Rail Enforcement Officers (REOs) from Southern Railway (GTR) were alerted to a young female on a Southern train who was dangerously ill. The female was found collapsed inside a train toilet after she had been on a night out. It was suspected that her drink had been spiked.
REOs Charmaine Russell, Arfath Rahman, and Germel Panton took control of the situation by giving immediate first aid to the female and also support and care to her sister who was with her and very distressed.
REOs called for an ambulance but due to high volume of calls in the London area there was no ambulance or first response available.
REOs stayed with the victim and used their training, experience and care to keep her conscious, and stable.
Most of the stations along this line of route are not staffed and are only open at limited times, in addition there was no on board staff on the train, which meant there was no additional help to call on at the time of the incident.
Going above and beyond REOs contacted the victims mother. Due to the lack of emergency assistance available the victims mother drove to meet the train and was able to collect her daughter and take her immediately to hospital.
The victims mother sent an email the following day expressing her sincere thanks and giving an update that her daughter is recovering well but has memory loss from the effects of the drug.
If it was not for the swift and diligent actions of these officers this could have been a very different story. Not only had this young female been a victim of an awful assault, which she had no knowledge of till it was too late, but there was no ambulance available to help when she was suffering the effects. With just basic first aid training these REOs kept her alive and got her safely in the care of her mother.
All three officers displayed extreme professionalism, care, and stayed calm in a high pressure and volatile situation
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Daniel Azadegan, Yash Mulani & Nana Peprah, .
Company Name
ResponSec Ltd
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Daniel Azadegan, Yash Mulani & Nana Peprah
On 19th of August 2024, Safety, Security and Enforcement Officers (SSEO) Daniel Azadegan, Yash Mulani and Nana Peprah were conducting hi-visibility patrols on the Weaver Line of the London Overground Network when a 13 year teenager presented at White Hart Lane station asking to be let through the barriers to jump in front of a train. The officers took control of the situation using their Samaritans training. They immediately alerted the British Transport Police whilst keeping the teenager engaged and in a safe place. Although reluctant to open up, the 13 year old shared concerning issues he had been experiencing with his neighbor. The officers showed compassion and professionalism while listening to the issues which were later passed on to BTP. When the teenager realised that police was on the way he attempted to leave the station. In such an intense moment SSEO Daniel Azadegan came up with the brilliant idea to use their shared Islamic faith to relate to the 13 year old and invited him to pray together. This heartwarming act kept the teenager calm and was more than willing to connect with God for a short period of time. Whilst doing so BTP arrived and took the teenager home. A few weeks down the line the officers came across the 13 year old in White Hart Lane and was grateful of the SSEOs support.
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Edward, Sarfo Britwum
Company Name
Southern
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I would like to nominate Eddie for his professionalism and quick thinking, when dealing with an incident at Balham.
Eddie found himself having to step up and take the lead, when alerted of an inebriated customer becoming ill on the train. Eddie took control of the situation and with the help of surrounding customers he was able to get the customer off the train to allow her to receive medical attention. Eddie kept open communication with all relevant parties, called the emergency services and kept other customers informed of alternative services and routes, as the train had been taken out of service due to operational reasons.
If this was not enough, when Eddie was helping the emergency services with the ill customer, he was approached by lady who was in distress and considerably upset. She commented how she was having issues at home and she wanted to end her life. Although, Eddie used his customer service skills to console the lady, she proceeded to run down the platform and attempted to jump onto the track. With Eddie’s swift actions, he was able to stop her by pulling her back from the platform edge. After performing a duty of care to the lady, he moved her to a place of safety, where BTP were able to take over.
Eddie went above and beyond, not only for the customers directly involved in these cases, he had other customers in mind by keeping them informed and by stopping a potential fatality incident, which would have caused more delays and possible cancellations to their services.
Eddie showed great leadership skills and remained calm during a high intense scenario. His caring attitude and concern for safety was paramount and was evidently displayed on this day.
I am very honoured to work with Eddie and proud to have him part of the team.
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Garry, Samuels
Company Name
Transport for Wales
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In the last year alone, Garry has used his Managing Suicidal Contacts training to help him to carry out two ‘interventions’ with vulnerable members of public that were on our stations. Garry is a Train Manager Trainer for TFW at Chester and so is not based on the front line on a permanent basis, which makes his achievement particularly impressive.
The first incident occurred when he’d arrived to work early one morning, preparing to deliver a session to a group of Trainee Train Managers in his usual diligent manner. He noticed a colleague who was approaching a member of public standing at the end of a platform at Chester station, who looked like they may be vulnerable. Thinking on his feet, he met his colleague by approaching the person from either side to ensure that they were safe, having arranged for train movements to be stopped. Garry helped comfort the person until the point that BTP Officers arrived on scene and was able to ensure that they were properly taken to a place of safety.
The second incident that he’s been involved in was during his course delivery based in our training centre, he noticed a member of public again standing at the end of a platform looking like they may come to harm. Interrupting his delivery and course to do so, he contacted the station staff to arrange for trains to be stopped for the person to be approached to ensure their safety.
Not only this, through recent discussions I’ve now found out that he has also been involved in a third intervention a few years ago at a neighbouring station, when he noticed a member of public looking like they may come to harm at the top of a railway bridge. He asked a passer-by for assistance in contacting the police and was able to keep the person safe until assistance arrived.
His skills and confidence in being able to approach vulnerable people have made the difference in at least 3 incidents as detailed above, and who knows how many other passengers and colleagues lives he’s affected in a positive way? The way that he treats his colleagues, particularly those who attend his training courses, is unparalleled. He pours everything into his work and it’s brilliant to see someone so passionate about every aspect the work that he does, this has been demonstrated by the excellent work he’s done with the two vulnerable people in the past year alone. To further demonstrate his commitment, not only did he carry out the interventions but on both occasions, he completed the necessary reports and still managed to carry on with delivering to his group without hesitation.
He’s now looking at ways to continually improve and increase his awareness and abilities in this area, so will soon be attending the Mental Health First Aid course and in doing so will become part of an increasing team of Mental Health First Aiders in the North section of the Wales and Borders franchise.
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Gigi, Mathew
Company Name
GTR - Southern
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I would like to nominate Driver Instructor Gigi Mathew of Norwood Depot for the Lifesaver Award. Back in March there was an incident at Clapham Junction where a track worker had fallen from height onto the tracks. Gigi was out route learning at the time and managed to spot the injured person. After helping to alert the signaller, he raced across to my train as it was the next one over that section of track and and was invaluable in helping me locate the person. His calm head and demeanour continued to be of assistance as we liaised with the signaller, communicated with the conductor and passengers and ultimately helped the emergency services get to the casualty as quickly as possible. If this wasn't enough, after going through what was in hindsight quite a traumatic experience, Gigi had the compassion and consideration to ensure I was ok and remained with me for the next couple of hours while I drove the train on. To have the kindness to place the wellbeing of everyone else, the injured person, the passengers and his colleagues, above his own, after going through such an event, truly was exemplary and does himself and Southern great credit.
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Hayley Hall &, Paul Bean
Company Name
Northern Trains/Amulet Security
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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.
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Ivan, Peev
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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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.
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Jack Hodges-Zepler and, Ayhan Yildizcoban
Company Name
Land Sheriffs Ltd
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Jack and Ayhan work on the MTR Elizabeth Line and in March 2024 around 06:00 they received a call for a report of a male trespasser on the line, upon arrival the team were informed the male scaled the fence into the station onto the track but cimbed back onto the platform staff attempted to assist as he had blood on his face and clothes but agitated ran out of the station. Jack and Ayhan made the pro-active decision to remain on site incase the male was to return and a short while later they spotted the male enter the station platform. They responded quickly to approach the male and ask if he was ok, the male seems nervous and agitiated so the team took him to a place of safety away from the platform keeping him calm and comfortable until the BTP arrived on site. He was handed over to BTP and the team were informed he was known to the BTP and had previously attempted to take his own life. Great work by the team to ensure the safety of the male and the public.
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Jake Wallis, Zoe Vale and Dillon Xerxes, .
