Vote for your favourite candidates for the RailStaff Awards
Place your vote for your favourite nominees between 12th - 20th October 2024 (midnight)
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.
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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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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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George, Creed
Company Name
Alstom
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George is one of the most truly driven and talented young people I have had the pleasure of knowing, he doesn't let an opportunity for development or knowledge pass him by and is consistently striving for excellence in everything he does. During his 2 years in the business he has been integral in implementing a new material planning tool that is now being utilised nationwide, rolled out training to multiple UK sites and external suppliers, taken on senior roles with significant amounts of responsibility, all of which he has carried out with an incredible level of professionalism and competence far beyond his years. He goes out of his way to ensure he understands the detailed workings and engineering aspects of whichever fleet or project he is working on. This has given him a great reputation and means his talents are in high demand by projects and teams across the business. All of this has been achieved while consistently scoring distinction level grades in his university work.
George is currently a key player in the UK rollout of a SAP GSI supplier portal which will enhance the entire Alstom UK supply base, as well as taking a leading role in a pilot project for a new cost forecasting tool in Nottingham tram. Throughout these tasks he is demonstrating over and over that his attention to detail, incredible pace of learning, and confidence in his own abilities are going to ensure he is a force to be reckoned with in rail and the supply chain arena.
Considering the workload he takes on he is also extremely generous with his time, taking part in every STEM event and apprenticeship fair that he can, as well as being a buddy and mentor for the newer cohorts of apprentices within the business. George is truly in his element when he is sharing his knowledge with others and is a fantastic ambassador for the rail industry and the business.
Pamela Dabbs, the Alstom Supply Chain Director for UK&I has also given her feedback,
‘George has over the last 2 years shown commitment to all given tasks with maturity and Diligence. Always with a smile and always showing the strength of his maturity with, professionalism and sheer dedication. I have seen this amazing young adult tackle new challenges with vigor and deliver amazing results from his innovative ideas. Plus support a wide variety of CSR tasks embarking on many activities to support the Alstom culture with ease such as the Rail Diversity challenge.’
The hugely impressive impact George has made to the business and the people he has worked with in such a short space of time make George the perfect nomination for this award. He is a role model for the apprenticeship scheme and a promising leader in the making.
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Jack, Hopkins
Company Name
AtkinsRealis
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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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James joined Alstom in 2020 in the APSL product team in Hatfield as an apprentice. 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 as Key.
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Joe, Dodman
Company Name
Motion
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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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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 successfully applied for a maternity cover secondment as a guards manager at Guildford traincrew depot, giving an excellent interview and presentation.
During that secondment, Katie successfully completed her apprenticeship and also her training to become a contingency guard, which she put to good use on numerous occasions by working trains when SWR was subject to industrial action or short of crew. During her first year she amassed 200 hours of train working, which in turn led to her taking and passing the A1 assessors award, which allowed her to assess the competency of the other guards in her team.
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Kyle, Martin
Company Name
Northern Trains Ltd
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Rhodri, Townsend
Company Name
Motion
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Joining Motion in 2022 as part of the Jobs Growth Wales training and development placements for unemployed 16-19-year-olds, Rhodri Townsend immersed himself working on-site pulling cable and supporting fibre jointing teams, becoming a valued team member.
Although Rhodri enjoyed working on the railway, he decided to go to university to study accountancy.
Quickly realising university life wasn’t for him, Rhodri wanted to combine his two passions, the railway and numbers. Recognising Rhodri’s tremendous courage in understanding that university wasn’t for him, Motion arranged for him to study for a Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship in 2023.
Rhodri has demonstrated a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn and apply his technical knowledge and practical site experience. He’s introduced innovative cost control and fatigue management initiatives, including digital timesheets for site reconciliation, cost management and site diary systems to improve business outputs and enhance workforce safety.
Instrumental in the rollout of ‘Gather’ – previously Rail Diary, to plan and manage site works, Rhodri supports project managers and site teams learn to input critical information. Rhodri presents safety concepts to the business, inducts new users and helps colleagues more experienced than him. He explains the importance of accurate data and reporting information to the company, projects and industry. He personalises the process and shows what good looks like.
Rhodri has created a cultural change at Motion. He has aligned traditional procurement and commercial processes with accurate recording of site issues, delays, and disruption with dynamic project needs to minimise the impact.
‘Rhodri has quickly developed his skills and has already surpassed most of his colleague’s knowledge. He provides valuable support to project teams and the business by analysing Gather data providing progress and cost reports.’ Lawrence Port – Commercial Director
Following the Network Rail Fatigue Risk Management Standard change, Rhodri took it upon himself to enhance Gathers functionality. This included planning, managing, and monitoring working and travelling hours and creating advanced risk indicators to protect the workforce from cumulative fatigue factors. Part of Motions Behavioural Rail program, Rhodri briefed 50+ people on the importance of reporting actual working hours while reassuring them about not losing income.
Monitoring Motion’s holistic fatigue management, as well as site teams, Rhodri rolled it out to designers, project managers, office staff, and leadership. Again, this was a significant cultural change that could be perceived to negatively impact them financially by placing fewer hours on timesheets. Fostering a transparent culture, Rhodri overcame this by explaining the importance of building trust and creating a single source of truth together, ultimately reducing fatigue risk and improving workforce safety.
“Rhodri’s natural ability to engage colleagues of all levels, with patience and care is a skill way beyond his years. He continually produces data-driven outcomes whilst influencing culture and perception behavioural changes.” Emma Dymond CEO
Rhodri’s exceeded the expectations of an apprentice. He proactively engages colleagues, peers and more senior colleagues and challenges them to make process and cultural changes to digitalise commercial management, creating safer and more efficient outcomes for all.
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Richard, Butler
Company Name
Freightliner
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Richard has worked really hard during his Train Driver Level 3 apprenticeship and come over lots of challengers along the way. Every assessment carried out had great feedback and Richard went from strength to strength. After completing his Train driving with Freightliner Richard went on to do his EPA. This didn't go to plan as Richard 1st thought, and had to resit some elements of the EPA.
At this point Richard went back to day 1 of his notes and training, looked into detail on APTEM and worked through not only all his driver training he also went through all the KSBs mapped to his apprenticeship. Upon his resit Richard passed and really improved his score by some incredible percentage compared to previous attempt.
Now this is completed Richard has been working with other colleagues within the business who didn't pass their EPA and offered his support to how he overcome this by having 121s and giving his advise, Which in Richards words " I went back to basics and studied" .
Richard is a great asset to the company and will have a great future ahead of him.
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Ricky, Nuttall
Company Name
GTR Southern And Gatwick Express
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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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Sam, Mundy
Company Name
AECOM
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Sam joined AECOM in 2019 as an Apprentice and he made a positive impact within the Swindon Civils and Structural Team.
Sam has faced many challenges over his apprenticeship, with one of the biggest being maintaining his learning both on and off the job for his degree after being forced into remote working just 6 months into his apprenticeship due to COVID, which he adapted to and overcame with flying colors allowing him to become the engineer he is today.
Sam has delivered some high-profile projects whilst undertaking BEng in Civils Engineering. One of them is Old Oak Common (interface with HS2), here he designed Road Rail Access Points (RRAP), Cable management systems and concrete foundations for OHLE structures and railway operational equipment. He is a quick learner and uses his engineering judgement.
Sam is proactive and also does the following:
- Mentors civils younger team members
- Works with senior members of the team to develop rail design procedures
- Fully qualified scout leader
- Member of sports and Social Committee
Sam undertook the design of North Pole Depot RRAP; an access point critical to the delivery of the Old Oak Common HS2 construction works. He attended site, understood the requirements of the contractor and site-specific conditions to deliver a right first-time design that met the needs of the project. In order to complete these works on time, he both undertook the design and drawing works himself; whilst also mentoring junior members of staff on other aspects of the works.
With his hard work and determination, the design was completed on time and allowed the site works to be commenced to programme. Sam continues to be a key member of Swindon civil engineering team.
Sam Mundy had great five years in the Rail Industry!
Roger Squance - Regional Head of Engineering
“Sam responds well to input from other disciplines and is eager to learn from more experienced engineers whilst checking that the requested input will work. He has a great affinity for spatial design enhanced with his ability in CAD modelling".
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Thomas, Gallagher
Company Name
Network Rail - Engineering Services Design Delivery
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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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Tom, Hill
Company Name
Amey
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As a Rail Degree Apprentice (RDA), Tom has proven his flexibility to be able to move from one project working on standard telecoms rail design(s), to a new project from November 2022, learning, and understanding about a new telecoms technology, working on the Station Fibre Connectivity project using ultra-high density optical fibre networks (432-Spider Web Ribbon), on the Core Valley Lines (CVL) in South Wales, where Transport for Wales (TfW) are upgrading the rail Infrastructure. This fibre engineering solution will ultimately provide upgrade station telecommunications, providing support for the travelling public and better serving the wider community which is currently suffering from a lack of connectivity for jobs, education, and leisure opportunities. The fibre network will provide an optical network for local communities’ broadband in the out-lying villages within the CVL area. Internet service providers will have point of presence on the railway fence boundary, which will provide greater broadba
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Vaughan, Morgan
Company Name
GTR Southern And Gatwick Express
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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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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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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.
Sponsored by:
Andrew Morris and Tim Brawn, .
Company Name
Merseyrail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Andy & Tim, over the last 12 months has successfully raised over £50,000 for numerous charities, from projects of their 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 £75,000 by the time the last 50X train leaves our network.
In their spare time, Andy, our Contract Manager within the Fleet Engineering team 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 this, Merseyrail’s Timetable Planning Manager, Tim Brawn, was also working tirelessly to arrange for several “50X Sunset Tours” of the Merseyrail Network for delegates and enthusiasts to pay homage to trains that have served Merseyside for over 40 years. Liaising with Network Rail’s Planning team, Tim drafted bespoke routes allowing fans to enjoy the trains one final time.
The money that Andy and Tim have raised has gone towards Merseyrail's charities of the year, local charities, and the Railway Children charity.
Andy and Tim took on this mammoth task, without being asked, out of the goodness of their 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 them both for their 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, House
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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Georgia, Payne
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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I am pleased to nominate Georgia for the Charity Award, as she continually demonstrates dedication and compassion in everything she does. As the Safeguarding and Community Safety Manager, Georgia not only excels in her professional duties but goes above and beyond in her charitable efforts.
Recently, Georgia and her team raised an impressive £5,000 for the Railway Children charity by completing the 3 Peaks Challenge by rail. This initiative showcased her commitment to supporting vulnerable young people
In addition, Georgia is a proactive advocate for Mental Health Awareness. She has worked closely with the Samaritans, spreading awareness by engaging passengers and distributing ‘Stay Safe with Thomas’ books to younger generations. Her outreach even extends beyond the station, visiting local shops outside of the stations to continue her support.
Georgia’s work has significantly contributed to Greater Anglia’s achievement of the Safeguarding on Rail Scheme and the Rail Safe Friendly Accreditation. She has been helpful in promoting initiatives like Operation Henderson, which safeguards vulnerable young people on public transport, and Samaritans’ Brew Monday. All in support of the wider network.
Her passion for helping others in both her professional and personal life make her a truly deserving nominee for this award.
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Heather, Waugh
Company Name
Freightliner
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
It’s not just the money Heather has raised for deserving causes - £100,000 since August 2022 – it’s how she chose to do it. She created an entire event. One that brought people together and made them feel part of something special. She recognised that spirits were low, following a pandemic and challenging industrial relations, and she wanted something that would help people connect and unite again.
So she created the Railway Family Prize Draw and Fundraiser, giving people the chance to win special experiences, like cab rides and tours, normally reserved for auctions. Unlike auctions, Heather’s event was accessible and affordable, bringing excitement and fun for all those who entered. She engaged with participants like they were friends, creating a special atmosphere where everyone shared ownership and pride of the event.
Heather continuously uses ‘we’, but the reality was that it was her alone reaching out to over 60 railway companies, successfully getting over 80 prizes and experiences. It was her alone who spent hours assigning prize numbers to entrants, and later building a website. It was her alone who ran all the social media platforms, engaging in up to 500 messages and responses each day. It was her designing videos, and posts. Press releases. Setting up secure banking. Liaising with charities. All whilst working long, challenging hours in a job that has no access to emails or social media, meaning everything has to be planned or actioned entirely in her own time. Thankfully, this year she has arranged some help from volunteers.
As a former colleague of Heather, I am also proud to call her a friend. So I know the hours she spent each day, creating this special event that she was proud to allow others to call their own. An event of this size would normally require a large team to create and organise. And most people assume that there IS a team of people working on it. But it was Heather, setting aside hours every day to create. And whilst this year she is finally sharing some of the workload with the help of some brilliant volunteers who share her vision and passion, she deserves to be recognised for creating an event that grows in recognition and popularity every year.
Not content with this she also created ‘Journey to Cambodia’, an event that again centred on people supporting each other. One that saw Managing Directors join forces with people at all levels of the industry – from train drivers to roster clerks to passengers – over 40 people joined together for a walking challenge that raised a further £10,000!
Not content with merely creating an event that is now recognised across the industry, Heather also does so much volunteering in many other roles, from teaching in Cambodia, to playing the saxophone to local groups. Heather is deserving of recognition by the RailStaff Awards.
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Iain Perry, Stuart Young, Simon Cooper, Andrew Driscoll, Nick Turpin, Mainline Terminals Run
Company Name
GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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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Jake, Wallis
Company Name
GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I am honoured to nominate Jake Wallis for this award. Their unwavering commitment to serving our community and making a positive impact is truly inspiring.
Jake has dedicated countless hours to charity work, where they have played a pivotal role. Their efforts have not only provided essential resources to those in need but have also fostered a sense of hope and community among the individuals they serve.
One of the most remarkable contributions of Jake is most recently he organised a relay cycle race from Eastbourne to Brighton via Seaford, visiting every station on that line. Through this initiative, he raised close to £1000.00 for the charity Mind. As well as this project, he has addressed immediate needs but also created lasting change by participation in education engagement events at schools and partner agencies. And on one occasion spent two hours of his own time helping a vulnerable male at a station who had been stranded over night leading Jake to give the man some of his clothes in order to stay warm throughout the night.
In addition to their hands-on work, Jake has demonstrated exceptional leadership and passion in this area. He actively engages volunteers, inspires others to get involved, and advocates for support with mental health. Jakes ability to rally support and create awareness has significantly increased the reach and effectiveness of our organization.
Beyond their professional achievements, Jake embodies the spirit of compassion and empathy. He treats everyone with dignity and respect, ensuring that those who are vulnerable feel valued and heard.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions and the profound impact Jake has made in our community, I wholeheartedly recommend him for this award. His dedication and selflessness serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring all of us to contribute positively to society.
Thank you for considering this nomination
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Kev Adlam, Mark Bridel BEM, Jerry Dickinson, Martin House Charter Team
Company Name
Network Rail and GB Railfreight
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Kev, Mark and Jerry have planned and delivered charity rail tours which in total have raised over £1.3 million for some incredible causes. The charters include fundraising for Martin House Children’s Hospice in York have travelled 7164 miles across Britain. Using their extensive network to make this possible the team have sourced 72 different locomotives from eight different rail companies. Charlotte, who worked for Jerry in the Network Rail Control at York, tragically lost her son aged 11, who had received care at Martin House Hospice all his life. After her son passed, After the funeral, Jerry thought his contacts with Kev set about running charter to fundraise money for the hospice , but also in Lucas memory, which had given 11 years of care to her son. Kev, Mark and Jerry have built a team of personnel from GB Railfreight, DB Cargo and Network Rail and together they successfully delivered the first Martin House Charter in 2019. They have raised over £ 300,000 over the past five years, enough to provide one year of bereavement services, support groups, and 300 home visits for the children's hospice. For every charter that they are involved with, they ensure that the team of stewards are briefed clearly on their safety duties onboard what are often heritage locomotives and coaches, which bring their own unique challenges. They also make sure that accessibility is at the heart of their services, so the stewarding team are always on hand to look after mobility-impaired passengers, so that they are able to be on board enjoying their hobby and passion. The team's enthusiasm, care for others, meticulous planning, and ability to negotiate and bring together hundreds of people across the rail sector has driven so many successful charity charters and tours for local and national charities for over ten years. Thanks to the three of them, they are running more charity rail charters than ever before and will continue to raise thousands of pounds for charities, bringing the industry together under the mantra of "one industry working together to make a difference
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Leah, Cable
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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’ Northern 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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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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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I would like to nominate Michael for the Charity Award because Michael has been organising his Easter egg collection for the local hospital children's ward since 2020, every year the totals have increased. In total, the collection has collected over 1300 Easter eggs and he also organises a raffle in which the money collected he buys activity kits for the children. In 2022, he started to organise a collection for local food banks at Christmas the first year food donated was split between 2 food banks. In 2023, the food was split between 3 foodbanks, in total over 3100 meals were donated. Michael mostly organises the collections in his own time and is totally committed to the causes. I would like Michael to be recognised for all his hard work because he deserves the recognition.
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RBF Befriending Team, RBF Befriending Team
Company Name
Railway Benefit Fund
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Our dedicated volunteers are all current rail employees from various train operating companies and rail suppliers, and are at the heart of Railway Benefit Fund. They make it possible for us to deliver vital support to the retired rail community. We would like to nominate our team of telephone befrienders who allow us to offer a Check in and Chat service where they provide a lifeline to retired rail workers through a weekly call. So far, these amazing people have made over 200 calls to help our retired community feel included and let them know that they are still an important part of the railway family. This means that together they have spent 9000 minutes sharing the joy of a good conversation and offering a friendly voice. We are incredibly grateful for their selfless dedication and commitment to improving the lives of others. We want to recognise and celebrate their contributions to Railway Benefit Fund.
A number of these superstars also volunteer at events selling raffle tickets and taking donations, they help to run our retired community events and even compete in sporting events to help raise much needed funds. They all go above and beyond, cheerfully giving their time to improve the lives of others and we want to shout about them and their contribution!
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Sarah, Livingstone
Company Name
Heathrow Express
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Sarah is one of those people who naturally embodies kindness and selflessness. She’s always putting others first and genuinely making a difference in people’s lives.
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.
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Sheree, Whetren
Company Name
SWR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I would like to nominate Simone Carter, the Area Station Manager at Stourbridge Junction Railway Station, for the Charity Hero category in the RailStaff 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, CRSA
Company Name
Central Rail Systems Alliance
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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.
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. They have actively supported various events throughout the region, fostering community engagement.
Their efforts include organising awareness campaigns, workshops, and training sessions on defibrillator usage. Their advocacy efforts have helped save lives by promoting early detection with the charity CRY in the local university, identifying potential risks and promoting awareness, they contributed significantly to preventing sudden cardiac deaths.
Around 500 people in the UK tragically die from SADS each year which empathises the importance of raising awareness of this silent killer disease.
Under Steve’s leadership, with the invaluable support of Sheree Whetren 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, schools and community groups.
• Spearheaded the huge defibrillator rollout initiative across SWR stations, ensuring all 154 staffed stations are equipped. Since the roll out 8 units have been used, potentially saving lives.
• Supported this initiative to non-staffed stations this year, significantly enhancing community safety.
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 over 800 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.
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.
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.
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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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 RailStaff 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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Asim, Riaz
Company Name
Amulet
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Asim has worked for Amulet on the Chiltern Line at High Wycombe Station. In those 4 years he has delivered exceptional customer service. Asim is a steadfast member of the team at High Wycombe, as an example he has had over 15 nominations from customers and staff for going above and beyond for them. From the mundane of getting baggage across to the correct platform to getting an inebriated individual home in a taxi and letting his parents know that he was safe to the outstanding act of talking to an individual who was having a crisis and wanting end there life. On that occasion he patiently talked to the individual and listened to them and got them back from the edge of the platform. He then carried on listening whilst alerting BTP that he needed help. The individual was then safely taken into the care of BTP and the Ambulance service. On numerous occasions Asim has lived and breathed what good looks like from a customer service prospective, he is an outstanding individual Customer Service Security Officer for Amulet and Chiltern alike.
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Birmingham New Street Station, Assisted Travel Team
Company Name
Network Rail
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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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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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Charles, Dickson
Company Name
SOUTHERN GTR
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EXCELLENT CUSTOMET SERVICE.
LOVED BU THE COMMUNITY
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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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Donna Moore, Nic Poynter
Company Name
GTR - Thameslink & Great Northern
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The team within the Lost Property Office deal with all lost and found items from around the Thameslink and Great Northern network.
The office is located at City Thameslink where the team have a successful record of reuniting lost items with their owners. This can be a painstaking process however, they understand how important this is as some items, no matter how small, may hold significant importance for a customer. Last year alone they reunited nearly 4,500 items with customers (approximately 37%) from a total of just over 12000 items received which is incredible.
When lost property comes in they look through any enquiries which match the description of anything they have received. If there are no matches they will look for any other identification that could link the item to an owner. This takes an extraordinary amount of time however, they pride themselves on doing the very best they can to help our customers.
Sadly, there are many items which the team are unable to reunite. This could be because there are no customers who have registered they have lost something or that the team can’t establish any links to who it might belong to. After a period of time, the team then arrange for many of these items to go to charities where they can made use of such as coats for the homeless or instruments for musical charities.
The amount of work that this team put into processing and managing Lost Property is second to none. The team work tirelessly, no matter how difficult and busy the office gets. They always maintain a truly professional service with a smile for their customers. Whether they are dealing with enquiries or reuniting items with their owners, they are truly unsung heroes.
If you have ever lost something important and someone has found it for you, you will appreciate the value this team add for their customers by approaching their work the way they do.
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Duty Customer Service Leader (DCSL) Team, .
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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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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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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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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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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Kayleigh, Holt
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I would like to nominate Kayleigh for the Customer Service Award because she truly stands out as a leader who cares about both our customers and our team. As a team leader, Kayleigh consistently prioritizes customer needs, delivering exceptional service that sets a high standard for our contact centre. Her proactive approach enables her to address issues effectively and efficiently, always exceeding expectations.
What makes Kayleigh special is her warm and approachable nature. She creates a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable. She loves to share her knowledge and helps mentor others, which really lifts our whole team. Plus, her efforts in organizing team bonding events bring us closer together and make work so much more enjoyable. Kayleigh's dedication to her work, our customers and her team makes her truly deserving of this award.
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Landsheriffs ASB Team, .
Company Name
Landsheriffs
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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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Lauren, Gillman
Company Name
Swr
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Lauren has a wonderful gift of recognising any type of vulnerable person and helping them straightaway. In the last month alone she has dealt with young people being attacked by a gang of youths , she got them out of danger and into a place of safety. Next was a vulnerable young man with disabilities lost from his family on a day out. Lauren spent a considerable amount of time and patience putting him at ease and gently trying to get any details of the young man. There was an elderly man with dementia missing from home . We got asked to take him off the train and straightaway Lauren was chatting away to him trying to find common ground to connect with him. Lauren spoke to his wife and determined a way of getting him home and keeping him safe. Lauren then spotted two children reported as missing for nearly a week . She dealt with BTP and Hampshire police who then met them at the next station and got them back home again. She assesses the situation and then takes them all under her wing showing compassion and kindness . She remains calm the whole time putting them at ease and gently getting information out of them without them even realising. Lauren contacts the relevant people who can then carry on supporting and protecting the customers involved. All of this she does quietly and with no fuss and remains calm and collected even when some situations change without warning. I am privileged to work alongside her.
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Lee, Scott
Company Name
GTR
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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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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
Carlisle Support Services
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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SWR, Customer Contact Centre Team
Company Name
SWR
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I am proud to nominate the Customer Contact Centre Team which consists of our Video Contact Centre in Basingstoke and our Customer Service Centre in Southampton for the category of Customer Service Team Award, recognising their unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional customer service in the face of adversity. Over the past year, this team has navigated numerous challenges, including fluctuating demand, staffing shortages and operational disruption, all while maintaining a sharp focus on the customer needs and satisfaction.
Despite these ever-changing conditions, the Customer Contact Centre team has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Their ability to quickly implement new processes and technology to meet customer demands has been commendable. They have seamlessly transitioned and embraced technological advances where necessary ensuring that service quality remained high, regardless of external circumstances.
What truly sets this team apart is their commitment to prioritising the customer experience. Each team member has embraced a customer-first mindset, going above and beyond to assist passengers before, during and after their journeys. Their compassionate and proactive approach has transformed challenging situations into positive experiences, whether by providing timely information, resolving issues swiftly, or offering support to customers navigating difficult circumstances.
Furthermore, the team continuously seeks feedback and takes the initiative to improve their services based on customer insights. This dedication to listening and evolving demonstrates their understanding that exceptional service is not just about answering queries but genuinely connecting with customers.
In summary, the Customer Contact Centre team exemplifies the core values of customer service excellence and resilience in our rail industry. Their commitment to putting customers first, adapting to rapid changes, and providing unparalleled support makes them an outstanding candidate for this award.
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SWR, Video Contact Centre
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I am honoured to nominate the Passenger Assistance Team within the South Western Railway Video Contact Centre for the category of Customer Service Team. The Passenger Assistance Team operates as the vital link between customers and the railway, showcasing remarkable compassion and professionalism. The team are committed to delivering outstanding service to every passenger. Their ability to quickly respond to inquiries and provide solutions fosters a sense of security for customers that require assistance and instils confidence, ensuring they feel supported in what can be challenging times.
The team embodies the spirit of inclusivity in the rail industry. Their specialised training and awareness of diverse needs of passengers with disabilities demonstrates their commitment to making rail travel accessible for everyone.
The team works seamlessly with colleagues across the network fostering an environment of collaboration that is crucial for addressing passengers' needs promptly. Their communication skills ensure that every passenger receives the best possible care from initial contact to completion of their journey. In times of disruption or short notice changes to the timetable, the team proactively contact every customer who has booked Passenger Assistance on our services who may be affected to ensure their journey is not something they they need to be concerned about whilst already navigating the challenges that are associated with a disability. The team do this by being informative and where appropriate providing alternative routes and methods of transport to get them to their destination.
Recognising their efforts to deliver for customers who experience disability challenges, not only honours their hard work, but will also inspire others within the industry to strive for similar excellence
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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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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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I would like to Nominate Stansted Airport Ticket Office Staff. I am Ticket Office Supervisor and I joined the Team 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 day full of enjoyment. Unfortunetly 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 totaly gave up to fight. I had two stay strong for myself and for him. Managers offered to take days off but I refused because workplace it was the only place I could still live 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 will be ok.
My husband had removed kidney and he is fully rocevered. I couldn't dream for better Team. Everybody who has problems in our team get support. We all have different characters by for being understanding it make us the Perfect Team.
Is nice to work in workplace and you feel your problem osntheir 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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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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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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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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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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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.
Sponsored by:
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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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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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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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 Consulting
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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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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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REACH and Cultural Fusion teams, Network Rail and GWR
Company Name
Glypha LT Std Black
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I’m nominating the REACH and Cultural Fusion teams in Network Rail and GWR for the Working in Alliance award for running the carnival train last summer. The REACH team had been looking for an event that they could deliver that would promote the diversity within GWR and connect us with the local communities that use our services. We are passionate about increasing diversity in GWR and working across the industry to find the best ways of doing this. Having already worked with the Wales & Western Cultural Fusion team on smaller projects, we asked them to join in and work together to deliver this great community event in alliance with each other. Having not seen this type of event occur before, it was seen as a great way to engage our communities and show them we are an inclusive workplace to work in and can be an employer of the future. We thought it would be a great opportunity to invite communities that don't normally travel by train or didn't consider the train a travel option. As we grow more leaders within
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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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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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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.
Sponsored by:
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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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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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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Haydn, Price
Company Name
Amey Consulting
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I believe Haydn should be recognised for Graduate of the Year as his contribution to the delivery of design projects and the leadership he has shown to support the consulting business to manage whole life carbon on rail projects.
Haydn has demonstrated he has a broad and substantial civil engineering design skillset, enabling him to act as Lead Designer for a minor Station upgrade project, receiving many commendations from lead engineers, the project management team, the Contractor and the Client's representative with regard to the positive impact he has had on the project. Haydn deserves particular mentions regarding his management of the outline design surveys and site investigation work, as well as the leadership he has shown to promote the management of carbon for all disciplines, resulting in the first carbon baseline, identification of hotspots and implementation of carbon reduction measures for a Station design on TRU.
Haydn's expertise at carbon management transcends Station design as he performed a leading role in 2023 to support the Amey Consulting business achieve PAS 2080 accreditation. Haydn carried out two whole life carbon assessments for a depot project at GRIP 4 taking into account all disciplines to form a baseline, and to highlight carbon hotspots for the focus of carbon reduction. These hotspots along with my recommendations formed the bases of carbon reduction strategy. Throughout the project’s life he assisted with key design and construction decisions aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a focus on the carbon management hierarchy in line with PAS 2080:2023; avoid, switch and improve. He logged these carbon design decisions and quantified their respective carbon savings. Once the GRIP 5 design was completed, he produced a final whole life carbon assessment which saw a carbon reduction of 26%, roughly 950,000 kgCo2e. Haydn has a bright future as an Engineer, clearly delivering highly complex works and taking on roles of significant responsibility at a young age.
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Helen, Marriner
Company Name
WSP
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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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Ifan has a pure can-do attitude - he is willing to push on with absolutely anything, is assertive, confident and will help anyone. 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 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 ensuring that engagement with a local primary school was delivered and closed out. Another key focus in preparation for the delivery of this event was the 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 on 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 identified the key stakeholders and audience very quickly and ensured that everything in place for crowd management would suit the visitors, especially those unfamiliar with the station and town. He also understood that bilingualism would be a key part of customer service and he tirelessly worked at both the event and at the station, sometimes as late as midnight to ensure everyone got home safe. 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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Jack, Hopkins
Company Name
AtkinsRealis
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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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Lewis, Cheadle
Company Name
Alstom
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Will, Fenton
Company Name
AECOM
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Since joining AECOM as a graduate engineer in 2022 (and during his industrial placement with AECOM from September 2019 until summer 2020), Will has shown determination and drive, not only in the work he has been involved in, but also towards the betterment of the team. Alongside his day job, he has taken on a role as part of the team safety forum and has been involved in the ‘Shadow Board’ (a group of senior and junior leaders that meets regularly to identify solutions to key challenges faced by the business and review areas for continual improvement).
For someone who only has a few years’ experience, Will is performing at a very high level, he is lead designer for multiple work packages on the Old Oak Common Rail Systems (OOC RS) project as part of High Speed 2 (HS2), working independently on these, including leading the cable management system design; this has been challenging and complex and, having picked this up from scratch, Will has now handed this onto another engineer so that he can pick up ever more challenging work.
An example of Will picking up ever more challenging work has been the design that he recently undertook for 22 No. Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) structure pile foundations; these OLE pile foundations have been critical to the delivery of the OOC RS construction works.
Will has prepared several design submissions, prepared calculations and made sure the foundation design was coordinated and integrated with a future HS2 bored tunnel, OLE, track and signalling. Whilst undertaking these duties, Will was also mentoring junior members of staff on other aspects of the works. In particular, Will has mentored other engineers from AECOM’s Bristol office who are from a more structures background rather than civils background.
Due to Will’s hard work and determination, his work packages have been delivered and constructed as per the programme. Will continues to be a key member of the Swindon civil engineering team.
Paul Hackett (Interface Manager on OOC RS) said this about Will…..’’Will is a pleasure to work with. He has an attention to detail and understands the importance of multi-disciplinary co-ordination through effective communication and collaborative working. I was particularly impressed with how Will recently presented at a key stakeholder workshop involving HS2 and 3rd parties. He delivered his presentation confidently and, unless he had introduced himself as a Graduate Engineer, no one would have known’’.
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William, Morgan
Company Name
Amey Consulting
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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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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.
Bianca, Molloy
Company Name
TES 2000 Ltd
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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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BTTC's Health and Wellbeing team, .
Company Name
BTTC
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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. 1 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. 2 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. 2 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. 3 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 listening to and acting on our peoples’ feedback, the team has built an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. 3 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 4 To prevent overwork and burnout, the team created a policy to ensure BTTC monitors all submitted timesheets and reviews any instances of employees working over 40 hours a week. Management then implements one of two outcomes: adjusting the employee’s workload or offering time off in lieu. This approach enables staff to respond to short-term peaks for clients and balances it with additional time-off during less intense periods. 5 The team has also amended our 1-2-1 meeting template to prioritise wellbeing conversations. These meetings now include specific questions focused on workload, fatigue, and burnout which assists in creating a safe and open environment for employees to discuss these issues with their leads. Additionally, they require all line managers to complete ‘mental health wellbeing at work’ training, which equips them to conduct effective one-to-ones with their direct reports. Weekly meetings address issues such as remote working, changing priorities, and resilience. 6 The team have facilitated private healthcare for all staff which includes industry-leading mental health provisions and access to Thrive,
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Capacity Planning Health and Wellbeing Group, .
Company Name
Network Rail
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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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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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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 RSA for his ongoing commitment, for bringing health and well-being to the forefront of the industry and for being a constant source of support
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Paula, Waight
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I am a 57 year old Serotonin filled Being. All of my life I’ve been the life and soul of the workplace, my friends and my family. I have been the privileged recipient of a National Rail Award in 2019 after only being in the rail industry for two years and have won many accolades, borne I would say, out of my happy nature. Sadly the past year I have been a victim of workplace bullying and harassment. It caused me to have a nervous breakdown where I’ve now found myself, sadly, on a pathway I never ever envisioned including medication. Due to my extensive circle of family and friends I have been given love and support. The workplace however has been horrific and being off with stress and anxiety has caused me horrendous upset. But I have found, in my place of misery, a beacon of light in my Occupational Health department that is Paula Waight, the OH Nurse. She has supported me throughout this absolutely life changing episode. Paula has been a constant. She has listened, advised, understood and protected me. She has been a safe haven in an otherwise place where I have felt vulnerable and exposed. I have never received such amazing care and her empathy and kindness has restored my faith in human nature. I believe Paula, on discussing her with other colleagues, performs her role in this amazing manner extending her professionalism to everyone she comes into contact with and treats. Through her I have found the strength and courage to continue and am now, hopefully, on the road to recovery. I sincerely believe at this crucial time where mental wellbeing awareness is paramount, not only in the younger generation but also us oldies, to find such strength and bravery, because for her to stand by my side in a huge organisation, she is a brave wonderful person, truly inspiring. Bullying in the workplace, is a rarely called out wrongdoing and something I still cannot believe I, the strong, ex Fraud Investigator and London Cab Driver have been a victim of. Yet one, unknown lady within that organisation has, through her tireless support knowing how vulnerable I have been has guided me through, enabling me to access counselling and advising me, and providing me with the one area of the organisation where I feel protected and safe. I am so deeply grateful and above all, fortunate, that Paula was there and has been a life saver. If more workplaces had a Paula, less people would be pushed out, would stand up to this heinous act and in time, bullying in the workplace would no longer exist! No one I have come across during my lifetime in the workplace deserves to be recognised more than Paula Waight, thank you for reading and I sincerely hope you find the strength to award this lovely Lady the accolade she deserves. Tarnia XX
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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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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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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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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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GTR Apprenticeship Team, .
Company Name
GTR
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I would like to nominate the Apprenticeship Team within GTR for their outstanding contributions to workforce development. The team manages 16 diverse apprenticeship programs, ranging from Passenger Transport Operatives at Level 2 to Train Drivers at Level 3 and leadership and management skills at Levels 3 to 7.
As of April 2023, 4.6% of the organisation has embarked on an apprenticeship, with 457 learners currently supported, representing 6.2% of the workforce. The team plays a crucial role in preparing these learners for their End Point Assessments (EPAs), with over 216 successfully completing their apprenticeships—many achieving Distinction grades.
Furthermore, the team facilitates career progression within GTR, empowering learners to advance to higher-level programs that foster professional growth in the rail industry. Their dedication not only enhances individual careers but also strengthens the organisation as a whole.
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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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Kenny, Burton
Company Name
Matchtech Group UK Ltd
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Kenny is someone who is trying to not just deliver a world class recruitment service to the rail industry, he is also trying to enact positive change also.
At Matchtech, Kenny oversees 30 specialist recruiters across all verticals of the industry, and is at the forefront of tackling the next generation of talent as well being as being heavily involved with ED&I and Safety.
Kenny is an ambassador for Woman in Rail and a strong supporter of Young Railway Professionals and is working with them to deliver workshops across the UK to support there causes. He has also started a new Skills Programme to address UK wide skill shortages, with Young Railway Professionals, Woman in Rail, City & Guilds and various UK Rail Engineering contractors involved with the launch coming in January 25.
In addition to this, Kenny is also a member of the RISQS Consultation Group, which is set up to meet and discuss proposed changes, as well as forward any suggestions which can enact positive change to the industry.
Finally, he is a great leader. Always positive, tackles challenges head on, and is always available as person particularly in his role as a mental health first aider.
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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, Rebecca Hendrickx
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Louise Livesay and Rebecca Hendrickx have made a transformative impact on the way HR cases are managed within the station environment. Through their determination and tenacity, they have worked closely with teams to significantly improve wellness in the stations, ensuring complex HR cases are handled with the utmost care and precision.
Both Rebecca and 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. Their 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 them apart is their unwavering commitment to doing what is right for individuals going through any HR process. Their focus on the well-being of staff, combined with a structured approach, has had a lasting positive impact. The genuine care that both bring to each case makes a profound difference and their 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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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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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.
Advanced Hydrogen Technologies Group (AHT) & K2C Rail, Partnership
Company Name
Advanced Hydrogen Terchnologies and K2C Rail
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Cleantech pioneers Advanced Hydrogen Technologies (AHT) Group have partnered with K2C Rail, and together are bringing groundbreaking engine carbon clean and capture technology to the rail industry, aiming to make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions and driving sustainable transformation.
An immediate solution to reduce carbon emissions and costs for every vehicle, piece of plant and locomotive, driven by a combustion engine.
It’s a highly efficient system generator that removes carbon build-up in any internal combustion engines - generating and injecting controlled amounts of hydrogen and oxygen to burn off residual carbon deposits, while also reducing harmful emissions and particulates.
Hydrogen is extracted from plain tap water using electrolysis and the pure medical grade gas cleans the engine of carbon build up that restricts the airways.
The exhaust gases pass through the capture component and all heavy particulates are seamlessly extracted and collected – to complete the engine cleaning process. This restores the engine back to optimum operating efficiency, simultaneously cutting carbon emissions, while it also works within enclosed or limited ventilation spaces.
It only targets carbon build-up – so streamlined commercial railway vehicles benefit from a cost-cutting and environmental perspective and without removing any parts or using harsh chemicals.
Initial testing on a Harry Needles Railroad Company Class 08 locomotive, carried out at the world-class Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre generated impressive results. Overall exhaust gas emissions were reduced by 22% and heavy particulates by 20%, while diesel efficiency savings of 8% were achieved too.
This was followed by an even more impressive four-month independent trial on a 40-tonne articulated lorry at the UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, one of the largest vehicle testing centres in Europe. Exhaust gas emissions and particulate matter collectively averaged out at a 49% reduction following the AHT process. With an average fuel efficiency saving of 7.5%, in this instance £8,000 per annum.
This is leading edge technology that significantly reduces carbon footprint and fuel costs, while helping businesses meet their Net Zero targets, plus the figures get even better over time and with regular cleaning.
We are currently working together with contractors, plant companies, and freight operators to optimise performance and cost benefits.
Engine Carbon Clean & Capture offers an immediate solution – also restoring engine efficiency and power, lowering maintenance costs, extending the lifespan of assets and fully aligning with the new ESG compliance requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standards mandate.
For locomotives it is completely modular and can be fitted to any size or type and will soon be mainline certified – now with proven independent data for a tangible green hydrogen business investment case on upgrading and improving ageing rail stock.
What’s more, this will also transform the approach to Scope 1 emissions for rail company transportation and distribution fleets - motor vehicles, all types of heavy plant and machinery, including Road Rail Vehicles, On-Track Machines, On-Track Plant – and put adopters of the technology at the forefront of sustainability performance.
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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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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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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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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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Chris, Brown
Company Name
GWR
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"• [Nominees] are employed in GWR’s [redacted] where their substantive role is the testing, repairing and maintenance of electrical/electronic equipment both from rolling stock and its supporting test equipment.
• They deserve to be recognised for the work they do over and above this, where their innovative approach has transformed the way in which [redacted] maintains rolling stock.
• They have found new ways of working, bringing improvements that ultimately benefit all of GWR and the communities we serve. By improving processes and providing bespoke equipment, their fresh ideas have reduced costs and improved rolling stock performance, availability and reliability whilst making it easier for colleagues to carry out maintenance and fault-finding tasks.
• They have designed and built a variety of bespoke equipment that allows the automatic operation and monitoring of systems, freeing the user to carry out other tasks simultaneously. They have provided the user with visual representations of a system in operation, making it much easier for colleagues to assess and understand the performance of a system and identify any problems.
• They have simplified tasks and reduced the time needed to carry out the work by introducing multifunctional ‘all in one’ test boxes that allow colleagues to ‘plug in’ and capture all the required readings in one go, rather than having to disconnect multiple wires.
• They continue to identify areas that can be improved and collaborate with colleagues to develop and progress their ideas from inception to delivery. Their innovative approach to problem solving has repeatedly brought great results with notable improvements to the maintenance regime.
"• Colleagues have benefitted from the innovative solutions provided by [nominees] in several ways. The colleague experience has been improved by simplifying tasks, reducing the time needed to perform the tasks and by improving test results. By removing/reducing technical obstacles, colleagues can be more productive. With better test equipment, faults that might otherwise be difficult to identify can be found, allowing for further investigation and repair.
• Colleagues would get frustrated when required work could not be carried out due to certain vehicles being removed from the set when on depot. This was remedied by [nominees] building ‘simulated vehicle’ test boxes, thus allowing colleagues to carry out their work.
• [The nominees] continue to identify, address and overcome age old challenges to maintenance by identifying where modern technology and updated techniques can improve the colleague experience, and GWR as a whole.
• Customers and GWR are benefitting from improved reliability, availability and performance due to quicker and more thorough fault finding and repair. ‘No fault found at location’ has always been frustrating for the nominee's directorate - the innovation and improved testing regimes from [nominees] have gone a long way towards ensuring reported faults can be thoroughly investigated and made good before releasing vehicles back into traffic.
• Outside of this directorate, within GWR their work goes unnoticed. Recognising their ongoing invaluable contribution to the company is one of the main reasons for this nomination.
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David, Bartholomew
Company Name
Heathrow Express
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David has played a pivotal role in transforming the travel experience at Heathrow Express with the introduction of touchscreen totems—the first of their kind to be live on a platform. His innovative approach directly addressed a gap in how corporate travellers receive real-time information, replacing outdated static signage with dynamic, interactive totems that provide updates and reduce uncertainty for passengers.
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.
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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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Finance, Systems Team
Company Name
South Western Railway (SWR)
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The Finance Systems team was formed following a restructuring of the finance function, highlighting the need for an in-house systems team well-versed in SWR processes. Their primary 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 improving finance system interfaces.
This team was tasked with quickly taking ownership of financial systems, acting as the primary contact for troubleshooting, implementing revisions, and creating a roadmap for optimizing SWR's diverse solutions. Led by Gnanalingam Kandeepan (Deepan) and supported by Gertrude Torto (Trudy), they have achieved significant milestones in a short time.
The team successfully cleaned up, revised, and updated Purchase Requisition Workflows and Approval Limits for requisitions initiated in SAP Neptune, ensuring compliance with the FirstGroup Delegation of Authority Policy and the Delegation of Authority Matrix (DOAM). By aligning approval workflows with the DOA matrix and adding extra levels for greater visibility and accountability, SWR has strengthened its financial controls, empowered the business and facilitated effective budget management. This initiative has resulted in a more streamlined, efficient, and compliant procurement process.
Additionally, the team played a crucial role in enhancing the Process Director's (PO-PI auto match solution) key KPIs, improving their frequency and reducing the effort required by automating the process using SQL. This automation has significantly decreased the number of invoices pending processing by the Accounts Payable team and provided additional metrics to address processing issues related to purchase orders.
They also provided substantial support in cleansing and validating migrated data during the group-wide implementation of the SAP S/4HANA ERP system. The team has taken the lead in automating various financial processes, including:
- Duplicate invoice checks
- Duplicate payment checks
- Publication of SWR travel reports
In a remarkably short time, the team has made impressive progress in process improvement and automation, and they deserve recognition for their achievements.
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FREIGHTLINER ETCS First In Class (FIC) FITMENT Team, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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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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Gareth, Parry
Company Name
Network Rail
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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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Jack, Eagling
Company Name
GB Railfreight
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Jack Eagling joined GB Railfreight in September 2014, having begun his career at RWA Rail (now part of Tracsis) and having other roles at First Capital Connect. He initially joined the business as a Business Implementation Manager and has grown his career through our Business Implementation, Planning and Timetabling teams. In 2022 became Head of Integrated Business Planning before assuming his current role as Head of Fleet Planning earlier this year.
Jack has been responsible for devising and implementing a dynamic asset management programme within GBRf – know as Integrated Business Planning (IBP) has created a totally revitalised locomotive and rolling stock management system that allows the business to implement long term planning process to manage its assets against market demand.
The implementation of the IBP has balanced the needs for GBRf to be a lean, agile and cost-effective business with the challenging and ever-evolving demands of dynamic rail freight business and its customers. The principles of the IBP align with the principles of sales and operations planning (S&OP) to align demand and supply, and the associated financial implications, to drive aligned master planning and executive strategic direction.
The IPB process has involved creating a four week cycle, where the leads on each of business commodity look forward 24 months to analyse market trends and future demands. It allows the business Director to effectively understand the future requirements for rolling stock, human resource and physical locations to ensure that the business is best positioned to continue its growth.
Jack advocated for and was instrumental in GB Railfreight’s push to connect the north end sidings at our Peterborough campus with the East Coast Main Line. The project delivered in partnership with Network Rail and railway contractors KGJ Price. Several new points have been installed, slewing the existing track to create five intermodal length sidings accessible from both north and south, as well as additional capacity for spare wagons. The new sidings will be vital in unlocking the full potential of the site, where GBRf recently opened a c.£5.75m maintenance facility, and will double the capacity of the yard.
As Jack has become more senior in the business he is always willing to share his experience and expertise with colleagues. A former team member in our planning team says of Jack; “I first met Jack in my interview for GB and I have been lucky enough to sit opposite him since working here. Jack is a very approachable person, he always makes time for people and even though he is no longer directly involved in my job he is always happy to share his knowledge with me and has often sat with me when I am stuck on a particular task and come up with some great ideas of how to get the task completed. On a personal level, he is a genuinely nice guy. We have had many conversations which aren’t work related, where we can really relate to each other’s situations and it’s always insightful sharing those experiences and opinions."
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Kerry, Phillipson
Company Name
Arriva UK Trains
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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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LNER Innovation Team, LNER Innovation Team
Company Name
LNER (London North Eastern Railway)
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The UK deer population has doubled in some areas in just over 20 years, accelerating further during Covid. Deer often graze near the railway, attempting to cross in search of food and when mating. This has led to a rise in deer strikes in recent years. If a train hits a deer, as well as the loss of British wildlife, the damage, impact, and aftermath on the rail network can be extensive and far reaching.
The Innovation team takes a ‘test and learn’ approach to trialing new solutions, collaborating across LNER and the wider industry, to run small-scale proof of concepts without investing too much resource to obtain results quickly. The solution can be scaled up if successful. If not, the team’s ‘fail fast, fail forward’ mentality allows it to take learnings forward.
To solve the deer challenge, the team collaborated with East Coast Partnership colleagues at LNER and Network Rail, and Innovation Factory to develop a rail-first solution - the Automated Deer Deterrent System (ADDS).
ADDS harnesses the latest technological developments, built to bespoke specifications for this project and uses AI contextual analysis and vision analytics. The team trained the software to identify deer, over other animals, detect when they are approaching the track, and use audible alarms and lights, unfavorable to a deer’s ears, to safely deter them away.
Deer behaviour was observed in an identified area using drones to determine the best location for the equipment. This was agreed as a one mile stretch of line south of Grantham, which had high rates of deer incursion. The area is used by several operators, with a train passing at line speed approximately every five minutes. The ADDS was installed by LNER’s Innovation Team and Network Rail engineers in May 2023, comprising of 127 Camera sensors, 90 Audible alarms + ultrasonic + Flashing lights (Red & White), 10 WIFI routers, 10 Router receivers/10 Portable power stations.
In summary, by taking an innovative, test and learn approach to the longstanding challenge of deer trying to cross the railway line, this collaborative initiative proved quickly that this first to rail solution saved time, money, damage to assets, shock and upset of individuals involved, addressed customer pain points with associated delays, and not to forget…deer!
Since the ADDS kit was installed in May 2023 and a second in February 2024 the results speak for themselves:
Prior to the installation of the kits, around 60 deer were hit by trains every year.
In 10 months, on average, 50 deer per week were recorded as being deterred from accessing the railway. Over the trial period, this has surpassed 6000 deterrent events to date.
The potential proved by the trial is huge – discussions have been centered around other hotspots for deer, but also what other use cases it could be applied to – for example trespass and cable theft, or other animals, with many other train operators interested. The LNER Innovation Team hopes learnings and successes from this trial can benefit the whole industry.
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Mike, Kendall-Selwyn
Company Name
Network Rail
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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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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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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
GTR
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Apart from being an amazing manager, Phil has tirelessly spent the last 2 years fighting tooth and nail to make E-ticket scanning data available for OBS and conductor managers. This has in turn, increased the number of clips, and reduced the number of refunds applied, exponentially. This has saved the company tens of thousands of pounds. Phil has also helped to develop the fare evasion app, allowing staff to quickly and easily report fare evaders, whilst providing valuable data for revenue teams and BTP to target the highest offending areas.
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Raymond, Sturton
Company Name
Hitachi Rail
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Installing the latest generation of digital signalling technology to a steam locomotive and fifty-year-old diesels to preserve the running of heritage rail presents a unique set of challenges that requires an innovative approach that transcends the norm.
Step forward Ray Sturton who has emerged as the engineering cornerstone of Hitachi’s ETCS retrofit programmes, demonstrating exceptional technical expertise and a steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation.
His work sets a remarkable precedent and creates a world first in integrating cutting-edge technology with historic vehicles. Ensuring historic vehicles can continue to operate in a digital world – inspiring future engineers and proving that all locos and trains can operate with ETCS.
Ray’s in-depth understanding of the ETCS system has been crucial in ensuring the seamless integration of Hitachi’s onboard solution across diverse fleets. His broad knowledge of related rail systems (OTMRs, TPWS, DMIs) has earned him the trust of colleagues across the industry.
In a sector where technology must adapt to both historical preservation and modern safety, Ray’s collaborative approach sets him apart.
In his role as the lead engineer, interfacing between Hitachi’s product house (Germany) and UK teams, Ray has adapted Hitachi’s ETCS equipment to fit customer-requirements. He skilfully tailors solutions, whether delivering equipment in a single cabinet or breaking it down to fit multiple locations, leading his team of engineers and testers to ensure that all installation queries are addressed promptly to keep the project on-track.
As the lead ETCS tester for FiC units in the UK, Ray is currently working on the Tornado Steam-Locomotive while preparing for the Deltic's tests in late 2024.
Ray can mostly be found onboard where his passion for rail and technology truly shines alongside a hands-on approach that is invaluable in this complex area. This can be evidenced by his efforts to ensure system-compatibility between different ETCS-versions which required extensive collaboration with Network-Rail.
Ray's problem-solving capabilities were highlighted when he quickly identified and resolved a data conversion issue that impeded communication between Class43 units and the trackside systems during a test. This responsiveness exemplified his collaborative approach and dedication to the project.
In addition to his technical contributions, Ray has embraced a mentorship role, training the next generation of testers who will be essential as the migration to digital signalling gathers further momentum.
Ray is highly valued both within Hitachi and in the wider industry;
“Ray’s ability to navigate complex challenges with such expertise, while maintaining a positive and approachable demeanour, makes him an invaluable asset to our Program.”Ben Mason Network Rail Programme Delivery Manager
“Ray’s dedication to resolving problems and his expertise sees him being frequently approached to assist in issue resolution beyond his remit. He has become an invaluable member of the industry team.” Graeme Bunker A1-Trust.
“Ray’s innovative skills and exceptional competence in train signalling engineering is matched by how easy and collaborative He is to work with.” David Cregan Network Rail ECDP OBU Project-Manager
Ray’s unwavering commitment and dedication makes him an exemplary candidate for this award.
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Robert, Edgar
Company Name
GTR
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Rob has designed and made a power app that enables staff to sign out station equipment at Gatwick station. The goal of the project is to move from a paper system to a digital version. With the new system we can monitor who has taken certain items on a Share Point list that can be viewed from anywhere at anytime. This has reduced the number of missing items and our paper usage.
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Sirocco/Solano, Development team
Company Name
South Western Railway
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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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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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SWR Innovation Team, South Western Railway
Company Name
South Western Railway
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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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Telent SCADA Team, .
Company Name
Telent
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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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I am honoured to nominate the Thameslink Central Management team for the Innovation & Technology Team 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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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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TRU WEST OF LEEDS W34 RAIL SYSTEMS, OLE SUPERSTRUCTURE DESIGN TEAM
Company Name
AMEY Consulting
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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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Yuji, Isayama
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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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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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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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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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
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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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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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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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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, .
Company Name
Lumo
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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 apprenticeships
Lumo work with Train’d up to deliver the apprenticeships. Paul Daglish, Lead Learning Specialist (Rail), Train’d Up said the following:
We at Train’d Up have been working in partnership with the Teams at Lumo since the company was formed. They have dealt with L2 Passenger Transport Operatives, L3 Train Drivers and L4 Assessor Coaches. The Teams have taken the opportunity to meet, discuss and discover the best way to enhance the learner journey from initial interview, through induction to completion of the End Point Assessments. They are involved in regular meetings with ourselves to discuss the best way to support staff who need a little extra help in areas such as Maths and English.
Lumo are now seeing the benefits of career progression for learners which is a result of the dedication of the Teams involved in the apprenticeship programmes.
Lumo actively develop colleagues throughout their time with us, x10 Customer Experience Ambassadors have now become Customer Drivers. The Customer Driver Managers have done a lot of work around developing the Simulator to assist colleagues in their training and also giving colleagues the opportunity to see if they are interested in pursuing a Train Driving career.
The Customer Experience Team Managers and Customer Driver Managers are also supporting their teams through additional qualifications (coaching & Mentoring, assessor awards etc).
None of this would be possible without the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm to develop their teams.
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Daniel, Ribbits
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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I am pleased to nominate Daniel for the Learning, Development & Investing in People Award.
I first connected with Daniel via LinkedIn, where I noticed his completion of the train-the-trainer course for Samaritans managing suicidal conversations. Since then, Daniel has demonstrated proactive leadership by actively promoting the course and ensuring widespread participation. His dedication and passion have significantly raised awareness and equipped numerous individuals with essential skills to engage with vulnerable persons on the railway.
His commitment to spreading this crucial knowledge has empowered countless individuals to manage sensitive, potentially life-saving conversations, making a tangible difference in both safety and support on the railway.
In addition to this, Daniel is charismatic and highly engaging, ensuring that each participant is fully involved during the course. He is also patient and supportive, especially with those who need extra assistance.
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David, Joyce
Company Name
GTR Southern
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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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Emma, Lowe
Company Name
Network Rail
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Emma has been the center of all Network Rail Operational Operational training, learning and competence. She has been the guiding mind for the organisation, everyones 'go to' person and if anyone thinks of Ops training, competence or learning, they think 'Emma'!
She had lead a complete revision of signaller competence and training, removing old, out dated and legacy approaches. She has put in learning journeys for our operational mangers, developed graduate and apprentice programmes, set up training for our assessors, verifiers. She has created out of nothing industry leading training for our route controls who were always a forgotten area but now have a structured training course, with a 8 week Control Operations Leadership Academy for our Senior Network Delivery Managers (SNDMs). During all of this she has built and developed her team, mentored a range of people and works far too many hours each week.
A common comment from all the operational people she deals with is 'if only we could have more Emma's!'
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GTR Apprenticeship Team, GTR Apprenticeship Team
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I would like to nominate the Apprenticeship Team within GTR for their outstanding contributions to workforce development. The team manages 16 diverse apprenticeship programs, ranging from Passenger Transport Operatives at Level 2 to Train Drivers at Level 3 and leadership and management skills at Levels 3 to 7.
As of April 2023, 4.6% of the organisation has embarked on an apprenticeship, with 457 learners currently supported, representing 6.2% of the workforce. The team plays a crucial role in preparing these learners for their End Point Assessments (EPAs), with over 216 successfully completing their apprenticeships—many achieving Distinction grades.
Furthermore, the team facilitates career progression within GTR, empowering learners to advance to higher-level programs that foster professional growth in the rail industry. Their dedication not only enhances individual careers but also strengthens the organisation as a whole.
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James, Beckingham
Company Name
GTR
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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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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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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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Matt, Bonsall
Company Name
Network Rail
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Matt is one of those quiet individuals but cares for people and their development enormously. Matt has been the to go person for signaller competence and to help make a step change in Network Rails approach to signaller competence assessment. Matt has toured the country, responding to individual requests, meeting people, taking the time to go through things in detail and explain and demonstrate it in a way they people really 'get it'. When other would send an email, reference a standard or bit of guidance, Matt packs a bag and goes to see the people to really help and support them.
He has driven the approach to assessor support, verification and standardisation and is a regular attendee at many of the routes meetings on competence. Sometimes people do wonder how many Matt Bonsall's there rally are!!
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Michael, Hawksworth
Company Name
GTR
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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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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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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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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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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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Will, Evans
Company Name
TES 2000 Ltd
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Will Evans’ railway career began at 18, when his curiosity and drive quickly became evident. Starting in PWAY and advancing to Possession Management, Will consistently embraced new challenges. His hard work—whether through extra shifts, stepping out of his comfort zone, or guiding newcomers—showed his commitment to growth and excellence. His natural ability to support and mentor others did not go unnoticed, and it became clear he had the skills to excel as a trainer/assessor. Will ensures each candidate feels welcome and supported, using his experience and approachable nature to create a positive learning environment.
Will’s commitment to his delegates’ success is evident in the glowing feedback he receives. An external Training Manager remarked, “Will’s desire to help every delegate succeed shone through once again.” Another client praised him as the best trainer they have ever had, highlighting his expertise and ability to make people feel comfortable.
Just last week, Will received the following feedback “I wanted to take the time to commend one of your employees for their behaviour while dealing with an unusual situation. Will was running a PTS course for us. In the morning introductions, he did his due diligence asking delegates if anyone required any additional support or provisions to come and see him during the break. He had one of his delegates inform him that they were neurodiverse and may need extra support/time to complete tasks or tests. Will took this onboard, ensuring he knowledge checked the delegate throughout the course, helping build confidence…….. Please can you extend our gratitude to Will for his hard work, and for dealing very well with a difficult situation.”
Will’s commitment to his role extends beyond standard training. He has attended a Mental Health First Aider Course, equipping him with tools to de-escalate challenging situations. He consistently makes reasonable adjustments for delegates, allowing them to calm down and complete their written exams successfully.
Will’s holistic training approach combines secure safety-critical knowledge with strong people skills. On Skills Bootcamps for newcomers to the rail industry, Will goes out of his way to ensure delegates have the necessary safety knowledge to pass their courses. He provides his contact details on day one and is always available to support both delegates and teammates, whether they need reassurance or guidance.
One notable instance of Will’s exceptional approach involved a delegate who disclosed their neurodiversity and need for additional support. Will’s proactive and empathetic response ensured the delegate felt supported and confident throughout the course. This incident underscores Will’s dedication to inclusivity and his ability to adapt to the needs of his delegates.
Will Evans exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding trainer and assessor. His passion for development, patience, and dedication to unlocking the potential of his delegates is truly special, and his influence is already shaping the next generation of railway professionals. His journey, feedback from clients, and willingness to go above and beyond highlight his exceptional contributions to the rail industry and the people he trains.
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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.
Sponsored by:
Agbata, Anthony
Company Name
Land Sheriffs Ltd
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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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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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Whilst on duty conducting Crowd Control supervision during a busy rugby event at Seven Sisters Station, Aimee noticed a young gentleman close to the edge of the platform who appeared visibly upset and distressed. Aimee approached the man and started a conversation with him which allowed him to open up and discuss his troubles where he admitted that he wished to end his life. After some coaxing and encouragement, Aimee was able to move him away from the platform edge and towards one of the station rooms as they continued to talk as she awaited the arrival of the BTP. Arriving shortly afterwards, BTP took over the situation and moved the young gentleman away from the area to perform the necessary welfare checks. Following this situation, Aimee returned to her Event Crowd Control Supervising duties ensuring other patients were kept safe during high capacity. Even throughout 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
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Aminul, Islam
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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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-saving situations for passengers. On this occasion, a passenger became seriously ill on the platform and Aminul was the first individual on the scene. Assisting the passenger, he managed to catch the passenger who had collapsed when disembarking from the train. Aminul went above and beyond his normal duties in showing care/compassion to the customer and his colleagues. Most importantly, his immediate and timely call for assistance to colleagues while administering First Aid helped save the customer’s life as they awaited the Emergency Services to arrive and take 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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Amy, Mitchell
Company Name
Great Western Railway
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In July 2023, the colleague used vigilance and safeguarded a young passenger that was being physically and verbally abused by one of them parents on one of our stations. They managed to get a BTP officer to the location and the young passenger was taken into care after they asked for help when the colleague managed to get them in a position to help. "The colleague was working at a gateline on Thursday 20th July when they noticed a family of 3 walk into the station. The parent was shouting at the child and pulling their hair, they ripped some of the beads out of their hair and threw them into them hand. The parents went and stood behind the pillar leaving the young child crying.
For some time the child kept looking over to the gateline, so the colleague kept asking if they was ok from across the hall and they just nodded them head. The ticket office was becoming very busy, so the colleague made them way towards the child when the child girl beckoned this colleague over with them hand.
"The colleague was working at a gateline on Thursday 20th July when they noticed a family of 3 walk into the station. The parent was shouting at the child and pulling their hair, they ripped some of the beads out of their hair and threw them into them hand. The parents went and stood behind the pillar leaving the young child crying.
For some time the child kept looking over to the gateline, so the colleague kept asking if they was ok from across the hall and they just nodded them head. The ticket office was becoming very busy, so the colleague made them way towards the child when the child girl beckoned this colleague over with them hand. The colleague walked over to them and they kept looking to see if them parents were behind the pillar still, they whispered to the colleague they needed help to get away from them parents. The colleague asked if they needed the police and they said yes, but not to let them parents know as they were scared.
The colleague called the police and stayed on the child's side of the gates, slightly away from them so as it didn’t look like the child was talking to them when them parents looked at her.
The police arrived and the colleague walked the child through the gates and to the BTP office, so they was safe.
The child alleged that they had been beaten that morning and showed the police the welt marks up them legs and arms.
The colleague made sure the child was OK and left them with the BTP officer. The parents were subsequently arrested and the child taken into temporary care."
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Angela Durrant & Hayley Hall, North East TSO Team
Company Name
Northern Trains/Amulet Security
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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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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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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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Catherine, Cowan
Company Name
ScotRail
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Catherine is based at the Airdrie ScotRail Station Booking office. On 2 July 2024, Catherine was on duty when she witnessed an unknown female on the platform. Catherine’s vigilance identified that the female was in her pyjamas and appeared distressed. On approaching the female, it became more evident that she was extremely distressed and intimated that she intended to cause herself harm.
Catherine engaged with the female, remained calm and listened to the individual, and offered to help her. Eventually the female accompanied Catherine to a safe space and was given the support she required.
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Charmaine Russell, Arfath Rahman & Germel Panton, .
Company Name
GTR - Southern
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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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Craig, Fairbrother
Company Name
ScotRail
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On Sunday, 30 June, Hyndland station colleague Craig Fairbrother was presented with an unknown male who was sitting on the platform edge. Craig approached the individual and engaged in conversation and asked if they were okay. The male expressed that he had nothing to lose and presented that he was struggling mentally.
Craig attempted to encourage male to move to a place of safety, and at this point the individual became very abusive and aggressive towards Craig. As a result, Craig opted to back away to give the individual space and escalated the situation to all relevant parties to ensure the male remained safe. Craig remained calm even though the individual was initially hostile. Craig stated that the Samaritans Managing Suicidal Contacts training helped him in dealing with the situation and ensured male remained safe.
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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 neighbour. 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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Douglas, Gray
Company Name
ScotRail
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On 1 February 2024, Driver Douglas Gray was on route towards Carntyne Station when he was alerted that there was an unknown person on the main line just outside the station. Douglas applied caution on approach to the station, where he observed a male standing in the middle of the four foot.
Douglas brought the train to a stand, requested permission to exit unit, and engaged with the male who was visibly upset, highly agitated and stated that he was not coping with his mental health. After approximately 20 minutes of engaging with the male, Douglas was able to encourage him to board the train and proceeded to take the male to the station where he was met by British Transport Police. Douglas applied his training effectively and additionally remained calm throughout the incident, his approach and engagement ensured that the male did not come to harm.
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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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Gary, McLuskey
Company Name
ScotRail
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Gary McLuskey (Customer Information Advisor)
Gary is based within the ScotRail CCTV control room at Paisley Gilmour Street, where his main duties involve the monitoring of the network stations. Within a period of two months, Gary was directly involved with five lifesaving interventions at multiple locations across the network, with three incidents occurring within a four-day period.
Each of the incidents provided different levels of challenges due to level of crisis that individuals were experiencing. Gary maintained communication with each of the individuals via the two-way Help Point intercom, whilst monitoring the individuals’ movements via CCTV. On average across the five incidents Gary engaged and maintained conversation for up to 22 minutes until further resource arrived at the relevant station.
Gary utilised his Samaritans, Managing Suicidal Contacts training during each of the incidents, which aided him with the challenge of maintaining effective communication via two-way intercom. He remained calm throughout each incident, ensuring the necessary escalation and cautions were in place to help prevent any harm to the individuals, ultimately ensuring they got to a safe space and given necessary specific support. Gary has demonstrated true resilience having had experienced multiple incidents of similar scale within a short period of time.
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Geoff, Houghton
Company Name
Northern Trains Ltd.
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Nomination for Rail Staff Lifesaving Award: Driver Grant Broadhurst and Conductor Geoff Houghton
I would like to nominate Driver Grant Broadhurst and Conductor Geoff Houghton for the Rail Staff Lifesaving Award for their exemplary actions in saving a life on the railway.
On 27th September 2024, Broadhurst and Houghton encountered an individual who had come into contact with live overhead wires. Realising the imminent danger, they acted swiftly and without hesitation, responding with calm professionalism to the life-threatening situation. Both men understood the seriousness of the situation, as any delay in providing help could result in severe injury or death due to electrocution.
Driver Broadhurst and Conductor Houghton, together, took decisive and heroic action. They carefully lifted the injured person from the trackside and brought him onto their train. Despite the potential risks, they ensured the individual was safely removed from the electrified area and onto the train where they could better assist him. Their quick thinking and coordination prevented the situation from escalating further.
Once the individual was safely aboard, Broadhurst and Houghton took another vital step to ensure the person received the urgent medical attention he needed. Driver Broadhurst skillfully maneuvered the train back to Salford Crescent station, where emergency services could be accessed more quickly. Their actions not only saved the man’s life but also ensured he could receive prompt medical care for any injuries sustained from the contact with the live wires.
The teamwork displayed by Broadhurst and Houghton under such extreme pressure was exceptional. Their ability to stay composed, assess the risk, and provide immediate assistance showcases the highest standards of safety and service within the rail industry. Their brave and selfless actions embody the values of the rail staff community, going far beyond the call of duty to protect and save a life.
It is with the utmost respect and gratitude that I nominate Driver Grant Broadhurst and Conductor Geoff Houghton for this award. Their life-saving actions not only exemplify heroism but also reflect the dedication of railway staff to the safety and well-being of the public they serve.
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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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Grant, Broadhurst
Company Name
Northern Trains Ltd.
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Nomination for Rail Staff Lifesaving Award: Driver Grant Broadhurst and Conductor Geoff Houghton
I would like to nominate Driver Grant Broadhurst and Conductor Geoff Houghton for the Rail Staff Lifesaving Award for their exemplary actions in saving a life on the railway.
On 27th September 2024, Broadhurst and Houghton encountered an individual who had come into contact with live overhead wires. Realising the imminent danger, they acted swiftly and without hesitation, responding with calm professionalism to the life-threatening situation. Both men understood the seriousness of the situation, as any delay in providing help could result in severe injury or death due to electrocution.
Driver Broadhurst and Conductor Houghton, together, took decisive and heroic action. They carefully lifted the injured person from the trackside and brought him onto their train. Despite the potential risks, they ensured the individual was safely removed from the electrified area and onto the train where they could better assist him. Their quick thinking and coordination prevented the situation from escalating further.
Once the individual was safely aboard, Broadhurst and Houghton took another vital step to ensure the person received the urgent medical attention he needed. Driver Broadhurst skillfully maneuvered the train back to Salford Crescent station, where emergency services could be accessed more quickly. Their actions not only saved the man’s life but also ensured he could receive prompt medical care for any injuries sustained from the contact with the live wires.
The teamwork displayed by Broadhurst and Houghton under such extreme pressure was exceptional. Their ability to stay composed, assess the risk, and provide immediate assistance showcases the highest standards of safety and service within the rail industry. Their brave and selfless actions embody the values of the rail staff community, going far beyond the call of duty to protect and save a life.
It is with the utmost respect and gratitude that I nominate Driver Grant Broadhurst and Conductor Geoff Houghton for this award. Their life-saving actions not only exemplify heroism but also reflect the dedication of railway staff to the safety and well-being of the public they serve.
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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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You may hear of our teams saving customers’ lives, but recently Ivan saved a colleague's life when they unexpectedly started to have an epileptic seizure on the platform.
Ivan's first instinct was to ensure his colleague was put in the recovery position, along with ensuring passengers in the area kept calm and that service was kept to minimum disruption. Ivan was composed and calm as he dealt with the emergency services and his colleague going through a medical emergency with his actions 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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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 honour.
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 honoured with a Lifesaver Award at this year’s RailStaff 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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Mohammed, Hussain
Company Name
Amulet
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Mohammed Hussain is our AM Serrano (Safeguarding and Security) Team Leader at Barking station. His duties are to lead a team of 3 Serrano Officers and 2 security search officers at one of our most busiest stations on the c2c network.
Mohammed and his team must not only look after the safety of staff and customers but protect the revenue of our client by preventing ticketless travel. This means his position is extremely challenging and there is a wide array of incidents he must attend to professionally and vigilantly.
Earlier on in the year, Mohammed was faced with a situation whereby a female was displaying erratic behaviour, this automatically raised alarm bells and Mohammed knew he would need to monitor the female closely.
The female came to Barking Station and proceeded to platforms 7 and 8. She then returned to the concourse, Mohammed asked if she needed any help and she responded ‘No’. She proceeded to platforms 5/6 and after a short while came back to the concourse. Mohammed asked her again is she needed assistance, and this time was ignored. The female was looking around as if disturbed and irritated about something, she made her way to platform 4 and Mohammed knew he had to follow her.
The female was wandering around the platform, stepping over the yellow line at the edge of the platform, which is a safety concern, Mohammed asked her to step back and was ignored, she then walked towards the stairs. The female proceeded to cross the yellow line again and Mohammed was quickly there again to get her to step back, and she apologised.
The next scheduled train was coming into platform 4, Mohammed instructed all passengers to stay behind the yellow line, as the train was entering the station, the female jumped onto the tracks. Mohammed knew he had to act quickly, but in line with the correct rail protocols to emergency stop the train, which he did. The train came to a complete stop approximately 2 feet from the female. If it was not for Mohammed’s quick reactions, experience and training, it is likely that there would have been a very different outcome.
She was then pulled to safety on platform 5 where the BTP and paramedics were called so she could receive the help she needed.
Mohammed used his instinct and training to identify a vulnerable female, he had the courage to follow his instinct, and not display an attitude of ‘someone else’ will deal with the situation, to follow her to the platform. When she trespassed, he reacted to emergency stop the train within feet of the female.
In the rail industry, it is a sad fact of life that some people go to stations with the intention to take their own life, having people like Mohammed there ensures a safer rail environment and has provided someone the opportunity to get the help they need.
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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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Natalja Romascenko, Maria Thomas
Company Name
Southern
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GTR Logo.docx
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Balham station is never short of incidents, and the team always step up professionally when dealing with such incidents.
On 2nd May 2024 this was no different when, during an hourly security check Natalja noticed a person laying at the end of the platform. She approached the customer who told her he was going to jump onto the track.
Natalja called her supervisor, Maria, on the radio and relayed the information clearly and concisely and advised her to call the signaller.
Maria followed instructions and conducted an emergency call to the signaller. Control and BTP were also contacted, where a description was given and an ETA was ascertained from the emergency services.
An approaching train into the platform meant Natalja had to alert the train driver, to avoid any potential casualties and keep the area safe. Natalja raised two arms above her head and the train came to a halt, just outside the platform.
After gaining control of the situation, Natalja concentrated on the distressed customer. She spoke to the customer calmly and compassionately and used her skills to move the person from the platform edge, leading him into the coffee shop.
The BTP arrived ten minutes later and took responsibility of the customer.
Natalja and Maria’s dedication to safety ensured the passenger did not come to any harm and potentially saving his life and the stress and anxiety to the driver of the approaching train. Their great teamwork and swift actions deterred any operational delays occurring.
Natalja and Maria went the extra mile and performed to high standards in this pressured incident.
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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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Oluwarotimi was on duty when he was alerted by a passenger that they had received a call from a friend who was at Hackney Central Station where Oluwarotimi was working, that the friend had told them 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. Upon approach, he found that the passenger was very distressed but was fortunately able to move the passenger away from the platform edge to avoid the oncoming train. Oluwarotimi rushed 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 passenger was kept safe until support arrived with service resuming as normal.
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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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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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Samuel, French
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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I am nominating Samuel French for the Life Saver Award because of his exceptional actions during a critical incident in August 2024 at Harlow Train Station. Samuel demonstrated remarkable presence of mind, applying his training and common sense to handle a life-threatening situation with calmness and precision. His quick thinking and decisive actions were instrumental in preventing a tragic event. Samuel's dedication and courage not only saved a woman's life but also exemplified the highest standards of public service, making him truly deserving of this recognition.
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Sarah Goulbourne & Julian Redfern, Hull Drivers
Company Name
Hull Trains
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In July this year, Hull Trains Driver Sarah Goulbourne was preparing a train for service, whilst it was stabled in Hull station sidings.
After completing her duties, she became aware of a young male sat down on the railway lines. This was a considerable distance away from her driving cab, and off to the right-hand side, so not readily apparent. Realising the imminent danger to life she immediately made a GSM-R Railway Emergency Call to alert the Signaller and to warn other trains.
At that point the young male staggered across the complex track layout, Sarah completed the emergency call, secured her cab and with the support of Spare Driver, Julian Redfern, proceeded trackside to assist the male.
It became clear that the male was under the influence, appeared extremely emotional and did not want to talk. Together, they managed to calm him down and gained his trust, to the point where he let them provide walking support to return him to the safety of the platform where he was handed into the care of Hull BTP. Sarah and Julian’s actions were crucial and by intervening in the manner they did, de-escalated what was a serious situation.