Company Name
GTR - Southern
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On 11 April 2024, Whilst conducting a routine patrol at Lewes station, Southern Rail Enforcement Officers (REO) Jake Wallis, Zoe Vale, and Dillon Xerxes, noticed that a male was acting oddly.
This male had been loitering on the platform for a significant amount of time, and he had not boarded the last two trains that had stopped.
Jake approached the male to ask if he was OK. The male responded to say he was waiting for a friend, but his manner of speaking was snappy and troubled. After trying to dig deeper by making conversation with the male Jake felt something was definitely not right and he decided to try and persuade the male to come to a place of safety, suggesting they have a drink and a further chat whist he waited.
The male did not take well to this suggestion, and he attempted to jump from the platform on to the tracks, at which point Jake, Zoe and Dillon all grabbed him to prevent him from doing harm to himself.
The male began to act aggressively and all 3 REOs used their training, experience, and compassion to calm him down and move him away from the edge of the platform.
After 10 minutes the male had appeared to have calmed down, and he asked to go upstairs towards the station booking hall and entrance. REOs got ready to escort him, but as they got up the male took a flying jump off of the edge of the platform, attempting to throw himself on the tracks again. REOs managed to grab him mid-air over the edge of the platform and pull him to safety for the second time.
They then held him in the waiting room for his own safety till the police arrived. The male was subsequently sectioned under mental health act 136.
These officers not only spotted that this male was in distress and tried to help him, but they also showed extreme professionalism and bravery to save him twice from the immediate danger of the electrified rail and oncoming trains.
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James Smedley and Samantha Edser, .
Company Name
GTR - Southern
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On 09 May 2024 Southern Rail Enforcement Officers James Smedley and Sam Edser were alerted by radio of an intoxicated male at Portslade railways station. They shortly received an update that the intoxicated male had boarded a train and had alighted at Shoreham-by-Sea railway station.
On arriving at Shoreham-by-Sea REOs found the male sat on a bench and slumped over and station staff were monitoring him.
It was clear that the male was not only intoxicated but he was also very distressed.
He began acting in an aggressive manner towards REOs. Using violent language and at one point threatened to bite the face off of REO James Smedley.
The male then said he was going to jump in front of a train and asked when the next fast train was.
Making the situation more volatile the male was grasped at his chest and appeared to be in pain.
REOs tried to get vital information from the male whist giving him first aid . The male said he had had 3 previous heart attacks and was on medication but due to his highly intoxicated state REOs struggled to get further important medical information from him.
An ambulance and BTP were called.
The male then made a move to jump off the platform and on to the tracks and was physically restrained by both REOs for his own safety.
REOs kept hold of the male till further help arrived.
BTP arrived and the male was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. But whilst being dealt with by the police he was still making threats to get on the track saying "I'm gonna jump in front of a train, I don't care anymore, I can't do this anymore, I can't be here anymore".
The ambulance arrived and the male was taken to hospital along with BTP.
Throughout what was a very volatile and stressful situation these two REOs showed utter professionalism and courage. Even when threatened with violence they still went above and beyond to stop this male doing harm to himself.
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Jim Waring and Abdi Sharey, Blackburn
Company Name
Northern
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A young girl (aged approx. 8yrs old) was stopped by Adbi at the barriers as she was wandering through following a family. He asked her some questions to which he received answers which were just a repetition of the questions he asked. As he was concerned he took her to the Customer Service Office and met one of the team (Jim/James Waring). He then worked with Jim to find out any more information about her and what she was doing at Blackburn. He entertained her whilst Jim was speaking to BTP and other locations trying to track down what was happening and get assistance. They arranged for the police to attend Blackburn to collect the young girl.
It transpires that the girl had some form of learning difficulties and had been reported missing in Manchester. The police helicopter had been tasked to search for her. It is only through the actions that Abdi and Jim took that she was found and no harm came to her.
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Jim, Bailey
Company Name
Lumo
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Jim Bailey, Customer Driver at Lumo was driving the Lumo 1E80 service on Saturday 15th June 2024 and spotted a vulnerable person on the railway near Thirsk. Upon noticing, Jim made an emergency call and applied the emergency brake, stopping short of the person who moved out of the way. A short while later a further emergency call was made by the Driver of an LNER service as the person had reappeared on the other line. This was a distressing event for all involved; however Jim's quick reaction and following his training resulted in a positive outcome and a life saved. Both LNER and Network Rail praised the actions of Jim as the outcome would have been very different had he not spotted this person.
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John, Shuttlewood
Company Name
Amulet Security
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On Saturday 13th May 2024 while patrolling Lincoln station John observed a female passenger walking perilously close to the platform edges. Recognising the potential danger John immediately approached her to ensure her safety and assess the situation.
Upon approaching the passenger John engaged in a calm and supportive conversation to check on her welfare. He was able to quickly discern that she was experiencing mental health issues and harboured suicidal thoughts. John promptly contacted BTP for assistance to ensure professional intervention was on the way.
While awaiting their arrival John remained by her side, continuing to to talk with her in a reassuring manner. His presence and compassionate conversation provided her with a sense of security and hope during a critical moment.
The timely arrival of BTP, combined with John’s continuous support resulted in the woman being safe. EMR later commended John for his role in preventing a tragedy and ensuring the womans safety.
John’s actions that day reflect his outstanding dedication to public safety and mental health awareness. His ability to stay composed under pressure and his empathetic approach were instrumental in saving a life.
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Johnmarkee Lee and Grant Simpson, .
Company Name
Vital
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I would like to nominate Johnmarkee Lee and Grant Simpson who work as trespass and vandalism patrollers from Vital Human Resources. We understand since January 2020, Mr Lee has carried out 22 interventions at train stations in the West Midlands, many along alongside his colleague, Mr Simpson. We note how whilst on patrol in October last year, the pair approached a young woman who was sitting alone on a bench crying having not boarded any trains. Having introduced themselves and speaking with the woman, she felt able to call her mother and get herself a lift from the station. The two men have made an outstanding contribution to the lifesaving efforts of rail staff in this area.
Thank you for all your efforts and dedication- come rain or shine! Many individuals may not be alive today without your kindness, time, and care. So genuinely from the bottom of my heart- Thank you!
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Joseph, Taperell
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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On 27th March 2024, a man was stabbed on a train into Beckenham Junction in an event that would make headlines and a distressing video filmed by a passenger cause a social media frenzy.
As the wounded passenger stepped off the train and his assailant made a run for it, Joseph Taperell, a driver for GTR, saw the gravely injured man covered in blood and the panicked passengers pouring from the train and rushed without pause from his train to help administer what would prove to be lifesaving first aid until paramedics arrived.
If not for Joe's heroic actions on that day in March, the man may not have survived the ordeal. Joe is an excellent driver instructor at GTR and whilst it is not out of character for Joe to think quickly in an emergency situation he went far above and beyond the call. It is for that reason that I consider Joe a lifesaver and more than worthy of the Lifesaver Award.
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Karl, Cashmore
Company Name
Amulet
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Karl did an outstanding act of bravery whilst being at Avanti West Coast's Preston station. A police officer had been stabbed, Karl helped another police officer tackle the suspect who still had the knife in his hand to the ground.
Below is some detail in Karl's own words...
"At around 9:30pm, I made my way up the ramp of the Station to have a look around and as I’ve turned to come back
down the ramp, I heard a loud scream “OW”. As I turned around, I saw a BTP officer fall to the floor. There was a
male next to the officer I saw on the floor so initially, I presumed the male had assaulted him in some
way. A police sergeant was in front of me, walking towards the officer on the floor. Instinctively, I too walked towards
the officer who was clearly injured intending to help by picking him up and as I approached, I noticed the male I dealt
with before on Platform 4. He was standing with a large red and white-coloured handle kitchen knife. It was around 8
to 9 inches long from the handle to the blade. I’d describe it as a really big kitchen knife, one you’d use to cut meat.
The male retreated back towards the window where the exit to the station is. The sergeant then went around his right side,
grabbed him from behind in a struggle to get him down. I bolted towards the male on the left side and helped the
sergeant get the male to the floor. The male was wrestled to the floor by us, face down. I had hold of his right arm
and the sergeant had hold of his left."