Using their training and experience to great effect, they used effective communication skills throughout this incident and averted a potential injury or worst case, loss of life. Sarah then refocussed her attention on her job, returning to her train, managing an on-time departure to Beverley, which is testament to her professional approach to her role.
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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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Travel Safe Team - Helen Buchanan, Chris Daly, Justin Jones, Helen Buchanan, Chris Daly, Justin Jones
Company Name
ScotRail
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On 4 March 2024 at approximately 2000hrs, Travel Safe Team Officers, Helen, Chris and Justin were on board a Kilwinning to Ardrossan service when a male approached the team stating that he intended to cause harm to himself. He also stated he was struggling with his mental health and had suicidal thoughts.
The team engaged with the male who was in full crisis, the male made specific comment that he intended to get off at the next stop and cause himself serious harm. Chris and Helen continued to engage with male whilst Justin escalated the incident to on train colleagues, control and British Transport Police (BTP).
On arrival at the Saltcoats station, the male attempted to leave the train stating he still intended to cause himself harm. The team worked together to prevent the male coming to harm. The team continued to engage with the male whose behaviour was fluctuating from calm to full crisis and threatening self-harm and harm to the team.
The team reassured other passengers, kept in on contact with control on the status of the male until BTP attended and the male was taken into their care.
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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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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.
Sponsored by:
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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Andy, Bottom
Company Name
MTR Elizabeth line
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Andy Bottom’s contributions to the rail industry over the past 50 years make him a truly deserving candidate. His influence has been instrumental in the planning, development, and execution of key projects. Including Stage-1 of HS1, his support of the London Olympics whilst GM for West Anglia at NR, recruiting and moulding the control centre for the Elizabeth line and leading the production of the timetable for the stage-opening of the line. Andy has demonstrated a profound passion for railways, an unmatched expertise in timetabling, and an inspiring commitment to nurturing others in the industry.
From Crossrail-to-Elizabeth line, Andy played a pivotal role in shaping the timetable designs that would support one of the UK’s most significant transport accomplishments. Andy's approach to timetabling has always been thorough and meticulously calculated. He has the unique ability to visualise a timetable's logic in his mind before transferring it to paper, a skill that enabled him to overcome the challenges of early performance modelling. His foresight and determination helped transform a rough process into a reliable one, ensuring that each draft timetable was a step closer to the operational success of the line.
Andy’s work on the Elizabeth line, highlighted by Mike Bagshaw (Managing-Director-MTREL) was transformative. Faced with delays, sequencing issues, and evolving technology, Andy’s ability to create functional and customer-focused train plans allowed the project to move forward smoothly. His innovative timetabling, which considered the introduction of new trains, signalling systems, and platform extensions, is credited with opening the end-to-end railway 18-months earlier than otherwise would’ve been the case. His excellent relationships with stakeholders such as TfL and NR were equally crucial to the project’s success.
Andy’s dedication extends beyond technical expertise, his willingness to share knowledge and mentor others has made a lasting impact on colleagues. As a colleague/friend to many, including Giorgio Medioso (Technical-Director-Trenolab) and Jonathan James (Head-of-Industry-Co-ordination-MTREL), Andy’s generosity and patience have shaped the careers of countless individuals. James Linley (Head-of-Performance-and-Planning-MTREL), who took over the management of the Planning team in 2023, recalls how Andy guided him through the complexities of the role, always offering advice without imposing his opinions and fostering a collaborative environment. The success of the planning team is a testament to Andy’s influence, noting that even when he isn’t directly involved, his methods and wisdom continue to inspire those around him.
Andy’s leadership style has been characterised by his calm demeanour, pragmatism, and commitment to teamwork. As Carlos Romallo (Duty-Control-Manager-MTREL) and Nick Westcott (Train-Service-Delivery-Director-MTREL) reflect, Andy’s ability to unite cross-organisational teams around common goals has earned him universal respect. His focus on sensible industry outcomes and his willingness to act as a coach and mentor to colleagues and senior leaders alike solidified his reputation as a trusted industry figure.
In conclusion, Andy’s impact on the railway, from his early days with BR to his work on the Elizabeth line, demonstrates a lifetime of dedication, innovation, and leadership. His passion for the industry, coupled with his commitment to helping others grow, makes him an exemplary candidate.
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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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Bob, Tiller
Company Name
GB Railfreight
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For almost 50 years, Bob Tiller has dedicated his career to the railway as an engineer and team leader. He has delivered countless projects and is still passionately designing the latest locomotive designs which will influence the industry for years to come.
Bob Tiller started his railway career as an Apprentice at British Rail in 1976. After finishing his apprenticeship, he went on to work as a Technical Engineer and a Project Manager for a number of businesses, until 1996 when he moved to First Great Western as a Depot Production Manager. In 2007, he then joined GB Railfreight as Fleet Engineer Traction and has played a major role in the development of GBRf’s locomotive and wagon fleet eventually becoming Engineering Director. Now part-retired, Bob is involved in one last project, the Class 99.
Anyone who spends time with Bob will find it impossible to not be aware of his infectious enthusiasm - his love of the railway began as a boy living near the railway line in West London and today that remains undiminished – he is passionate, thoughtful and enthusiastic. He runs a YouTube channel that often gets up to 10k views per video, on his holidays he travels the world looking at locomotives and of course has a room in his house dedicated to his own train set!
However, enthusiasm is not the reason for Bob’s nomination, it is his tireless work overseeing the maintenance of locomotives and the growth of a business. His knowledge and dedication have been pivotal in GBRf consistently providing our customers with industry leading standards of reliability and to recognise his service to GBRf, a locomotive was named after him in 2021. He’s been responsible for projects including repowering programmes to ensure locomotives deliver for customers, introducing iconic heritage liveries across our fleet and creating a dedicated locomotive maintenance facility in Doncaster with our partners EMD.
Knowing that for rail freight to continue to grow, Bob knew it had to find ways to decarbonise. In 2018, he visited Innotrans in Berlin, where he saw the launch of the EuroDual, a hybrid locomotive for the European market. He believed that something similar could be developed for the UK market and has relentlessly pursued this vision. In spring 2022, GBRf announced the order of 30 hybrid heavy haul locomotives in partnership with Beacon and Stadler Valencia, that will significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the sector. The Class 99s will be able to cut emissions by c.58% - its Euro Class V engine will also cut carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and particulate matter, it’s not just a traction project but a sustainability one too and will propel the rail freight sector for the next 30 years.
Bob’s creative and innovative approach to projects continues to this day almost 50 years after starting as an apprentice. His relentless approach to pushing the boundaries makes him one of the renowned rail freight engineers in the UK, with his ideas around the Class 99s cementing his legacy.
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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 (Doo), Tan
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Doo (Jeff) started his railway career in December 1980 working as a Catering Assistant at Traveller's Fayre at Cambridge station. Jeff then secured a position in the Ticket Office at Cambridge before spending a period of years as a supervisor, and then manager, in Customer Relations. Jeff was then lured back to Cambridge and currently works as a Supervisor in the Ticket Office.
Jeff is one of just a handful of people who remember booking European travel for customers here at Cambridge. He has worked on many different ticketing systems but his dedication to giving good customer service and providing excellent advice has remained throughout. He is a valued member of the team and keeps us all entertained with his stories of the railways of old.
Jeff loves a challenge, particularly where lost property is concerned. He is our very own detective and has a high success rate of tracking down owners for items using a variety of resources. He has received letters and cards of praise from grateful customers that he has helped over the years.
Jeff's whole career has been in customer service here at Cambridge, over 40 years. He still comes into work with a smile on his face, an extra piece of cake for his colleagues and a wealth of knowledge to share with us all. It won't be the same here when Jeff finally does retire but this award would be a fitting recognition for his dedication to the railway.
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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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Joe, Nurse
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Joe is Woking's longest serving colleague with an impressive 38 years of exemplary service! Almost 4 decades! He loves what he does, is always smiling and is the friendliest person you will ever meet. Not only has Joe set a remarkable standard for any Duty Station Manager, but he has also built strong relationships with customers, employees and other stakeholders. He goes above and beyond for his colleagues and team. Him and the DSM team won 'Managers of the Year' in 2022 Excellence Awards and Joe deserves to be recognised for his outstanding service to the business. Here's to the next 10 years!
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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, Hall
Company Name
BakerHicks
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Jon is currently BakerHicks Contractors Engineering Manager, Mentor, leading expert and all-round rail and civils engineering specialist within the BakerHicks Civils and Structures Team.
Working in the rail industry for over 40 years, Jon has been pivotal in providing direction, leadership and expertise throughout his career to ensure that the nations network is not only safe but is also world class.
Over his varied work life Jon has dedicated his time to ensuring that the schemes within his working day are treated with the respect, quality and diligence you would expect when dealing with the public purse. Never one for over-engineering a problem, Jon is very much a practical solutions specialist, often turning to lessons learned on previous schemes to ensure that any mistakes are not made again, whether this is a simple scheme when acting as a contractors engineering manager or one of the larger schemes where attention to detail, refined communication, clear thinking and focus are the best attributes any person can bring to the table. Jon has it all in spades.
What is often overlooked is how Jon is a long standing and highly motivated mentor with a drive and capacity to help and support all graduates and engineers and with Jon’s commitment, knowledge and tenacious approach to rail can be rarely found in many. He is also an excellent motivator, encouraging others in the team to get involved, and will light up when he sees excellence in others.
Jon is a highly respected and trusted member within BakerHicks; reliable, hardworking and is also always very friendly and approachable. He always remains calm and never gets ruffled, and everyone thoroughly enjoys working alongside this great man.
Last year Jon had a fleeting dalliance with retirement. He spoke about the endless day he would like to spend walking, tinkering, and kicking back and enjoying the time that 40 years plus working on the railway rarely affords us. That was until Jon got a whisper that a depot scheme was imminent. A scheme which Jon had worked on previously and repeatedly announced was going to be his last swansong – a labour of love. Jon didn’t retire for long instead he rolled up his sleeves again, dusted down his laptop and got straight back into the thick of it. Without Jons tenacity, drive and selfless commitment, not only in recent years but his entire career the world of railway engineering design would be bereft of Jons commitment and passion to engineering.
Jon keeps on talking about retirement again, but I doubt there is a train strong enough to pull him away.
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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 British Rail Network Southeast 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 Services 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 pastures new to London Euston.
In 2004 Mitzi embarked in a new challenge with Metro and had numerous roles from Managing the East end to Camden, Euston to Watford and many more. And moved on to Silverlink
In 2007 London Midland was calling her back and she embarked on a new journey of Group Station Manager for Euston then Northampton to Birmingham.
All this time all the experience and knowledge she was sharing with people around her as she developed them in their roles.
In 2015 she embarked on a journey for HS2 she always refers this as the role that stretched and developed her the most.
She returned in 2018 to west Midlands trains previously London Midland as Area Station Manager. This is where our paths crossed again. Mitzi built her team and nurtured them to get the very best out of them.
In 2023 she then was promoted to the position of Stations Interface Manager where all her skills are vital to projects and requirements for the railways from buildings, retail systems and IT.
Mitzi has devoted her whole career to the railway and in each role has grown and nurtured, supported each one she has managed and others as she has taken on different roles. Mitzi is 100% committed to the business and her team and will always be there at the drop of the hat. She leads from the front, and it shows in the output from herself and the team around her. She has been instrumental in the station requirements for HS2, re developments of stations such as Wolverhampton. Perry Barr for the Commonwealth Games and more recently the award-winning University Station.
Finally spend an hour for a coffee and a chat and there is many a tale to be told over the last 40 years’ service.
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Neil, Maudsley
Company Name
Merseyrail
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Neil has contributed enormously to Merseyrail over the last 44 years and has been a key operational cog in turning Merseyrail in the best performing trains operator over the last 10 years. Neil started back in 1980 as a Shunter in Garston and quickly made the transition to a Driver at Kirkdale. During this time, Neil acted a Resource Controller supervising traincrew booking on and off duty and eventually was promoted to a Driver Manager in the early 2000's. During these years he fostered strong relationships across the entire driver population at Merseyrail and helped improve morale and engagement levels locally at Kirkdale. In 2008 he was successfully appointed as the Depot Manager at Kirkdale and Southport Depot where he oversaw a complete transition with the Train Guard role and delivered record levels of NRPS scores which helped Merseyrail become the No 1 train operator for customer service. In addition, he helped shape the train performance strategy and ensured local engagement with staff and trade union representatives which seen Merseyrail become the best performing train operator and win countless awards many years in a row. Neil had a real knack for ensuring front line engagement and got Drivers and Guards to support the business strategy consistently over the years. This front line engagement was critical to making Merseyrail the success that it became and what it has achieved over the last 20 years.
In 2018 Neil was taken out of his comfort zone and asked to move to our largest depot Birkenhead Central following a period of industrial unrest where relationships were strained. He made an immediate impact, improving morale, rebuilding trust and implemented a number of strategies to give us record breaking low levels of absence (less than 3.25%) including proactive health and wellbeing initiatives with a focus on looking after our staff. In 2023 Neil moved into the Head of Trains role at a critical time during the new Class 777 fleet introduction and not only played a key role in agreeing the introduction with our trade unions but reacting positively to the challenging environment that the fleet created. He has carried out this position flawlessly as the Leader of the traincrew function now for over 12 months and has recently made the decision to reduce his workload in 2025 and has successfully helped transition the new Head of Trains into the role.
Personally I have worked with Neil for the last 14 years in Operational Management roles, firstly with Neil as a line manager, then as a colleague and ultimately became his line manager and functional director. Neil has supported me massively in my overall development and helped shape my people first approach and I consider him a key influencer for mine and many other managers careers. He has left a true legacy here in Merseyrail and should rightly be recognised for his services to the city region and the wider UK rail industry. Thank you Neil and good luck.
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Nicholas, Collins
Company Name
Network Rail
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Nick has been in the industry since 1988. Starting in the mail room for British Rail & progressing on to Train Planning where he has worked for the past 23 years.
Nick is now the Operational Planning Team leader for Charter Trains where he has been pivotal for some of the most high profile work packages the country has seen, leading his team of Planners and Specialists with role model behaviours. He is a wealth of knowledge and has played a part in shaping the next generation of Train Planners.
Nick has been awarded with twice with recognition from the Royal Household for his work & has played a key role in planning the delivery of Special Trains on the network.
Nick goes over and above his remit to support the industry and is extremely passionate about delivering for all customers.
Nick deserves recognition for the way he has conducted himself over the years and all the passion he pours into the Railway 365 days of the year!
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Nicholas, Cottle
Company Name
Network Rail
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Nick has been on the railway for 33 years. I have worked with him for 5 and he helped me in my training and to become a better signaller.
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Paul, Wade
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Paul Wade has given exemplary service to the railway for more than 40 years, providing vital support to South Western Railway (SWR) thanks to his skills, knowledge and expertise.
Paul joined British Rail in 1983 working on the platform at Portsmouth Harbour station. He worked at a number of locations before moving into the role of guards manager in 2000, simultaneously managing the guards of Staines and Strawberry Hill depots. In 2005 he was promoted, overseeing guards managers and inspectors at Fratton, Guildford and Waterloo depots.
In 2018 Paul moved to the post of business resilience manager, where he ensured SWR had contingency guards during industrial action. Contingency guards are managers from the wider business who cover the shifts of colleagues taking industrial action. All require certain competencies and knowledge of the routes they are working on.
In 2020 Paul took on his present role as on-train depot manager (contingency and guard training), where he ensures that all 180 contingency guards have the competencies and knowledge they need. He also manages the resource plan for the guards function, ensuring there are always sufficient guards available to operate trains.
Paul’s importance to SWR was brought into sharp focus during recent industrial action. Across 60 days of RMT strike action, he provided rosters of qualified and competent colleagues to fill gaps in resource, which allowed SWR deliver an impressive 70% of its services.
Paul also played a pivotal role during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and coronation of King Charles III, providing guards for the seven special trains that carried members of the armed forces to London.
Paul has managed many people and teams over his 40 plus years on the railway, influencing the careers of many of his colleagues thanks to his supportive, approachable manner and the way he leads by example.
Louisa Conde, SWR’s head of on train services, said:
“Paul's support for on train services is exemplary. Ensuring contingency guards are up to scratch with assessments and knowledge is not easy, as they are managers with 'day jobs'. Paul and his team use their excellent planning and communication skills to ensure they remain competent and confident, able to keep our customers safe and moving.
“Through industrial action Paul supported me by ensuring we cover our guard duties, which can be really difficult during periods of high annual leave. This often means that when others are relaxing over bank and school holidays, or enjoying Christmas and New Year, Paul is covering gaps in resource with contingency guards, often at short notice and with a lot of persuasion needed!
“Paul also helps monitor absence rates for guards, speaking to depot managers every week to track anyone not undertaking normal duties and putting action plans in place. Paul does all of this on top of his own day job, managing 18 guards inspectors who ensure that our new guards are trained and ready.”
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Philip, Heaton
Company Name
Network Rail
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Phil has been on the railway for over 40 years. He has worked both as a signaller and as a trainer. His insight has been invaluable to me learning how to be a signaller.
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Richard, Allen
Company Name
Network Rail
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Rich has been on the railway for over 33 years. I have worked with him for the last 5. His training has helped me be a better signaller. Additionally there have been multiple occasions where Rich has made himself available to listen when I needed a friendly ear which has resulted in me having better mental health.
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Simon, Ball
Company Name
Colas Rail
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Simon is a career railwayman with a wealth of experience which is so important to have a knowledge through a changing industry, Simon has worked up from British Rail to Trainload Freight as an area engineer, to Deputy Regional Manager with EWS and of course Freight Director at Colas Rail building the company from the early days from Seco Rail with just a handful of locomotives and train crew to a successful profitable reputable business in the freight sector, whilst at the same time being down to earth and approachable to all staff, I don't think there is another company where I can email or call the Freight director!
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Tony, Evans
Company Name
TES 2000 Ltd
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Tony’s unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions to the rail industry over the past several decades is a testament to resilience, innovation, and a profound dedication to his colleagues and the industry.
Tony's career began in the mid-70s, through a relentless pursuit of opportunities. Starting as a steward washing dishes on an oil rig, he quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating his ability to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. His early experiences in the oil industry, followed by a distinguished tenure with the London Fire Brigade, laid a strong foundation for his future endeavours.
Tony's most significant achievements include founding TES, a company that has been at the forefront of technological innovation in the rail industry, introducing the Automatic Track Warning Systems (ATWS) to the UK, investing significantly in safety and efficiency. His commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility has also been exemplary, ensuring that TES remains a leader in promoting green practices within the industry.
Tony's influence goes beyond technical expertise. He has served as a mentor, a source of support, and a friendly presence for numerous colleagues. Many who began their careers in the railway under Tony’s mentorship are now within prominent leadership roles within Tier 1 companies and/or Network Rail. His leadership is grounded in core values; integrity, honesty, and a sincere concern for his team's welfare, showing loyalty with many staff coming back to TES time and again. Tony's talent for fostering strong, enduring relationships has played a crucial role in TES's success and its reputation for reliability and excellence. This is evident in our Possession Management contracts, where we prioritize keeping operations local while creating job opportunities for the community.
Throughout his career, Tony has faced numerous challenges, from financial difficulties to personal hardships. His resilience and ability to lead by example are crucial in navigating these obstacles. Tony's dedication to his team is evident, having taken personal pay cuts to avoid redundancies
Tony has played a pivotal role in the careers of many young professionals, offering guidance and encouragement. His efforts to support staff through personal hardships, including financial assistance and emotional support, highlight his compassionate nature.
Tony is actively engaged within his community, fostering collaboration and support through involvement in charitable activities, such as supporting St. Helena's Hospice, Veterans and local football teams, reflects his commitment to giving back. Tony's dedication to volunteering and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion further underscores his holistic approach to leadership.
Looking ahead, Tony remains passionate about TES and its potential for growth. He is determined to keep TES at the forefront of technological advancements, particularly in the realm of AI. Tony's vision includes automating data processes to enhance efficiency and predict potential outcomes, ensuring TES continues to lead the industry.
Tony Evans embodies the spirit of the Lifetime Achievement Award. His career is a remarkable journey of perseverance, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the rail industry and his colleagues. Tony's contributions have left an indelible mark, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
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RAIL AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Rail Ambassador of the Year award recognises an individual who has demonstrated unwavering dedication to promoting and advancing the rail industry.
Awarded in honour of Tom O’Connor, the esteemed founder of Rail Media and visionary behind the RailStaff Awards, it celebrates those who go above and beyond to champion the industry, serve as positive advocates, and inspire others through their innovative ideas and initiatives.
The recipient of this award is a trailblazer and influencer, continually cheerleading for the rail industry while also showcasing their own contributions. They actively adopt and embrace all aspects of the industry and consistently promote its importance and benefits to society.
Nominees can include individuals from any role within the rail sector, including professionals, leaders, advocates, and influencers.
Sponsored by:
Alan, McDonald
Company Name
GemENG
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Being an Ambassador for a specific cause or activity demonstrates your passion and commitment to achieving success by sharing your knowledge, broadening your horizons, utilising the best of resources and by going above and beyond to achieve the collective goals.
When I see ‘Rail Ambassador of the Year’ the standout name that comes to mind as a nominee is Alan McDonald who has dedicated and invested his time to rail and engineering. In the last 12 months alone, I have seen Alan take his career to a new level by seeking ways in which he can best utilise his knowledge and network to better our Rail Industry. This has not only been in terms of seeking better practices or tools to deliver his projects but also by strengthening the foundations of the personnel in our industry. Alan has been extremely successful in organising the delivery of Subject Matter Expert (SME) training to newcomers, apprentices, electricians, managers and senior engineers in Rail. He has successfully delivered training courses such as, Railway Low Voltage Systems Design Appreciation, Railway Signalling Power Design Appreciation, Railway Electric Point Heating Design, Electric Vehicle Charging Point Design Appreciation and Arc Flash Hazard: The Fundamentals of Electrical Safety for Buildings & Infrastructure by collaborating with industry experts and professional institutions.
Alan has also extended his reach to seek professionals and experts working in other parts of the world from other rail industries or other engineering industries to join him in applying the best practices in which he can offer more optimum and innovative solutions in his design delivery. A recent initiative Alan has been involved with is cyber security and data protection, seeking ways to prioritize the security of our data and that of our clients, which is ever so important as we move ever closer to a more digital world.
Alan has gained recognition for how he has developed his business in 2024 and has also been successful in obtaining railway industry verification for his quality. Alan is truly working around the clock to offer his support to the UK rail industry and has also been sharing the best practices we carry out in the UK in Rail to those in other parts of the world such as Ireland, Spain and Poland, with a view to learning from them too. Alan is very deserving of this award as he continues on his journey to grow as an Ambassador to rail in the UK and engineering. As a former colleague of Alan and collaborative partner between my company ASAVRAIL and GemENG, it would be rewarding to see Alan win this prestigious Railstaff Award. I wish him all the best in his journey of success.
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Alan, Neville
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Alan has worked for Greater Anglia and its predecessors for over 40 years. He currently works in the role of Stakeholder, Community and Customer Engagement Manager. This role means he liaises with station adopters, a very important community of people who volunteer their time to make their communities better places. These people are a valuable asset to railway companies and Alan is the captain of their ship. Alan is also the person who deals with the complaints nobody else wants to deal with, the problems that everybody else wants to just go away. He is in some ways the face of Greater Anglia. Alan has met many influential people over the years including prime ministers and royalty. He is trusted to represent Greater Anglia to these important people. Alan has also done a great deal of broadcasting on both radio and television. His pride in representing Greater Anglia is evident to everybody he meets. He is a railwayman through and through.
Alan is an inspiration to many younger members of staff. He demonstrates the importance of listening, of giving people an opportunity to voice their concerns. Something that may seem trivial to one person can be a big deal for somebody else. These days it is normal to be accepting of people's differences but Alan has been the champion of this for many, many years and demonstrates time and time again that no problem or issue is too big to overcome. Alan is visible during times of disruption and will always take over when the frontline staff just need a break. For somebody who has worked for the railway for so long, Alan's adaptability and personality are real beacons of aspiration. He still absolutely loves his job and loves coming to work day in day out. He has told me on many occasions that he doesn't see it as work. Alan's contribution is often overlooked or even unknown so by becoming a finalist in this category would show the appreciation that we all have for him.
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Andy, Hill
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I would like to take this opportunity to nominate Andy Hill for this category. He was fortunate to win the National Rail Staff Awards for learning & development for the year 2022 and since this success Andy has continued his commitment along with the introduction of new technologies via a new corporate platform at https://railassessments.com.
After being selected as the winner at your prestigious awards, the growth in numbers on uktrainingsolutions.com platform as grown to nearly 18,000 rail personnel across the UK spanning over both freight and train operating companies. Andy single handedly, is putting in an enormous amount of his personal time to continually help others. Some of the learners are of various roles which surprisingly, attracts those in roles that are managing training teams and driver managers.
Large rail companies have been very keen to meet Andy as this proves to be a huge cost saving to the industry and to provide a more robust and secure assessing process for Train Drivers.
What started off in the classroom back in 2015 whereby he created an award-winning platform to help train drivers and other safety critical staff. This has now turned into a corporate industry demand. The most recent being his new innovative method of assessing routes with train drivers. Since posting this on LinkedIn, it has become viral along with the NRA judges commenting that you have something very valuable to the Rail Industry and advising Andy on intellectual property.
The technology that Andy has implemented can be seen at the following link: -
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andyhilla...
This new interactive method has never been created by anyone and it shows a video of a route with interactive questions in real time. The benefits of this are that the candidate can watch in real time from a cab view rather than trying to image the area from a question paper. This puts the candidate in a position whereby aided visuals can identify specific route risks. In addition, this auto-marks in the background and can provide a report after submission of the assessment as to whether the candidate has the required knowledge of the route. You can see from the post that this generated a lot of positive comments, likes and reposts.
Another new and recent addition is a crossword question type used in interactive assessments. The candidate has to complete the crossword within the specific field of knowledge. An example of this can be found at: -
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andyhilla...
Since winning this award, this has brought more demand to the platform with corporate rail companies now making many enquires. Based on this acceleration, He has now created a corporate assessing platform at https://railassessments.com to help companies with cost saving, increased safety, consistency and engagement.
Andy is also being nominated under the king’s honours list. It Is overwhelming to the point of originally having the intention of just helping his trainees to helping thousands across all UK rail companies and third-party rail contractors.
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Angela, Milton
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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At the small station of Shelford in Cambridgeshire, Angela Milton, is the station mistress. Angela has worked at Shelford station for 15 years and has always gone the extra mile to look after her customers.
Over the years, she has worked hard to create a pleasant and welcoming environment for passengers at Shelford station. Some of her activities have included a creating a library in the ticket office, putting on a Christmas party, tending to the flowers and offering free refreshments, all in addition to her ‘day job’ selling tickets, providing assistance to passengers and keeping the station tidy.
Her helpful and caring attitude led to one customer commenting: "Angela always greets you will a big smile and a warm welcome no matter the weather or the hour."
Angela has also been very successful in intervening in potential suicide situations. Her friendly and caring nature encourages individuals to open up to her and
Angela says, "Shelford is special because I have put my individual stamp on it. It was an empty space previously but now we have a library, lovely pictures of steam trains on the wall, a community notice board, flower tubs, bowls of sweets and often fresh fruit. Some of the villagers pop in just for a chat. I have been known to ring or visit customers that I haven’t seen in a while to make sure that they are ok and I’ll always help to find them the best value tickets for their journey."
Angela has also supported animal owners when their dogs and cats have gone missing near the station, even checking nearby areas after her shift has finished and taking one injured cat to a nearly vet. She also keeps the village updated on disruption and information via their local Facebook page.
Angela has also been very successful in intervening in potential suicide situations. Her friendly and caring nature has allowed individuals to open up to her.
Angela first joined the railway in 1996, working in a number of roles in both the ticket office and head office across the south of England before moving to what is now Greater Anglia in 2000 and has worked at a variety of locations including March, Ely, Cambridge, and Whittlesford Parkway before coming to her beloved Shelford in 2009.
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Bob, Tiller
Company Name
GB Railfreight
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For almost 50 years, Bob Tiller has dedicated his career to the railway as an engineer and team leader. He has delivered countless projects and is still passionately designing the latest locomotive designs which will influence the industry for years to come.
Bob Tiller started his railway career as an Apprentice at British Rail in 1976. After finishing his apprenticeship, he went on to work as a Technical Engineer and a Project Manager for a number of businesses, until 1996 when he moved to First Great Western as a Depot Production Manager. In 2007, he then joined GB Railfreight as Fleet Engineer Traction and has played a major role in the development of GBRf’s locomotive and wagon fleet eventually becoming Engineering Director. Now part-retired, Bob is involved in one last project, the Class 99.
Anyone who spends time with Bob will find it impossible to not be aware of his infectious enthusiasm - his love of the railway began as a boy living near the railway line in West London and today that remains undiminished – he is passionate, thoughtful and enthusiastic. He runs a YouTube channel that often gets up to 10k views per video, on his holidays he travels the world looking at locomotives and of course has a room in his house dedicated to his own train set!
However, enthusiasm is not the reason for Bob’s nomination, it is his tireless work overseeing the maintenance of locomotives and the growth of a business. His knowledge and dedication have been pivotal in GBRf consistently providing our customers with industry leading standards of reliability and to recognise his service to GBRf, a locomotive was named after him in 2021. He’s been responsible for projects including repowering programmes to ensure locomotives deliver for customers, introducing iconic heritage liveries across our fleet and creating a dedicated locomotive maintenance facility in Doncaster with our partners EMD.
Knowing that for rail freight to continue to grow, Bob knew it had to find ways to decarbonise. In 2018, he visited Innotrans in Berlin, where he saw the launch of the EuroDual, a hybrid locomotive for the European market. He believed that something similar could be developed for the UK market and has relentlessly pursued this vision. In spring 2022, GBRf announced the order of 30 hybrid heavy haul locomotives in partnership with Beacon and Stadler Valencia, that will significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the sector. The Class 99s will be able to cut emissions by c.58% - its Euro Class V engine will also cut carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and particulate matter, it’s not just a traction project but a sustainability one too and will propel the rail freight sector for the next 30 years.
Bob’s creative and innovative approach to projects continues to this day almost 50 years after starting as an apprentice. His relentless approach to pushing the boundaries makes him one of the renowned rail freight engineers in the UK, with his ideas around the Class 99s cementing his legacy.
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Callum, Marius
Company Name
GTR
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Callum joined GTR as Social Content Manager in June 2023 and has been making waves across social media ever since.
Cal tasked himself with finding our advocates and making them our ambassadors, both internally and externally, but he’s missed the biggest advocate of all – himself.
He’s spent the last year creating highly engaging content, going viral and truly elevating the social media presence of GTRs brands, breaking us into markets previously underutilised such as tiktok. Cal was passionate about growing a social media community on TikTok as over 90% of the audience being aged 13-34, he was keen to inspire younger travellers to consider our services for their next adventure. Cal has produced innovative content, tapping into trending content and promoting rail and the locations we serve through series like “Along for the Ride” which gives insight into some of the people and teams working within GTR and emphasises the wealth of career opportunity in rail and “Destination Dash” which pitted Southern and Thameslink against each other in a series of challenges encouraging adventures by rail and discovering London and the South East, as well as other series such as Did you know?, Top 3 and Inside Track celebrating our destinations and the rail journeys to get there. He’s worked with numerous teams and stakeholders to represent rail’s best side and advocate for rail across multiple social channels.
This summer, Cal worked with GTR’s LGBT+ Network to celebrate 5 years of the Thameslink “trainbow”, embarking on a ‘takeover’ project that saw the swapping out 72 on board advertising posters with the story of Pride across our network. This involved highlights of LGBT+ history and culture from across our network, details of Pride events and displaying portraits and personal quotes from our colleagues about the meaning of pride, transforming our “trainbow” into a gallery of inclusivity.
Additionally, Cal participated as a panellist in the first ever Better Transport Conference in June this year, organised by Campaign for Better Transport, to explore the multifaceted nature of transport and discuss how it shapes and influences the world around us.
Cal has such a passion for rail and is keen to discover and create interesting stories to share with the public and give our brands, and rail, a voice. He is a true ambassador and advocate.
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Chris, Matthews
Company Name
Freightliner
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We are nominating Chris Matthews for the Rail Staff Awards in the Rail Ambassador of the Year category in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the rail freight industry. Over the past year, Chris has demonstrated an outstanding ability to collaborate with key stakeholders, including other freight operators, Network Rail, freight customers, academic institutions, and consultancies, to drive meaningful business improvements and deliver value across the network.
One of Chris’s most notable achievements was his leadership in delivering the recast of the Mendip timetable. This project involved creating and implementing a new timetable for over 120 trains per week that serve the Mendip quarries. By working closely with Network Rail, and utilising data and modelling insights from consultancies and universities, Chris successfully introduced the new timetable as part of the December 2024 timetable change. This overhaul has resulted in a significant improvement in the performance of these flows, reducing delays across the network. Importantly, the average speed of services has increased, leading to more productive use of assets and train paths and capacity now for up to 150 paths per week from the quarries. These improvements not only benefit current operations, but the better use of capacity presents opportunities for future growth, benefiting all users of the network.
Beyond the Mendip timetable recast, Chris has continued to make a profound impact on the industry. He is currently leading efforts with industry partners to drive further improvements in the efficiency and productivity of other key services. This includes an ambitious project to reduce the journey times of freight trains on core routes, which has seen the journey time for freight trains between the Midlands and Scotland reducing by two hours. This initiative is set to deliver even greater value and efficiency across the network.
Chris’s work is directly aligned with the wider goal of growing rail freight volumes. To achieve this, rail freight must become more competitive, and Chris’s efforts to unite industry stakeholders are playing a crucial role in making rail freight more attractive to customers. His leadership and vision are instrumental in improving the competitiveness of the sector, which is essential to deliver growth. For these reasons, we consider Chris Matthews is a deserving candidate for the Rail Ambassador of the Year Award.
Network Rail is a key stakeholder in delivering success. Nick Coles, Timetable Production Manager – Freight, stated:
“Network Rail Capacity Planning have benefitted greatly from Chris’s input, communication and leadership on key Freightliner timetable projects. Our companies have worked closely to achieve some significant timetable outputs, including the Mendip Rail recast, with Chris being a key and constant driving force. Tough timetable assignments have felt easy to deliver, such has been Chris’s commitment to partnership working and good information sharing. Chris believes in making things better, a vision we share entirely.”
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Gareth, Dennis
Company Name
Independent academic and journalist
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With great enthusiasm I would like to nominate Gareth Dennis for the Rail Ambassador of the Year award. Gareth embodies the spirit of this award through his unwavering dedication to promoting and advancing the rail industry. His tireless efforts, communication and passion for the sector make him a standout candidate who truly deserves this recognition.
Gareth has consistently gone above and beyond in his role as a rail advocate. His commitment to the industry is evident through his active participation in various initiatives aimed at enhancing public understanding and appreciation of rail transport. He has been instrumental in organizing community outreach programs that educate the public on the benefits of rail travel, emphasizing its role in sustainable transportation and economic development.
Championing the Industry:
As a prominent voice in the rail sector, Gareth has utilized various platforms to champion the industry. Through his engaging social media presence, he shares insights, success stories, and the latest developments in rail, effectively reaching a diverse audience from listeners to BBC radio, to newspaper readers, to young engineers online. His ability to communicate complex topics in an accessible manner has inspired many to take an interest in rail, fostering a new generation of advocates.
Innovative Ideas and Initiatives:
Gareth’s innovative approach to promoting the rail industry is exemplified by his recent initiative, “Rail Futures,” which aims to engage young professionals in the sector. This program not only provides mentorship opportunities but also encourages participants to contribute their ideas for the future of rail. By nurturing talent and fostering collaboration, Gareth is ensuring that the industry continues to evolve and thrive.
Trailblazer and Influencer:
Gareth is a true trailblazer in the rail community. His influence extends beyond his immediate role, as he actively collaborates with industry leaders, policymakers, educational institutions and the public to advocate for policies that benefit the rail sector and travelling public. His efforts have led to increased investment in rail infrastructure and greater public awareness of the industry's critical role in addressing climate change.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Gareth Dennis exemplifies the qualities of a Rail Ambassador of the Year. His unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and ability to inspire others make him a deserving candidate for this esteemed award. By recognizing Gareth, we not only honor his contributions but also highlight the importance of advocacy in advancing the rail industry for future generations.
Thank you for considering this nomination. We believe that Gareth’s achievements and commitment to the rail sector truly reflect the values of the award and the industry.
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Heather, Waugh
Company Name
Freightliner
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No one shows more dedication and passion to tirelessly promote and champion the industry whilst also challenging it to improve. She easily volunteers more than 1000 personal hours EVERY YEAR. Heather Waugh has an impact in so many areas, she could actually be considered for several categories.
Just some examples:
Charity:
Heather has raised over £100,000 since August 2022. But her motivation was that she wanted to highlight positives in rail at a time when it was facing so many challenges, following the pandemic, and during industrial disruption.
So she created the Railway Family Fundraiser, which focused on bringing people together, and with her tagline of ‘showing the industry is full of people who will come together for a worthy cause’. She created an event that was “fun, affordable, and accessible”. She treated participants like they were friends, creating a special atmosphere where everyone shared ownership and pride.
Heather continuously uses ‘we’, as her aim is for the event to reflect positively on the industry, but the reality was that it was her alone reaching out to over 60 railway companies, getting over 80 prizes, building websites, engaging in up to 500 messages/ responses a day, making videos, liaising with press and charities. All whilst working long, challenging hours in a job that has no access to emails or social media, meaning everything has to be planned or actioned entirely in her own time. Thankfully, this year she has arranged some help from volunteers.
She also created ‘Journey to Cambodia’ this year, an event that again centred on bringing people together. One that saw Managing Directors join forces with people at all levels of the industry – from train drivers to roster clerks to passengers. She has a unique ability to unite people, and uses that for the benefit of the industry.
EDI:
Heather speaks at numerous events, using her voice to speak up for, and represent, the railway in so many positive ways. She is passionate and makes points in ways that people can relate to. She has spoken at COP26, Scottish Engineering Awards, Women in Rail, and even a European Commission event in Austria. She attends schools, does interviews, promotions, panels. All in her own time, using rest days or leave.
Health and Wellbeing:
Heather is passionate about mental health. Like EDI, she takes part in numerous events to highlight positives, and push for improvements. She takes part in numerous talks, panels, interviews, and discussions on this too. She is also part of the Rail Wellbeing Live team.
Freight:
Heather takes the time to learn about the needs of her industry and champions it tirelessly. She uses her voice to highlight the benefits and challenges, and was recognised in 2021 by Rail Freight Group for her ‘outstanding contribution’ to freight. She continues to put huge time into supporting it.
Summary:
The industry will never have a better or more dedicated ambassador, who gives so much whilst asks for so little. She deserves to be recognised.
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Kathleen, Martin
Company Name
Great Northern
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Kath is the team leader for Great Northern’s Rail Enforcement Officers, based at Hitchin.
Kath is the epitome of the word LEADER, always leading from the front and encouraging her team of REOs to get out on the network and make a difference. Kath is always thinking outside the box and proactively deploys her team to the stations and locations that need a visible and reassuring presence, based on intelligence, trends and analytical data. This approach has seen a reduction and displacement of crime and anti-social behaviour away for the GN network and stations.
Kath has developed close links with British Transport Police and is the main driver behind Operation Bolster, a joint proactive operation between her REOs and BTP, targeting criminal and anti-social behaviour across the GN network. As a result of this operation Kath has also forged strong bonds with local Neighbourhood teams from local policing teams, especially those in Hertfordshire.
Kath always makes herself available both on and off duty.
Thameslink REO Team Manager James Edwards said “Kathleen is always thinking of ways to ensure our customers and staff are safe by working with other agencies. She continuously moves forward by working with outside agencies to ensure every avenue has been investigated to make people feel safe on the network. Kathleen has literally saved people’s lives because of her quick actions. I am very proud of the work Kathleen is doing and hope one day, it will be replicated across the network”
A member of BTPs team based in London has said “Having worked with Kath, she is really dedicated to her role, her team and her push to make the railway a safer place for all customers and colleagues while also supporting BTP”
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Maryam, Eslamdoust
Company Name
TSSA
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I would like to nominate Maryam Eslamdoust for the Rail Ambassador category in recognition of her exceptional leadership, resilience, and dedication to the rail industry. Maryam is the first woman to lead a rail union in the UK, breaking new ground in an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated. As the leader of the Transport and Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), she has consistently demonstrated courage and strength, even during times of personal hardship.
Maryam’s role as a leader has not only been challenging but has also required a unique combination of diplomacy and determination. She has represented TSSA at the forefront of national demonstrations, pay negotiations, and international conferences, advocating tirelessly for the rights of rail workers. Her commitment to fair representation and equality in the industry has made her a formidable and respected figure, both within the UK and beyond.
Despite the many obstacles she has faced, Maryam’s perseverance has been unwavering. Her leadership has inspired many, particularly women and other underrepresented groups within the rail sector. She is truly reshaping the face of the rail industry in the UK and Ireland, showcasing the value of diversity and inclusion in leadership.
Maryam’s work goes beyond her union responsibilities—she embodies the spirit of a Rail Ambassador. She has used her platform to champion the entire rail industry, highlighting its importance to society and driving forward the agenda for a more equitable and diverse workforce.
For these reasons, I believe Maryam Eslamdoust deserves to be recognised as a Rail Ambassador. Her trailblazing leadership, resilience, and impact on both the workforce and the wider industry are extraordinary, and she continues to be a shining example of what the future of the rail industry can look like.
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Melanie, Bryett
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate Melanie for Rail Ambassador of The Year Award for her continued hard work in building relationships with other Train Operating Companies in her role as Partner Station Manager. Having previously worked for Melanie when she was Station Manager at Wolverhampton I can vouch for her hard work, team spirit and commitment. She is working extremely hard to make her staff better. She leads by example and is not shy of getting stuck in. Melanie is on the forefront of building relationships within the companies to bring collaborative working to improve the railway for all. I believe her experience and relationships she builds with people across the network and various stakeholders are making changes on daily basis.
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Mohammed, Al-Sharif
Company Name
Skanska
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I am delighted to recommend Mohammed Al-Sharif for the prestigious 'Rail Engineer of the Year' award.
As a seasoned Chartered Civil Engineer with an outstanding track record in the railway industry, Al-Sharif exemplifies excellence, dedication, and innovation in his field.
I had the privilege of being mentored by him earlier in my career, and his guidance was invaluable in helping me navigate the complexities of the industry and chart a successful career path. His mentorship extended beyond technical expertise, as he also played a pivotal role in connecting me with the right resources and opportunities, including mentorship for achieving Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
His contributions to the railway sector are truly remarkable. He has lent his expertise to a multitude of major projects, including the Camp Hill lines and University Station, where his engineering prowess and leadership have left an indelible mark. His ability to tackle complex challenges with ingenuity and precision has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and stakeholders alike.
Furthermore, he has demonstrated his versatility and expertise by providing valuable counsel on 'Grade II' listed building renovations for the local council—an indication of his interdisciplinary skills and commitment to community development.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Al-Sharif is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of railway professionals. His active involvement in STEM activities and mentoring initiatives underscores his dedication to shaping the future of the industry, ensuring that aspiring engineers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation and progress.
In summary, Al-Sharif embodies the qualities of a true Rail Engineer of the Year—technical expertise, leadership, mentorship, and a passion for advancing the railway industry. I wholeheartedly endorse his nomination for this esteemed award and am confident that his contributions will continue to inspire and elevate the field of rail engineering
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Paula, Aldridge
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I would like to nominate Paula who is responsible for engaging with local community groups or charities that would like to adopt our stations as well as supporting 12 Community Rail Partnerships and their officers.
Paula is a living example of our values at South Western Railway, Committed to our Customer, Setting the Highest Standards, Supportive of Each Other. All of these values Paula portrays every day in her role and in how she leads her team to achieve some amazing results.
Paula is truly inspirational to all those that work with her, her enthusiasm is infectious. Nothing is not too much trouble for her and there never seems to be a barrier or obstacle that prevents her delivering on. Engagement is something that Paula is passionate about and something that is very important to Paula. She is always the first to engage with the station team, she takes time to listen, to support, to guide with any community projects.
Paula used so much scope to think outside the railway box and develop some exciting projects to encourage our communities to use the train more. For example, earlier this year we celebrated the fact that Freddie Mercury used to live in Feltham and held an excellent event with the support of the Hounslow and Richmond community Rail.
Paula gets to meet some really interesting and diverse community groups across our whole network and listen to their ideas on how they would like to engage with South Western Railway. Since 2020 South Western Railway station adoptive groups have risen from 20 up to 105.
Paula believed that a successful project can only be delivered by involving the correct people from the outset the right people at the right time across the network. Paula is much at the forefront of daily community activity and despite being office based she supports the wider South Western Railway community and our customers, including helping out in times of service disruption and at different events.
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Rachel, Moran
Company Name
GTR
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Rachel joined the business less than two years ago but has made a big impact in the time since, championing rail and driving engagement through innovative storytelling.
Rachel, and the content she creates as a Campaigns Executive, acts as an ambassador for rail within the business, promoting the wealth of opportunity that the rail industry offers. This year she has delivered some fantastic internal campaigns highlighting the career possibilities within GTR and the industry, such as the “Career Curiosity” and various “Meet the Team” style stories, as well as “Tales from the Training School”. This was a six-month long series following eight apprentices on their journey to becoming drivers, detailing the processes involved, and that culminated in a live Q&A. There is a lot of desire within the industry to become a driver, and Tales from the Training School made the whole process accessible and easy to digest, signposting the supporting services that are offered at GTR and within the industry. These series have been well received, racking up views and engagement. Rachel is always positively curious about the roles within rail, volunteering for frontline shifts and enthusiastically considering how she can promote each career path and communicate the value each brings to rail.
Rachel also champions sustainability which naturally, goes hand-in-hand with rail, communicating meaningful stories that evidence how the business and broader industry positively impacts the communities that we serve. Sitting in our Environment and Sustainability working group, Rachel has created detailed communications plans that delivered some fantastic campaigns and stories, going above and beyond to help organise, promote, and participate in our, now annual, Beach Clean event.
Additionally, Rachel delivers well-written and engaging storytelling for charity partnerships and events, wellbeing, and reward and recognition, demonstrating the positive impacts that the business and industry has on colleagues, communities, and society, cementing that rail is one of the best places to work. I have no doubt that her work has driven an increase in internal engagement, which is often one of the places most in need of a true rail ambassador.
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Satty, Potiwal
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Satty Potiwal is flagship duty station manager for Southampton Central, which as ‘the gateway to the south coast’ is one of South Western Railway’s (SWR) most important stations.
Described by his colleagues as a ‘constant inspiration by his supportive and community-focused approach’, we are nominating Satty for his passion, his support for those around him and for fostering a positive and supportive culture at the station.
Satty joined the railway in 1992 as a driver’s assistant before moving on to become a shunter. It is his career in station management, which began with his role as a station supervisor, which has seen him shine.
In the last 12 months Satty has taken his support for those around him to the next level, doing more than just his ‘day job’ to make a positive and material difference to the local community.
In the last year alone, Satty has supported charities including The Alex Wardle Foundation, The Saints Foundation/Senior Saints, The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, The Big Difference, Fostering Southampton and Communicare in Southampton.
Satty’s annual curry days, which he stages to feed his colleagues and raise money for a local charity - which in 2024 was the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance – demonstrate his real, genuine and authentic commitment to supporting people.
His dedication to different cultures is also an inspiration. He has helped SWR to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month and for a number of years now has worked with the local Chinese community to celebrate Chinese New Year with a Lion Dance at Southampton Central.
Returning to the railway, Saty also works with Network Rail colleagues to offer presentations to local schools about railway safety and regularly hosts ‘Try the Train’ sessions, which help to educate local groups on how to safely use our services and stations.
Saty’s work with charities and the local community is an inspiration to his colleagues, who have learned from his model behaviour and actions above and beyond his role at Southampton Central. By fostering this spirit, the wider station team has come together to create a family atmosphere, which is witnessed by anyone who spends time at the busy station.
Despite the massive contribution Satty has made to his place of work, his colleagues, SWR’s customers and the local community, he remains humble and unassuming. He never seeks personal recognition but is always grateful and modest when he receives it.
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RAIL ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Do you know an engineer who knows rail engineering inside out? Who rises to a challenge and comes up with the results? Or achieved an amazing feat of engineering brilliance?
Example job titles in this category:
Lead Fitter, Pway Designer, Fleet Engineer, BSL Signalling Engineer, Signaller, Structure Examiner, Engineering Contracts Director , Senior Surveyor, Senior Project Engineer, Technical Engineer, Construction Management, Chief S&T Engineer, ATME...
You can see all the past winners here.
Sponsored by:
Aidan, Courts
Company Name
AtkinsRealis
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After earning a first-class bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Warwick, Aidan began his career at AtkinsRéalis in 2014 as a graduate engineer specialising in safety-critical signalling.
New to the rail industry, Aidan eagerly embraced the opportunity, immersing himself in various departments such as design and construction. Concurrently, AtkinsRéalis was pioneering a groundbreaking approach to signalling delivery in the UK – the Advanced Signalling Method (ASM). This next-generation digital signalling system aims to enhance safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness for the UK’s mainline railway.
Recognising the crucial impact and significance of the cutting-edge signalling technology AtkinsRéalis was bringing to the UK, Aidan requested a transfer to the ASM software development team working with the ElectroLogIXS Programmable Logic Controller.
Despite limited experience, Aidan worked with experts from several industries to define robust processes for delivering and developing the ladder logic software, native to the ElectroLogIXS, for both Interlocking and Level Crossing systems. Through bold decision making and novel design techniques, his meticulous approach to software assurance has been critical in maintaining high standards of quality and reliability.
Aidan went on to become lead software designer where he demonstrated outstanding leadership and technical expertise. His pivotal role in the delivery of the signalling system for Old Oak Common Depot showcased his ability to lead complex software design projects. This followed by his significant contributions on the Shepperton Branchline project, which marked the introduction of new interlocking technology on Network Rail infrastructure in over 15 years, showcase his ability to be deliver business-critical tasks and is testament to his innovative approach and dedication.
Pioneering the Interlocking Design Manager role, Aidan was a driving force behind the award-winning Feltham and Wokingham Re-signalling project, a multi-phase project consisting of 21 interlockings and 15 level crossings. His meticulous planning and execution culminated in the delivery of Whitton interlocking with zero software related test logs raised, an unprecedented achievement in the industry. This accomplishment highlights his commitment to excellence and his ability to deliver flawless results under challenging conditions.
Aidan’s contributions extend beyond project delivery; through his role in the ASM Technical Governance Group, he continues to influence the future of railway signalling technology. Identifying areas for automation within the delivery process, he has successfully brought his ideas to fruition, significantly improving the quality of the systems, saving both time and money. His forward-thinking approach has streamlined operations and set new benchmarks for efficiency.
Aidan has been proactive in sharing his knowledge and experiences, he has travelled globally to introduce novel software techniques and automation to the wider industry and created comprehensive guidance documentation and training courses to support his colleagues. Aidan provides continued support and mentorship to those around him and ensures the sustained success of projects whether he is or isn’t directly involved in them.
Aidan Courts’ expertise, perseverance, and innovative spirit make him an invaluable asset to the railway signalling community. His achievements have set new standards in the industry, and his ongoing contributions promise to drive further advancements in the field.
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Alina, Lixandru
Company Name
AtkinsRealis
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Alina is our Estimating North-West Lead and the best line manager I have ever had. Under her leadership, I was promoted two times and became a Rail Key Account Manager, discovering my dream career path.
Alina has a proven-track experience of delivering major projects, demonstrating that engineering is a vital link between science and society. She co-authored an infrastructure management book to support students and published a research highlighting the importance of slab track design, enhancing greener and safer journeys for millions of passengers.
After several years working as a Civil Engineer in her home country of Romania, Alina overcame the challenge to move abroad and succeed in the UK.
In the past 12 months, I witnessed Alina take her career to another level by exploring ways in which she can best utilise her experience and network to enhance our Rail industry, despite receiving a difficult diagnosis.
She is currently working on High Speed 2 railway, in a challenging position of Cost Assurance Lead. Her innovation and technical skills were quickly used to resolve the lack of consistency across the programme. She delved into developing cost assurance templates that improved the duration of delivering outputs by 75%.
Through leading the Compensation Events assurance process and harnessing her engineering background, she managed to save a value exceeding £100m for the client. Alina promotes the principles of the circular economy and ensured the utilisation of local materials through challenging contractors designs to reduce the cost and carbon footprint by 15%.
She relishes challenging her limits and assisting departments in providing cost engineering solutions. When the Delivery Mainline team asked for her help, Alina has given buildability advice, considering that climate change effects could have different impacts on groundwater storage. She designed a recharge boreholes solution and developed a model to estimate its whole life cost, enabling client decisions and addressing additional works required on site without delays.
A strong believer in giving back to her profession, Alina volunteers her time and expertise in numerous areas. She launched the ‘Learning Box’ initiative to train her HS2 team, including bringing external presenters. As a member of the Women’s Engineering Society and other professional associations, Alina participates at conferences, webinars and supports activities like surveys, which had shown women lack access to fit-for-purpose PPE across different sectors.
She has been a powerful voice for AtkinsRéalis ED&I, published thought-leadership articles, blogs, and co-featured in a podcast on the importance of ‘’speaking up ‘’ when working in a different culture and language. She facilitated the promotion of six colleagues, aided three individuals in obtaining professional accreditations, and recognised talent by putting upfront five shortlisted industry award submissions.
Her achievements in shaping the future of our industry were reflected in winning numerous awards for her exceptional technical and mentorship abilities, enabling us all to follow her footsteps.
Alina made the unique combination of academic and industry knowledge-how one of her greatest strengths she shares with us and is worthy of receiving the Rail Engineer of the Year Award.
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Charlotte, Linn
Company Name
AECOM Ltd
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This last year, Charlotte took on the client-facing role leading and collaborating with Network Rail in the delivery of designs to decarbonise the railway between Dunblane and Aberdeen, over 400 single track kilometres of electrification. This required an ability to stay calm and collected whilst working to a challenging programme maintaining a positive client relationship throughout. Simultaneously, Charlotte took on the responsibility to train graduate engineers in the team to give them the experience to take on these challenges in the future. Despite extremely compressed timescales, Charlotte also co-ordinated delivery of another challenging project in parallel, as Lead Overhead Line Designer for Perth station modernisation. This role involved collaborating with many key stakeholders to reach the desired value driven project outcomes.
In addition to Charlotte’s sound understanding of engineering principles, she consistently leads delivery of overhead line electrification designs with determination, a can-do mindset and an engaging, positive attitude. She continually strives to deliver her best in everything she is tasked to do as one of AECOM’s Senior Overhead Line Engineers. Charlotte is a role model to others in the AECOM team, particularly those she develops through her proactive mentoring approach. She is also a caring colleague, always checking in with others to see how they are feeling and how she can support or help.
Charlotte excels in her ability to integrate between railway disciplines, bringing people together to talk things through and solve problems effectively, efficiently and collaboratively. She is responsible for organising social outings for the wider team to make sure everyone feels welcomed and valued at AECOM. This includes encouraging participation in charity events and sponsored runs. Social Value is core to Charlotte’s heart and works collaboratively with clients to jointly engage in and deliver initiatives in communities and schools including career events, STEM and social value days.
As a member of the Permanent Way Institute, Charlotte has participated in several lectures and interactive workshops including the build of a low-level training span in Swindon. Despite inclement weather, she maintained a sunny disposition and provided support to early career participants on this course.
When Charlotte takes on new projects, she always starts off by asking ‘so what’ probing questions to make sure we are delivering value driven outcomes for our clients. She takes pride in her ability to solve problems even when under extreme pressure and maintains a steady motivation to complete a job and do it well. For all these reasons, her colleagues at AECOM consider Charlotte is deserving of recognition as rail engineer of the year.
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Craig, Littlewood
Company Name
AtkinsRealis
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UK First - Right First Time Interlocking Design
Craig Littlewood of AtkinsRéalis is a Signalling Design Verifier and is nominated for his major contribution to the Whitton interlocking on Feltham Resignalling project Phase 3/4.
He was the Verifier for the software based interlocking data of one of AtkinsRéalis first installations of the ElectroLogIXS technology using AtkinsRéalis' Advanced Signalling Method (ASM) to implement software based interlockings.
Whitton interlocking is AtkinsRéalis first ever interlocking produced and commissioned without a single functional test log, so a huge congratulations on this outstanding achievement is warranted regardless of the outcome of this award.
This achievement exemplifies the quality and diligence of design with the thoroughness and expertise shown by Craig to ensure the new ASM design process incorporated correct requirements, software ladder logic and application data to the highest safety standards and challenging timescales!
Not only for the project, but also for AtkinsRéalis' Advanced Signalling Method (ASM) and the ElectroLogIXS software process this is a massive milestone and something Craig should be really proud of.
Hopefully the first of many!
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Daniel, Bostock
Company Name
Hitachi Rail
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I am privileged to nominate Daniel for Rail Engineer of the Year Award. Daniel's profound impact on the rail industry through his work on the AzLM Train Detection System at Birmingham New Street stands as a testament to his engineering prowess, leadership, and innovation where he led Hitachi Rail's efforts in the site-specific deployment of the AzLM-system, transforming lessons learned into the benchmark for future deployments.
Daniel's role in the deployment of the AzLM-system was nothing short of transformative. His leadership was instrumental from conception to commissioning, turning a challenging project into a benchmark for future rail engineering endeavors. His ability to foresee and navigate through the complexities of introducing new technology into an operational environment like Birmingham New Street has set a new standard in rail engineering.
Daniel’s Key Achievements:
Safety Enhancement: Daniel's meticulous approach to understanding and validating the operating and failure modes of the AzLM-system has significantly elevated safety standards. His work in the lab directly translated into real-world applications, minimising risks in one of the busiest stations in the UK.
Requirements and Standards Evolution: His leadership in challenging and updating longstanding NetworkRail standards has not only optimised the system architecture for AzLM but has also paved the way for future technological advancements in train detection systems.
Innovative Solution Engineering: Daniel crafted a technical architecture that not only met but exceeded the stringent RAMS-targets. This architecture now serves as a model for what can be achieved under the most demanding conditions, showcasing rail engineering at its finest.
Collaborative Design: Working alongside NetworkRail and Siemens, Daniel was key in developing design principles that harmonised various needs into coherent, practical designs. These have since become foundational in projects like Rugeley to Colwich and East West Rail Phase 2.
Efficiency in Installation and Testing: By developing an off-track-simulation system, Daniel significantly reduced the need for on-track-testing, enhancing safety and project timelines. His quality audits ensured that the installation standards were not just met but exemplified.
Commissioning and Training: During the critical commissioning phase, Daniel's proactive involvement in remote-diagnostics was crucial for the project's success. Furthermore, his dedication to training ensured that maintenance staff were well-prepared, with him personally leading multiple sessions.
Long-Term Impact: Post-deployment, Daniel's work with updating maintenance specifications has guaranteed the system's longevity and reliability, directly benefiting millions of passengers for decades to come.
The performance of the AzLM system, with over 1.8million track section hours without hardware failure, far surpasses industry standards, largely due to Daniel's engineering approach and leadership. His work has not only ensured the immediate success of the Birmingham project but has also laid down methodologies that will benefit rail engineering projects across the UK for the next 25 years.
In conclusion, Daniel Bostock exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding rail engineer through his technical ingenuity, his commitment to safety, and his capacity to lead complex projects to successful outcomes. His contributions at Birmingham New Street are a clear indicator of why he deserves to be recognised as the Rail Engineer of the Year.
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Dave, Jones
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate Dave for Rail Engineer of the Year award for his continuous amazing work at Birmingham Snow Hill. Everyone that knows Dave is aware how proactive, hard working and dedicated to his role is. Dave has repaired countless class 172 trains at Birmingham Snow Hill. Whilst on shift Dave spends most of his time on the platforms ready to spawn into the action. Dave frequently proactively observes trains as they arrive and depart the station looking out and listening for issues that might cause problems further down the line. Dave is dedicated to the role and often spends time with train crew discussing the units and what issues they have so he can deal with them before they turn into big problems. When Dave notices something amiss with services leaving the station or going to the depot he takes it upon himself to notify the depots about the issue so it can be looked into during the night shift. I believe that Dave should be recognized for his hard work and dedication he has for his job.
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Dave, Speakman
Company Name
Keltbray Infrastructure Services Ltd.
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Dave started his railway career in 1989 at Balfours and has worked on many prestigious projects across the world, in recent years he has dedicated a lot of time as a pivotal role in guiding young engineers through their professional development, this also including bespoke plans to assist with PWI chartership, he is currently managing 42 young professionals of which 23 are chartered or working towards and 18 are under the age of 25.
He holds regular one-to-one mentorship sessions, actively listening to their career aspirations and helping them set clear goals. With his extensive industry experience, Dave provides tailored feedback that empowers his team to grow. He encourages participation in workshops and training programmes, ensuring they stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies. Through collaborative projects, Dave challenges young engineers, boosting their confidence and enhancing their problem-solving skills. His supportive approach not only strengthens their technical abilities but also nurtures their soft skills, preparing them for leadership roles within the organisation.
This year, Dave achieved a significant milestone by becoming a Chartered Engineer, reflecting his dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence. This accomplishment not only showcases his technical proficiency but also highlights his ability to inspire and lead others. As a Chartered Engineer, Dave sets an example, demonstrating the importance of continuous professional development and ethical practice. His success has further strengthened the trust and respect he has built within the organisation, motivating young engineers to pursue their own professional goals. With this new credential, Dave is even better equipped to guide his team and foster a culture of ambition and excellence.
Dave’s leadership and technical expertise were crucial in the production of a bespoke headspan conversion design, ‘Sportal.’ He began by understanding the specific project requirements and led brainstorming sessions that encouraged creative input and innovative solutions. His hands-on approach, including 3D modelling and constructability reviews, ensured the design met its objectives and delivered significant industry benefits. This process not only improved the team's technical skills but also instilled a strong sense of ownership and pride in the final product.
Dave’s offset portal concept brought notable advantages. The design allowed for installation without requiring head span modifications, enabling a high volume of installations during NBS access periods, thereby minimising risk and maximising efficiency. His approach enabled the staged transfer of the OLE to SIC/MIR-style support, tailored to the existing access footprint. This flexibility improved both access and output, enhancing overall programme efficiency. Dave’s innovative design also ensured the system was mechanically independent and compliant with asset policy, guaranteeing reliability and adherence to standards. Furthermore, it enhanced safety for future project work or maintenance by reducing hazards for personnel and equipment. Overall, his offset portal concept supported a more efficient, flexible, and safer project execution.
Through his mentorship, technical guidance, and innovative design solutions, Dave has proven to be an invaluable asset to his team and the organisation, continuously driving growth, efficiency, and excellence.
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FREIGHTLINER ETCS First In Class (FIC) FITMENT Team, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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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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James, Brown
Company Name
First Rail Consultancy
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We are delighted to nominate James Brown for the 2024 Rail Engineer of the Year Award. James exemplifies outstanding engineering achievement within First Rail Consultancy (FRC), and has contributed significantly to the advancement of the UK rail industry through his innovative solutions, leadership, and commitment.
After graduating from Bristol University with a mechanical engineering degree, James began his career began with Angel Trains, where he excelled in its graduate training programme. Here, James demonstrated his knack for innovation, particularly in his work on decarbonising train systems with a focus on battery-operated trains.
James later joined First Rail Consultancy, where he has contributed to the designs of new high-speed trains for the West Coast Partnership Development (the Shadow Operator for HS2). He also introduced a technology strategy that enhanced train communications and accessibility at the Platform Train Interface (PTI).
James is naturally curious, and is passionate about innovation and the tangible benefits it can bring to millions of passengers. He is a big believer in digital design and manufacturing technology. An example of the innovation James brings to the industry is his creation of insightful 3D printed scale models and Virtual Reality demonstrations to support the design development of new trains. This allows stakeholders and future users to "see" and "feel" potential designs in 3D, rather than have to try and interpret a diagram. A key focus of this has been to improve the accessibility of the design process allowing us to get greater feedback from a wider user group, earlier in the design process.
Recently, James began an interim role as Engineering Manager in FirstGroup’s new venture into cable car operations. His involvement has been crucial in diversifying FirstGroup's portfolio and sharing rail expertise with partners in the guided cableway area , placing a heightened focus on passenger experience alongside safety requirements. This role has been challenging, especially as he had to manage the transition at short notice without the incumbent’s Engineering Manager. James’s ability to adapt quickly and deepen his knowledge in new areas showcases his versatility, leadership skills and capacity to enable innovation throughout the industry.
For his outstanding contributions to rail engineering, pioneering work on sustainable and innovative transport solutions, and his unwavering dedication to improving passenger experiences, James Brown embodies the spirit of the Rail Engineer of the Year Award. But don’t just take our word for it…
Jonathan Waters, Principal Rolling Stock Engineer at FRC, said: “James is an inspiring engineer with an infectious passion to make things better. He has a true talent for workshop design and facilitation, motivating the whole team to be creative.”
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Open Access, Tram & Cable, at First Rail, added: “James has developed an excellent reputation across FirstGroup and was recommended to us to cover our Engineering Manager role at the Cable Car. James in energetic, with a can-do and positive attitude. It is testament to his skills, knowledge and approach that he has hit the ground running.”
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Lauren, Barclay
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Lauren is a truly inspirational rail engineer! There is no stopping her achievements and determination to get the job done. Lauren is liable for any maintenance that Stadler conduct, changes to the fleet hardware or software, audits and managing the delay and reliability performance. Lauren also liaises with the drivers and driving company council to ensure any issues of modifications are acknowledged as well as monitoring the safety of the fleet. Lauren is doing all of the above whilst also studying for a masters and working towards chartership and has two young children at home. Lauren is a real advocate to women in rail and she is coaching young students to fulfil their dream of becoming an engineers themselves. Lauren is a real team player, she collaborates with other teams, internally and externally and is a real asset to the Greater Anglia family.
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Liam, Trott
Company Name
Colas Rail
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Hard working fitter at Westbury, deserving of an award in maintaining the Colas fleet on the Western region with traction knowledge from the hired class 59 to the class 66, class 70 and even class 56's helping Drivers with their faults and failures in difficult times!
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Mark, Howells
Company Name
Network Rail
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Relentless, passionate, driven, highly motivated - a fountain of knowledge in all things railway engineering drainage related. Only a few words that describe Mark, but certainly a shared view by many people that have worked with him. The importance of drainage in civil engineering is not new, but sharing that message in the railway industry and the impact this can have in terms of tragic accidents through to day to day performance to rail users is now more widely appreciated. Mark drives the importance of the world railway drainage - focussed in Western route, but recognised nationally through national forums and now also lecturing in academic settings to share his knowledge to the next generation of railway engineers. I have the pleasure of line managing Mark who works incredibly hard day in day out (and night!) to promote and manage the risk we see from water impacting on the railway system - now further seen with climate change and our continually aging infrastructure needing to perform in ever more demanding ways. Whilst delivering his challenging day job as Senior Asset Engineer in drainage in Western route he takes and makes all opportunities possible to gain CPD, raise awareness and learn beyond his area of expertise. Presenting at the PWI or more recently providing lectures to undergraduates on railway drainage as part of the wider railway system. A true 'go to guru' in his area of expertise in the railway industry.
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Mohammed, Al-Sharif
Company Name
Skanska
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I have known Mohammed Al-Sharif since university days and he has been my long-term mentor and support during university and beyond, this is not just in my career but in all aspects of life. A sincere friend and colleague who goes out of his way to help others in the industry and outside.
Mohammed has a unique ability to explain abstract engineering concepts far better than what the lecturers were able to explain during university. Mohammed possesses a sharp attention to engineering detail and his ability to link various aspects of engineering together and in being able break down real engineering problems into chunks which are understandable to anyone is unmatched.
At one point I was considering a career switch from civil engineering to the tech sector but Mohammed’s passion and enthusiasm for engineering reinvigorated my interest in continuing to pursue a career within the construction industry, in Digital Engineering. Mohammed’s passion for engineering extends beyond the industry and into academia. Mohammed is active in promoting engineering for young students in school and is active in supporting myself and many others in their pursuit of Chartered Engineering status, all with the goal of improving excellence and raising the bar within the sector.
Mohammed is a role model for all future engineers and seasoned engineers, an asset and leader for the rail sector for many years to come, hence I would like to nominate Mohammed for the Rail Engineer of the Year Award
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Patrick, White
Company Name
Network Rail
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Patrick White fondly called ‘Paddy’ has made remarkable reforms since he arrived Hither Green depot. Starting with improved reporting of defects and follow up with actions across all departments, integration of Insight as part of defect reviews, boots on the ground on every possession to follow up on repeat defect and plans for renewals. He has also produced quality maintenance staff and regimes through his relentless effort in nurturing Graduate Engineers, staff and apprentices. His work ethics demonstrates, dedication, passion and fairness. He is a dynamic leader whose approaches are very impactful and raising the standard for safety in leadership, performance and engineering standards on track. He has set an example of how a person in a senior leadership position should relate with staff from various and diverse backgrounds.
His engineering prowess has distinguished theoretical concepts against tested systems resulting in track asset reliability. So far, we have experienced collaborative working between teams, better information sharing between Pway, W&G and RT&L.
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Richard, Stainton
Company Name
Network Rail
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It is with immense pride and enthusiasm that I nominate Richard Stainton for the prestigious Rail Engineer of the Year Award. Over the course of his exemplary career, Richard has made significant contributions to the field of engineering, demonstrating both visionary leadership and technical expertise.
During his twenty-one years at Network Rail, Richard has delivered a series of groundbreaking projects that have set new standards for innovation and technical excellence. One of Richards’ most noteworthy achievements is the Cost-Efficient Electrification Programme that contains a variety of workstreams collectively aimed at reducing the capital cost of electrification. This programme is on course to achieve £400m in benefits. These workstreams have had a transformative impact on the railway industry. Alongside Richard’s relentless focus on innovation to save taxpayers money, this work will also significantly contribute to Network Rail’s sustainability vision of creating a low-emission railway that is more energy efficient with faster trains with more capacity for our passengers.
Richard’s recent collaboration with academics at the University of Birmingham to optimise pantograph design for railway electrification highlights his commitment to reducing costs while advancing Network Rail’s sustainability goals. His innovative solutions exemplify engineering excellence and showcase his leadership in promoting efficiency and sustainability within the railway industry.
In addition to his technical contributions, Richard has demonstrated outstanding leadership within the engineering community. Richard is an active mentor for apprentice graduates and new starters and has played a key role in advancing industry standards and promoting collaboration among stakeholders. Richard is an industry leader, attending PWI, and various conferences, as a speaker to passionately promote and share ideas with the rail industry. His commitment to excellence, safety, and sustainability inspires his colleagues to push the boundaries of what is possible in engineering.
Richard’s character is defined by his unwavering dedication, humility, and passion for advancing the rail industry. He consistently leads by example, fostering a collaborative environment where colleagues feel inspired and empowered to contribute their best. Known for his integrity and willingness to mentor others, Richard is as committed to developing the next generation of engineers as he is to finding innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges. His ability to balance technical expertise with empathy and leadership make him not only a respected engineer but also a trusted colleague, deserving of the Rail Engineer of the Year Award. His contributions to the industry have truly set new standards for innovation and efficiency, making him a true leader in the field of engineering.
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Sam, Fletcher
Company Name
AECOM
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Sam is passionate about making a difference, maintains the highest standards in his work, delivers results and is, as a result, well-respected by his team, peers and clients.
He consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership and his commitment to deliver on behalf of our clients and customers is unquestionable. Sam applies his knowledge and experience to guide teams to identify innovative solutions to problems in a pragmatic and collaborative manner. He leads with a hands-on approach, facilitating workshops, design meetings and client engagement sessions that promote a ‘right first time’ ethos in the projects he leads. This has been evident recently on the Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM) project dealing with diverse working groups promoting inclusive design.
He has a great in-depth knowledge of railways and, in particular, multi-disciplinary integration and coordination of Stations and Access for All (AfA) schemes with a real passion for making the rail network more accessible. Sam has been a driving force behi
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Suhanya, Saenthan
Company Name
Amey
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After working in Sri Lanka as a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) cell coverage optimisation planner, Suhanya joined Amey as a Data Administrator in 2012. From that point, Suhanya joined Amey's telecoms design team as an engineer and rapidly progress her career to senior engineer and to her current role as principal engineer. Through this career progression, Suhanya successful achieved professional qualifications at both IEng and CEng levels. In support of Professional Registration successes, Suhanya is a graduate having been awarded with both a BSc (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Master of Business Administration (MBA). Suhanya is member of both the IET and Institution of Rail Signal Engineers (IRSE) institutes. In addition, Suhanya has been successful in being award IRSE licences as a Designer and Engineering Manager - Design.
To Suhanya's credit, she has 'given back' in terms of supporting Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives in a number of schools encourage girls in particular to pick STEM subjects that could enable a career in engineering.
In addition to being an excellent telecom design engineer, Suhanya has an Authority To Work (ATW) as a Contractors Responsible Engineer (CRE) - Design, an ATW as a Project Engineer (PE) - Design and an ATW as a Work Package Lead (WPL). As a WPL, Suhanya has demonstrated an ability to track ongoing costs v. budget to ensure projects are delivered within their allocated budgets.
Currently, Suhanya is Amey's telecoms design CRE for Midland Main Line (MML) Electrification project producing PACE ES3, ES4 and ES5 designs of this project. The design involves immunisation of operational telecoms and Station telecoms assets to facilitate electrification. This involves working closely with a number of internal and external design team.
For the past 4 years and continuing, Suhanya has supported telecom design delivery of Amey's Wales and Borders project which is
design, installation, test and commissioning of Cardiff and Valleys region railway 'transformation'. The project involves:
• Responsible for preliminary design and detailed design delivery.
• Liaising with other disciplines and Engineering manager to efficiently
manage interdisciplinary conflicts.
• Leading the Operational telecoms design in Interdisciplinary Design
Check (IDC) and Interdisciplinary Design Review (IDR) meetings.
• Review the design to ensure the requirements are achieved, compliant to
standards and quality is ensured.
• Managing hazards in the central risk management software
I consider Suhanya to be one of the most inspirational people I've had the pleasure of meeting and have taken an absolute delight in seeing her develop as a rail telecoms engineer over the last 12 years having joined Amey with no rail experience. It is the case that Suhanya has, through hard and dedicated work, earned the total respect of her engineering colleagues, senior managers, project and engineering managers.
In short, I think Suhanya would make a very worthy winner of this year's Rail Staff Engineer of the Year award.
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Yik Tze, Fong
Company Name
Amey Consulting
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I nominate Fong as he is a technical subject matter expert and an exceptional mentor to the next generation. He is always available to support and solve problems. Recently, during the Kensal blockade, Fong swiftly resolved a sheet pile issue due to his vast technical understanding. His solution ensured the blockade's success by addressing the problem of sheet piles not achieving the required depth. This was raised highly by the contractor Amey TI and the team on site. His staged assessment approach in resolving the problem allowed for the works to continue while he did some further analysis and checking with the geotech team. He worked on call throughout the whole of the blockade ensuring problems could be resolved quickly and efficiently.