This was the day when Preston was hosting a large BBC event which meant thousands of passengers were going through the station, Karl is our Safeguarding Team Leader for on Avanti West Coast
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Liam, Fitzjohn
Company Name
Govia Themes Link Railway
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I am honored to nominate Liam for his extraordinary bravery and quick thinking in a life-threatening situation. On 17th September 2024, Liam demonstrated exceptional courage and presence of mind when a passenger, passed out and fell onto the train tracks.
As the train approached, Liam noticed the emergency and acted without hesitation. He immediately signaled the train to stop, preventing a potential tragedy. His swift actions ensured the passenger’s safety and averted a catastrophic accident. To note, the train stopped with in 6ft of the passenger who was laying on the tracks.
Liam’s heroic intervention exemplifies the highest standards of public service and personal bravery. His ability to remain calm under pressure and take decisive action in an emergency situation is truly commendable.
Liam’s actions not only saved a life but also inspired those around him. He is a true hero, and I wholeheartedly support his nomination as a life saver
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Liam, King
Company Name
Northern Trains
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On Sunday 8th September 2024, Middlesbrough Conductor Liam King was performing his Conductor duties whilst his train was stood at Middlesbrough Station platform. The Middlesbrough to Newcastle service, 2N13.
As Liam made his way through the train, he was made aware of a female passenger who had suddenly become gravely ill. The customer had slumped in their seat, had become ashen faced and had stopped breathing.
The customers partner, who was travelling too, had become panicked and unsure as to how to respond. Liam immediately stepped in, checking for a pulse initially.
He raised the alarm, asking for the Driver Charlie Walker to secure a Defibrillator which was within the station.
With the assistance of the customers partner, Liam lifted the passenger onto the floor and immediately began CPR. Whilst doing this, Liam was also comforting the passengers partner who was incredibly distressed. He had also began the process of requesting other passengers to exit the service to offer a degree of privacy and dignity.
Liam tenaciously continued delivering CPR for over 10 minutes whilst paramedic crews made their way to the scene.
Liam had brought the woman back once, placed her in the recovery position, for her only to stop breathing again. He wasted no time in rolling her back over and restarting CPR.
Liam, a young man himself, did not waiver. He was determined, focused and driven to help this customer in her darkest hour. And as the ambulance crews arrived on scene, Liam had done just that. The woman was breathing, unconscious, but alive.
The actions which took place that day undoubtedly saved that woman's life. It was later confirmed that she had a known heart problem.
After the event, reflecting with Liam, he was quite down to earth on what he had just done.
I nominate Liam for this Lifesaving Award feeling quite emotional and proud of the actions that my colleague delivered on that day. There is no question that without his immediate intervention and swift action the day would have ended in tragedy.
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Liam, Moore
Company Name
GB Railfreight
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Liam was driving a freight train in the early hours of 07/03/2024 when he observed a young woman sitting on the edge of a viaduct he was passing. Liam stopped his train immediately but due to being a long freight train, it passed the woman before he could stop, so he contacted the signaller, ensured the safety of his train and the railway then made his way back along the track on foot, despite being unsure if the woman had potentially fallen or been struck. Thankfully he found her still sat on the viaduct edge, but in significant distress.
Liam then demonstrated an outstanding level of sheer compassion, understanding and humanity in approaching the woman and was able to get her talking, eventually she explained to him some of the issues that had led her to her current position. Liam was able to convince the woman to come off the edge of the viaduct and she accompanied him back to his locomotive cab where he offered her shelter, a warm drink and a listening ear until the British Transport Police and Network Rail Mobile Operations Manager arrived and took her safely into their care.
Liam undoubtedly saved a life that night, not only was he selflessly compassionate, he was brave and also had the forethought to use his mobile phone to sensitively record his own actions, not being sure of how the incident could progress. This meant we were able to see a first-hand account of how truly compassionate and empathetic Liam had been in that moment, in dealing with a vulnerable member of the public.
Thankfully, Liam had attended Samaritans training earlier in his career and afterwards in discussion he acknowledged the importance of the skills and things he had learned on that course, which stood him in good stead to manage this situation as sensitively and effectively as he did.
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I nominate Liam for this award and I believe he is fully deserving of recognition by the wider rail industry and his peers for his actions, which were a credit to him and an example to us all.
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Lucyna, Kraszewska
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I am honored to nominate Lucyna Kraszewska for the Life Saver Award in recognition of her extraordinary bravery and quick thinking. In September 2024, Lucyna demonstrated exceptional courage and presence of mind when she saved a passenger’s life during a critical moment at Stevenage Station.
The passenger was sitting on the platform edge, attempting to commit suicide by jumping in front of an oncoming train traveling at 125 mph. In a split second, Lucyna assessed the situation and, without hesitation, pulled the passenger back to safety just as the train sped past. Her swift action not only prevented a tragic accident but also highlighted her remarkable ability to remain calm and decisive under extreme pressure.
Lucyna’s heroic deed is a testament to her dedication to the safety and well-being of others. Her actions on that day undoubtedly saved a life, and she deserves to be recognized for her selflessness and bravery. Lucyna Kraszewska embodies the true spirit of a life saver, and it is with great admirat
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Luis, Payares-Hurtado
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I have nominated this colleague because on August 4th 2024 he, along with two colleagues, were notified that a customer had walked onto the track on Platform 19 at Victoria Station. When arriving he faced a situation with a customer in the 4 foot hitting her head off the sleeper and ballast and then self harming. During this time he dealt with the situation by ensuring all safety precautions including line block and power shut off were complete, that the customer was engaged with and kept in conversation and entered the track when the customer started to move towards moving trains on tracks that were still live. He then assisted the other two colleagues with the customer when she came up from the tracks. He remained calm throughout and as part of this team they ensured that the customer was not harmed further.
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Mary, Sithole
Company Name
C2C
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I am honoured to nominate Mary Sithole for a Lifesaving Award for her heroic actions during a suicide attempt at Benfleet Station on the 24th of April 2024. Mary, was at the station to represent a member when they were alerted to a distressed young woman crying on the platform. Without hesitation, Mary and a colleague rushed to the scene, where they found the young woman in visible distress, listening to headphones and unwilling to engage.
Mary’s persistence and compassion were critical as they worked to comfort and engage the young woman, who, at one point, stood up and declared she wanted to die, heading toward the tracks. In a swift and coordinated effort, Mary contacted the Signaller to caution all approaching trains, while she continued to talk to the woman, offering reassurance and support. Together, with a colleague they persuaded her to come back to the platform and stayed with her until police and ambulance services arrived.
What makes Mary’s actions even more remarkable is her unwavering dedication to her duties immediately afterward. While most people would have taken time off to recover from such an emotionally intense situation, Mary returned to her responsibilities as Treasurer at the TSSA Union straight after the incident. She didn’t want to let her colleagues down, reflecting her exceptional reliability and commitment to her role.
Mary's courage, empathy, and professionalism on that day saved a life, and her determination to continue her responsibilities afterward is a testament to her character. She is reliable to the core, and I firmly believe she deserves recognition through this Lifesaver Award. Mary is an inspiration to her colleagues and the wider rail industry, and her actions are truly deserving of this honor.
Mary’s actions on that day reflect her deep sense of responsibility, both to the individuals around her and to her work. She embodies the spirit of professionalism and care that should be recognized and celebrated across the rail industry. For her bravery, resilience, and unwavering commitment, I wholeheartedly believe Mary Sithole deserves to be honored with a Lifesaver Award at this year’s Rail Staff Awards.
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Michelle and Sodiq Wood St Heros, .
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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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.