Fong consistently supports our colleagues at Amey TI with site queries arising from unforeseen circumstances and other issues and has been able to gain a well respected reputation. He never hesitates to go beyond his project brief when it benefits the programme and project. For instance, he developed template survey sheets and briefed junior staff to ensure their safety and preparedness during survey works for example. This was not part of his remit, but he recognised his responsibility as a senior team member to address shortcomings in the survey's setup and organisation and stepped in.
Fong's approach of viewing challenges as opportunities for solutions and his drive to go above and beyond for the team and project are paramount in his role as a CRE on the Transpennine Route Upgrade. He collaborates closely with other disciplines and supports the development of design solutions that work for all. One notable example is when he reviewed a ballast shoulder design solution developed by the geotechnical team, which required sheet pile walls. Fong proposed a series of alternative solutions that were more sustainable and cost-effective, providing technical advice to the geotechnical team to evaluate the final solution.
But Fong is a great mentor, always dedicating time to junior staff, providing technical and commercial guidance and support. He has been instrumental in mentoring several staff members, including George Burrows, who took over from Fong as the LSC CRE for the GSM-R Packages under his mentorship. This is reflected in feedback from George Burrows - Fong has been a massive help to me and the team in delivering the TRU compound submissions. He has a wealth of knowledge surrounding civils in particular compounds and is always happy to give his time up and go through things. With his help, I been able to complete multiple submissions under changing conditions and time pressures to a high standard.
Fong's mentorship extends beyond technical guidance; he also supports staff in their career development, helping them with applications for progression and providing valuable feedback. He also supports the team with his commercial experience and mentors them to have better understanding on controlling budgets and package programmes and resources.
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RAIL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD
In this category, we are looking for someone who is an outstanding manager, who is a true professional, who shows outstanding leadership skills, and goes beyond for their team.
Example job titles for this category:
Duty Engineering Manager, Section Supervisor, Programme Manager, Customer Service Manager, Area Manager, Station Manager, Train Driver Manager, Retail Audit Manager, Senior Engineering Manager, Customer Delivery Manager...
You can see all the past winners here.
Alana, Davoren
Company Name
Alstom
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Demonstrating exceptional stakeholder engagement, innovative thinking and inspirational leadership to overcome unprecedented challenges, Alana Davoren enabled the safe delivery of Barking Riverside Overground rail extension and station opening five months earlier than scheduled.
Collaborating with multiple stakeholders to establish priorities, and secure buy-in, Alana instigated a new programme, taking full accountability for reporting project progress, trialled eviFile, an innovative tracking and real-time reporting tool and created a new commissioning readiness procedure.
Leading a diverse team comprising 60 different ethnic backgrounds, Alana facilitated an environment that empowered everyone to have a voice, establishing a one-team approach and common sense of purpose.
Demonstrating exceptional stakeholder engagement, innovative thinking and inspirational leadership to overcome unprecedented challenges posed by Covid, Alana Davoren enabled the safe delivery of Barking Riverside Overground rail extension and station opening five months earlier than scheduled.
Originally due to open in December 2021, a planned single five-day possession over Easter 2020 to undertake signalling works had to be cancelled by Network Rail (NR) due to the pandemic.
With Transport for London (TfL) setting a revised opening for December 2022 and the opportunity for another single possession unlikely for four years Alana, Alstom's Lead Project Manager, devised and managed a staged delivery strategy to carry out the critical signalling works over 16 weekends.
Recognising effective and efficient communication was key to the project's success, Alana instigated a new programme, taking full accountability and responsibility for collating and reporting project progress.
Tracking critical activities and challenges, Alana's seamless ability to identify and resolve key project issues and use lessons learnt formed the foundation for continuous improvement and swift programme recovery. This enabled TfL to open the line extension and terminus station in July 2022, five months ahead of schedule.
"Alana is an extremely accomplished and passionate Project Manager, always going the extra mile, her passion is infectious. A people person, she encourages her project delivery team to strive for continuous improvement to achieve the best outcomes. Alana saw every commissioning as a learning opportunity not just to grow her own experience, but that of her team and the business. Always going over and above, Alana leads by example and has exceptional communication skills and a special talent for building relationships; within her team and with clients and stakeholders." Richard Denton, Project Director Alstom
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Amy, Sutton
Company Name
Southern Rail
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I am pleased to nominate Amy Sutton for the Rail Manager of the Year at the RailStaff Awards UK. Since joining our team as a newcomer, Amy has proven to be a breath of fresh air, transforming the depot with her innovative approach to engagement and well-being. Her background as a nurse has equipped her with a unique set of skills that she has adeptly applied to the rail industry, making a profound impact on her team and the wider depot.
Amy's approach is rooted in her deep understanding of people and their needs. From the outset, she introduced a fresh perspective on how we support and engage our staff, particularly in terms of mental and emotional well-being. Drawing from her healthcare experience, Amy implemented several initiatives that have significantly boosted morale and fostered a more inclusive and supportive work environment. One of her standout achievements has been leading on "depot days”. These sessions offer staff an informal space to discuss their concerns or challenges, whether work-related or personal, in a supportive environment. By providing this outlet, Amy has not only demonstrated care for her team's well-being but also helped address issues before they escalate, fostering a culture of openness and trust.
Amy's leadership has also focused on celebrating the successes and contributions of her colleagues. She has led numerous initiatives aimed at raising the profiles of deserving individuals within the depot. By recognizing and showcasing the efforts of her team members, she has inspired a culture of appreciation and recognition, which has, in turn, motivated staff to strive for excellence. This recognition has had a tangible effect on morale, as team members feel valued and appreciated for their contributions.
Beyond individual recognition, Amy has made engagement a core component of her management style. She has introduced regular team engagements that not only focus on operational efficiency but also encourage open dialogue and the sharing of ideas.
Amy’s impact on the depot cannot be overstated. Her empathetic approach, combined with her innovative ideas, has made the workplace a more supportive and positive environment for everyone. The improvements in morale, the sense of community she has fostered, and the recognition of individual contributions are a testament to her exceptional leadership. Amy has shown that by focusing on the well-being of staff, both personal and professional success follows naturally.
For these reasons, I believe Amy Sutton is a truly deserving candidate for the Rail Manager of the Year award. Her fresh perspective, dedication to her team, and commitment to fostering a supportive and engaged work environment have made a significant and lasting impact.
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Andrew, Clark
Company Name
GTR / Thameslink
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Andy's dedication to his role is aspirational. He is professional in all of his duties and then goes above and beyond our expectations to support our team and our Drivers. He's the most reliable, honest individual and he consistently has a positive impact to our team. It's a pleasure working alongside Andy day to day - he is an integral part of our team.
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Andy, Piper
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Andy currently works for GTR as an Area Operations Manager for TL South. He is an exceptional manager - inclusive, and equitable in his leadership style.
He actively promotes wellbeing and is genuinely concerned for the welfare of his team including Managers and drivers. He has a subtle ability to put people at ease, and to establish collaborative relationships with people who have previously been resistant to establishing contact. This is a testament to his skill as a leader - he takes the time to understand your strengths and challenges and is always your biggest cheerleader, encouraging and supporting you to strive for more.
I am extremely fortunate to have him as my line manager.
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Andy, Webb
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I would like to nominate Andy Webb, one of our dedicated Resource Managers, for the Rail Manager of the Year award. Over the past few months, Andy has demonstrated exceptional leadership, adaptability, and commitment in his role, particularly during a very challenging time for both myself and the operations at Selhurst Depot.
Approximately four months ago, my partner unexpectedly contracted a severe and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. This sudden development required me to spend extended periods away from work, in hospital and lately, more time at home supporting my partners return from hospital and into District Nursing care. During this difficult period, Andy stepped up with no prior warning or preparation and took on the responsibilities of managing not only his own workload but also the demands of the entire Resource Office. His performance during this time has been nothing short of outstanding.
One of Andy's strongest qualities is his ability to share his knowledge openly and supportively with others. He consistently goes out of his way to help his colleagues and peers, offering guidance and solutions to challenges as they arise. Whether it's stepping in at short notice or assisting other Resource Managers, Andy is always willing to go the extra mile. His collaborative approach fosters a positive working environment, ensuring smooth communication and coordination between managers and drivers alike.
In addition to being an excellent team player, Andy excels under pressure. Throughout this period, the Resource Office faced several crises, but Andy managed each one with determination. He is highly solution-focused, often thinking outside the box to find innovative ways of overcoming obstacles. His adaptability in the face of new challenges, such as encouraging new working methods, has been instrumental in keeping operations running smoothly at the depot.
Andy’s commitment to delivering results is firmly grounded in our corporate values. He consistently embodies integrity, accountability, and teamwork, which have inspired those around him to perform at their best. He is always willing to learn new skills, and in fact, he has made several suggestions for improvements that have had a positive impact on the office’s efficiency. One notable example is his role in organising and overseeing the refurbishment of the Resource Office in my absence. This project was essential to improving the working environment for the entire team, and Andy’s attention to detail ensured that it was completed efficiently and to a high standard.
In conclusion, Andy Webb has been an invaluable asset to the depot during what has been an extremely challenging time. His leadership, resilience, and dedication have not only kept the Resource Office functioning but have also improved it. Andy’s contributions, both in terms of managing daily operations and supporting his colleagues, exemplify the qualities of an exceptional rail manager. For these reasons, I believe Andy is highly deserving of the Rail Manager of the Year award.
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Anneliese, Reid
Company Name
Southeastern Railway
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I would like to nominate Anneliese as I feel that this award is so deserving. Anneliese cares passionately about her team and their welfare whether it's personal or work. She goes above and beyond for her team
Anneliese is always there for the whole team, she often forgoes her own time away from the business to support us. Anneliese ensures that there is a safe space for us all and that the right things are done for everyone.
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Ashley, Reynolds
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Ashley is a superb station manager, he has many qualities.
Ashley has a great sense of humour, he is passionate about his work, he always gets back to you if you need help or assistance, he is an absolute wizz at spreadsheets and can come up with new ways of doing things using his excellent computer skills. He is very good at multi tasking, and working under extreme pressure and meeting targets.
Ashley is the sort of quality manager that when you know he is coming for a station visit you look forward to seeing him, having a coffee and catch up, he doesn't have any hidden agendas and it is a pleasure to talk to Ashley.
He has personally helped me with complex health conditions in the past, never judged me, was always open and ready to listen.
He is an asset to the railway and can turn his hand to many different railway projects, he is also a dab hand at DIY tips and cookery recipes.
It is a pleasure to work with him.
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Barry, Calder
Company Name
Alstom
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I am pleased to nominate Barry, the Infrastructure Engineering Manager, for the Rail Manager of the Year Award. He has driven significant improvements in civil delivery, demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation within the team. Over the last 12 months Barry has been instrumental in leading the achievement of the certificate of Conformity for Building Information Modelling (BIM) from BSI. This helps demonstrate Alstom's commitment towards digital transformation to support delivery efficiency and customer collaboration.
Under Barry's guidance, the infrastructure team morale has markedly improved. He has ensured that both office-based and remote teams are seamlessly integrated, fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment. By leading by example, he has created a culture of transparency and accountability, where team members feel empowered to contribute and challenge the status quo. Not only has Barry challenged the team as a whole, but he has also encouraged individual members of the infrastructure team to take on new challenges. By introducing a series of objectives that are measured monthly, he has raised standards and motivated the team toward ongoing improvement and innovation.
Barry has also played a crucial role in the HS2 tender process, where his leadership was instrumental in positioning our team for success. As the Lead Engineer for the M&E systems, he championed innovative approaches that not only met project requirements but also pushed the boundaries of what is possible in rail technology. His focus on the Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) approach has integrated advanced technologies such as AI and robotics, ensuring that our solutions are both cutting-edge and efficient. In his work on signalling delivery, Barry has excelled at quickly resolving team issues and removing blockers to ensure effective project execution. He has stepped up to chair company-wide operation meetings, facilitating seamless coordination between Alstom's engineering delivery units and installation and test teams across the UK and Ireland. This proactive approach has significantly improved collaboration and accelerated delivery timelines.
Barry has stepped up and deputises the Engineering Operations Director within Senior Management meetings when required to do so and ensures that he does this with 100% due diligence and enthusiasm . He always brings a refreshing outlook to the table and isn't afraid to challenge the status quo. He has also taken the lead on streamlining the Operational Engineering meeting to ensure that the relevant information is discussed and as a business we are working together collaboratively to be efficient and improve.
In summary, Barry embodies the qualities of an exceptional rail manager. Through his open and honest leadership style, commitment to team integration, and pursuit of innovative solutions, he truly deserves recognition as Rail Manager of the Year.
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Barry, O'Sullivan
Company Name
Iarnrod Eireann - Irish Rail
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I am nominating Barry O'Sullivan - Project manager of SET for the RAIL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD due to his extensive knowledge and strong leadership in managing complex projects across multiple disciplines in Signaling, Electrification, and Telecoms. His experience in overseeing all enabling works within these areas has been critical to ensuring the seamless execution of projects. Additionally, Barry's instrumental role in implementing Traffic Management Systems for Irish Rail highlights his ability to manage multifaceted initiatives. Barry consistently demonstrates a strong command of project management principles, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Barry's proactive problem-solving skills, coupled with a clear vision for enhancing operational efficiencies, make them an ideal choice for this nomination.
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Becky, Cubitt
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Becky has recently become an Assistant Area Customer Services Manager for Cambridge but that has not stopped her from getting stuck in and involved in other stations in their moment of need. Just the other day Ely was experiencing major disruption, Becky was passing through on her way home after doing her own shift and immediately grabbed a radio and got stuck in. She supported the whole team and went straight out the front of the station in extreme heat and started the taxi process while also giving out bottled water to our passengers, we also had a medical emergency and Becky made sure the staff dealing with this were ok and helped look after the passenger so the rest of the team could dispatch trains and perform safety duties. Becky really went above and beyond checking in on the team and staying for 3 hours to help and support, when her dinner was waiting for her at home. Before she left she got all the relevant information from a conference call regarding the disruption and made sure things had started to settle down before leaving to go home as she knew there were only 2 staff members on-site to deal with the remaining disruption. Becky was so supportive, calm and a real asset to the team. Even though Becky is not our station manager she was not going to leave the team which really shows she cares and really wanted to help us, she nearly did a 12 hour shift! Becky was also very recently on call and personally came down to the station to help a staff member who was lone working at the station due to staff shortages, as they too were experiencing disruption so she came down to help out! Becky always stops to say Hi and asks if everything is going ok when passing through the station and has a little chat when she can.
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Ben, Johnson
Company Name
Southern Rail
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I would like to nominate Ben Johnson for a Rail Staff Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the health and safety standards at our depot. Ben joined the railway just a year ago and has quickly proven himself to be an innovative and proactive leader. His background in project management has provided him with the skills and knowledge needed to make significant improvements in health and safety governance, leading to enhanced safety protocols and a more efficient depot operation.
In his role as the Health & Safety lead, Ben has gone above and beyond to drive forward new initiatives that have had a lasting impact on our operations. One of Ben’s key achievements has been his work in developing and implementing improved processes and technological solutions within our safety workstreams. He recognised that while existing protocols were robust, there was room for improvement in how failures in those protocols were identified and corrected. Through his leadership, the depot now has more effective systems for flagging and addressing potential safety concerns, which has resulted in a significant reduction in incidents and near misses.
Ben’s innovative approach extends beyond simply refining existing systems. He has spearheaded the introduction of AI-driven tools that are now being used to streamline safety governance across the depot. These tools have made it easier for managers to monitor safety standards, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that corrective actions are taken promptly. By automating some of the more time-consuming aspects of safety management, Ben has freed up time for both managers and staff to focus on proactive safety measures, rather than reacting to issues after they arise.
Perhaps most impressive is Ben’s commitment to engaging his fellow managers and the wider team in these new processes. Understanding that buy-in from all stakeholders is essential to the success of any safety initiative, Ben has made it a priority to ensure that everyone understands the benefits of the new systems and how to use them effectively. He has facilitated training sessions, provided one-on-one support, and created an open feedback loop so that any concerns or suggestions can be addressed swiftly. As a result, the entire team has embraced the changes, and the depot’s overall safety culture has improved significantly under his guidance.
In just a short time, Ben has made a remarkable impact on both the depot and the wider rail network. His proactive approach, combined with his technical expertise and leadership skills, has helped to create a safer, more efficient working environment for everyone. His dedication to continuously improving safety standards, along with his ability to leverage new technologies, makes him an invaluable asset to the team and a worthy recipient of this award.
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Cathy, Kirkland
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Cathy is consistently praised by colleagues for always being visible during times of disruption and for always backing her staff. Her work ethic is second to none, and her leadership skills shine as a manager.
Cathy has gained the respect of her team since taking on the role as Assistant Area Customer Service Manager, working hard to help staff develop and expand their training and knowledge. She has a genuine interest in colleagues and adds a personal touch by remembering that everyone has a life outside of the railway. She sets high standards by utilising the strengths of the team and helps colleagues to achieve their goals, with multiple progressing into more senior roles both inside and outside of the company.
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Chris, Matthews
Company Name
Freightliner
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We are nominating Chris Matthews for the Rail Staff Awards in the Rail Manager of the Year category in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the rail freight industry. Over the past year, Chris has demonstrated an outstanding ability to collaborate with key stakeholders, including other freight operators, Network Rail, freight customers, academic institutions, and consultancies, to drive meaningful business improvements and deliver value across the network.
One of Chris’s most notable achievements was his leadership in delivering the recast of the Mendip timetable. This project involved creating and implementing a new timetable for over 120 trains per week that serve the Mendip quarries. By working closely with Network Rail, and utilising data and modelling insights from consultancies and universities, Chris successfully introduced the new timetable as part of the December 2024 timetable change. This overhaul has resulted in a significant improvement in the performance of these flows, reducing delays across the network. Importantly, the average speed of services has increased, leading to more productive use of assets and train paths and capacity now for up to 150 paths per week from the quarries. These improvements not only benefit current operations but the better use of capacity presents opportunities for future growth, benefiting all users of the network.
Beyond the Mendip timetable recast, Chris has continued to make a profound impact on the industry. He is currently leading efforts with industry partners to drive further improvements in the efficiency and productivity of other key services. This includes an ambitious project to reduce the journey times of freight trains on core routes, which has seen the journey time for freight trains between the Midlands and Scotland reducing by two hours. This initiative is set to deliver even greater value and efficiency across the network.
Chris’s work is directly aligned with the wider goal of growing rail freight volumes. To achieve this, rail freight must become more competitive, and Chris’s efforts to unite industry stakeholders are playing a crucial role in making rail freight more attractive to customers. His leadership and vision are instrumental in improving the competitiveness of the sector, which is essential to deliver growth. For these reasons, we consider Chris Matthews is a deserving candidate for Rail Manager of the Year.
Network Rail is a key stakeholder in delivering success. Nick Coles, Timetable Production Manager – Freight, stated:
“Network Rail Capacity Planning have benefitted greatly from Chris’s input, communication and leadership on key Freightliner timetable projects. Our companies have worked closely to achieve some significant timetable outputs, including the Mendip Rail recast, with Chris being a key and constant driving force. Tough timetable assignments have felt easy to deliver, such has been Chris’s commitment to partnership working and good information sharing. Chris believes in making things better, a vision we share entirely.”
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Chris, Whetren
Company Name
Southwestern Railway
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I am nominating Chris Whetren for the RailStaff Awards due to his exceptional dedication and selflessness in bringing joy to the community, especially to school children, during the festive season. For the past four years, Chris has volunteered his time every December to play Father Christmas for over 200 school children. Chris decorates the ticket office waiting room in a grotto style and reads a Christmas story to the children. He ensures each child receives a gift and engages with them by answering their questions, often bringing laughter and joy.
Chris then returns in the evening, donning his Santa suit once again, to continue spreading cheer. He interacts with children and parents outside the station, making sure everyone feels the festive spirit. Chris’s dedication has made a significant impact on the community.
Many children in the community do not get to experience Christmas at home. Chris’s efforts ensure they have a memorable and joyful experience. His selflessness and commitment have made him a beloved figure in the community, bringing people together and creating a highlight of the year for many families.
Chris is a selfless individual who goes above and beyond his duties as a revenue manager to bring happiness to others. His actions embody the spirit of community service and make him a deserving candidate for the RailStaff Awards.
I strongly support his nomination and believe he is truly the star of the year at Hedge End
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Claire, Adams
Company Name
Southern Rail
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I would like to nominate Claire Adams for the Manager of the Year award at the Rail Staff Awards UK. Claire has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment, and innovation throughout the year, making her a deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.
Claire's depot has consistently ranked in the top two for performance across the network, a testament to her ability to drive excellence in every aspect of operations. This achievement is not a result of isolated efforts but rather the product of her continuous dedication to fostering a culture of high standards, collaboration, and a commitment to operational excellence. Under Claire’s management, the depot has not only met but often exceeded performance targets, reflecting her strategic approach to problem-solving and resource management.
What sets Claire apart is her people-centric leadership style. She has earned the trust and respect of her team, who frequently provide glowing feedback about her supportive and approachable nature. Claire understands the value of empowering her team, and her emphasis on open communication, professional development, and team cohesion has created an environment where individuals feel valued and motivated to perform at their best. Her ability to listen to her team’s concerns and ideas, while also providing clear direction, has resulted in a workforce that is both highly engaged and productive.
Claire's focus on health and safety does not stop at compliance. She takes a personal interest in the well-being of each individual in her team, promoting a workplace where mental and physical well-being are just as important as operational efficiency. This holistic approach has led to fewer incidents, lower absenteeism, and a stronger sense of community among her staff.
In addition to her operational success, Claire consistently demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, staying ahead of industry trends and ensuring that her depot is equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Her commitment to continuous improvement, whether through technological adoption or innovative practices, ensures that her depot remains a model of efficiency, safety, and employee satisfaction. She has been instrumental in implementing various technological solutions at her depot, such as electronic forms for various processes, improving efficiency and fostering staff engagement.
Claire Adams embodies the qualities of a true leader: she is driven, compassionate, safety-conscious, and forward-thinking. Her ability to balance operational demands with the needs of her team makes her an outstanding manager. I wholeheartedly believe that Claire is more than deserving of the Manager of the Year award and that her contributions to her depot and the rail industry should be celebrated.
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Claire, Smith
Company Name
GTR Thameslink
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I first met Claire Smith in July 20203 when she took me under her wing and showed me the Thameslink ropes at Cricklewood. Through the patient and thorough tutelage of Claire over a period of 3 months, she showed me how to run a depot and converted my railway understanding to the Thameslink environment. Claire dealt with my frustrations and near constant questions with good grace and excellent humour, feeding me occasionally along the way. All good things had to end and when Claire moved to her new position at St Albans, although she never abandoned me and is a most responsive and supportive Driver Manager; whether that is me airing my frustrations or discussing how to tackle some thorny issue, Claire always has time for me and I truly appreciate all her help and support.
My experience of Claire is not in any way unique. I inherited a portion of Claire’s team at Cricklewood and they all regard Claire very highly and Claire supports and engages with them as if they were still her own.
Claire is the epitome of
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Craig, Fisher
Company Name
Network Rail
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Craig works very hard for the team and the wider business and is constantly on the go with ideas, energy and initiatives to improve performance for the Wales and Borders route.
He is very strong and team focused leader, who treats everyone with the respect that they deserve, and does very well to communicate his belief in the people around him to instil confidence in themselves to facilitate a thriving team ethic.
It's rare to see so much energy and passion come out of one individual and this naturally permeates through the team, bleeding into less motivated people to generate activity and drive in them, which maintains the momentum that Craig creates. It's a pleasure to see him work and to learn from his drive and commitment to the role.
The level of performance improvement activity throughout Wales and Borders would not be the same if Craig were not here to lead the team, and I believe his influence is a major factor in the improvements we have seen across the Wales and borders route over the last 18 months.
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Daniel, O'Riordan
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Dan, who is the Head of Security and Safety Assurance, has led on several plans to reduce crime across our network. His approach includes setting up collaborative working with the British Transport Police, Network Rail and other police forces and improving how we train our staff so they can act when something happens. These steps have led to a significant drop in crime rates.
Dan's leadership has had an impact on creating a well-rounded and committed team that focuses on stopping crime and keeping people safe. He puts teamwork and working together first making sure each person on the team feels important and able to share their thoughts and abilities. This way of including everyone hasn't just made people happier at work; it's also made things run more smoothly.
Dan is a passionate about safeguarding and for protecting in the railway industry. He has applied guidelines and packages that prioritise the welfare of colleagues and passengers, in particular vulnerable people.
His commitment to developing safe surroundings reflects his deep care for his colleagues and the network we serve.
As a manager and true leader, Dan is very supportive; he continually goes above and beyond to help his team. Whether it’s assisting with events, to helping solve some complex issues or just being available for a chat, he guarantees that no one feels overwhelmed or unsupported.
His approachable nature fosters a culture that encourages open conversation in the team.
Dan's leadership style is inspirational. He leads with passion and commitment, demonstrating integrity and determination in all aspects of his work.
His capability to inspire others whilst retaining a clear vision for safety and security makes him an exemplary leader in South Western Railway.
I wholeheartedly believe he merits recognition as Rail Manager of the Year for his terrific contributions to South Western Railway and the railway network as a whole.
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Danielle, Green
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate Danielle for Rail Manager of the Year. This is based on her hard work, dedication, motivation and her team spirit. Danielle joined the team at Birmingham Snow Hill in March, and she already has made significant changes to the quality of the line. Danielle works extremely hard and puts her team before herself. She brings a wealth of experience of being a Shift Station Manager at Birmingham New Street to our line. Danielle quickly developed fantastic working relationships with various stakeholders within the business. She quickly developed relationships with staff across the line and all of them are positive about her. Danielle is caring, selfless, empathetic and supportive. Danielle is always spending time with her staff allowing them to voice their concerns in a trusting and professional manner. Danielle is a pleasure to work with and is a good manager who is not afraid of getting stuck in and is leading by example.
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David, Collyer
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate David for Rail Manager of The Year basing it on his commitment to CEM grade and hard work he is putting into sharing his experience with the new Customer Experience Managers within the company. David is the original Customer Experience Manager from when the role was first introduced in 2021. David has a wealth of experience from working with BTP and his previous retail experience of managing large retail stores. David is very friendly, outgoing and works good within a team. David took it upon himself to create CEM working group and CEM collaboration group to support the new Customer Experience Managers within the business. Having previously worked with David, I can personally assure that he is hard working, he is putting his team first for and is pleasure to work with. David is always lighting up the room with his positive and can do attitude.
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David, Foreman
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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David has worked at Greater Anglia for a number of years and has worked in most frontline roles including Ticket Office and Platform. His experience of working on the frontline means he has the respect of the station team as having been in their shoes. David has been a manager in the Cambridge area for the past few years and has retained his personable style and approachability. David has recently championed a new campaign at Cambridge station called 'Ask for Sandy' aimed to tackle period poverty. Any passengers can approach a member of staff and ask for Sandy - they will then be given a discreet bag containing sanitary products. David is very proactive during times of disruption and is one of the first to make himself available to frontline staff offering to help get the customers moving. He is a massive support to all of the staff here at Cambridge station and is a lynchpin of the station team.
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Dean, Underwood
Company Name
GTR / Southern
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We are nominating Dean who is Station Manager at Southern for the High Weald Area but is possibly one of the best known Station Managers in Southern.
Dean is, without a doubt, one of the best managers I have ever had the pleasure of working for and with. He supports, encourages, and inspires all the staff he interacts with. Dean not only motivates his team to progress and develop but also serves as a mentor and teacher ensuring all his staff are able to achieve their aims and targets.
He is always the first to step in and help with any issues or incidents, whether it requires taking charge of a situation or simply assisting his staff and colleagues. Dean puts an outstanding amount of effort into everything he does and go above and beyond for everyone and in everything he does.
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Elizabeth, Hardman
Company Name
Southern
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Liz has been my Line Manager for the last year, and I believe she deserves to be considered for the Manager of the year Award. From our first introduction she has been happy, bubbly approachable, along with being supportive. Liz promotes positivity, wellbeing and always has an open door policy. If Liz is in the room, you can’t help but smile.
For the last year Liz has been supporting me personally through some very difficult emotional events concerning my Sister, who as a family are currently helping her ending her life legally, due to a life changing accident.
A job as a Train driver is difficult when we are on our own for long periods of time and have a lot of challenging situations outside of our work life. We naturally have these challenges on our mind throughout the day, but with Liz’s support and care I have managed to cope with down days without it affecting my job or needing time off.
I know this is achieved by Liz’s supportive nature, being there when needed, reassuring me there are self help tools at work and lastly checking in on me on a regular basis. My job role of being an Assessor gives me an opportunity to being around more Drivers daily, and when I have a Driver who Liz also manages they all agree with what a great Manager she is. It goes to show from a Drivers point of view that your Line Manager can make such a positive difference to your life. Thankyou Liz on behalf of myself and family.
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Evie, Zelinger
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Incredibly positive, collaborative and engaging, Evie has quickly built up an amazing reputation right across the Anglia region for championing the customer and bringing customer-orientated improvements ideas to life. From Norwich to Southend and Cambridge to Liverpool St, Evie works across organisational boundaries to elicit positive action based on the feedback and insight we receive from customers.
In her role as Customer Experience Business Partner, Evie has been integral to GA achieving its record levels of customer satisfaction. Evie has delivered many direct customer enhancements, including communicating a ‘You Said, We Did’ approach to customer feedback, establishing an innovative live alternative route map for customers to use at times of disruption and presenting awards to colleagues for their own exceptional contribution.
Despite not having a team of her own, Evie recognises the importance of leading from the front and consciously makes time to be visible across the network to get to know our customers and colleagues alike. Doing this means that Evie can support colleagues in bringing some of the more ‘straightforward’ (but potentially most impacting on local communities) ideas to life – stickers for children, themed station decorations and tenaciously following up on customer-impacting issues.
Evie’s naturally connecting style always elicits positive discussion with others to act in the interests of customers. Despite only being in rail for less than two years, Evie has become skilled at asking managers at every level probing, challenging questions. There is no better example than this than the weekly Customer First in Disruption reviews that Evie chairs. Evie seeks out customer and colleague feedback from across the network and brings it together for GA (and Network Rail) to reflect on our customer performance in disruption. Supplying information at times of disruption is a key driver of satisfaction for our customers and in the last year more than 100 actions have been implemented as a result of productive conversations at these forums. This has included revamped customer messaging, new announcing equipment at stations, changing our approach to communicating with colleagues and revamping our on-call procedure.
GA are really proud to have Evie as part of our customer experience team; Evie’s determined approach combined with her engaging, supportive style has delivered a step change right across GA in how we act on customer feedback. Evie’s overall focus on pulling out key customer insight themes and taking them across the business and our industry partners to instigate positive action has played a pivotal role in making the GA culture customer focussed!
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Gary, Burns
Company Name
southern rail
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I am honoured to nominate Gary Burns for the RailStaff Award for his outstanding work as Lead Resource Manager at Southern Rail. Gary's leadership and innovation have transformed a team that had previously lacked investment and support into one of the most efficient and effective teams within the company. His unwavering commitment to both his team and the overall improvement of the depots he manages makes him an exemplary candidate for this prestigious recognition.
When Gary took over his role, he inherited a team that had faced several challenges. Rather than allowing these challenges to hinder progress, Gary saw this as an opportunity to revitalize the team and unlock it’s true potential. Through a combination of strategic engagement and the embedding of new staff members, he successfully rebuilt the team’s structure and morale. Under his leadership, Gary's team has evolved into a cohesive, high-performing unit that consistently meets—and often exceeds expectations.
One of Gary’s most significant achievements has been his ability to integrate technological advancements into the day-to-day operations of his team and the depots the team manage. Recognising that outdated processes were contributing to inefficiencies, Gary pioneered the implementation of new technology to streamline operations and improve productivity. These innovations have not only elevated the performance of the team but have also had a positive impact on the train crew they support, leading to smoother operations across the board. The improved coordination has been widely acknowledged and appreciated.
Gary’s leadership is also defined by the strong feedback he receives from all levels within the organisation. His team members praise his approachable management style, noting that he fosters an environment where they feel supported and empowered to perform at their best. He takes the time to listen to individual concerns, and facilitate personal growth and development. The result is a highly motivated team that thrives under his guidance.
Additionally, Gary’s peers frequently commend him for his collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach. His ability to work across departments and forge strong relationships with both the train crew and other managers has led to more efficient and harmonious operations. His positive attitude and willingness to innovate have set a high standard within Southern Rail, encouraging others to follow his lead in pursuing excellence.
In conclusion, Gary Burns is a true asset to Southern Rail. His leadership has not only elevated his own team but also had a far-reaching impact on the depots and crews they support. His dedication to innovation, efficiency, and team development makes him a standout candidate for the Rail Staff UK Award. It is with great enthusiasm that I put forward this nomination in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the rail industry.
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Gerry, Scott
Company Name
Lumo
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Gerry Scott, Interim Head of Operations at Lumo continually demonstrates outstanding leadership skills. Having the responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of Customer Operations for Lumo, Gerry goes about his role in a calm and collected manner, always being on hand to help anyone in the business and wider industry to do the right thing, whatever it may be, to ensure customers and colleagues are safely moving. Gerry has been with Lumo since the launch of the business and during his time here he’s consistently driven improvements in how the business runs successfully whilst also, throughout the 3 years, overseeing x23 (66%) Apprentice Customer Drivers successfully complete, or who are currently working towards, becoming a Qualified Customer Train Driver.
We often see Gerry helping our Customer Experience Ambassadors on the station platforms and on our trains, he without a second thought gets stuck into whatever the team needs support with. Gerry’s leadership style is second to non in terms of how he helps.
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Giles, Conway
Company Name
Chiltern Railways
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Giles continues to inspire the Oxfordshire Area Team with his dedication, determination and perseverance. He inspires the Team to be their best, encourages and supports staff contributions to improvements to the day to day job which has engendered a strong sense of ownership and pride in our patch. Giles encourages Team work and gives us opportunity to overview other roles within the stations so we have a better understanding of all aspects of frontline duties, ensuring we work more cohesively to provide our wonderful customers with the service they deserve. Giles is always approachable no matter the problem and works tirelessly to resolve the variety of issues that arise on a busy commuter patch. Giles deserves an award just for being Giles!
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Ian, Brightmore
Company Name
Network Rail
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Ian is a true operational professional. He has front line experience as a train driver, signaller, MOM etc, some of which he retains and is not putting all of that to good use as Network Rails Head of Operational Standards. When things go wrong, Ian is always the first in the que to help out, stepping up to be a rail Incident Commander for various locations when asked, helping others and leading from the very front.
Ian was also the technical mind behind much of the Elizabeth lines introduction, and joined NR before it entered passenger service, however he was still committed and working with them in the background to make sure the knowledge was transferred and always on hand if he was called. He went above and beyond personally on his day off the help with its first day of service, meeting drivers and helping out with the initial teething problems.
Ian supports others across the industry operationally, regular volunteers his time to mentor others and is helping set up a programme to professionalise some of
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Isabelle, Reynolds
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Isabelle is a fantastic manager, always seen and always there to help or advise. She is very approachable and is well liked across her whole team. You really feel like she has your back and she is interested in YOU. If she can help you she will.
Isabelle has been particularly supportive to me through some very difficult times that I have had personally whilst working for Greater Anglia and I cannot thank her enough for her support during this time, I would love her to receive some recognition for her superb management skills.
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Jack, Robarts
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Jack is an exceptional manager, who has excelled in the 2 and a half years since he took over the Broxbourne area. Jack takes pride in furthering the careers of others and is a compassionate listener; he never shies away from a difficult conversation and has provided a safe environment for staff to discuss any issues or worries, no matter how complex. He also excels in advocating for the customer, working closely with the New River Line Partnership and internal stakeholders to improve the aesthetic of our stations, along with supporting his team when there is disruption or there are challenging circumstances, to provide the best possible outcome for the passenger.
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Jagi, Marwa
Company Name
Southern Rail
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I would like to nominate Jagi Marwa for a RailStaff Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment and exceptional support to his team during what has been an incredibly challenging year. Jagi has demonstrated a level of leadership that goes beyond the typical expectations of his role, becoming a vital pillar of strength for his team, offering both professional guidance and personal support when it has been needed most.
Jagi’s role within the team has been essential not only to the operational success of the depot but also to the emotional and psychological well-being of his colleagues. Over the past year, Jagi has received numerous letters of gratitude from members of his team, each expressing their appreciation for the way he has supported them through difficult times. His actions have earned him the trust and respect of his colleagues, making him a key figure in maintaining team morale during a particularly tough period.
One of the most challenging events the depot faced was when we experienced a loss, which had a profound impact on the entire team. During this incredibly difficult time, Jagi stepped up in an extraordinary way. He provided compassionate support, ensuring that his team had the space, resources, and emotional care they needed.
In addition to supporting the team through collective challenges, Jagi has also been a crucial source of individual support for many of his colleagues. One particularly notable instance was highlighted in a letter of commendation from a member of staff who had been struggling for a long period. This individual had faced significant challenges both personally and professionally, yet with Jagi’s guidance, they were able to overcome their difficulties. Jagi provided consistent encouragement, listening to the concerns of the staff member and offering tailored support that allowed them to regain their confidence and refocus on their work. The gratitude expressed in the commendation letter is a testament to Jagi’s compassionate leadership and the life-changing impact he had on this individual’s experience at work.
Jagi’s contributions go far beyond his everyday duties. His presence in the depot has created a culture of openness and support, where team members feel safe to express their concerns and confident that they will be heard. His leadership has not only ensured that his team remains operationally efficient but also emotionally resilient. In a year filled with challenges, Jagi has been an essential part of the team, and for that, he deserves to be recognized.
For his empathy, dedication, and the profound impact he has had on the well-being of his colleagues, I believe Jagi Marwa is a highly deserving candidate for this prestigious award.
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Jakob, Grun
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I am proud to nominate Jakob for his exceptional contributions as Senior Revenue Protection Manager. Over his seven years with SWR, Jakob has transformed the Revenue Protection, Prosecution, and Fraud teams. In just over a year in his current role, he has led his teams to remarkable success, achieving significant improvements in KPIs across all areas.
Jakob’s strong revenue protection strategy emphasizes both operational excellence and customer service, ensuring that protecting revenue enhances the overall customer experience. His leadership has resulted in increased frontline performance and meaningful educational partnerships, demonstrating how revenue protection is integral to our operations.
He has also rebuilt the fraud strategy, leading to impressive case resolutions that strengthen our operations. Beyond his strategic initiatives, Jakob has been a dedicated mentor, investing time in my development and helping me grow in my role. His commitment to fostering talent and supporting his team sets him apart as a leader.
Jakob embodies the values we strive for as an organization, promoting collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. His tireless efforts and unwavering dedication make him truly deserving of this nomination as an unsung hero who inspires us all.
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Jamel, Carr
Company Name
GTR
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Jamel is a reflective considerate manager and is a key member of the Management team. Jamel took on the role of deputy to Area Manager represent the Metro Team at key meetings receiving positive feedback. Handing over the deputy role to a colleague Jamel has consistently stepped up to support his peers. He has continued to grow becoming a mentor to new Managers with each praising his approach, knowledge, support and style. He does not get fazed with any situation that arises. His station team recognises his management style and approach, this is reflected with Jamel receiving recognition in the staff survey of 93% for the support he gives. Outside of work Jamel raises funds for charity and recently completing a London to Brighton cycle event for Cancer. Jamel is a well rounded, respected and liked Manager respected by his peers
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James, Hambling
Company Name
Network Rail
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James has gone above and beyond supporting the Electrical Safety Delivery programme on implementing the Electrical Risk Assessment process in its Depot Unit. This change is aimed at enhancing safety, reducing the risk of staff getting injured by entering in contact with 25kV. The new process requires a change in mindset, and also for staff to undertake extensive training and on the job mentoring. James, has worked closely with the local and national teams, ensuring his staff attended the training and he also volunteered to be a mentor and a champion for the change. Although he has a very day-to-day role, he has also contributed to defining success criteria and following through with their implementation to ensure that his staff go home unharmed every day.
James has always made time for project conversations and he has a positive can-do attitude that has inspired the local project team in moments of low morale.
His commitment to safety and to the programme deserves to be recognised in the industry. We would have not been where we are with the delivery without his support.
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James, Moloke
Company Name
STM Group Ltd
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James Moloke, the Contract Manager for STM's Croydon Trams operation, exemplifies outstanding leadership, professionalism, and innovation in security management. Facing the persistent threat of knife crime in the area, James has integrated advanced technology, rigorous team management, and strategic community engagement to ensure the safety and security of the tram network. His hands-on approach, empathetic leadership, and forward-thinking strategies set him apart as an exceptional manager.
James manages a multi-layered security framework that includes uniformed patrols, undercover operatives, and state-of-the-art surveillance technology. He spearheaded the deployment of advanced CCTV systems and Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) to deter crime and capture real-time evidence. By working closely with technical teams, he ensures the seamless incorporation of new technology into daily operations, equipping his team with the tools needed for effective threat mitigation.
To address the unique challenges of knife crime, Jam
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Jamie, O'Donnell
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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I want to nominate Jamie for this award as he so deserves it! He is the best manager anyone could ask for, he is always there for you no matter what! he will go out of his way to help you, whether its work or personal, nothing is to much for him, he helps out during disruption, joining us on the frontline any time we ask, even dispatching train if necessary, he is a firm but fair manager, he has empathy, and compassion in all that he does. Its such a pleasure to work with someone who really cares and is interested in you.
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Jane, Arnell
Company Name
GTR-SOUTHERN RAILWAY
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Jane Arnell is the Balham Station Manager in the Metro AREA. She is very supportive of her employees. She is a very good listener and goes the extra mile to make her employees happy all the time. She motivates her staff to do better in their role. She identifies positive behaviours and make it a point to call them out and give positive feedback. I love her approachable personality. She gives respect to all regardless of status, Jane is highly respected by both employees and customers. She is extremely reliable and efficient. She encourages every employee with career development and growth within the company. Her leadership skills are second to none.
Jane helped colleagues restore their confidence and self-esteem by encouraging them to apply for better position within the company, if they show interest in doing so. She helps with interview techniques. She had supported Gateline Assistants becoming Shunter driver, Salespoint Assistant, Conductor and many more. Jane also gives extensive support when colleagues are faced with challenges such as sickness, bereavement and other emotional issues that might affect the well-being of her staff . She shows consideration where work patterns do not fit in with family demands and gives the best support to both her staff and at the same time looks at the interest of the company. Jane is very firm and execute her role professionally. This is a true demonstration of an excellent leader.
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Jenny, Keen
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I want to nominate Jenny Keen for her outstanding leadership. As her colleague but also as her husband I have seen her grow in the last five years since she's been in the role of Flagship Station Manager. I will go back further to when she first became a manager. When she got her first management job, she was like a fish out of water, no confidence and no self-belief. I'd often thought she was in the wrong job, she told me the same at times. Fast forward to now and she is becoming one of the best leaders I have seen in a long time. You always hear the company say people are at the heart of everything we do and with Jenny that's exactly how she goes about her role.
When I look back at the last 12 months and what she's achieved it's been truly amazing and I'm somewhat jealous. There was a very sad event at Basingstoke station in 2023 where she had witnessed something no one should see and as a colleague, you would never wish this on anyone. But as her husband, I knew one day this would happen. Little did I know how bad this incident was going to be. I can remember picking her up from work that day not knowing what the rest of her life would be like and what we would need to do to make things better. I can't really find any words to describe how she has coped and to be honest I don't really understand how she has coped, having seen similar things.
She was still dealing with the earlier incident that week when the second incident happened most people would throw the keys in and walk away, she didn't. She stood at the front and led the team through a really really difficult time. In all my 36 years of railway experience having listened to what had happened during and after the event , even with the young girl's family when she met the parents, I've never heard anything like this. I don't think I could have coped as well as she has.
At home we needed to adapt, for example we had to turn the TV down or turn the channel over if there was anything that had any small relation to what had happened. It potentially could have had a life changing impact on her. I know this has made her a better person, a stronger leader and her personal strength is something to be acknowledged. How she operated in that situation and continued to lead her team is beyond belief in my view, even now one year on.
People used to tell her you're ‘Tim's wife’ and she would quickly say no ‘Tim is my husband’ because she never wanted to be the wife of Tim Keen , she wanted to be Jenny Keen.
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Joshua, Sando
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Josh has singlehandedly run Basingstoke Guards depot on his own whilst being 2 managers down for over a month. Josh has ensured that assessments/rules for 80+ Guards have been completed in the time frames allowed to stop them lapsing and causing a knock on affect to the train service.
He has sacrificed his own annual leave and time with his family to ensure that Basingstoke depot is running up to date, making sure everything is ready for audits, whilst also being on call looking after multiple depots at once.
He has not only completed all mandatory assessments in the given deadlines, he has also had to take on extra work of investigations, return to works, welfare checks, attendance meetings, support plan meetings for all guards who may have had incidents, sicknesses or personal issues. He has also taken the time out to help new Guards Managers in training with their route learning and training for their roles.
Josh has worked tirelessly on his own, with triple the amount of workload he should have to take on, and has not complained once. He has proven his organisation skills, and time management. Josh is a manager that is respected and very well liked by crews, someone they feel comfortable to confide in and someone who is without fail always present in the depot.
I personally believe that Josh deserves this award (and a promotion!) His knowledge of the role and the company policies makes him a great decision maker, problem solver and makes him a fair manager. His people skills, his relationships with his colleagues and his teams means he is reputable and valuable within his role and as a manager. He is an asset to his department and the company as a whole, and even when we have gained another manager in the depot now, he still continues to work hard, meet deadlines and put his crews, safety and the company values at the forefront of everything he does.
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Keren, Chambers
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate Keren for Rail Manager of The Year founding this nomination on her hard work, determination and commitment to Wolverhampton Railway Station. Keren started working at Wolverhampton over 10 years ago. Keren covered plethora of roles within the station starting with ticket office, dispatch, Keren was then a deputy team leader and now Customer Experience Manager. Keren's insight into a variety of roles within the stations gives her ultimate tools to put herself into her staff position and allows her to deal with the situations adequately. Keren has worked very hard to gain respect of her staff and she has done it via hard work and support. During company restructuring Keren was the only experienced Customer Experience Manager remaining at Wolverhampton and she was sharing her knowledge and experience with the new Customer Experience Manager at Wolverhampton. Keren is a very proactive member of staff and working with her was a pleasure. If you picking a team, Keren should definitely be your top pick.
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Kerry, Rowley
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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I would like nominate Kerry Rowley. She works as Area Customer Service Manager West Central. Kerry is very hard worker and well organised. She is excellent Manager. Her work schedule is very busy, but she will always find time for Staff. She is very good listener, and she always goes extra mile to support and recognise all colleagues who work hard or want to achieve goals in the company. I have massive support and trust from Kerry. She is supporting me in career development and gives me opportunity to gain experience by involving me in different projects. I feel I can talk to Kerry about anything. She cares about all Staff and treats everybody equally. We work as one Team. Kerry value other's opinion so we can make our workplace better, and improve customers service.
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Kevin, Cunnick
Company Name
Hull Trains
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I’m the Head of HR submitting the nomination, but I have collated colleague feedback from our annual recognition event, where Kevin Cunnick, Onboard Operations Manager, received the highest number of nominations across all areas of our awards! Please note that Onboard Manager (OBM) is our Conductor/Guard grade. Kev is a model line manager and colleague. Kev as a manager is always approachable. He always has time for his team and all colleagues. On a personal level, I had been dealing with a lot of issues and Kev has supported me throughout all these over the last 18 months. Kev always has a check-in and meets the trains in and greets the team which is really nice. I know managers are meant to be approachable and have our best interests at heart, but Kevin is a genuinely decent bloke who is caring, compassionate and kind and I feel this needs to be recognised. Kev is always championing change for the future, including digitalisation of onboard forms. He's always open to suggestions and how best we can tighten the communications between onboard and office to improve both the working environment and customer experience. He's always open to suggestions and how best DR, OBM Kev is an absolute gem! He is a fantastic manager and it’s clear that his team respect and appreciate him. No matter what I ask from him, his responses are always prompt, polite and what I need. His manager admin is phenomenal! I never have to chase for anything – he makes my job so much easier. As, HR Administrator I have worked with Kevin on body worn video cameras and security. Kevin has the hearts and minds of his team of OBMs clearly at the forefront of his own mind and at heart to ensure they can come to work in a safe environment. Kev has embraced the body worn video camera trial and has championed this amongst his team of triallists, which has enabled me to pen a business case to seek approval to roll these out across the OBM grade at Hull Trains. DH, Safety and Governance Manager Kev is the most supportive and caring manager I have ever worked for. He is always approachable and goes above and beyond to make sure all his staff are happy and well. As a newcomer to the business I am astounded by how good he is at his job and how supported I feel. KT, OBM and RMT Representative (and ex-Northern Rail Conductor) Kev works tirelessly to support his team. When dealing with all things people, he has genuine compassion for his team and his colleagues and is always putting others first. His drive to succeed is evident and he has progressed so much within the company since joining. Kev is also working hard to prepare for the London Marathon in aid of St John Ambulance. This is in Kev's own time, but he is clearly putting in as much effort with his fundraising as his work!
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Luke, Branch
Company Name
Transport for Wales
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Luke was my guard's manager when I was a conductor for Transport for Wales, he was awesome, always there when I needed him. Recently I lost my mother and Luke really looked after me. I couldn’t have asked for a better manager.
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Marianna, Busuttil
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Marianna is someone who exemplifies the approach of ‘safety first’ and a focus on wellbeing within the work place which also extends in her personal life as she volunteers as first responded with the NHS. In February 2024 Marianna attended site of a fatal incident where a member of the public was struck by a train in between station locations. Naturally the driver was very shaken by the incident and the train was unable to move whilst police carry out their findings. A rescue train was required to attach to the unit involved in the incident and transfer all passengers onto the rescue train before detaching said train and making a wrong direction move in order to get passengers back to the closet station platform. Marianna assisted with transferring all passengers from the unit involved in the incident onto the rescue train and then helped to ensure all passenger were safely alighted onto the station platform. Whilst the passengers made they where off the train Marianna was alerted to a young man who had fallen ill. The young man was in distress having a anaphylaxis shock and going down very rapidly, she quickly gathered as much information as possible (medical notes ect) and noticed that he had already used his Epi pen twice and his throat was closing. Noting a passenger on the phone with the ambulance service Marianna quickly took to updating the emergency services with the young mans medical records whilst arranging a defibrillator to be available for the worst case scenario
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Matthew, Burgess
Company Name
GTR
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I am nominating Matthew because he has consistently demonstrated exceptional care and strong leadership qualities. He has effectively led both myself and the team, fostering an environment of support and collaboration. I have never experienced a manager who offers one-to-one sessions when I feel the need, which has been incredibly beneficial. Matthew is reliable and thoughtful, always making sure that our concerns are addressed and that we feel valued. His commitment to our development is truly commendable.
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Maureen, Davidson
Company Name
SCOTRAIL
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At 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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Michael, McArthur
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Michael is a project manager in the Renewals and Enhancements team in Capital Delivery section of Network Rail in Scotland.
He has been my line manager for the past 5-6 years now and he is a fantastic example of a true leader. He brings strong assets to his role and our team is incredibly fortunate to have him as our manager.
Firstly Michael is dedicated and hardworking. He is extremely organised and focused on continuously learning and developing best practices to manage routine and unique projects both efficiently and effectively. He brings a positive high energy and a personal touch.
As a renewals team Michael leads us to deliver works on a variety of projects covering many different assets in the rail environment covering, bridge refurbishments and rebuilds, station platform rebuilds, tunnel works, scour prevention and a variety of others including access for all projects the team has been successfully delivering over the past few control periods on behalf of Department for Transport at various stations across Scotland.
Michael is a true leader and inspires others to strive for excellence in every project we undertake. He encourages great teamwork by creating an environment the encourages collaboration and efficiency.
He fully embraces the team working together and drives us to achieve high output and efficient delivery. He creates a positive work environment that encourages collaboration and efficiency and allows us the space to grow and learn as we manage our own projects and make key decisions.
He is a great listener and includes everyone in conversations, thinking and decisions. His communication with the team is open and clear and that is highly respected.
Michael has a clear vision and creates meaningful programs and targets that we drive through our projects. The work he delivers has a positive impact on the organisation, the communities we work in and the people affected by our work.
He really cares about delivering excellent quality work. Strives to integrate both an understanding of the big picture strategy and goals (for the business), as well as attention to details that really matter to passengers.
Many times over the last few years, I have approached Micheal on issues that i may have been having difficulty with and he has guided me through the issues with a real positive influence in allowing me to make the decisions and learn from the process.
Whether working with internal or external clients, Michael looks to find the best outcome for all involved and truly exemplifies the core values of our business, striving for excellence and efficiency in line with delivering the best quality output for passengers and the communities we work in.
It is a pleasure to work for and with Michael. The loyalty and dedication of his team around him stems from the great leadership he provides. His passion for doing better, allowing his team to grown and learn and his commitment to us as a team is what makes him a fantastic leader and our team successful deliverers.
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Michelle Feebery/Spencer Goodall/ Retail Team, Retail Team
Company Name
SWR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The Retail Team is the heart of South Western Railway System, without this dedicated team you would not have a smooth running operating team, they give great support to everyone including the TCU team who deal with everything ticket office based on a daily base. Michelle Feebery and Spencer Goodall is a amazing Manager and encourages you to be the best you can be and help motivate you and bring a togetherness with in SWR.
For me personally they both have been a amazing support for the Retail Team, TCU and SWR as a whole.
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Mick, Elliott
Company Name
Northern Trains
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Mick is an outstanding manager, a creative individual and exceptional support system to all the staff for all his nine stations. Mick manages Blackpool North as his main hub but also has other 8 outstations to manage as well. Mick’s passion to work together with all his staff at all stations and making his stations standout from the rest is inspiring. Mick’s innovation ideas set him up apart and his passion about make his stations the best it can be is so vivid. Mick’s enthusiasm motivates all staff to drive forward and go beyond what their normal everyday duties. Mick motivates with his leadership skills and is a team player with all of us yes, he leads his team but also supports ideas from his staff working together on projects to enhance stations outlook and communicates with his staff. Mick is determined to improve individual strengths and encourages his staff goals, also Mick champions staff career progression. Mick has worked in the railway for many years and with various train operators we are lucky and delighted to have him at Northern Trains delivering all his expertise and sharing his knowledge with his staff. Mick always spends time with his staff in many ways for instance as a station manager and for individuals who need extra support during difficult life situations to when there is major disruption at his stations. Mick goes beyond his working hours and is immediately there to assist all staff and provide our customers with the best service and outlook for his stations. Thank you for being our Manager and recognising individual talents and making them shine. Mick you don’t always acknowledge your own contribution and the way you have made your stations become such a happy workplace for all staff and our customers. Your leadership qualities and management values are exceptional, and I want to thank you for leading the way and for mentoring your staff so they deliver their own individual styles. It would be great if you received some recognition without you your stations and staff would not benefit from the high standard working environment you have created for all of us.
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Mike, Barry
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Mike has been with Greater Anglia for almost ten years. During that time he has worked in various management positions rising to his current position as Head of Customer Service West. Despite being responsible for a team of over 100 colleagues in a variety of non safety and safety critical roles, Mike always has time for a cheery 'Good morning' and a chat with his staff on his patch. Mike is a very hands-on manager and does not shy away from helping frontline colleagues during times of disruption getting stuck in and taking the brunt of customers' frustrations relieving the front line staff. He has also helped out with dispatch duties and selling tickets from ticket offices. During Mike's time as Head of Customer Service West there have been implementations of schemes to improve levels of customer service and Mike always champions these changes. Greater Anglia has recently branched out into sponsoring events like Norwich Pride and sponsoring a stand at Cambridge United. Mike has recently said "We are always working to play a positive role in the communities we serve and create beneficial partnerships across our network." He also champions the environmental benefit of travelling by train reducing CO2 emissions by as much as 70% as opposed to driving by car. Mike is very proud to work for Greater Anglia and is a great ambassador.
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Mohammad Munir, Khan
Company Name
AECOM
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Mohammad Munir Khan (‘Munir’) OLE Manager - Swindon Lead exemplifies the spirit of positive thinking in the workplace. His unmatched in his work ethic going the extra-mile when required whilst ensuring that an adequate work-life balance is provided to all team members. He is a good listener who supports both internal and external concerns.
Munir has been instrumental in the success of key projects such as the Poplars Electrification project where Munir has undertaken the role of OLE design CRE (lead designer) managing a team of designers and subcontractors to produce the OLE design; and the Old Oak Common Rail Systems project, where he has been chairing the internal OLE meetings and has overseen progress relative to design development, being responsible of the OLE project key metrics associated with cost control and completion of major milestones. The Poplars Electrification project is expected to improve significantly the efficiency and sustainability of the rail network by converting diesel lines to electric, reducing emissions and operational costs. The way to improve efficiency and sustainability of the rail network is by electrifying wider areas of the network and to do so the OLE design led by Munir is an essential part of this transformation. Meanwhile, the Old Oak Common Rail Systems project is transforming a once industrial area into a major transport hub, featuring several platforms and serving up to 250,000 passengers daily. This project is set to enhance connectivity across London and beyond, linking the conventional Railway (Great Western Railway) with the new High-Speed line (HS2) connecting London with Birmingham. To ensure that a major impact occurs, implementation of the project on the agreed timescales is critical and Munir has contributed decisively in terms of project control, ensuring appropriate timescales were met regarding development of the OLE design and has also contributed with the integration of this design with other disciplines and interfacing projects.
Munir is a valued member of the Rail team, he has contributed to growing the team from 6 to 12, whilst acting in a professional and collaborative manner. His leadership is beyond any doubt and has always stand out by driving innovation. Munir has demonstrated through his management how new technology including use of a new 3D software (‘Lineardraft’) can enhance and improve delivery of projects both for AECOM and our clients. This helps keep us at the forefront of delivery and new technology. Munir dedicates time for training and developing graduates and apprentices and promotes technical meetings to provide support to the new members of the team and accelerate their learning.
Munir is a dynamic manager whose contributions have left a mark on his team. He continues inspiring and managing with integrity and vision. He liaises with clients, including Network Rail asset managers. His positive attitude, reliability, and exceptional communication skills makes him an invaluable asset who consistently fosters a supportive and productive environment.
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Mohammed, Khan
Company Name
Network Rail
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Dear Members of the Nomination Committee,
I am honoured to nominate Musa Khan for the Rail Manager of the Year award. Musa has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism in his role, making significant contributions to our team and the wider community.
Musa has excelled in arranging comprehensive training programs through Network Rail and bespoke local initiatives. His commitment to continuous learning and knowledge-sharing has made him a role model for his peers. Musa’s positive behaviour and proactive engagement with stakeholders have significantly improved safety and passenger experience at Euston Station.
Musa ensures Euston’s active participation in awareness campaigns organized by Network Rail, Train Operating Companies, the Samaritans, and the British Transport Police . His cheerfulness, positive thinking, and problem-solving abilities are infectious, fostering a strong sense of companionship and team spirit among colleagues.
Reliability is one of Musa’s core strengths. He supports and participates in diversity and inclusion events, such as Black History Month celebrations, and promotes the annual Remembrance Day by the War Memorial. Musa embodies a can-do attitude and never shies away from a challenge, making him an invaluable asset to all departments.
Innovation is another area where Musa shines, improving sustainability initiatives, empowering team for using technology. His ambition drives him to continuously seek new knowledge and improve processes. His strength and dedication are evident in his work, making him a role model for the entire team and station.
In summary, Musa Khan’s outstanding skills, true professionalism, and unwavering dedication make him a deserving candidate for the Rail Manager of the Year award. I wholeheartedly support his nomination and believe he will continue to inspire and lead with excellence.
Thank you for considering this nomination.
Sincerely,
Ghulam Mustafa
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Monica, Dutta
Company Name
Southern GTR
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Monica is the epitome of a good manager. She is kind, understanding, diplomatic and generous to all the drivers under her wing as well as those that aren't.
She balances the needs of the business with the needs of her drivers every day, never belittling, always encouraging and never fails to empower and motivate them where she can.
Monica has been a stable, reassuring and strong pillar of Norwood Traincrew Depot for a great many years now and nobody ever had a bad word to say.
You know if you need to chat, she will listen, if you need help she will find solutions and does whatever she can to never let anyone down.
If anyone on the railway deserves Rail Manager of the year it is Monica Dutta.
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Muhammed, Joof
Company Name
Southern railway
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I would like to nominate Vikash as manager of the year. In the time that I have known him he has shown himself to be a principled individual. He has also been a very fair manager and I have found him to be approachable in aspects concerning about the work we do.
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Nadia, Sylvester-Paul
Company Name
GTR
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Nadia is Area Manager for Thameslink core and Sutton and Sevenoak loops. All of which very complicated and individual stations. Nadia supports all her Managers in a leadership style and empowers us to make the right decisions for our teams and passengers. Nadia is always on hand for advice and support, both inside work and out. She is constantly in meetings representing our stations and our difficult jobs. With regular 1-2-1s Nadia never points the finger or out excessive pressure on her Managers. If something has gone wrong, she stands beside you to resolve. If you made a questionable decision, she will work with you to review and make changes for the future. I would love Nadia to be recognised this year.
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Natalie, Tanfield
Company Name
GTR Tha
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Natalie Tanfield is a Driver Line Manager at Cricklewood Depot. Brand new to the Railway in May 2023 and I first met her in July when I came to work at Cricklewood. Natalie has grasped the role of Driver Line Manager with both hands, never cowed when having to do hard things and have difficult conversations. She has become the most beloved of the Driver Managers at Cricklewood for her empathy, compassion and humour. She is unflagging in her support of myself and her team and earlier this year she had to run the depot alone, due to unprecedented sickness of Driver Line Manager Team, which she did magnificently. New to the role as Natalie was she took time to support my development, has taught me new skills and is always a great sounding board when talking through any issues.
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Nick, Markwell
Company Name
Coyle Personnel
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I am happy to nominate Nick for the Manager of the Year award. His outstanding leadership and dedication truly make him deserving of this recognition. Nick treats every team member with respect, values their contributions and listens to their ideas and concerns. This creates a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Nick goes out of his way to ensure all staff are comfortable at work. He makes sure everyone has the resources they need to succeed. He is always willing to help, whether by offering guidance or just being available for a conversation.
Nick is professional in every aspect of his role. He handles challenges well and sets a strong example for his team, inspiring others to maintain high standards. He genuinely cares about his team’s well-being, taking the time to know each person individually and supporting them both professionally and personally. Whether celebrating successes or providing support during tough times, Nick is always there for his team.
Nick’s dedication goes beyond the workplace. He is willing to help outside of work when needed, showing his commitment to his staff’s overall well-being. His generosity and kindness build a strong sense of community within the team. He treats everyone equally and makes sure all voices are heard, promoting fairness and inclusivity.
Instead of just giving orders, Nick focuses on coaching and developing his team members. He provides guidance, encouragement and feedback to help individuals grow. His coaching approach empowers his team to take initiative and develop their skills. Nick communicates clearly and transparently, keeping the team informed about goals, expectations and changes, building trust among team members.
Nick has a remarkable ability to inspire and motivate his team. Nick’s commitment to his team, professionalism and leadership qualities makes him an ideal candidate for Manager of the Year. His ability to inspire, support and empower his team sets him apart as a truly outstanding leader.
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Paul, Barlow
Company Name
CrossCountry Trains
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Paul has changed the atmosphere in the region and the wider business with his positive and inclusive attitude to all staff he interacts with. He has been a leader in changing the railway from its old management style to a fresh people focused approach.
Nothing is to much trouble when it comes to staff and he looks for the good in everyone and every situation, whatever challenges he may be facing himself.
I have never seen Paul shy away from a task or challenge and even when others think he has taken on a mountain to climb, he just knuckles down and finds ways to work through the situation, quickly winning over the individuals he is working with because of his enthusiasm and commitment to try and achieve the best outcome for all involved.
As a team we think he deserves recognition for the hard work and efforts he has shown and providing us with a great working environment.
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Peter, Mellar
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Peter leads from the front and is effective at empowering his team. Peter is a genuine manager who will help if he can. He takes the time to listen to his team and you do feel like he genuinely cares . His management style is a great blend of professionalism and humour which in turn, really engages his team. I would like Peter to be acknowledged for his relentless hard work and commitment to his team.
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Peter, O'Hare
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
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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Przemek, Lastun
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate Przemek (Sham) for the outstanding contributions he has made to the company in his role as Customer Experience Manager. Having been part of the initial pilot of the role at Wolverhampton station, he and his team had outstanding success, which resulted in the role out of the Customer Experience Manager position across West Midlands Trains. Having since moved to Birmingham Snow Hill, Sham has been instrumental in the hard work taken place and improving the passenger and staff experience. He is helpful, caring and proactive. He is always helping out others and taking on additional tasks to assist the Area Station Manager and the rest of his team. He has helped coach and guide the team, easing them into the role and making it more seamless. He is well loved amongst the station staff and also in the team. He is truly deserving of being recognised for his efforts and contributions to the railway.
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Rebecca, Stone
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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The passion and drive Becky has for leading and motivating people is truly inspirational. Becky has been working on the railway for 20+ years, with experience working in various roles across two different TOC’s. She always shares her vast area of knowledge with her team, providing guidance and unconditional support, always. Becky thrives on watching her team grow and is always pushing us to strive and achieve our goals without limitations. Her true transparency and care is the reassurance needed to be led by Becky as there is no doubt you will achieve greatness. With every action taken, the impact on her team is always at the front fall of decision making and is respected by all. There is no one more deserving than Becky for this award and I am truly grateful that I have the opportunity to work alongside such an inspiring leader.
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Rohan, Miller
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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I am pleased to nominate Rohan Miller from Carlisle Support Services for the prestigious Manager of the Year award at the RailStaff Awards. Under Rohan’s leadership, the team has seen remarkable improvements in Service Quality Regime (SQR) scores on the Greater Anglia network delivering an 81% average for station cleanliness, a testament to his dedication to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. Rohan’s innovative approach to service delivery has consistently raised the bar, ensuring that Carlisle Support Services stands out in an industry that demands high performance and reliability.
One of Rohan's most significant contributions has been his implementation of forward-thinking strategies that focus on enhancing the quality of service. By introducing new processes and systems, he has not only streamlined operations but has also fostered a culture of continuous improvement within his team. This has led to measurable improvements in key performance metrics, demonstrating his ability to lead with both vision and efficiency.
Beyond numbers, Rohan's leadership style has positively impacted team morale and client relationships. He is known for his hands-on approach, always being available to support his team and driving them to achieve their best. His commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service has earned him the respect and admiration of both his colleagues and clients alike.
Rohan is not only a manager but a true leader who embodies the values of Carlisle Support Services and Greater Anglia. His ability to innovate, motivate, and deliver outstanding results makes him a deserving candidate for the Manager of the Year award.
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Simona, Daraba
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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I would like to Nominate Simona Daraba. Simona works as an Area Customer Service Manager. There are lots of reasons why I nominate Simona for the best Manager. Simon always goes above and beyond the call of duty in pursuing excellence. She will always support any employee at any time. She is hard working and everything she does must be to perfection. She brings high standards into the workplace and everybody speaks out highly about her work and commitment. She is a mother to two young boys and I am amazed how she can organise her very busy schedule. She is a very good listener and she always supports staff when needed. Simona will support and encourage Staff to develop in the company. When I was promoted to the Supervisor role I was scared and worried if I was going to be good. Simona gave me support and made me believe nothing is impossible. She teaches me how to deal with difficult situations and stay professional at all times. She was supporting me when I went through difficult times in my private life and she is supporting me in my career path. I am very proud to be part of her Team. She is a very strong and confident woman. Every woman would like to be like her in the Company. She also brings all staff together who are working at different stations by organising events. I couldn't wish for a better Manager.
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Simone, Carter
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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I would like to nominate Simone for Rail Manager of the year because she is working extremely hard and has respect of hundreds of people. Simone is an Area Station Manager for Birmingham Snow Hill line. Simone has 12 Customer Experience Managers reporting to her and over 100 staff reporting to her managers who oversee 44 stations on the line. Simone is leading by example and is demonstrating values she lives by on daily basis such as hard work, determination, believing in her team, supporting, being open and honest. She always has time for others and is selfless in her actions. She is working extremely hard to ensure her people have the best tools to do their jobs. Simone's phone is always on and she always offers support when required. Simone is an inspirational leader, a lot of people are looking up to her and strive to be as good manager as she is. Wherever you go where Simone worked previously people always say nice things about her. We can strive to be as good manager as she is.
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Sophie, Gardner
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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Sophie joined WMT with no rail experience and jumped straight in to try and make an impact. Over her time here through her passion for sales she has gone out of her way to meet as many people across the company as possible and support them in any way that she can. Whether this is negotiating partnerships to benefit us commercially or by getting added value for our employees, such as free tickets, giveaways and experiences for them, she is passionate about doing a good job.
She goes above and beyond to do a good job, whether it’s out and about representing the company at events or attending internal meetings and helping to join the dots of opportunities and maximise the impact for our staff and customers.
Recently Sophie negotiated a huge amount of added value through our partnership with Yonex showcasing that if you think outside the box you can achieve more added value for the company. She also helped gain added value through negotiation with Birmingham PRIDE and secured advertising and VIP tickets for our staff on top of our paid for partnership.
She actively challenges ticketless travel issues, by working on selling her student season tickets. Working closely with our RPSMs she has built a target location list to advertise our discounted student season. She has built out school contacts by around 120% since starting, she has streamlined our partnership plan and negotiated paid for partnerships to all be in line with the amount of money that we pay for them.
Within the Just Business world, Sophie has grown the product substantially, smashing the periodic targets each period and has a proactive plan to continue the growth. Student Season Tickets is also another element that the growth has been huge, with earnings growing from around 50% to 85%.
With little to no notice, Sophie stepped up and led the Sales & Marketing team when we were very short handed. Her initial remit was to make this step but over a prolonged period of time and with support from Head of Sales & Marketing. Sophie has majorly kept the team on track, helped with campaign overviews, getting paid media live, attended all the meetings on behalf of everyone, managed the agencies, the budgets and threw herself into projects that she had little to no information about or knowledge of and just made sure that everyone had everything they needed and support to talk things through.
The whole team have praised her support and work, how completely immersed she was and how all the different challenges were taken with both hands and handled with grace.
She really puts the customer and our staff first, constantly thinking that is the best for them and how can she support in the successes. I realise a lot of recognition rightly so goes to the front-line teams, but those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to promote rail, give the professional and energetic face to all things WMT, is incredibly important.
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Stephanie, Spencer
Company Name
GTR Southern and Gatwick Express
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Steph is an exceptional manager, who has made a real tangible difference to her team since joining London Victoria. Steph shows on a daily basis that she truly cares and wants the best for her people. She manages a large team of front line colleagues, which can be challenging with her intense workload but she makes the time to listen and support her team.
Steph has relentless energy, and never stops; she is always looking at ways to improve things for our customers, she is the true embodiment of GTR's values and leads from the front. She is always available and never shires away from a difficult situation or conversation.
Steph stives for excellence in everything she does and supports her team to also provide the best possible outcomes for our customers. It's a delight to work with Steph and hear from her team how much they appreciate everything she does for them. Steph and her team have to deal with some very difficult situations when there is disruption, but you will always find Steph on the concourse with her team supporting and coaching them.
Steph has also been instrumental in implementing changes which have helped empower her team making them feel truly valued and appreciated.
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TRUDY, HABGOOD
Company Name
THAMESLINK
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Trudy is well Loved at Denmark Hill. She is so Loving ,Warm and shows lots of concern for her staff as well as other staffs at different stations. Trudy goes out of her way to make sure that we all are safe and happy. I'm so happy to have her as my Manager cause she understands how being an single mother on the railway can be very hectic, Trudy helps in every way that she can. There was a disruption at Bedford and Trudy got her Jacket off and was helping passengers with getting into London via taxis ,I mean what other Manager does that? I'm sure that everyone who knows Trudy can also say that she's TRUSTWORTHY ,LOYAL ,FRIENDLY, CARING, and most of all, has excellent LEADERSHIP SKILLS Please Nominate TRUDY
We all would Love to see her SMILE. She deserves to
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Terry, Shaw
Company Name
GTR
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I have worked with Terry for a number of years, he always works collaboratively, nothing is ever too much for him he looks after his team and achieves amazing results.
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Tracey, Cogswell
Company Name
Southwestern railway
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Tracey has been a paragon or support in the train presentation departments, spreading her infectious passion for excellence throughout Southwestern Railway, tirelessly devoting her time both on and off duty,
Being involved in multiple events for southwestern railway such as Royal ascot, the Royal funeral and weddings, always ensuring that the highest standards have been met for the company and Train Presentation.
Her unending devotion to customer satisfaction and high standards shines through in every way working much more then she should, leasing with contractors both in and external.
Tracey makes a point of checking on every single person who works with her from managers to the staff on ground she is always available and approachable often putting the needs of other above her own.
A true example of going the extra mile.
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Trevor, Leonard
Company Name
GTR-Southern
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Trevor is widely recognised amongst the drivers at Selhurst Train Crew depot as a highly competent, knowledgeable and approachable Driver Manager. His door is always open and he’s both a kind and compassionate listener.
When circumstances require, he also has the morale and professional courage to do the right thing. Such courage makes him a rare breed and it’s why I have no hesitation in nominating him for the Railway Manager of the Year award.
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Victoria, O'Reilly
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Victoria came to our station when Covid was at its height and helped all the staff feel safe and supported.
Victoria is a very supportive manager and has made efforts to help staff gain further knowledge of the railway by allowing them to train as RSA
and on occasions cover the role.
Victoria always makes an effort to include all staff at London Blackfriars feel like one big family.
Christmases, Easter & football events are made special always by Victoria.
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RAIL PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
This category is for the best person in the rail industry at their job, what they do, or what have done. Someone who has shown true dedication or has remained calm and collected under incredible pressure or danger?
Example job titles in this category:
Everyone!
You can see all the past winners here.
AJ, Guesmia
Company Name
Amulet
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
AJ Guesmia has worked at Amulet for a number of years, spending time working on two different TOC contracts.
He first joined Amulet as a Travel Safe Officer on our Northern Trains contract based in Bradford where he gained valuable experience in dealing with many challenging incidents from fare evasion to, anti social behavior, to safeguarding and suicide intervention.
In August this year AJ was promoted to Team Leader for our ARL contract, it was a new team of Safety, Security and Enforcement Officers on the London Overground.
AJ's enthusiasm, leadership and knowledge has been a real game changer for the team, his officers love him and are learning so much in a short space of time. He is well respected by station and revenue colleagues.
AJ is someone who you will always want on your team
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Abdirahman, Sharey
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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At Carlisle Support Services, safeguarding and delivering exceptional customer service are our top priorities seen through the outstanding actions of our Revenue Protection Officer, Abdirahman Sharey.
On August 17, 2024, while on duty at Blackburn train station, Abdi demonstrated exemplary vigilance and care when he encountered an unaccompanied eight-year-old girl near the barriers, who had travelled alone without parental guardians or assistance. Activating our safeguarding protocols, Abdi engaged the child in a friendly and gentle manner and promptly escorted her to our Customer Service Team, led by Jim Wearing.
The collaboration between Abdi and Jim was seamless and exceptional. While Abdi comforted the child, Jim swiftly reported the situation to the British Transport Police (BTP) where they discovered that the young girl had been reported missing in Manchester. The professionalism and duty of care displayed by Abdi and Jim significantly contributed to the successful efforts of the National Police Air Support in reuniting the child with her family.