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Mohsan, Zabair
Company Name
Network Rail
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Mohsan started Network rail as an agency security officer, quickly made his way to Network Rail Customer Service Assistant, Shift Station Supervisor and now Shift Station Manager. Mohsan is a also a lifesaver in many ways than one - holding the Samaritans Managing Suicide Contacts he has spoken to many people who travel through our station in a dark cloud Mohsan is always on hand to speak to people and sign post them for help or involve BTP. Mohsan has also been trained now holding a trauma medic certificate. But on the 22nd June 2024 Mohsan came to work just like any other day on a shift from 09:00 to 21:00, coming into a station that was also dealing with an earlier disruption, so a busy station was seen. It was also the day Mohsan brought a life back - we received a call from our Control Assistant a message was passed by our train operator that a passenger was travelling on the train due to leave for Glasgow when she collapsed first aider request was made and Mohsan immediately boarded the train when Mohsan arrived the female passenger was unresponsive Mohsan immediately requested a defibrillator, Mohsan then started CPR after emergency calls from the train manager two doctors and a nurse volunteered to take over and perform CPR. Mohsan was the go between the very ill passenger and emergency services, also assisting detraining the train to respect the passengers dignity. Three shocks were administered using the defibrillator the female passenger started breathing after the first shock, then stopped and started again after the third shock - I truly believe Mohsan is a hero and a life saver - when the call come in he was there like a shot, the first few minutes are the most important and this is when Mohsan attended and started saving the life of a stranger, someone boarding a train not knowing what was going to happen to her that day - he is a true hero. This isn't the 1st time that Mohsan has administered CPR. With Mohsan around I feel safe that everyone is looked after.
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Natalie, Webber
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Natalie is one of South Western Railways quiet achievers. Natalie also cares deeply about her passengers and this was reflected recently in an ill passenger incident on her train at Salisbury. The train was 1L21.
The passenger was in dire trouble on approach to Salisbury - and ultimately taken away by ambulance. We will never know if the passenger survived, but I have no doubt that if he did, that some credit is due to the actions that Natalie took to help him.
1L21 was 9 coach service until Salisbury where it was due to split. After leaving Andover, she was going through the train when a passenger alerted her to another passenger who was fitting and required assistance. Natalie went to the ill passenger who was in an accessible area of coach 6. He was lying on the floor. She reported that his eyes were open and he was choking, and fitting although not responding. Natalie tried to call the dedicated ill passenger number, and asked for assistance from other passengers using the train PA.
Natalie reported that there wasn't good signal in the area and her call to Control was cut off - but thinks she managed to say they were heading for Salisbury and would need an ambulance. She returned to the passenger and he now looked more blue in colour.
She knelt with him again and checked his pulse and at that moment thought he could be dying. Natalie considered doing CPR. He had spit coming out of his mouth and also blood. Natalie called Salisbury SCP to ask if an ambulance had been called and said they would definitely need one. Natalie contacted the driver and asked them to arrange to be put on platform 4 for easier access. Natalie went back to the passenger and held his hand, and spoke to him, he was now more awake and he was able to mumble his name. A nurse was on board but said there wasn't any more she could do, so effectively gave no help to Natalie.
The man who had seen the passenger collapse, was with him the whole time and had helped Natalie when they tried to turn him onto his side whilst he was choking. He was also visibly shaking, and in shock, as well now. Fortunately they then arrived at Salisbury and Natalie released the doors and the platform staff assisted. All told the incident lasted only about 12 minutes.
Following the incident, and with a minimum of fuss, Natalie got on with the rest of her day, and quietly continued with her days duties that day. If it hadn't have been such a locally high profile train cancellation, we may never have even been aware as Control just reported it as "train cancelled".
I was once told by an airline steward - that "the best customer service that you can give is to save someone's life". I suspect Natalie saved this mans life, with her calm actions and quick thinking.
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Nick, Lay
Company Name
Land Sheriffs
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On the evening of Friday 17th May, at Singlewell feeder station, on HS1 Land. Land Sheriffs Supervisor Nick Lay was completing the HS1 MOM patrol strategy handover when he noticed a vehicle pull up near to his patrol vehicle. Nick approached the female driver, and realised she was distressed, Nick introduced himself, and asked the female if she was OK. The female told Nick she needs help, and that she is hearing voices telling her to harm herself. She then explained she was living out of her car, without a job, has poor mental health and has been in care previously. She then went on to say there is no one out there to help her and this is now the time to end her life.
Nick showed compassion to the female, and you explained the options available to her. She agreed she needs help, and waited with Nick while he called the relevant parties. One of these calls was to the HS1 MOM, Toni. Nick’s quick thinking to organise a female presence was commendable.
Whilst this is a difficult time for people, and the increase in mental health is apparent, Nicks life saving achievement should not go unnoticed.
The above demonstrates, Nicks commitment, understanding and dedication to his role.
Nick’s professional approach and quick decision making has prevented loss of life that evening.
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Nimesh, Sanghavi
Company Name
NetWork Rail
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25/03/24 - Concern for Welfare/ male on the bridge - West Ealing.
BTP 270-250324 CCIL 2831857.
Metropolitan Police reports that they have an eye on the male who is on top of the footbridge (locally known as Jacobs Ladder) near West Ealing. All lines were blocked, and an emergency switch off was in place. Slough EIU were deployed alongside local MOMs. A Huge presence of emergency services Including LFB, MET, BTP, LAS. Slough EIU liaised with the RIO to ensure the safety of non-railway responders at the scene. The male was moving on top of the bridge and refused to engage with police. Slough MIO Nimesh Sanghavi was the only railway responder on the bridge, MIO Nimesh Sanghavi managed to engage with the male and convince him to come off the bridge. Whilst the male is getting off the bridge, he tried to escape from the scene and following a foot chase, the male was detained by the Slough EIU and BTP Officers. Normal working resumed. To prevent similar incidents in future, a detailed report with recommendations was submitted to relevant parties. So to sum this life saving event up, despite the efforts of all professional emergency responders, trying to talk the individual off the bridge safely with no luck, within 20 mins of the EIU arrival and engagement with MIO Nimesh Sanghavi the male was back to safety and eventually after a foot chase by Nimesh & BTP EIU officers male was captured and was given the help, support he rightfully needed. Male has since been released from a mental Health hospital and is showing signs of good recovery. This event happened at a time leading into peak times and to avoid the male falling to his death I am so proud of my colleague for his quick thinking and rapport he made with this male managed to keep him and the railway safe. Nimesh is a worthy winner of the rail staff Life saving awards.
lastly, the total delay was over 10,000 minutes and anyone who works on the railway would know, this amount of delay time is not only costly to the network, but a severe inconvenience to our travelling customers alike, so without Nimesh's intervention this delay would have been far worst. Well done Nimesh your own EIU team are very proud of you.
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Ollie, Simons
Company Name
GBRailfreight
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Ollie is a train driver for GBRf.
While driving his train, he saw a little Boston Terrier dog running around on the tracks. He brought his train to a stand and got ‘Roo’ to safety, alive and well, back in to the arms of her owners.
Now it may not be a person’s life, but a dog is still a very important part to so many families.
By Ollie’s quick thinking and compassionate actions, Roo can live another day and her family are now the happiest ever to have her back home after her adventures. Well done Ollie, you are a life saver :-)
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Oluwarotimi, Jimbola
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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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 !
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Paul, Odukoya
Company Name
Amulet Security
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On June 23rd whilst on duty at Leicester Railway Station Paul observed a heated argument between a female passenger and her boyfriend. Following the argument Paul approached the distressed woman to check on her well-being. During the conversation the woman expressed a desire to end her life and suddenly ran towards an oncoming train.
Reacting instantly Paul was able to signal the approaching train, prompting the driver to execute an emergency stop. He bravely positioned himself between the train and the women physically preventing her from getting closer to the tracks.
Demonstrating remarkable composure, Paul engaged the woman in a calm and supportive conversation providing reassurance and ensuring her safety until BTP arrived and took over.
Thanks to Paul’s quick think and courageous actions, a potential tragedy was averted and her safety was secured.
Paul’s actions are testament to his dedication to public safety and his ability to respond effectively in this high pressure situation with bravery and empathy exemplify the highest standards of our profession.
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Peter, O'Hare
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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During routine platform checks, Security officers Peter O’Hare discovered a young female sitting on a bench in the station concourse who looked uneasy.
Wishing to investigate further, the officers attempted to communicate but she would not respond back. Peter attempted to further communicate with the teenager, but she still struggled to speak to him brushing him off which he accepted and gave her space but monitored from a distance. After some time, Peter reengaged the female and she immediately moved away from Peter, swiftly walking towards the top floor of the MSCP where Peter followed to monitor the erratic young female.
When communicating again, he found the young female willing to speak and she opened up to him about how she was from Somerset. Peter kept this conversation going, telling her that he has a son her age with autism, and she responded advising him that she also had autism. During this, Peter noticed that the young girl had a sharp piece of glass in her hand which she had been prepared to use to harm herself. When he asked her about the glass, she jumped up and begun to race down the floors of the carpark before exiting on the 5th floor stairwell. After some coaxing and reassurance, Peter was handed the glass by the young female, and he continued to engage her as they awaited police arrival. Having built that rapport, the young female asked Peter to remain with her until she felt comfortable to be alone with the police officers who conducted necessary welfare checks to get her home.
During this incident, Peter acted professionally and his persistence in monitoring the girl ensured that she stayed out of harm until the authorities were able to take over.
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Rayhan, Miah
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I have nominated this colleague because on August 4th 2024 he, along with two colleagues, were notified that a customer had walked onto the track on Platform 19 at Victoria Station. When arriving he faced a situation with a customer in the 4 foot hitting her head off the sleeper and ballast and then self harming. During this time he dealt with the situation by ensuring all safety precautions including line block and power shut off were complete, that the customer was engaged with and kept in conversation and assisted the other two colleagues with the customer when she came up from the tracks. He remained calm throughout and as part of this team they ensured that the customer was not harmed further.
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Rio Elliott-Roberts and, Hamza Khan
Company Name
Land Sheriffs Ltd
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Rio and Hamza working at St Pancras Station were called to the Thameslink sub surface platform due to a male threatening to end his life on the railway, the team immediately responded and located the male on the platform. Using their training they were able to engage conversation keeping the male calm until the British Transport Police arrived on site. The team were then able to take the male to a place of saftey and he was then escorted by emergency services to get the help he needed.
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Rohith Madda, Winston Johnson & Adam Bashir, .
Company Name
ResponSec ltd
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Rohith Madda, Winston Johnson & Adam Bashir
On 8th of August 2024, Safety, Security and Enforcement Officers (SSEO) Rohith Madda, Winston Johnson and Adam Bashir were conducting hi-visibility patrols on the Weaver Line of the London Overground Network when they were alerted by station staff from Chingford of an intoxicated male in distress accompanying a young child. They had arrived at Chingford and when engaged with the has mentioned that he is taking his 6 year old brother to Epping Forest. Station staff have refused to let them out of the station and they boarded the next train back to Liverpool Street. SSEOs were quick to respond and intercepted the train at Highams Park. When they engaged with the male he had a mental breakdown and informed the SSEOs that he had been struggling lately and wants to commit suicide. Using their Samaritans training the SSEOs comforted the male showing compassion and professionalism. British Transport Police was immediately alerted. The SSEOs persuaded the male to come off the train at St James Street. The 6 year old was taken home by BTP to a place of safety and the male was offered the appropriate help.
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Sam Nelson and Paul Chambers, .
Company Name
Landsheriffs
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While on patrol at Ipswich Station, enforcement officers Paul & Sam were alerted to a potentially life-threatening situation involving an intoxicated male sitting on the edge of Platform 2 with his legs hanging over the side. Upon arrival, with body-worn cameras activated, the officers engaged the individual, who expressed feelings of hopelessness, stating that "his life didn’t matter anymore" and "no one cares about him." Despite repeated requests from the officers to remove his legs from the platform's edge, the male responded with abusive language and threats of violence.
In coordination with station staff, trains were halted to prevent any accidents, and the police were contacted for assistance. During the officers' efforts to de-escalate the situation, the male suddenly attempted to lunge onto the tracks. Acting swiftly, the enforcement officers restrained the individual, pulling him away from the edge. Although the individual resisted and attempted to kick the officers, they maintained control until police arrived at 23:28, at which point he was arrested under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act and escorted from the station.
Both the police and Greater Anglia staff expressed their gratitude to the enforcement team for their prompt and effective response.
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Shane Farrell and Mike Thomas, .
Company Name
GTR - Southern
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On 02 July 2024, Southern Rail Enforcement Officers (REO) Shane Farrell and Mike Thomas were conducting a routine patrol at Shoreham-By-Sea.
A train driver arriving in at the station alerted them about a male he had just seen at Southwick station which was the previous station he had been through. The driver was concerned because the male was stood towards the end of the platform in a worrying position.
REOs immediately boarded the next service to Southwick and arrived less than 10 minutes after the initial report.
They found the male sat down but looking withdrawn and distressed.
The male admitted that he was waiting for a fast train to come along because he wanted to end his life.
Shane and Mike used kindness and understanding to gain the man's trust and persuade him to go with them to a place of safety.
Once they had got the male away from the platform and down to the ticket office they worked brilliantly as a team. One of them talked to the male, keeping him engaged, calm and most of all safe, and the other contacted the police via radio.
Once further help arrived, in the form of BTP officers, the male was taken to hospital to get much needed on going help.
Both these REOs showed courage, compassion and professionalism to help fellow human who was in a state of utter despair.
In his darkest time, they were there to listen and help, and ultimately saved him from his intention of ending his life.
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Shaun, Charnock
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Sunday 17th December 2023, it was just another day for Metro Guard Shaun Charnock.
Shaun had just worked his train from Alton to Woking 2A58 and attached to the 2L58 Basingstoke to Waterloo service on platform 1 at Woking. Shaun handed the train over to a colleague and he and his driver started walking over to the other platform ready for their next part of the duty. When Shaun noticed a member of platform staff waving frantically on the platform next to a train. Shaun could see a female customer was in the dispatch corridor and had collapsed.
Shaun made his way to this area, where he monitored the situation and carried out crowd control along with his driver. Making sure they were protecting her dignity and keeping other customers away. It appeared the lady may have been intoxicated and was making worrying mumbling noises while still was trying to crawl onto the train. The situation was becoming quite desperate as no one wanted to delay the train but this customer was clearly in need of help!
Things then took a turning for the worst when Shaun realised, she had collapsed again, but this time was turning blue and purple. Shaun stepped into action and carried out an assessment. He quickly established the lady had stopped breathing and had no pulse. Although a scary situation, Shaun was in full control. He immediately started CPR, called 999 to request an ambulance and directing available staff to retrieve the nearest defibrillator. While requesting the crowds of customers stand back.
Shaun carried on with CPR for about 7 minutes, which if anyone knows anything about this it is no mean feat, with no offer of help from anyone. The defibrillator arrived and was placed on the lady person. To Shaun’s amazement there was a faint pulse but the machine was not asking Shaun to shock the customer. BTP and an ambulance crew arrived at same time and took over the situation.
As if nothing had happened, Shaun when back to his duties after being debriefed by the duty resource manager. The amazing things is Shaun had only been on the railway and a Metro Guard for 11 months. He did not hesitate when a customer was in serious need. The lady lived and walked away from BTP and ambulance crew. All due to Shaun’s quick thinking and heroics!
What an unsung hero Shaun is. Never thought about it, just put his training into practice to help a fellow human being in need. What a shining example of an employee. The world needs more Shaun’s! He really deserves the recognition of this award.
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Stephen, Rogers
Company Name
GTR Thameslink
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Stephen has had several near miss events this year and has always put the persons safety first and foremost he had a vulnerable person standing on the edge of the platform at Tooting and he stopped the train short of the person spoke with them and stayed with them until the police and MOM came to assist.
Stephen remained vigilant and his calm approach to these situations helped save a person life
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Stevenage Station, Staff Members
Company Name
GTR
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The Staff at Stevenage Station deserve recognition. On a day-to-day basis they ensure both GTR and LNER customers make their journeys as smoothly and as safely as possible. They achieve this by the great teamwork, camaraderie and sense of looking out for each other.
Stevenage is not a station without issues . This year alone there have been 14 Suicide Interventions and 49 recorded concerns for welfare that all the staff have played a part in. From making emergency calls and line blocks, taking persons to a place of safety, noticing the small signs or even starting that small conversation. You might say they are well practiced in such events, but the reality is they are a caring, diligent bunch, that work in a sometimes-pressurised environment where they have to be vigilant at all times.