We are thrilled to report that the young girl is safe and sound, and we extend our warmest congratulations to Abdirahman Sharey for his heroic actions. Moments like these reaffirm our position as leaders in our field.
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Andrew, Clark
Company Name
Thameslink
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Andrew, a competency development manager based a Three Bridges, is passionate about every aspect of his role on the railway, Safety is his priority and passes his wealth of knowledge and experience onto not only drivers but also his colleagues.
Regardless of the day or time of the week Andy is always available to help a colleague or a driver. A truly deserving person for this award who always goes above and beyond.
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Andy, Moore
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Andy is one of the Platform hosts at Ely station. He has worked for the railway for a number of years and has encyclopaedic knowledge of trains and all things railway. He always has time for a chat with the spotters that spend time at Ely, which has a large number of freight units and other 'special' trains going through it. But the main reason for this nomination is to acknowledge the fact that Andy has had to work such a large number of shifts by himself over the course of the past few months, many being Friday and Saturday evenings. Ely is a busy station. It has four different TOCs running through it (Cross Country, East Midlands, Great Northern and Greater Anglia). Andy has kept the station running and his dedication to his role should be commended. During August in particular we have encountered worse than usual levels of disruption and Andy seems to have copped quite a number of shifts having to deal with it. He is very level headed and takes extreme pride in just getting the job done, which is exactly what you need in these situations. Andy would say he is just doing his job but he needs to realise that he is a vital component of the station team. He gets on with things and keeps things moving whilst also keeping the customers updated. Cheers to you Andy and thank you for all that you do.
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Arthur, Ormesher
Company Name
First Rail Consultancy
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Arthur has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovative thinking, and leadership in his role as workstream sponsor for the High Frequency Rail (HFR) bid in Canada. This was not a conventional rail bid, but a complex, ground-breaking project endeavour to design, build, and operate a completely new rail route. Arthur worked across a team that included operator partners from RATP Dev, in France, and Renfe, in Spain, as well as infrastructure partners in the UK and Canada.
Arthur's responsibilities encompassed formulating, from scratch, the train service proposition. This included determining routes, frequencies, and the necessary infrastructure by co-ordinating with colleagues from Revenue and Design teams. Arthur was required to draw from first principles, to influence the design of the railway's route, depot siting, and station sizes. Additionally, Arthur was designing a proposition that is likely to use technology that doesn’t yet exist, so he had to ensure that all elements were future proofed. The result was the creation of a functional, efficient, and effective railway service from a blank piece of paper.
Arthur's approach was methodical and innovative. He worked with colleagues to develop the fundamentals for high frequency operations: two tracks, at least two platforms at stations, and the need for multiple units to allow for frequent rotations. His ability to conceptualise and iterate a timetable based on revenue and ridership models exemplifies his expertise.
Arthur successfully collaborated with the other consortium members, consisting of ten other partners. Working with an international team offered Arthur the opportunity to learn about other railways, synthesise ideas from various perspectives, and incorporate the best ideas into the project.
This bid extended beyond the design and operation of the new rail route. Arthur also had to consider the implications for existing services, developing strategies that would ensure the smooth integration of the new high-speed rail with the existing rail network.
Arthur effectively managed his team, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout the project. He remained calm under pressure, and always had a smile on his face, able to pick people up when things got tough. His role in the successful submission of the bid attests to his ability to bring together disparate elements, reconcile varying ideas, and drive a team towards a common goal.
Arthur’s manager, Jon Hills, Head of Strategic Planning at First Rail Consultancy, commented, “this was no conventional bid; it was more a blank piece of paper. Never before has FirstGroup had to deliver from this starting point. Such projects normally take years to evolve into a meaningful timetable that customers will benefit from.
“Yet Arthur led his workstream as sponsor – for the first time in his career – and built a train service specification from the ground up, showing he is a worthy candidate for this award.”
Arthur's contribution to the HFR project, his ability to navigate its unique challenges, and his leadership skills make him an outstanding candidate for the Rail Person of the Year Award.
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Bal, Birring
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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This nomination is for a core member of the TSO operation and someone who has been a mainstay on the contract since its existence several years ago. Bradford TSO supervisor Balbir Birring has not only been ever present since the contract was formed but has continued her rise up the ranks to now be in the position of officer in charge in the East region. Bal has overcome numerous obstacles throughout her time with us including becoming our only current female supervisor in an industry predominately male dominated, Bal being in such a position and leading by example whilst demonstrating to other females without our operation that this achievement is possible is something we are extremely proud of and something I hope Bal takes immense pride in. In recent years Bal and her team have continued to shine and exceed all expectations with a large percentage of this coming down to Bal's planning, preparation and passion for her team to be the best on the railway network.
What I feel makes this nomination so special and personal is each and every one of Bal's officer's have sent me personal messages over the last few months asking for this to be put forward as they want their leader to feel as special and appreciated as she makes them feel on a daily basis whilst representing both company and client.
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Bonnie, Price
Company Name
Young Rail Profesionals
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It is with great enthusiasm that I nominate Bonnie Price for the Rail Person of the Year award. As the CEO of Young Rail Professionals Ltd, Bonnie has demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication that has significantly transformed the landscape for young professionals in the rail industry. Her commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging environment for emerging talent is not only commendable but also vital for the future of the rail sector. She is the first CEO since the governance change after huge expansion in her role as Chairwoman for 23/24, as CEO this has continued for her second term in the top leadership position- both being landslide victories in the elections.
Bonnie’s altruistic nature is evident in every aspect of her role. She has tirelessly championed the cause of YRP, ensuring they have access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that empower them to thrive in their careers. Under her guidance, YRP has become a beacon of support, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the industry. Bonnie’s vision is not just about personal success; it is about uplifting others and creating a community where young professionals can flourish. Under her leadership YRP has now (for the first time in it’s 15 year history) gotten all 9 regional committees up and running. YRP is also now growing out to the EU, taking the message of promote, develop and inspire global.
In the past 2 years, Bonnie has spearheaded initiatives that have led to a remarkable 34% + increase in membership. This surge is a testament to her ability to connect with young professionals and address their needs and aspirations. By implementing innovative outreach strategies and enhancing the value of membership, Bonnie has successfully attracted a diverse group of individuals eager to engage with the rail industry.
Bonnie’s impact is further illustrated by the 28% increase in events organised by YRP. She has revitalised the events calendar, introducing a variety of workshops, networking sessions, and industry talks that cater to the interests and professional development of members. These events have become essential platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration, fostering a sense of community among young professionals.
The enthusiasm and commitment of the YRP team is a direct reflection of Bonnie’s leadership. Her approachable demeanour, coupled with her genuine interest in the well-being of her team, has cultivated a culture of respect and admiration. Volunteers consistently express their appreciation for Bonnie’s guidance and support, often citing her as a mentor who empowers them to take on new challenges and grow within the industry. This strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose is a testament to Bonnie’s exceptional ability to lead with compassion and integrity.
In conclusion, Bonnie embodies the spirit of the Rail Person of the Year award through her altruistic leadership, impressive membership growth, expanded event offerings, and the deep respect she commands from her team. Her unwavering commitment to supporting young professionals in the rail industry is not only transforming lives but also shaping the future of the sector.
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Carter, Goodby
Company Name
LNER
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Carter currently works in the role of Station Support (Customer Service) at London King’s Cross. Alongside his day-to-day role of assisting thousands of customers , Carter, takes his passion for rail and diversity and inclusion a step far beyond expectations. Recently nominated as co-chair of LNER’s LGBTQIA+ network, TOGETHER, Carter has been tasked with organising a number of events including York Pride. In addition he has been an advocate for the community giving vital feedback in the development of the internal Gender Identity Toolkit alongside encouraging peers to get involved with the wider networks and to display their pride by wearing inclusion lanyards. Carter lives and breathes LNER’s values of Bring Passion, Owning It, Being Bold and Always Care; from the first-class customer service he provides for our passengers, to dedication in supporting diversity across the industry, making a difference .
Carter volunteers as a committee member for Women In Rail, London, who shared the following testimonial:
Carter Goodby is an exceptional ally for women across the industry and a true advocate for EDI. He is an active member of the Women in Rail regional team in London, one of our largest regional groups and he has been very supportive in setting up various events for our London members. including a recent very successful in person event with over 130 Women in Rail members in attendance. Carter has also offered to help Women in Rail with its new sharepoint site making it into a brilliant communications channel for all our 100 plus volunteers by structuring the contents, coming up with a Women in Rail events calendar and encouraging our volunteers to contribute to the site to share information and connect with others. He also offered to come and help at the Women in Rail Awards last year and be there early to support which was so welcomed. He is also very active with Rail Unites for Inclusion and was part of the organising team for the RUI in person and online conference and various other activities to support the team. A real all round passionate, caring individual always willing to offer help. I know he has a with a very bright future ahead in whatever he chooses to do.
Beyond Women In Rail, Carter also volunteers for Rail Unites For Inclusion. They had this to say about Carter:
Carter is a huge asset to our Rail Unites for Inclusion (RUI) leadership team. Carter is so full of energy and always so keen to help and support in any way he can. Carter is very creative and has designed lots of posters for the many events that RUI has hosted in collaboration with industry colleagues.
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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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Charles, Dickson
Company Name
Southern railway
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Charles always care for his fellow colleagues always helpful and willing to assist any way or form. I work at Southern for 11 years and really grateful to have such a brilliant and helpful member of staff around my area. When we have a double MIP booking he will come and assist and that in itself is wonderful
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Charlie, Smith
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I have know. Charlie since I started on the railway and I have heard about there story when they have seen me working out on the network. They have shown true reliance and courage in difficult situations as well as overcome some challenges with astounding Positivity, courage and resilience. They have also spoken out about Hidden disabilities within GTR.
So, I would like to nominate Charlie for their outstanding performance and unwavering positivity, despite facing significant challenges due to ADHD. Charlie has demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment to their role as an Apprentice Engineer, turning what could have been a barrier into a source of strength and inspiration for others.
Since joining the Engineering Department as an Apprentice, Charlie has faced the challenges of ADHD head-on. While ADHD can present difficulties with organization, time management, and focus, Charlie has taken proactive steps to overcome these obstacles. They have embraced innovative strategies to manage their symptoms, such as utilizing productivity tools, breaking down tasks into manageable parts, and creating routines that work best for them. By doing so, Charlie has consistently maintained high performance and reliability, contributing significantly towards their career successes
More than just managing their symptoms, Charlie has transformed ADHD into an asset. Their ability to think outside the box has led to creative problem-solving and fresh ideas that have benefited their colleagues in unexpected ways. Their quick thinking and adaptability in high-pressure situations have often been a game-changer, helping to resolve issues swiftly and efficiently.
Charlie’s constant positivity is truly inspiring. Despite the daily challenges, they maintain an upbeat and encouraging attitude that boosts the morale of everyone around them. Charlie is always ready to lend a hand, offer a kind word, or share a smile, creating a supportive and inclusive environment for both colleagues and passengers when they are out travelling to work either on route to work or on rest days.
Beyond their personal accomplishments, Charlie has also raised awareness about ADHD within the company, fostering a culture of understanding and support. They have shown that with determination, adaptability, and a positive mindset, challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth.
Charlie embodies the values of our organisation: resilience, creativity, dedication and encompassing the company slogan ‘we’re with you’ . Their journey of overcoming ADHD barriers with such positivity and grace is a testament to their character and commitment to their role. I wholeheartedly believe Charlie deserves recognition for their incredible contributions towards there apprenticeship and for being a shining example of how challenges can be met with positivity and perseverance.
**Thank you, Charlie, for your exceptional service and inspiration to us all!**
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Christopher, Flood
Company Name
Amulet Security
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On 21st June 2024 TSO Flood was onboard the EMR network when a female conductor was confronted by five males refusing to pay for their travel. The situation rapidly escalated as two of the males donned balaclavas and began acting aggressively towards the conductor.
Observing the escalating danger, Chris immediately intervened to support the conductor and a passenger who was trying to aid her to and de-escalate the situation. He approached the group with a calm but authoritative demeaner, addressing the males and taking control of the confrontation.
Chris’s presence and firm handling of the situation helped to diffuse the immediate threat to the conductor. Despite the aggressive stance of the males, Chris managed to persuade them to leave the train. However during their exit Chris was pushed over by the men.
Chris’s intervention ensured the safety of the female conductor and other passengers on board. His brave actions prevented what could have been a violent altercation and maintained the safety and security of the network.
Chris’s bravery and dedication to his duty were clearly demonstrated in his willingness to face potential violence to protect on board staff and ensure the safety of passengers. His actions are a true testament to his commitment and courage.
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Daniel, Clarke
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Dan joined the railway and team 18 months ago and has been extremely proactive in his work approach
Dan has recently taken on multiple additional duties and stepped up temporarily into a Supervisor role to assist his colleagues and management further. He has made an effort to spend time with colleagues at depots he is unfamiliar with, listened to issues they have and ensured this is passed on to the relevant people to get a solution. He has taken on an endless list of additional duties and is always proactive in where he can help his team more and has become an asset to the department. Nothing is too much of a ask for Dan and he is always willing to go the extra mile
He is a well liked member of the team and has really enjoyed assisting his colleagues further
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Daniel, Floyd
Company Name
Freightliner
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Dan Floyd joined Freightliner as a train driver in 2022 and quickly settled into life as part of a newly formed team and has become a valued member. He is always willing to assist and is keen on supporting the region by volunteering to join the Freightliner Regional Engagement team.
Outside of work, Dan regularly volunteers at a school for disabled children in Billingshurst – Ingfield Manor School. He was introduced to the school by a friend in 2018 and has volunteered ever since.
Ingfield Manor School specialises in supporting students with various learning difficulties and disabilities including Cerebral Palsy as well as visual impairment, hearing impairment and more complex medical needs. There is also secondary provision for children with social, speech and language communication difficulties. Ingfield Light railway is a 10.25" Gauge railway and has been at Ingfield Manor School for over 50 years.
As a volunteer, Dan assists the school in fundraising events, maintaining and running the railway for the enjoyment of the children at the school as well as physical, practical work such as maintaining pathways and foliage, installing fences and security gates within the school grounds, replacing rail sleepers and fixing the rolling stock.
In view of Dan’s background in engineering, which he has been involved with since he was 17 years old, Dan spent three years building an eleven foot long, one fifth scale working steam locomotive from scratch, at his own expense, which is housed at the school. Whilst some of the children are non-verbal, they always love the train and are very excited to ride on it which is evidenced by their actions and body language. The steam loco is also popular on fundraising fete days when members of the public can take a ride and all ticket sales are given to the school as a donation to help fund days out and special equipment for the children,
As many of the students are wheelchair bound, Dan also played a pivotal role with fellow volunteers in designing and building a wheelchair wagon to transport the children around the railway. This enables the children to drive their wheelchairs onto the wheelchair coach and ride without needing to be lifted out of their wheelchairs. Classes use these for private train rides throughout the year.
Other tasks undertaken by Dan over the last year or so include creating method statement operation paperwork for the railway, completing steam driver assessments and training, designing and installing vacuum braking systems on the coaches, repairing tree damage, changing sleepers, renewing ballast, renewing worn rails and running his engine for the school children and public to enjoy.
It is inspiring that, despite the demands of a busy train driver role, Dan finds the time to volunteer for Ingfield Manor School, undertaking a variety of tasks to ensure the students have a happy and rewarding experience during their time there. He is a thoroughly deserving nominee for a RailStaff Award.
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Darren, Carmody
Company Name
GTR
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Darren is an extremely conscientious individual here at Luton Drivers depot. He always puts himself first ahead of others and problem solves for his team wherever he can. Even when he is on annual leave, he will still be of help for others. He is always on hand to lend advice and check on drivers who are off sick for additional support.
One example of him being exemplary was on the 8th February 2023, he was leaving Leagrave station for a train into work. He had spotted a tress passer who was vulnerable. He went up to the driver to check he was ok and then went on to take appropriate action with the tress passer approaching him in a calm demenour and manged to get him to safety on platform 1 and potentially have saved his life. Darren continued to go into work and dismissed his brave efforts as something typical anyone would have done.
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Dave, Nixon
Company Name
Transport for Wales
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If someone needs some help, they ask Dave. If you want something doing, Dave’s your man. Who volunteers their time every week and uses their own annual leave to lead Scouts sessions? Dave of course! Who will look after people having a tough time? DAVE!!!
We’ve worked closely together for the last couple of years now, and it’s becoming more and more apparent that Dave is the person who everyone goes to when they need something… He’s incredibly respected by everyone that you speak to, whether that’s a Driver, Train Manager, colleagues within the training department and just anyone else who’s crossed paths with him.
Dave is constantly thinking of others, putting everyone else first. He’s trained nearly 100 drivers in the classroom phase of training over the last few years and you won’t hear a bad word said about him.
He’s recently been given a project of introducing a new programme of safety training and the response to it has been fantastic, partly due to the respect that follows his name and the fact that people know that they can trust him to get the task done and make a good job of it, too.
Dave strikes a great balance in everything that he does, and if only for the sheer number of people that he’s helped and assisted over the years and hasn’t made a single word of complaint about it, he’s completely deserving of this award!
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Eugene, Obeng
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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Eugene Obeng has now operated as a Travel Safe Officer on the Northern Trains Contract for over 2 years. Throughout this time, he has consistently represented himself, Northern Trains Ltd, Amulet Security and the RSAS Scheme to the highest of professional standards whilst ensuring safety and security remain at the forefront of his mind.
Where TSO Obeng really excels, is in his ability to ensure he is a prominent presence on the railway which has best placed him to intervene when offences have been committed or be the help that someone is looking for when they have found themselves in a vulnerable place. This can be best evidenced by his reporting figures for Railway Year 2023/2024, in which TSO Obeng submitted 909 reports for incidents ranging from anti-social behaviour, trespassing, unauthorised access to stations, individuals in need of safeguarding and intelligence reports. With this, what TSO Obeng has demonstrated is the ability to not only adapt to different incidents but changing situations as well. As an example, it is not uncommon for TSO Obeng to initially begin dealing with an individual who has committed an offence but is then identified as someone who requires further intervention from a safeguarding perspective, be it missing persons or individuals suffering with mental health issues. In this way, TSO Obeng shows he possesses the ability to deal with any situation that presents itself in a proportionate and compassionate way to achieve desirable results.
The impact of TSO Obeng’s efforts can be broken down by further analysing his reporting figures as follows; of the 909 reports submitted, 837 were offences witnessed and dealt with by TSO Obeng. Of these 837 reported offences, 744 were instances of an individual or individuals being identified as committing an offence, with the remaining 93 instances being where vehicles have been found in breach of Northern Trains Ltd’s parking policies. With each of the parking offences reported carries a fixed penalty of £50, showing that TSO Obeng’s consistent efforts not only aids in reprimanding individuals committing offences but also there is revenue to be earned back from them. There are actually over 250 occasions where TSO Obeng has in fact obtained details of individuals for offences committed, with which Northern Trains Ltd are afforded the opportunity to earn back further lost revenue.
Without doubt, the Northern Trains network is a safer place with TSO Obeng active on it. He consistently displays all the desired qualities of a Travel Safe Officer being proactive, professional, compassionate and honest whilst providing the necessary deterrent or intervention to protect the networks passengers and assets.
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George, Mitchell
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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Northern Trains Travel Safe Officer George Mitchell continues to display all the skills and qualities that we embrace from our officers with him playing an essential part in not only keeping people safe in his presence but educating those who may be unfamiliar with the dangers of the railway.
George takes immense pride in the results he achieves across the network and was recognised at last years Rail Staff awards where he was highly commended for his heroic life saving intervention and proudly represented both Northern Trains and Amulet as a finalist at the prestigious awards.
The initial intervention and George's clear and obvious passion for public safety gained interest from the wider network leading to TSO Mitchell taking part in the Samaritans "Small Talk Saves Lives" campaign which launched in Feb 24. George as a representative of both company and client travelled to London Kings Cross to assist, share his personal but heroic story and offer advice to those who may have fallen on hard time and be struggling to see light at the end of the tunnel.
George has followed this initial launch event up by also attending Samaritans follow up event in Leeds station, this done in his own time away from his daily duties as an officer which I believe emphasises his commitment to ensuring others utilising the network always have someone to turn to during a time of need.
George's presence and commitment to the nationwide campaign led to numerous positive emails being received from Samaritans themselves thanking George for the part he played and even noted an emotional interaction George had with an elderly male who came over to thank Samaritans for saving his life.
Anyone would think being a full time officer securing the railway network but somehow finding time to assist with such campaigns would be enough for TSO Mitchell but knowing George how we do it came as no surprise when in addition to the above George recently took time out to enquire to our client Northern Trains regarding school educational material which was subsequently acquired and hand delivered by George to his local primary schools.
Selfless acts to educate and protect others seem to go hand in hand with George and to have an individual that not only saved a life in extremely distressing circumstances but then followed that up by committing his time to ensure others don't find themselves in the same position is something we should be immensely proud of.
An initial outstanding act, followed with building trust and relationships in his local community by sharing essential educational material with local primary schools and playing an essential part in a nationwide campaign that no doubt will prevent more lives being taken is nothing short of truly amazing and we are incredibly lucky to have TSO Mitchell out across the network keeping others safe.
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Heather, Waugh
Company Name
Freightliner
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No one puts more of their OWN time into supporting the rail industry than Heather Waugh. Her dedication to tirelessly promote and challenge in so many areas means she could be considered for several categories. She deserves to be recognised.
Just some examples:
Charity:
Heather has raised over £100,000 since August 2022. But her motivation was that she wanted to highlight positives in rail at a time when it was facing so many challenges, following the pandemic, and during industrial disruption.
So she created the Railway Family Fundraiser, which focused on bringing people together, and with her tagline of ‘showing the industry is full of people who will come together for a worthy cause’. She created an event that was “fun, affordable, and accessible”. She treated participants like they were friends, creating a special atmosphere where everyone shared ownership and pride.
Heather continuously uses ‘we’, as her aim is for the event to reflect positively on the industry, but the reality was that it was her alone reaching out to over 60 railway companies, getting over 80 prizes, building websites, engaging in up to 500 messages/ responses a day, making videos, liaising with press and charities. All whilst working long, challenging hours in a job that has no access to emails or social media, meaning everything has to be planned or actioned entirely in her own time. Thankfully, this year she has arranged some help from volunteers.
She also created ‘Journey to Cambodia’ this year. An event that again centred on bringing people together. One that saw Managing Directors join forces with people at all levels of the industry. From train drivers to roster clerks to passengers. She has a unique ability to unite people and uses that for the benefit of the industry.
EDI:
Heather speaks at numerous events, using her voice to speak up for, and represent, the railway in many positive ways. She is passionate and makes points in ways that people can relate to. She has spoken at COP26, Scottish Engineering Awards, Women in Rail, and even a European Commission event in Austria. She attends schools, does interviews, promotions, panels. All in her own time, using rest days or leave.
Health and Wellbeing:
Heather is passionate about mental health. Like EDI, she takes part in numerous events to highlight positives, and push for improvements. She takes part in numerous talks, panels, interviews, and discussions on this too. She is also part of the Rail Wellbeing Live team.
Freight:
Heather takes the time to learn about the needs of her industry and champions it tirelessly. She uses her voice to highlight the benefits and challenges, and was recognised in 2021 by Rail Freight Group for her ‘outstanding contribution’ to freight. She continues to put huge time into supporting it.
Summary:
Heather does all this in her own time, whilst also dealing with many personal challenges in looking after loved ones. No one gives so much whilst asking for so little and she deserves to be recognised.
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James, Edwards
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd
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James is a REO team leader seconded to REO Manager for Thameslink/Great Northern. He is supportive not only to his direct team but to those who do not report to him directly. He gives advice to station teams for anti-social behaviour, works closely with the BTP and local councils. James has assisted in life saving interventions for those with suicidal intent and county lines.
He listens to frontline staff on where there are issues and arranges for special operations to help target ASB including the Rainham area train service. He also assists with special events at stations and is always enthusiastic and willing to help. He has a great ability to connect with people and calm them down if someone is vulnerable or aggressive and passes his knowledge to frontline teams on how to deal with difficult situations.
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Jane, Courtney
Company Name
SWR
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Jane goes above and beyond, she does this in many ways. Ensuring that she uses her knowledge of the railway to give them explicit journey plans. The most important thing she does is empathise with the multiple types of customers visiting the station, who have many challenges, mental health etc.
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Karan, Iyer
Company Name
AtkinsRealis
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Karan is a proactive and an enthusiastic Rail professional based in the North-West Region. Karan has significantly contributed to the Rail Industry through his expertise in Cost Estimating and Commercial services. In the past 2 years, Karan has showcased his love and dedication towards the British Railways and has remained determined to achieve his goal of delivering major projects thereby ensuring the citizens of the country are provided with an efficient railway network.
Since I have known Karan, he has consistently grown and enhanced his skills along with demonstrating his care for the society and people around him. Karan was born in Mumbai, India and spent majority of his childhood in the Middle East which helped him understand the people from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. He then moved to the United Kingdom at a young age of 23. Since moving to the UK, Karan has adapted, understood and embraced the British culture exceptionally and showcased traits of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity.
Karan is currently working with Network Rail – NW&C’s Cost Planning team (seconded from AtkinsRéalis) as a Cost Planner. He has become a key member of the client’s team and has produced accurate and detailed estimates consisting of Civils, Buildings, Track, OLE amongst many other aspects. Karan has been involved some notable projects like Handsacre Junction, Crewe Programme and other electrification projects on the West Coast Mainline. Karan’s ability to interpret client requirements and provide an appropriate solution in a timely manner is one of his many proficiencies. Karan has consistently received positive feedback from the client and other stakeholders.
Apart from Karan’s day to day estimating work, Karan is a strong advocate for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. He takes active part in leading and managing a team at AtkinsRéalis ensuring all members of the team feel included and their well-being is his priority. Under Karan’s leadership, the team has significantly excelled and has been recognised by the business and the industry.
Being a warm-hearted individual, Karan has made major strides as a professional in the Rail Industry making a significant contribution and continues to do so whole-heartedly. I personally believe that Karan is worthy of receiving the Rail Person of the Year due to his achievements and contributions to the industry and the society.
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Kathleen, Martin
Company Name
Great Northern
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Kath is the team leader for Great Northern’s Rail Enforcement Officers, based at Hitchin.
Kath is the epitome of the word LEADER, always leading from the front and encouraging her team of REOs to get out on the network and make a difference. Kath is always thinking outside the box and proactively deploys her team to the stations and locations that need a visible and reassuring presence, based on intelligence, trends and analytical data. This approach has seen a reduction and displacement of crime and anti-social behaviour away for the GN network and stations.
Kath has developed close links with British Transport Police and is the main driver behind Operation Bolster, a joint proactive operation between her REOs and BTP, targeting criminal and anti-social behaviour across the GN network. As a result of this operation Kath has also forged strong bonds with local Neighbourhood teams from local policing teams, especially those in Hertfordshire.
Kath always makes herself available both on and off duty.
Thameslink REO Team Manager James Edwards said “Kathleen is always thinking of ways to ensure our customers and staff are safe by working with other agencies. She continuously moves forward by working with outside agencies to ensure every avenue has been investigated to make people feel safe on the network. Kathleen has literally saved people’s lives because of her quick actions. I am very proud of the work Kathleen is doing and hope one day, it will be replicated across the network”
A member of BTPs team based in London has said “Having worked with Kath, she is really dedicated to her role, her team and her push to make the railway a safer place for all customers and colleagues while also supporting BTP”
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Marianna, Busuttil
Company Name
GTR Southern
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I would like to nominate Marianna Busuttil for the Rail Person of the Year award. Marianna exemplifies dedication, compassion, and leadership in her role, consistently going above and beyond to support her colleagues and the wider railway community.
Marianna is a pivotal figure in the metro area, particularly for new trainee drivers. She not only ensures they are fully supported throughout their training but also fosters a welcoming and encouraging environment. Recognising a need for better tracking and communication, Marianna created a SharePoint site that allows trainees and driving instructors to seamlessly log their driving hours. This innovation has significantly improved the way her team works, making processes more efficient and transparent.
Beyond her professional contributions, Marianna is deeply committed to the well-being of her colleagues. As a mental health first aider, she has provided invaluable support to many, helping them navigate challenging personal and professional situations. Her empathy and willingness to assist are truly inspiring.
Marianna’s commitment to her role and community extends beyond her regular duties. Recently, on her way home from work, she heard about a fatality and immediately offered her assistance. She played a crucial role in supporting the drivers involved and assisting customers during this tragic event. Her quick thinking and composure were further demonstrated when she helped evacuate the train and came to the aid of a collapsed customer, administering defibrillator support.
Marianna embodies the true spirit of the Rail Person of the Year award. Her dedication, kindness, and proactive approach make her an invaluable asset to the rail community. She is not only a colleague who always thinks of others but also a leader who steps up in times of need, making a positive impact on everyone around her. I wholeheartedly recommend
Marianna Busuttil for this well-deserved recognition.
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Mark, Noble
Company Name
Northern Railway
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Mark is Mr. Moral on the depot. He is always looking out for others and has a positive and caring approach.
This is so important especially when it comes to mental heath and men's mental health especially. Doesn't matter what is going on in Marks life he always has time and is supporting others. This is so important in the work place.
He is an asset to Northern Rail. There should be more people like him.
As well as the hard work he does at Northern, and stepping up to support his team and others, Mark also volunteers through the local council to help teenagers who are fostered and have learning disabilities. He spends a couple of evenings a week supporting teenager's, going on bike rides etc. and supporting foster parents who are struggling.
Mark isn't recognised enough at work. He gives up his time for others and will cover a shift even on his day off, always going the extra mile. He never complains.
There's been a lot of times when some of the teams have been affected by strikes or things on the depot, Mark has stepped up with his fun, friendly, approachable and supportive nature. Whenever we organise charity events he is always happy to support others. He never singles anyone out or discriminates others, he's the opposite always encouraging others.
As an engineering depot at Heaton where there can be a lot of negativity an conflict (for many reasons), its rare to have someone like Mark Noble.
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Monica, Dutta
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) - Southern
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There are no words to convey how special Monica Dutta truly is. I joined the Norwood Depot management team last year, with no railway experience and from the moment I stepped foot into the office I was warmly welcomed like I was family. Monica has mentored me throughout the last year, and continues to support my learning and development in the role, no question is off limits and she will drop anything to help. Not only has Monica supported me but with some many new managers starting last year, she has supported them also.
Besides Monica supporting the managers, she is dedicated to her drivers. Her unfaltering commitment to ensuring the smooth running of the depot and the highest quality of engagement with the drivers. Monica is so highly respected by the drivers that once she makes a decision that is final, she is trusted implicitly and adored by all who meet her.
Above all else Monica is a genuinely, wonderfully warm person with a heart of gold and a smile to match. She is the beating heart of Norwood Depot and I an grateful to be part of her team and honoured to call her my friend. Thank you Monica for all you have done, you are a joy to know.
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Nimesh, Sanghavi
Company Name
Emergency Intervention Unit 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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Olatunji (TJ), Fakoya
Company Name
Balfour Beatty Rail
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I have nominated Olatunji Fakoya (TJ) for this award as he continuously goes above and beyond for his team.
In July TJ was acting as site manager for one of our sites in London, he recognised that our CRE who was out on site helping was starting to look pale and not himself. TJ spoke to him and quickly recognised that the symptoms our CRE was showing was that of a heart attack.
TJ's quick thinking meant that our team member quickly arrived at the closest hospital and just 20 minutes later was having a heart bypass. The words of the doctor was that without TJ's speedy intervention things would have been very different and that it was highly likely we would have lost a good friend and colleague that day. So TJ's great management and experience quite literally saved our colleagues life.
Also, just last year TJ was working in Carol Green and came across a slightly intoxicated member of public who was having a mental health attack that managed to get onto the tracks (thank god we were in a safeguarded possession!) The member of public was intent on hurting himself but TJ's mental health training paid dividends as he stayed and talked with the MOP until emergency services arrived.
These are just 2 examples of TJ going above and beyond for his company.
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Paul, Nixon
Company Name
Network Rail
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Paul is a selfless individual that is always willing to listen to others and advise where possible. Paul has an extensive amount of railway experience and knowledge and collaborates with different contractors and consultants within the railway industry helping them improve their safety performance. He always makes time for others putting their health and well-being as a priority. He is easy to talk to and everyone I have spoken to within rail gets along with him and only says nice things about him.
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Paul, Rogers
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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I have nominated Paul for the Rail Person of the Year award due to his dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to Greater Anglia and Rail. Paul would have been a deserving candidate for Engineer of the year; however, Person of the Year has been chosen due to his involvement in many functions outside of engineering. Paul is one quarter of the technical support engineering team at Crown Point Depot in Norwich, he alongside his team works tirelessly managing the safety and technical maintenance of the Stadler fleet. This involves many hours scrutinising data, data of a high priority/integrity level. The standard in which Paul holds himself to goes beyond the expectations of his role. He will regularly assist on topics which may be outside his shifts, due to the wide knowledge base he holds. Paul will not think twice when helping whether that task be technical in nature, assisting passengers on the network, other operators in the area in the event of failures. He will communicate with other operators to share knowledge. A major task within Paul’s job role is to attend units in the event of failure, fatalities etc. This is often under the most difficult circumstances, in all weather conditions and sometimes can be dangerous – this is something that Paul takes in his stride.
The most important reason I am personally nominating Paul, is simply down to the personal support he has given me upon my return from maternity leave. There are not many female engineers in the railway, certainly not at Crown Point, and naturally this is a daunting experience regardless, however Paul has stood by me almost every day. No question is too small, and he will happily take the time to listen and teach when required. I’m simply not sure if I would’ve got to where I am today without Paul as part of the team. I can always count on Paul, serious or for a laugh (which is always required). Paul is quite possibly the most positive helpful person I have ever met. Alongside all the other candidates, Paul is very deserving of this nomination, and hopefully award.
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Peter, Brown
Company Name
Freightliner
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Pete Brown is instrumental in helping Mendip Rail keeping it's ageing Switcher 1001 shunt engines running. With out Pete's help we would not have the reliability we currently enjoy.
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Raymond, Hunt
Company Name
Amulet
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Raymond Hunt,
First, he is dedicated and hardworking. He is extremely organised and focused on continuously learning and developing best practices to manage routine activities both efficiently and effectively. He brings a positive high energy and a personal touch. This brings consistency within his Customer service to Customers and is always there to help when required.
Just recently he dealt with two elderly gentlemen falling down the stairs at one of our station. He was extremely active in helping them with any injuries they may have sustained until help arrived, his response was amazing to which he was accredited by the two gentlemen in question.
Raymond Hunt brings true professional attributes to Amulet and genuinely cares about delivering excellent quality work.
He also always go above and beyond the call of duty in pursuing excellence, even with is family issues he has going on.
So my nomination goes to him and his hard work, but also his assistance in helping customers.
Thank you
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Richard, Scotton
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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Northern Trains TSO Richard Scotton currently occupies the role of 2nd in command within our highly respected TSO team based out of Bradford.
Rick has been a mainstay on the Northern TSO contract for 6 years and continues to thrive and excel with each passing day with his enthusiasm and passion visible for all to see.
Rick is a natural leader who takes immense pride in his work and regularly assists fellow officer's and leaders with additional training in a bid to maintain standards and ensure our clients expectations are met throughout.
Rick is an integral part of all that we do as an operation and is greatly admired from railway staff and stakeholders alike across the Northern network. We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own and the railway is a safer place due to Rick's presence both onboard services and at stations.
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Simon, Bott
Company Name
GTR Southern & Gatwick Express
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Simon has be a an instrumental part of the Train Service Directorate (TSD) for Southern and Gatwick Express throughout the year, stepping up from his role as an area operations manager in to the post vacated by his manager, filling in as the head of operations.
Simon quickly took to task, identifying key focuses for the operations team which centred on ensuring that we have an engaged and competent driver at the front of every train, developing our people, growing the reputation of the TSD & Delivering a financially viable and cost affective operation. This has seen the business maintain and grow relationships with its trade union through one of the longest industrial actions in recent history, along with a vast number of his managers taking their experience on to other parts of the business to share best practice and significant cost savings against the use of taxis within the operation.
Simon was also pivotal in leading the operation to the best ever performance period 1 on record for traincrew by building
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Stewart, Hay
Company Name
Network Rail
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Stewart is a Trainer based at Newtongrange Training Facility. He has collaborated on a number of Projects this year to ensure the final product is the best for the Industry and user friendly for Signallers to deliver. He has been inspirational in delivering the new Traffic Management System to Shift Signaller Managers and Signallers at Edinburgh IECC. he is currently working with the project to deliver "Initiate" which is set to revolutionise the was Possessions are planed and delivered in the future. He also delivers on his day job training new Signallers on our Advanced Signaller Training which is about to go national. In his day job he has delivered Scaleable Training and add hoc training for Communications, Overhead Line Equipment, Axle Counters, MCB OD and GSM-R.
Stewart is also dedicated to the Cowlairs Signaller Team and has given up his spare time to ensure that all Signallers get the breaks on shift that are necessary to manage their fatigue, in their high risk roles.
Stewart is an Ambassador for Newtongrange Training Centre and the Rail Industry. He invites people from inside and outside the railway to come and see what we do. This has lead to a number of people applying for Signaller roles, which they were ignorant as to the availability of roles and the skills necessary to apply. It also promotes the professionalism of Network to deliver the best service to our customers.