It is without doubt, this team have prevented many tragic incidents and continue to do so, coming to work the next day with a smile on their face determined to do all they can. I applaud them for this.
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Zoe, Marshall
Company Name
Hull Trains
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What makes Zoe Marshall special is her ability to make extraordinary tasks sound like just another normal day. The most recent example of her natural ability to show care and compassion for another human being was during an evening service returning from London Kings Cross to Hull. The service was brought to a stand around Doncaster due to a person near the line.
The driver called Zoe to help judge the situation. Zoe decided, after speaking to the signaller, to approach the person leaving the train. Walking along the ballast, Zoe realised the person was crying. Undaunted by this, Zoe approached and sat down next to them.
Zoe shared her name and asked theirs and they talked. Without going into too much detail, the person said they didn’t want to be here anymore. Zoe remained with them until track safety specialists arrived, managing to convince the person to move to a position of safety.
Zoe returned to her service and continued the journey back to Hull. Her instant decision to interact with the individual unquestionably made the difference on the day - just taking the time to have a chat. The person is now receiving the help they need in a caring environment.
Zoe is almost embarrassed when praised by her actions and certainly does not like a fuss being made.
Zoe is a credit to Hull Trains and to the Rail Industry and I am very proud to work with her.
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29
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Do you know someone who has made amazing achievements in the rail industry?
This award is to recognise a single individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to the rail industry over the past 20 years.
You can see all the past winners here.
Alan, Neville
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Alan would say Greater Anglia if you sliced him in two. He has over 40 years of experience on the railway and has worked in numerous customer service positions.
Alan currently carries out a role which many probably don't even know exists. He deals with the customers and complaints that nobody else can deal with, the ones that get escalated when all normal avenues have been exhausted. But the magnificence of Alan is the way that he deals with these issues. Alan does things the old fashioned way. He doesn't bat issues away with email. He telephones people, he meets with people and he writes letters to people. This personal touch is missing in so many parts of today's fast paced life and it makes a massive difference. I don't know what Alan's success rate is but he never lets these difficulties get to him. He always has a good morning for us here at Cambridge and a cheeky grin when asking for more stamps for his letters. Alan always comes to help us out in times of disruption and loves getting stuck in. Alan is also responsible for the station adopters, a group of volunteers who make a major difference to the look and feel of many of our unmanned stations. Alan sorts out all kinds of random issues for the adopters and has a massive network of people to call upon to help him out. But it's because of Alan's personality that he has managed to build this network. He is an absolute gentleman. You'll never see him out of a suit and tie as he is always 100% professional. Alan has told me many times how much he loves his work. He is an absolute asset to Greater Anglia and irreplaceable. Alan deserves this recognition because he does an excellent job day in day out that nobody sees or appreciates.
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Barry, Kitchener
Company Name
Network Rail
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Barry Kitchener’s career in the railway industry exemplifies dedication, resilience, and selflessness. Joining British Rail in 1992 as a station maintainer at London Waterloo Mainline Station, he quickly advanced to Station Supervisor, overseeing Remembrance services, and dedicating personal time to ensure their success. In 1993, Barry began researching the railway's Roll of Honour, developing a comprehensive database of 23,000 fallen railwaymen from the Great War.
This initiative led to significant remembrance events, including the naming of the Remembrance Train in 1995 and the Waterloo Great War Mobilisation Project in 2014.
Since 2002, Barry has delivered a widely acclaimed lecture on the fallen railwaymen, highlighting the vital roles women played during the war and promoting diversity within the rail industry. His key projects include the unveiling of the Matthew Flinders statue at London Euston Station in 2012, overcoming numerous political hurdles, and organising the naming ceremony of four trains in 2010 to honour Chad Varah, founder of the Samaritans.
Barry's influence extends across the rail industry and internationally, with his name read out in the Australian Houses of Parliament in recognition of his contributions. His work has heightened awareness of fallen railwaymen, enhanced public understanding of the railway's role in the Great War, and advocated for diversity within the rail industry.
In 2023 Barry was honoured with the royal title of BEM for outstanding contribution to his Majesty s railway in the field of Remembrance. Barry has completed 32 years of unbroken service on the railway. His legacy is marked by his relentless commitment to preserving the memory of fallen railwaymen without seeking recognition or financial reward.
Barry’s selfless approach and ability to inspire others make him a deserving nominee for the Rail Staff Awards 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Bradley, Read
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Bradley has worked for Greater Anglia, and it's predecessors, for 35 years and has spent his entire career here at Cambridge in the Ticket Office. We have had several changes of franchise, upgrades of equipment and methods of working, revamps of the office building and multiple changes of uniform but one thing has remained constant - our Brad. The most amazing thing about this gentleman is that he comes into work every day with a smile on his face and a kind work for each and every one of his colleagues. Brad even has his own catchphrase in the office - 'Hello there' and he says this with a cheeky grin and you can't help but smile. He lifts the morale in the office with his presence and calm demeanour. Brad as a voice for radio and I've never heard him raise his voice or get confrontational in all the years I've been working with him. He is very generous sharing his knowledge of all things railway and his geographical knowledge for those tricky journeys is exceptional. We have many customers who have become friends over the years and Brad always has time for a friendly chat and takes a genuine interest in people. If you mention anything to Brad about how amazing he is he is very humble and would say he is just doing his job. But what he doesn't realise is that 'just doing his job' makes doing OUR jobs so much more pleasant. This icon of Cambridge Station deserves every bit of recognition and winning a national award such as this Lifetime Achievement award would go some way to showing him how much he is appreciated and what a difference he makes to so many people, both customers and colleagues alike.
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Christopher, Bown
Company Name
Network Rail
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Chris has worked on the railway for 29 years. I have worked with him for the last 5. Anytime I have a question about signalling rules or about the local area he has passed his knowledge on to me helping me be a better signaller.
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Frank, Murphy
Company Name
Coyle Personnel
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Frank is an integral part of the Coyle rail family who can be found involved in every part of the company. He is a consummate professional who goes above and beyond exceeding expectations on a daily basis. This is a person who has spent years growing nurturing and developing his team and division whilst supporting those in and around the company.
He is well known and well liked by many due to his friendly approachable nature. Frank is always welcoming to new team members and is happy to share his vast knowledge that he has gained over many years.
His passion to meet his clients needs be that for a single shift in a remote area on a Saturday night or a much larger longer term project speaks volumes to his commitment to them.
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Gerald, Plant
Company Name
Transport for Wales
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I am honoured to nominate Gerald Plant for recognition, celebrating his remarkable 60 years of service on the railway. I believe Gerald truly deserves the Lifetime Achievement Award as he has dedicated the best part of 60 years to the railway industry. This dedication and commitment is nothing short of extraordinary, and his career stands as an inspiration to all who have worked with him.
Gerald’s journey on the railway began over six decades ago, when he started at the age of 15 with an eagerness to learn. Gerald joined as a lad porter in the goods department at Hereford station and progressed through the grades to motor driver before moving to the platforms and then the ticket office, where he still works today. Back in 1964 there was a lot more freight so there was a goods end on the station and that's where Gerald began his railway journey. Gerald has always been a true enthusiast of the railway, embracing every aspect of the job with an unmatched level of dedication and expertise. Over the years, he has grown to become an integral part of the railway family, contributing not only his skills but also his wisdom and mentorship to countless others.
Gerald regularly uses his time away from work to explore the network and comes back into the station with endless stories of his adventures by train, sharing his experiences with passengers and colleagues.
Gerald truly has an unwavering work ethic and takes great pride he takes in his work. Throughout his 60-year tenure, he has witnessed vast changes and advancements in railway technology and operations. Yet, through it all, Gerald has adapted seamlessly, always staying at the forefront of the industry’s evolution. His ability to balance a deep respect for tradition with a keen eye for innovation is one of the many qualities that set him apart.
Beyond this Gerald is known for his kindness, generosity, and willingness to help others.
Gerald’s 60 years of service are not just a testament to his loyalty to the railway but also to the passion he holds for the rail industry as a whole. It is truly an honour to nominate Gerald for his 60 years on the railway, as he embodies the very best of what it means to serve the railway with dedication, heart, and professionalism.
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Jeff, Tan
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Jeff has worked at Cambridge Station for 44 years. Starting out as a catering assistant, working in customer relations and then moving into the ticket office. Jeff has always loved a challenge, no problem is ever too difficult, if he can't find a solution there and then, he will ask the customer to come back and he will not stop until he has found an answer. If wallets, season tickets or handbags are handed in as lost property, Jeff will go to all lengths to reunite it with its owner, even going as far as ringing English Heritage asking them to get in contact with their member to let them know where their purse is. Jeff is always calm and professional with our customers, he always makes himself visible, approaches customers and helps everyone with a personal touch. Jeff has been a ticket office supervisor for the past 20 years, supporting a team of 20+ staff. He is a real role model for delivering customer service, he is not afraid to give effective feedback and always gets stuck in.
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Jeffery, Matthews
Company Name
Network rail
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I am honoured to nominate my manager, Jeffery Matthews, for the Lifetime achievement Award. Over the years, Jeff has been an exceptional mentor and leader, playing a key role in my personal and professional development. His guidance has helped shape my career, and his influence on our team is immeasurable.
One of the standout moments of Jeff's leadership to me was during my team leader/supervisor apprenticeship, I struggled with the complexity and pressure.
Jeff stepped in, not only providing technical guidance but also offering his unwavering support and belief in my abilities. He regularly checked in, gave constructive feedback, and helped me break down the challenges into manageable tasks. As a result, I was able to confidently complete the apprenticeship, which contributed to its overall success. His mentorship allowed me to develop new skills and grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
Jeff’s leadership style is one that fosters growth, collaboration, and innovation. He always encourages our team to think outside the box, values our input, and ensures that everyone feels heard and appreciated. His open-door policy makes it easy for any of us to seek advice, which has greatly improved the dynamics and performance of our team. Moreover, his ability to remain calm under pressure and make decisive, strategic decisions has steered the team through some of the company’s most challenging times.
For his outstanding leadership, unwavering support, and dedication to both individual and team success, I believe Jeffery Matthews is truly deserving of the Lifetime achievement Award. I am grateful for the opportunity to work under his leadership and know that many others share the same sentiment.
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Jim, Greaves
Company Name
Network Rail
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Jim joined the railway in 1979 as a junior railman delivering Telegrams on Sheffield Midland then went to Woodhouse Junction Signal box as A Train Recorder. When he 18 he went on to be a shunter (Leading Railman) at Tinsley main yard. In 1983 he went back into signalling at Brancliffe East Junction (Worksop Area). In 1988 after working several locations in the Worksop Area he accepted a GPR role in Hull Area. In 1992 he progressed to Operations Supervisor & later Signalling Manager managing a team of 35 signallers through the difficult transition from BR to Railtrack. In 2006 NR changed their management structure and Jim was displaced to be a grade 9 signaller in York IECC (Now Leeds sub-ROC).
In the 5 years I have worked with Jim he is always available, not only to cover roster shortfalls but also as an ear in times when I've needed to talk. Jim also does amazing work with Hull branch of the RMT as a rep.
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Joe, Healy
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd
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Joe has worked in the rail industry since 2000 in a variety of customer facing roles on the platform and in the ticket office. He has been a Station Manager on the Thameslink route since 2008 and has really found his passion in helping people with accessibility, those nervous to travel on trains by introducing Try a Train day over 10 years ago. He works closely with local charities and groups including Autism Bedfordshire and Dunstable college. He takes small groups out on trains showing them how to buy tickets, who to approach if they are feeling nervous or worried and takes them to different stations on the route to build confidence. Joe has been recognised for and this and was awarded the British Empire Medal.
Joe also works with local homeless charities in his own time as well as in work.
He has dealt with numerous vulnerable people and those with intent with compassion and care. He recently had an intervention with a lady who was sitting on the running line at Luton Airport Parkway and managed to get
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John, Harper
Company Name
AECOM Limited
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John is nominated for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, he has a career spanning over 48 years, it is my belief that John has made extraordinary and lasting contributions to the Railway industry. His commitment, leadership, and decision making have helped shape the way projects are delivered not only within AECOM but the broader community.
John began his career in 1975 in Swindon Works for British Rail, moving less than 100 yards over the course of his career in Scott Wilson, URS and now AECOM. Over almost 5 decades, John has held numerous pivotal positions, and challenging roles throughout his career. Maximising opportunities for professional development and team growth, whilst providing confident leadership for complex schemes, including major international rail infrastructure projects. Projects include Project Manager for Heathrow Express Rail Link Scheme for British Rail Mainline, Project Manager for West Coast Route Modernisation for Scott Wilson and most recently the Project Director for Old
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Jon, Stretton
Company Name
Network Rail
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Jon is a signaller who has been on the railway since 1994 (30 years). When I joined Network Rail 7 years ago Jon took a step-up position and found himself as my local operation manager. Now we are colleagues at Leeds sub-ROC. hi advice and patience with me has been invaluable to my growth as a person and as a signaller. He also has been active for many years as a rep with Hull branch RMT.
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Jonathan, Kirby
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Jon has worked for the railway for over 30 years in various positions and various locations. He started work for South West Trains working as a relief on the Portsmouth line. After a number of years working down South he moved up and worked on the line between King's Lynn and Cambridge before securing a role at Cambridge Ticket Office. Jon then gained promotion to Ticket Office Supervisor and then Assistant Area Customer Support Manager of various stations within the Cambridge area. Jon was a brilliant manager who had the respect of his team. His team was one of the first to embrace the introduction of Smartcards and the feedback from his team in the annual employee survey was testament to how well liked and respected he was. Jon has stepped down from the management grade and currently works as a clerk at his local station. He has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a railwayman and retained his unique sense of humour throughout.
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Keith, Winnery
Company Name
Zinc Consult Limited
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Keith started work on the railways in 1975 as an apprentice Bricklayer at Lancaster in the British Rail Works Department. After serving time as an apprentice age 21, his abilities were soon recognised and he was promoted to Clerk of Works managing the relining of arches on Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle to Carlisle line. At age 22 Keith was promoted again to Structures Examiner Lancaster West, responsible for the examination of structures on the West Coast Main Line and Cumbrian coast line.
At age 25 Keith was the Works Supervisor at Barrow in Furness managing the maintenance of structures on the Cumbrian Coast line from Carnforth to Sellafield also maintaining the ferry jetties on Windermere. At age 27 Keith was promoted to Works Supervisor Lancaster where he stayed for a few years until he saw an opening at Appleby in Westmorland for Works Supervisor managing the maintenance of structures on the Settle to Carlisle Line.
Keith looks back at this as some of his best time on the railway as he felt he was able to make a real difference which has always been the main driver for Keith and he stayed for 10 years until privatisation of the railways in the mid 1990’s. After a couple of years working as a (PTO) Principal Technical Officer between Newcastle and Appleby Keith went to York working as a Construction Manager covering the East Coast Main Line from Berwick upon Tweed to Great Heck.
After 3 years in that post where Keith oversaw hundred of jobs earning the respect of the entire team including the supply chain he left and started work with WA Developments as Project manager for 6 years staying until 2006. He then worked for May Gurney Rail in the east followed by a stint at Murphy Group in the west. I was then invited to join Stobart Rail as Rail Director in 2010 which I accepted and stayed until 2019 when I decided to retire. After a brief period of retirement, I took a role with Zinc Consult working on TRU Trans Pennine Route Upgrade. During his time with Zinc Keith has played a key role in the development of younger team members, helping them reach their potential.
Keith is a pure railway man and in all his career has always put the good of the railway first. His integrity and honesty is unquestionable and has been the key factor behind the success of many complex projects. Always willing to help and share his experience for the good of his railway
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Liam, Johnston
Company Name
Railway Mission
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Liam has been dedicated to the work of the Railway Mission for over 20 years and has overseen all growth and changes in that time. He maintains a good relationship with a broad spectrum of people across the industry in order to advance the opportunities to provide pastoral support to as many people as possible in the railway family. He leads the chaplaincy team with energy and enthusiasm.
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Malcolm, Hadfield
Company Name
Network Rail
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Malcolm has worked in the railway for 42 .5 years, of which the majority has been in timetable planning, and is currently a Lead Advanced Timetable Analyst within Network Rail’s Advanced Timetable Team. During this time Malcolm has worked on some of the biggest and most complex timetable changes across the railway network, some of these include: WCML December 22 timetable change, ECML ESG timetable, Anglia, Midland Mainline 2008, WCML VHF timetable change and the 2012 Olympics. Malcolm is trusted implicitly by both Network Rail and the operator community resulting in him being in high demand during periods of significant change. Malcolm understands the importance of sharing his knowledge and expertise with future generations of planners and analysts, having done so to countless numbers during his career, many of whom have gone onto roles across the railway industry.
Malcolm is also known for his trademark rats, a feature started in the Birmingham train planning office, have been adopted as the Advanced Timetable team mascot and his impressive cow impression, leading to his ‘Moo’ nickname. Malcolm is a dedicated safety champion for the team which involves regularly sharing a wide range of safety related topics with the team inspiring everyone to consider their and other’s safety.
Malcolm is an unsung hero of the railways, quietly and professionally delivering for all rail users in an often under recognised part of the railway. Whilst he has no intention of hanging up his graph paper and lanyard, his already significant legacy will continue to grow.
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Mark, Hornigold
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Mark has worked in Cambridge ticket office for the past 24 years, mostly as a ticket office supervisor. Mark is respected by everyone, not only for always going above and beyond in his job role but for the support he gives his clerks. Over the past few years, three of Mark's colleagues passed away, some suddenly and under very distressing circumstances. Although it was a very difficult time for Mark, Mark put his team's welfare first. He checked in on everyone everyday to make sure they were ok, he told his team to call him at any time of the day or night and was an absolute rock to the team.
There isn't a lot Mark doesn't know about all things tickets and back office procedures, he trains, mentors and guides clerks to be their best. A job is never left undone, and Mark always takes it upon himself to complete tasks in order to make his colleagues workload easier. Although Mark has seen many changes at Cambridge, this has never phased him, he always embraces change and is ready to point out suggestions to make something work even better.
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Matt, Clark
Company Name
BTTC
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Matt Clark is a distinguished infrastructure delivery project management professional with over 26 years’ experience in the passenger transit and urban rail sectors in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. With extensive expertise in leading complex and challenging programmes for both clients and contractors, Matt has established himself as an industry leader in collaborative contracting practices. He is widely recognised for his influential role in guiding clients towards the adoption of Alliancing and Progressive Contracts in Ontario, Canada, transforming a market previously dominated by PPP delivery models. His exceptional contributions make him a deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Matt leads the BTTC team responsible for successfully developing and embedding the innovative and industry leading ‘Independent Value Assessor’ (IVA) service within Metrolinx, which covers a project portfolio of more than $30 billion. This role provides independent evaluation and challenge of Target Prices in progressive model contracts, developed by contractors in the Development Phase and into implementation phases. Matt has led this challenge function on projects and programmes including GO Expansion and Union Station Enhancement Project, to validate projects’ Value for Money positions, in areas including Value for Money assessment and risk management.
Under Matt’s leadership, the IVA role has achieved significant accomplishments for Metrolinx, including:
o $150 million of value engineering/optimisation opportunities identified and implemented through the IVA challenge panel process across SmartTrack Station programme.
o Improved construction staging identified and implemented realising a 12-month reduction in schedule and 40% improvement in rail corridor works productivity on King-Liberty Station project.
Matt was the Chief Capital Officer of the Metrolinx Capital Projects Group from 2019 to 2022. Matt was responsible for the safe, on time, on budget and on benefit delivery of a $100 billion capital portfolio. Matt challenged the structure of Metrolinx’ Capital Projects Group and restructured it to challenge the business with delivering $7 billion of capital works per annum while implementing improvements across the organisation particularly in the areas of safety, programme management, cost management and risk. He challenged the procurement and contracting strategies used, which utilised a wide range of models, including traditional Fixed Price Design Build and Maintain contracts. Under Matt`s leadership, Metrolinx widened their delivery options to collaborative contracting including Canada`s first Pure Alliance, Progressive Design Build, and Construction Manager at Risk models to achieve better Value for Money outcomes. Due to his exceptional performance and significant impact in the role previously, Metrolinx has requested Matt to temporarily return while they search for a permanent replacement.
In addition to his outstanding industry achievements, Matt is a dedicated advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion. His commitment is evident in his team composition, with women making up 50% of his team and 40% of his graduates coming from the BAME community. Additionally, Matt is deeply committed to the communities he serves, leading initiatives that provide substantial societal benefits. For example, under his leadership in Canada, we invested 1% of our pre-tax profit into the 'Building Brighter Futures' programme, which supports Indigenous students in post-secondary education.
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Maureen, Davidson
Company Name
SCOTRAIL
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AAt 16 years of age Maureen Davidson started her railway career at Cartsdyke Station in Greenock as a CO1, moving on to Gourock Station as a CO2 shortly afterwards.
Maureen moved on to job as a team leader, finally becoming a station team manager for the Paisley area.
Her job as Paisley Station Team Manager goes back over 30 years and has seen her manage 13 staffed stations and numerous unstaffed stations.
In her time as a team manager, she has also managed Gourock and Paisley On-Train Ticket Examiners.
Now Maureen managers Travel Centre, Station, Platform, Customer Service and Train Dispatch staff across a wide geographical area. Maureen has been in the railway 46 years and has seen many changes. In the time I have known her she has been through 3 franchises, each with their different styles of management and change, all of which Maureen has helped guide the staff through.
Maureen is approachable and supportive weather it's work or personal, and she will always do her best to get you an answer. She has inspired many people to go into careers in stations and inspired others to go into managerial roles.
Outside the railway, Maureen love nothing better than spending time with family she has a love of skiing and walking, and only a few years ago she went to her first music festival which she loved.
Maureen may only be 5 foot tall but she's a giant in the Paisley Inverclyde area - she is well respected by staff and management, and I firmly believe she deserves this award.
Maureen has been my manager for nearly 20 years , she is very approachable and compassionate. Maureen has unbelievable
work ethic and nothing is too much bother for her, she wouldn't ask
you to do something she wouldn't do herself ;she has a firm but fair approach. Maureen is great fun and sociable, always up for a night out.
Maureen is highly thought of in the area and is considered a great manager and friend : Paisley relief staff
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Melanie, Bryett
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate Melanie for the life time achievement award as she has contributed so much to the railway and Wolverhampton as a city. I have worked directlety for Melanie for a number few years and now in her new Partnership role. . The respect that she shows to everyone , regardless of their job, status, or walk of life is outstanding. Melanie lives and breathes our core values. She is Proud, Real, Simple and Open. Melanie's phone is always on regardless of time of the hour. She was even composing emails on her holidays, when she didn't have to. Melanie's approach to getting the railway to work in harmony is phenomenal, she always goes way out of her way to support her anyone who asks for help. It often goes without saying or appreciation, but Melanie thoroughly deserves to be recognised as a Life time achiever for her personal dedication to Wolverhampton and actively contributing to the regeneration of the City. As well as managing Wolverhampton station with over 5 million passengers per year Mel
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Mitzi, Latham
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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Mitzi started her railway Journey in 1983 at Birmingham New Street Station as a telephone enquiry clerk, she moved onto the booking office and later to the travel Centre.
She then made it into the role of business, conference and European travel advisor.
As Mitzi’s career progressed, she moved into customer relations learning all about customer complaints and understanding our customers.
Mitzi then made a return to Stations as an Assistant Retail Manager as Virgin took over the franchise from British Rail. Mitzi’s style and unique way of managing and developing people started to shine.
In 1999 Mitzi Transitioned into the group area relief station manager covering Rugby, Coventry, Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton
Move forwards to 2002 She started a new challenge as a Customer Service Manager for the on-board Train managers and caterers. This is where I first met with Mitzi. Mitzi developed me from Customer service assistant to Service Manager and then left for