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Susan, Temple
Company Name
Scotrail
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The days of steam trains and The Railway Children seemed like a long time ago when the railway was very much part of the community but it is very much alive today at Johnson station thanks to Susan Temple. Susan Temple believes the railway is one of the few industries that can connect to all counties you can reach all communities from Lands' End to John O'Groats. Susan has a passion for putting the station at the heart of the community. She is always encouraging others to get involved and providing support for her colleagues. She has developed a long-standing partnership with local charities and businesses. This year Susan had the chance to nominate four volunteers who helped at the station a chance to attend the King's Garden Party at Holyrood in Edinburgh. All four couples were lucky enough to these invitations. Susan has now been involved in the railway for the last 20 years she works hard and sometimes forgets to take a rest. Susan is well-known in the community, there are very few customers she doesn't know by name. She is always ready with a hug for those in need. Last year Johnstone won the Rail Team of the Year, the town was so proud. Susan made sure they knew it was for them, as they were the team. I am nominating Susan Temple for Rail Person on behalf of Johnstone and Renfrewshire.
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Tom, Langford
Company Name
Network Rail
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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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Tracey, Perryman
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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Northern Trains Travel Safe Officer Tracey Perryman has been a mainstay on the TSO contract and has proudly represented her role for close to 4 years now.
On the evening of 9th November 2023 whilst carrying out a routine patrol of a station, TSO Tracey Perryman and her colleague were approached by a Northern Trains conductor who made Tracey aware of a vulnerable female standing in the dark and at the far end of the platform. TSO Perryman made her way to the female alone and introduced herself, it became evident fairly quickly just how distressed the young female was with her openly admitting she had arrived at the train station to end her life. Tracey attempted to build a relationship with the female with back and forth dialogue continuing for over 15 minutes whilst still situated at the end of the platform, a short while later TSO Perryman was able to persuade the young female now in tears to slowly move away from the platform edge and come to safety, continuing to reassure her throughout that it's just the two of them and that she will ensure she remains safe and secure.
TSO Perryman managed to get the female to a safer position on the station although this was met with numerous attempts and threats made by the young female to enter the tracks which was apprehended by Tracey, all whilst maintaining her composure and ensuring she continued to put the female’s welfare before anything else. Several calls were made in an attempt to contact the police and the ambulance service to get the female the support she required but numerous calls were met with long delays and confirmation that due to several ongoing incidents in the local area, it was very unlikely anyone would be able to attend.
Despite the first contact being made at 2045 TSO Perryman made the selfless decision to see through the incident despite her shift finishing at 2300 and the time now reaching 1am, finally some 4 hours after TSO Perryman became aware of the visibility distressed female, police arrived and took control of the situation ensuring they would take good care of her and have her attend the local hospital.
The selfless commitment displayed by TSO Perryman to not only initially manage to prevent the female from ending her life but to also remain on site for several hours even after her shift had officially come to an end captures Tracey's passion and determination to ensure those in need of help always have someone to turn to on the railway. We all hope in such challenging situations that we would do the right thing, TSO Perryman not only did the right thing but also went well above all expectations of both company and client and is something we should be incredibly proud of.
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Tyreece, Hewitt
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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I am delighted to nominate Tyreece, because he consistently demonstrates excellence in his customer service role.
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Victoria, Tomlinson
Company Name
First Rail Consultancy
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First Rail Consultancy is proud to nominate Victoria (Vic) Tomlinson for the Rail Person of the Year award. Vic has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and passion for customer experience as project leader on the innovative Customer Experience (CX) Vision, created by West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) and HS2.
After it was recognised that there was a lack of a unified vision in customer experience for future high-speed rail services, Victoria spearheaded the creation of one that would put customers at the heart of the journey. Victoria used her marketing and brand expertise, which has been developed through the creation of three national rail brands, to ensure that the outcome was bold and inspiring, giving people and teams clear strategic direction. The vision outlines that high speed services should be the best travel experience in Britain. It defines how HS2 and WCPD will strive to serve customers and provides the level of ambition whenever the companies make decisions involving customers.
Vict galvanised multiple teams and organisations during the project, playing an integral role in managing stakeholders, conducting interviews and facilitating workshops to ensure all their views were heard. Vic followed a customer-centric approach, ensuring that the vision was not only achievable but that is also resonated with customers, making sure it delivered on what they expect from HS2.
As a regular traveller on the West Coast Main Line, Vic personally understood the importance of the HS2 project and the issues customers currently face. This project was a perfect opportunity for her to use her marketing background – Vic was previously Head of Marketing at TPE, and also interim head at GWR and SWR – to create a vision that paves the way for a customer-oriented future for high-speed rail services, putting them at the heart of every decision.
When completed, the CX vision was adopted by both WCPD and HS2. It helps both organisations to improve efficiency and work more collaboratively when making decisions towards delivering a superior customer experience.
The full impact of the project is yet to be entirely realised, but it's already bringing together two organisations with a shared purpose that puts customer needs at the heart of decision making. Because of Victoria’s leadership and dedication, the project has received buy-in from a range of senior industry stakeholders. Even with changes to the HS2 project since the vision was set, Victoria's work stands as a testament to her commitment to customer satisfaction and her ability to unite stakeholders around a single, customer-focused goal.
Vic’s contribution to the project, her passion for customer experience and ability to inspire collaborative working was recognised by WCPD’s previous Head of Passenger Proposition Bernardo Tonini who said: “Victoria has impressed me with her customer centricity [...] I really like her approach to finding solutions to complicated problems. She has a calm and relaxed approach that creates trust, and is really good at managing stakeholders”.
We believe Vic is a deserving candidate for the Rail Person of the Year Award.
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Wayne, Jenkins
Company Name
CrossCountry
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Wayne Jenkins works for CrossCountry as one of our Resources Controllers, based in our Control team in Birmingham. Our Resources Controllers play a really critical role in delivering smooth, reliable train journeys for on-train colleagues and ultimately for customers – they are responsible for ensuring that everything (and everybody!) that needs to be on the train before it starts its journey is in the right place at the right time. It’s a demanding, high-pressure role that requires strong prioritisation and time management skills, as well as being able to foster strong positive relationships with hundreds of people across the country who you’ll probably never even meet in person.
It’s this aspect of the job where Wayne truly excels, and makes picking up the phone to hear his voice at the Resource Controller desk a source of real comfort and relief to any Train Manager or Senior Conductor at CrossCountry. Wayne stands out as one of the friendliest, kindest Resources Controllers we are lucky enough to have with us. No matter how many incidents are ongoing or how many jobs he has to juggle, Wayne can always be relied upon for a little chat and banter to cheer up his caller, even in times of difficult disruption. Wayne can always be relied on to pick up the phone and help out (often stressed, tired, or even panicked) on-train colleagues on the phone straightaway, with very little trouble.
It’s well-known amongst on-train colleagues that Wayne is the Resources Controller where, if you ring him, you will be in safe hands. Wayne will always do everything he can to help colleagues out, and nothing is ever too much trouble for him. Having such a friendly and thoughtful nature has cultivated a great mutual respect and responsibility with train crew across the business – I know that all of my colleagues on trains would be very pleased to repay Wayne any favours he might need if he was to give one of them a call. This is a really beneficial way of working and I hope that this nomination goes some way to spreading Wayne’s positive attitude further across the business and the industry.
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Wilson, Nnebi
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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I would like to nominate Rail Safety Officer Wilson Nnebi for his exemplary actions and dedication when he came across two distressed females who were self-harming with a broken vodka bottle.
While conducting a routine car park check, Officer Nnebi came across two young females that were self-harming with a broken vodka bottle. Despite a substantial amount of blood in the lift and on the stairway, Wilson demonstrated exceptional composure and quick thinking, as he went to the women in need.
Noticing their distress, Wilson spoke empathetically to the two females to stop them from causing further harm to themselves until the ambulance arrived at the scene. His actions and composure have made an invaluable difference by helping save two lives with care and compassion.
On the incident, West Midlands Trains’ Customer Experience Manager Karen Chambers said:
“I want to commend Wilson for his prompt and compassionate response in discovering and assisting the two girls who were self-harming. His quick actions ensured their immediate safety, and he demonstrated a high level of awareness and dedication to his duties. His handling of the situation with sensitivity and care was exemplary and reflects the core values we uphold in our team.
We would like to thank him for his vigilance and for acting with such professionalism during a challenging incident. His efforts are deeply appreciated and have made a significant difference.”
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Zeliha, Sigirci
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Zeliha has worked as a Customer Host at Highams Park Overground Station for several years and has a great relationship with passengers, and the community, delivering a world-class service for our Client, Arriva Rail London.
Zeliha has received many commendations for her hard work at the station, assisting passengers and more recently got a commendation from the Director of Strategy & Innovation at Transport for London. This was for a child who travels independently on the London Overground to a school who is autistic, visually impaired and suffers severe anxiety, the care and attention Zeliha gave to the child ensured she was collected safely after struggling with her journey. Proves her dedication to her work.
Zeliha understood how important any child with disabilities is to have independence on public transport and how critical this can be to have a fulfilling life.
Zeliha is well known to the Community, especially to young people who use the Overground services explaining about safety and the importance of purchasing a valid ticket.
Zelhia is very aware of passengers with disabilities and ensures they feel comfortable and reinsured while taking their journey with the London Overground.
Well done Zelhia for all your hard work and dedication at the station and with the local community.
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RAIL TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Do you work with a team whose concern for colleagues and customers in difficulty is outstanding? Or have delivered a project whilst overcoming significant challenges?
Example job titles for this category:
On board crew, HR Department or Team, Maintenance delivery team, Signalling Team, OHL Team, S & T team, Train Assembly Team, CCTV Team, Resourcing Team...
You can see all the past winners here.
Sponsored by:
Advanced Timetabling Team, .
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
If you were going to take a blank sheet of paper and work out how to create a team, what would be your main wishes? Maybe:
• Plenty of knowledge, skills and technical expertise
• Diverse and inclusive
• Strong focus on colleagues’ physical and mental wellbeing
If you want all of that, look no further than the Advanced Timetabling Team (ATT), at Network Rail.
Although only two-and-a-half years old, the team already has an excellent reputation within the rail industry.
It’s headed up by Hannah Linford, who started in the rail industry as a guard, before finding her way into the world of timetabling. Beneath Hannah, three of the eight-strong management team are female, inspiring others who can see role models in our organisation.
While there are team members who love trains and give up their free time to help out on heritage railways at the weekends, it’s a very diverse make-up, with former teachers, journalists and supermarket managers among the mix.
Hannah is a trained Mental Health First Aider with a strong focus on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and wellbeing.
That’s reflected within ATT, with three members on the Archway (the LGBTQ+) leadership team and two colleagues holding influential roles in the health and wellbeing sphere.
There are also champions focusing on everything from security and safety and timetable performance to family focus and continuous improvement.
The team is at the forefront of shaping how the UK rail network will look. That covers everything from headline projects such as High-Speed Rail 2 (HS2), Old Oak Common, East-West Rail and the TrainsPennine Route (TRU) upgrade to much smaller schemes, such as the benefits of improved signalling at Canterbury West, reinstating former stations and developing complex freight timetable recasts.
There is a very strong culture of safety within the team, stretching from day-to-day operations to project work. Project work may focus on maximising capacity on the rail network, but this is never done at the expense of safety. The team works to agreed Timetable Planning Rules and will advise on the robustness of any future timetabling, especially how it may fare during perturbation.
The ATT team was at the forefront of using ATTUne as its timetabling software to enable cross industry collaboration in timetable development, something that is now used more widely in the rail industry. It is certainly a team of innovators with a huge focus on continuous improvement. In the last year alone, the team registered almost 2,000 hours of CI time improving processes, tools and the working environment for our team and our customers.
Having the courage to release colleagues from paid project work to focus on the Faster Freight timetable optimisation project is already reaping huge benefits, fitting in with Network Rail’s focus of making the railway ‘Simpler, Better and Greener’.
The ATT team works hard and gets the job done. But not at the expense of wellbeing, with weekly team walks, board games clubs and other fun events such as the Office Olympics.
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Anglia Integrated Control Centre, Network Rail Angila Control
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
A truly dedicated team that are unsung hero’s that persevere daily which I have observed providing the route with exceptional service. The team always strives to ensure their actions and decision making an always around providing the best level of service overarched by safety and customer centric. Recently implementing a number of initiatives that are not showcased but give our customers an excellence in service such as;
- Providing Liverpool St station with proactive information around potential risks and disruption via dedicated comms platforms. This is the busiest station in the country and carries high risks with regards to overcrowding / sensitivity for organisational credibility impact - the team protect the staff and customers by keeping them at the forefront of all decision making.
- juggling and ensuring a balanced service delivery for freight and train operating companies on some of the busiest corridors in England enabling Greater Anglia / MTR Elizabeth line and C2C just to name a few to be some of the highest performers TOCs in the country.
- recently taking on the command and control management of a derailment within a port and within 3 weeks leading a full operation with the Distribution Unit to repair damaged infrastructure and recover one of the busiest freight ports in the country. This went unsung and freight brings millions of pounds worth of income to the economy.
There are many more examples. Is we this team drive forward and work passionately with such a humble attitude where so much celebrations exits but partners. It’s time to recognise and showcase the song writers, the script writers and the production team behind those Hollywood block busters.
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Birmingham Snow Hill CEMs Station Team, .
Company Name
West Midland Trains
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The team of Customer Experience Managers for the Birmingham Snow Hill line
The Snow Hill team have undergone quite a few changes since January this year with a restructure and the introduction of Customer Experience Managers and a new area station manager.
Due to a company restructure the station management was restructured earlier this year
Resulting in an influx of 12 customer experience managers covering 44 stations
All being recruited at different times with varying degrees of a railway experience and with some being completely new to the railway environment.
They have been working extremely hard for the past 12 months, faced with unprecedented levels of short staffing and changes associated with reorganisation within stations.
The team have worked extremely hard not only covering and learning their own roles but supporting the stations, their station colleagues, and their Area Station manager, all whilst learning themselves whilst “On the Job” which is never an easy task.
Throwing into the mix that, we as an organisation had not been permitted to recruit for ticket office for several years, following a very substantial recruitment drive, Whilst undertaking the day job they sifted through hundreds of applications, organising numerous interviews to find the right colleagues. Which to date we have recruited 27 new starters for our line who will requiring inductions training packages and 1-2-1 contact.
I am exceptionally proud of how my team overcame all obstacles to smoothly undertake this and to assist all of our new starters on their own railway journey
Whilst undertaking this they are covering plethora of station tasks such as train dispatch (and learning train dispatch), PGI’s, ICA's, FPM's, learning Bugle delay attribution, covering Operations Supervisor role, training new starters, liaising with project managers and other internal/external stakeholders, providing support and guidance for both new and existing station colleagues. The list is not exhaustive and ever changing...
They all do it with a smile on their faces when faced with adversity. I believe they should be recognised for their hard work and efforts as they are demonstrating all values of hard working, dedicated, motivated and willing team.
The team, despite having many obstacles in their way such as covering the operations desk and learning themselves, from having new roles and new managers, have adapted and grown together as a team
The Customer Experience Managers have worked tirelessly to include all at their stations to feel as if they are one team
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Brighton Thameslink, Driver Managers
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I have nominated this team as all three Driver Managers are new to a role within the last year. They joined at a time when we had management vacancies and, as a group, worked efficiently through their training whilst getting stuck into a demanding BAU operational role. They took on the challenge of managing a large depot with multiple areas of focus and, in the year that they have now been in place, have shown not only a high level of resilience to the day-to-day challenges but have also adapted to their new industry noting working in the department or industry before with a drive and focus on improving engagement, listening to their new Driver team, demonstrating leadership qualities and learning as they work.
Further, they focused on fixing problems, both historical and new, and have adapted their roles in a short space of time. They continually develop and learn from colleagues, Drivers and other local stakeholders in an operational critical location with a key role to play for our customers. It has been a pleasure seeing them grow, evolve and build strong local relationships and start to see the results of their focus input and hard work. The depot is going through a continual period of change through, with new team members joining; their work and leadership with a focus on overall performance, team development and consistency and, importantly engagement continues to grow from strength to strength.
I am excited to see what this team continues to deliver on as they focus on their key deliverables, their Driver team and themselves as colleagues following a challenging but successful year.
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Cavara Barrett and Daniel Dwyer, (WMT Night Officers)
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Whilst completing final checks during a patrol in preparation to lock up at Walsall Station, RSO Daniel encountered two teenage females under the influence of alcohol. With the station now closed as the last train had already left, RSO Daniel asked the two teenagers to leave the station, advising them that there were not any more trains and that the station had now closed.
Unhappy with this, the teenagers became abusive and hostile and begun destroying WMT property by kicking items around the station. RSO Daniel alerted his colleague RSO Cavara also on-site conducting checks who alerted the BTP, Carlisle management and the WMT control room about the active incident. During this, RSO Daniel remained professional as he attempted to calm the two individuals as he collected evidence.
When BTP arrived at the scene, our RSOs supported with the handling of the incident and helped the BTP when instructed on controlling one of the females with leg restraints (straps) as she had broken glass imbedded in her hand. During this restraint, the second female who had begun to calm down became hostile which the BTP instructed our RSOs to support controlling her with leg restraints before both individuals were safely arrested by the BTP.
When watching the Body Worn Camera footage, our officers went above and beyond to support during his incident, providing professional and expert handling which helped the BTP make the arrests.
Both RSOs have been commended for their support during this incident by Security Suicide and Prevention Manager, Tom Harty, and Head of Security, Shaun Keeling for WMT.
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CCTV Evidence Gatherers, Wimbledon / Southampton
Company Name
South Western Railwat
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
I'm happy to write up a nomination for the CCTV Evidence Gatherers for the RailStaff Awards 2024 Rail Team of the Year category. Here's a strong nomination that shows their important contributions:
The CCTV Evidence Gatherers have shown their key role in making the rail network safer more secure, and more just. Their hard work and know-how make them deserve the Rail Team of the Year award.
Working with Law Enforcement
This team has given key help to the British Transport Police and other Home Office police forces helping with many investigations. Their careful work to collect and process CCTV footage has helped solve cases and keep people safe on ou railways.
Key Part in Major Investigation
Not long ago, the CCTV Evidence Gatherers played a key part in a major investigation. The footage they collected and looked at turned out to be crucial to charge someone suspected of a crime. This shows how the team helps law enforcement get results and keeps people safe.
Suicide Prevention
The CCTV Evidence Gatherers careful review footage of all suicides that occur on our network and help identify patterns that assist with allocation of Trespass and Welfare Officers as well as Rail Community Officers.
Whilst the viewing isn’t pleasant the CCTV Evidence Gatherers know how important it is to make sure the coroners have the full facts of what has occurred and
Safeguarding Railway Interests
CCTV Evidence Gatherers do more than help with criminal cases. They play a key role in civil matters too. Their careful review and presentation of footage helps settle claims about slips, trips, and falls on railway property. This protects the railway and ensures fair results when people claim neglect.
Reducing Fear of Crime
The team does more than just react. They keep CCTV systems running well and use them. This helps make passengers and staff feel safer on trains and in stations. It's a way to stop crime before it happens.
In conclusion
CCTV Evidence Gatherers show what great railway teamwork looks like. They mix technical skills with a drive to keep people safe and uphold justice. Their work matters a lot. It helps police and assists with reducing crime on our network. They show what the Rail Staff Awards are all about - doing a great job.
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Commercial Growth Team, c2c
Company Name
c2c
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
c2c’s Commercial Growth team under the leadership of Head of Commercial Growth Steve Knights is nominated for Rail Team Of The Year. The team have designed and delivered business growth initiatives which have achieved financial success, and have secured a lasting impact on the culture and capability of c2c to drive future growth. Their impact results from their flexibility in rapidly adapting to a change of business direction, collaboration with other teams, and their hard work and determination to drive change.
Following a period of intense cost control post-pandemic, c2c changed direction in mid-2023 to put driving revenue central to its subsidy reduction strategy. Over the past year the Commercial Growth team has led the organisation in rapidly adapting to this new direction.
The team took action on weaknesses they identified in c2c’s customer proposition, gaining agreement from DfT to restore train service frequencies to pre-pandemic levels, and delivering a once in a generation fares restructure replacing fares complexity with simple single leg pricing.
They delivered a market segmentation study which identified the family and small groups summer leisure market as key growth opportunities. Knowing this they launched a £300k marketing campaign, c2c’s biggest since 2019, promoting c2c’s value for money, a new discount with a Southend theme park, and generating awareness though a new sponsorship with Southend United. The campaign boosted off peak revenue by 5% across 11 weeks of the summer, and generated a 9 and 4 percentage point increase respectively in advertising awareness and consideration.
They launched a barcode ticketing campaign driving barcode tickets from nil to 50% of c2c online ticket sales in four months; and restructured station car park prices driving growth of 8% in car parking revenue in the three months post implementation.
Perhaps the team’s most lasting impact is in leading a changed culture towards business growth. They negotiated and established a revenue growth incentive under c2c’s DfT contract and secured a £0.5m increase in marketing budget and five additional team roles, plugging immediate resource gaps with specialist contractors allowing progress to be made at pace. In parallel they designed an expanded organisational structure future proofing c2c with the resources to manage growth longer term.
The team championed business growth organisation-wide, collaborating with c2c’s business transformation programme to ensure process improvement aligns to growth objectives. They worked with the Finance Directorate to set up management dashboards and build a new revenue model supporting revenue forecasting and visibility of results; and established a Trading Meeting where departmental heads discuss revenue trends and action opportunities and risks weekly. The team instigated a ticketless travel marketing campaign highlighting fare evasion as ‘Not worth the gamble’, and led design and delivery of an incentive scheme rewarding station staff for achieving improvement in revenue and service quality.
In summary over the past 12 months the team has driven business results and had a lasting impacting on the culture of the organisation, positioning c2c well to meet the industry’s ongoing challenge of subsidy reduction.
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COWDEN 30yr REMEMBERANCE, Sam Green and Edmund James
Company Name
Southern
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This year Norwood Depot remembers the 30yr anniversary of the Cowden Tragedy, involving Norwood and Selhurst drivers and conductors. Driver Sam Green and Driver Manager Ed James have collaborated throughout the year to ensure the remembrance service is a celebration of those involved and a fitting tribute to the lives lost. Giving of their own time to orchestrate all elements; from chaplains and directors attending to logistics and refreshments, everything has been organised and taken care of to the highest standard, always keeping the focus on those who lost their lives. The partnership between Sam and Ed has been a joy to behold and the dedication to working together for a collective cause has been above and beyond any expectation there may have been. Thank you to both Ed and Sam for their exceptional delivery and honouring the memory of all those touched by the Cowden Tragedy.
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Cricklewood Driver Instructors, Driver Instructors
Company Name
GTR Thameslink
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I would like to nominate my Cricklewood DI’s, Chris Smith, Matt Smith, Ian Bell, Chidi Achi, Jim Morris, Daniel Broderick, Rob Underhill, Bhavin Kakaiya, Craig Setterfield, Hassan Latif and Rob Comb.
Cricklewood Depot has become, for want of a better term, a training depot and my team of Driver Instructors are constantly engaged in nurturing the trainee drivers that are coming through. To illustrate this a member of this team was offered a development opportunity that they had previously requested and turned it down without qualm as they had already dedicated themselves to getting a trainee driver to standard.
This team are literally the unsung heroes of Thameslink. The busiest and most dynamic Driver Instructor team for the company. This year between them they have already managed to get 6 trainee drivers to fully qualified status and have 8 more currently in training many already approaching fully qualified status. The 3 new additions to this team have hit the ground running taking out their first trainees within weeks of being trained.
Along side this they are ever flexible with their assistance on the briefing and assessing of route learning, working hard to bring our depot to 100%. The support they give to drivers returning post incident or after a period of absence is second to none and they are always available to the wider team to answer any question posed of them.
This team will be absolutely key to delivering Project 94 for Thameslink next year.
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CRSA East Resource Team, .
Company Name
CRSA
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The Central Rail Systems Alliance East Resource team work tirelessly to deliver projects in their region under challenging circumstances. They do this whilst still working in an efficient, friendly, extremely collaborative and inclusive manner.
The team consistently demonstrate a remarkable spirit of commitment and an unwavering dedication to getting the project requirements met, whether on the domestic or project front, As an agency dealing with them, it is a delight that processes are in place to ensure smooth running at every turn.
The area and projects that the team cover are vast and varied running from Kings Cross and St Pancras to the Scottish Borders making it all the more fun on a daily basis working alongside with them.
Dealing with Jade Price, Alan Clegg, Mark Dickson, Jodie Fletcher, Charlotte Bullock and Gemma Roper is always a delight.
Lovely people, lovely team and well worthy of the award.
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Customer experience ambassadors, .
Company Name
Lumo
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I have nominated the on board crew team at Lumo (customer experience ambassadors) as the team deserves recognition for the amazing seamless customer service they give customers daily. Reading reviews of Lumo it all comes down to the on board crew, it seems without them customers wouldn’t have the positive experience they have on board Lumo trains. The crew are hardworking, dedicated and bring personal touches to the job on board. With numerous challenges faced daily on board they bring positive energy and are there for the customers of Lumo. They bring professional attributes, and genuinely care about delivering excellent quality service on board. Customer ambassadors at Lumo are a real team unit together!
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Customer Experience Team, Stour Valley South and Chase Line
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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A reorganisation of Stations in West Midlands Trains seen the introductions of the Customer Experience Managers to the Chase line and Sour Valley South. The teams consists of the all inspiring Rebecca Stone as the Area Station Manager, Chloe Sylvester (CEM), Debra Myford (CEM) and David Collyer (CEM). Together they look after 26 stations across 3 counties. The team collectively hold the responsibility of on call for these stations and manage events at Aston, Bescot, Coventry Arena and Witton. At the start of the football fixture there were 54 scheduled days that the team will be managing events at these stations ensuring colleague and passenger safety is paramount. This is without the introduction of any cup games or European championship games. As a team they have supported the recently introduced 55 Customer experience managers to West Midlands Trains, often training colleagues on events or processes. The team further extended their support by introducing a Customer Experience Working Group to work colloboratiley across two brands of the same TOC to standardise working to ensure improvements in the overall Customer Experience. The nomination for the team who combined have retail, call center and railway backgrounds combine to make an effective workforce that are constantly there for there colleagues and customers. The team have been out to support colleagues who have experienced trauma and even extended this to passengers who have witnessed such sad events, organising after care. Furthermore this extends to local businesses who have also supported and the Team reached out to them to thank them for their support, creating the inclusive environment around the station. The team have had an impact on all areas of the Stations that they cover. As this team is still in its infancy and to have achieved such alot in such a short amount of time, this is why I believe that they should be nominated for railway team of the year.
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Driver Manager Team, Norwood
Company Name
GTR - Southern
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I would like to nominate the Driver Manager Team at Norwood Depot for Team of the Year Award. Monica Dutta, Elizabeth Hardman, Edmund James and Howard Thomas, ably assisted by the wonderful Veronica Ellams, have all worked with real vim and vigour to transform Norwood Depot into a fantastic place to work. Thanks to their enthusiasm, energy and dedication Norwood is now an engaging, motivating and supportive environment, its by far and away the best I have known in my 16 years there. Be it a warm smile, a kind word, answering a question or resolving an issue, nothing ever seems to be too much trouble. Such niceties might seem trivial but cumulatively they speak volumes about how us drivers are now valued, both professionally and personally. Whoever ultimately wins this award cannot possibly be any more deserving than the fine people we now have at the helm at Norwood.
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East Coast Thunderbird Mobile Operations Manager Team, Network Rail East Coast Route
Company Name
Network Rail
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Since the launch the East Coast “Thunderbird” initiative, the success and customer service delivery has been outstanding. In the first 11 months of operation, the thunderbird locos have been mobilised a staggering 230 times. They have rescued over 40 failed trains, route proved to allow the railway to reopen during severe weather over 50 times and been mobilised on dozens of occasions to help transport staff and equipment to incident sites more safely, effectively and quickly.
Without doubt, the success of this initiative has been thanks to the staff involved. Network Rail’s two dedicated Thunderbird MOMs, Doug Pratt and Nick Tennyson have been outstandingly pro active in engaging with all stakeholders to develop the capability and competence of the Thunderbird team, such that they are able to any foreseeable incident on the East Coast Main Line and adjoining routes. They have arranged for training and equipment to be provided such that they can rescue any type of train on the route including GTRs electric
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Emergency Intervention Unit Network Rail, EIU Network Rail Slough western Route
Company Name
Network Rail
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I'd Like to nominate my own EIU team which consist of 3 MIO's (Mobile Incident Officers) and 4 BTP British transport Police officers, and our acting LOM.
firstly this team is the newest Operational Team on the Western route having been established in 2019, all MIOs underwent training for 1 year, so the full team really took off in 2020.
My reason for nominating this small team of colleagues is simple, I was browsing the Rail staff award category's and when I read what is needed to be recognised as a Team of the year winner, it felt like this category was describing my team.
We have over past 4 years been praised for our quick response to some of the railways most gruesome incidents, from sad occasions of suicide to retrieving lost dogs and keeping them safe and away from the railway to reuniting them with our neighbouring families to the railway.
When my team are not responding to emergency's, they are proactively looking for trespassers, breach in security fences, access gates and vandalism, inc: dreaded graffiti and theft of railway infrastructure We also support various other departments such as Route Crime, Local MOMs, S&T, OLE teams, local schools to give young children and teenagers safety advice against playing and trespassing on the railway mainly during school holidays, but also during school term at level crossings.
Now the real purpose and reason for my nomination is because, as a small team looking after the railway, and supporting just a few of the teams named above, This is the first time I have work with a team of caring and considerate people in my working life, I have been myself on the railway now for 20years, and prior to this in many other team work roles.
My team also look after each other post major incidents and we hold various washups to ensure our own welfare is also not forgotten.
Recently back in June 2024, whilst away in Swindon, undertaking a COSS Re-cert course, I had an accident of my own, suffering a fall from height, (not whilst at work) and nowhere near a railway line, I'd like to add!!. I suffered a fracture to my L2 vertebrae , also a fracture to my Pubic Mini- posh word for front part of my pelvis and later during recovery found I have a trapped nerve in my rear hip bone.
I have since been off sick for over 3months, my Colleagues within the EIU have been there for me each week, calling me for a chat, texting me for welfare checks, and also visiting me, with treats like doughnuts/Biscuits etc.. In all my working life, I have worked with many teams within the rail & Tourism sector and by far this team are the most caring, thoughtful, who have supported me during my recovery. I am extremely proud of my team who have each individually had their own personal challenges to deal with, yet always make time to check on me.
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Engineering Project Delivery Managers, Northern Trains
Company Name
Northern Trains Ltd
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Nomination for David Otley, Chris Walsh and Grant Dickson, Engineering Project Delivery Managers, for their delivery of adhesion projects.
Here at Northern we’re using innovative solutions to low adhesion caused by leaves. Our team have installed Water-Trak and Double Variable Rate Sanders (DVRS) on full fleets of Class 170s (Water-Trak) and Class 323 (DVRS) which will be in operation this Autumn for the first time. And following a wheel slide in Autumn 2023 with the Civity Fleet (Class 195 and 331), an important sanding project has been delivered to prepare these fleets for autumn conditions.
David Otley – Class 170 WaterTrak installation at Hull Botanic Gardens TrainCare Centre. WaterTrak technology equipment sprays water onto the track to simulate heavy rain conditions which helps wheels from slipping. Dave has managed the project to fit all 16 of the Class 170 trains in the Northern fleet.
There have been challenges on the project and David has followed through with the production teams with system familiarisation and fault-finding guides to ensure any issues are dealt with as quickly as possible to get trains back into service. Whilst Project Manager for the WaterTrak fitting, David has also been running a project to fit Remote Condition Monitoring, demonstrating his ability to run multiple projects successfully. RCM will provide live data on how the WaterTrak system, and other systems, are performing once interfaced with Leadmind.
Chris Walsh – Class 323 DVRS installation at Allerton TrainCare Centre. DVRS system deploys up to three times the quantity of sand at a higher speed than previous versions. Chris took over this project late, during the mobilisation stage, due to unforeseen circumstances and has brought it to a successful conclusion despite challenges.
Some system reliability issues throughout the project meant system modifications needed implementing and units needed to return for those modifications. Some delays on materials meant the final modifications were delivered as the units were being activated for Autumn in September. During this project Northern has brought some cascaded Class 323 trains in from West Midlands Trains which had unfamiliar equipment fitted. This had to be removed before DVRS could be fitted and Chris successfully reverse-engineered that with new procedures.
Alongside Grant Dickson, Chris led a DVRS User Group which provided guidance to other operators looking to install DVRS.
Grant Dickson - Civity Fleet (Class 195/331) Sanding at Neville Hill, Allerton and Newton Heath TrainCare Centres. Following a wheel slide and a full investigation by the RAIB, Grant took the lead on the Civity fleet investigation understanding the state of the two fleets, the system operation, and the specification we are required to meet. Working with all stakeholders he has managed to obtain funding, procure resource and deliver the adhesion project on time.
Delivery of the project was severely impacted by other fleet issues hampering fitment, so Grant has worked closely with production and planning to ensure units were available for the sanding system enhancement.
All three projects have been delivered to budget and on time for this Autumn.
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ERTMS Technical Support, Team
Company Name
Network Rail
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I would like to nominate Lee, Dave, Jay and Dan (collectively the ERTMS Technical Support Engineers) for their contribution this year. The team was formed in May 2023 and they have achieved so much in such a short space of time. They have devoted themselves to learning about the new world of ERTMS, bringing in their knowledge from their previous roles and learning the new complex system. They have been working collaboratively with train operators and the project delivery team over the last year, firstly for the testing of the system playing a key role in providing diagnostics and faulting to the onsite teams during testing shifts, and then providing rapid diagnostics as the system entered in to service on the Northern City Line. Without the team, their willingness to learn and adapt, the operational teams would not have the confidence in Network Rail's ability to successfully run an ERTMS network.
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Events Delivery Team, West Anglia
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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The West Anglia Events Delivery Team do a sterling job in minimising performance delays and maximising customer satisfaction 52 weeks a year, supporting multiple event organisers in London, Essex, Hertfordshire and beyond.
Since the end of the pandemic, events have returned in large numbers at West Anglia venues such as the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the UK's 3rd largest football venue, and the Drumsheds, one of the world's biggest nightclubs. The team work most weekends supporting local councils, the British Transport Police, event organisers and other train and public transport operators in getting attendees to and from the venues safely and securely.
The team achieve this through effective planning weeks in advance, customer and stakeholder communication, safety management and traffic management organisation with the local authorities. All of this has contributed to West Anglia venues becoming more and more popular with promoters, especially those in the North East London area who are reliant on our services.
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FES FM, .
Company Name
FES FM Ltd
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The FES FM Team are responsible for the Maintenance and Cleanliness of 28 stations the Elizabeth Line having the contract for the last 8 years. The team have transformed the travelling experience complimenting the fantastic service the new line and trains have brough to the Capital. The cleanliness standards are the highest in the sector and the team constantly challenged to raise those standards still further. The maintenance of the stations the Team look after is enviable. Working with MTREL the team boast the highest standards in PPM evidencing their work through smart technology and CAFM systems. The team have introduced new ways of working with specialist machines and equipment including Skyvacs, robotic scrubber driers and very high pressure jetting kit. The Soft and Hard Services Team work collaboratively with each other and MTREL to constantly improve on the standards they deliver. The results speak for themselves with the stations providing a clean, safe and well maintained environment for the 900,000 passengers that travel the line on a daily basis. The team a rightly proud of their work and to be recognised through these awards would mean such a great deal to them as we come to the end of the current concession and plan for the future bringing the highest standards to the Rail Industry.
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Freight Loads Books Digitisation Project team, .
Company Name
Network Rail and Lampada Digital Solutions
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The Freight Loads Books Digitisation (FLB) project originated in Network Rail’s (NR) Railfreight Team and was delivered in cooperation with a third-party supplier, Lampada Digital Solutions. The aim of the project was to build a bespoke industry system to automate the process of checking maximum permissible trailing weight and length of freight trains on the network, improving safety and performance of this important branch of the transport economy with the use of cutting-edge digital technology.
Due to the impact of the project, the team was particularly widespread and at various stages consisted of members of the NR’s Railfreight Team, Freight Safety Improvement Programme, DDaT (IT) team, Contracts & Procurement, as well as previously mentioned third-party supplier. Moreover, members of NR’s Capacity Planning and SCO departments were involved as System Champions, and Freight Operating Companies and NR’s Control Centres were extensively consulted as future end users.
Despite the sheer number of interactions and dependencies, the project team achieved a very rare level of collaboration, working smoothly together to produce the best system for the industry, and creating a blueprint for similar projects in the future. Thanks to an outside-the-box thinking and attitude, the team was able to blur the line between NR and the supplier, and create one coherent project team, while simultaneously upholding the project remit, contract, and commercial obligations. This enabled the combined project team to focus on delivering the best solution for the whole industry, achieving unprecedented level of flexibility which allowed the team to further develop and improve the system at short notice in a well-controlled but not overly formal and bureaucratic environment.
Additionally, what stands out in the project team’s approach to delivery is the level of forward thinking with future development of technology and freight growth in mind. Freight Loads Books have remained as a purely manual data source for the best part of the last 50 years, and were becoming unusable with the advent of digital technologies which shifted and upgraded methods of working in the entire railway industry. Therefore, more innovation was needed to ensure users would return to the Loads Books, as well as to safeguard the processes that are currently used.
This was achieved by three components which Network Rail put a particular focus on:
1) Ensuring that the FLB system can perform a fully automated check of a proposed freight path.
2) Providing the option to use the system for off-label purposes. For instance, smaller freight operators who don’t have access to expensive timetable planning software, can use the FLB system’s infrastructure model to plan journeys and export them in recognised formats.
3) By special provisions in the delivery contract, the use of widely recognised digital standards and open architecture, it was ensured that the new system can become a foundation for a digital platform capable of holding any other type of operational or technical data which is infrastructure-based (such as RT3973 forms or the Sectional Appendix).
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Freightliner Felixstowe Operations Team, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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On the night of 18 June, a GB Railfreight train derailed, and it was quickly established that the recovery would be lengthy. As the derailment had a serious impact on Freightliner services, a Freightliner team was quickly assembled to devise a plan for getting their ground crew familiar with the area, so that they could begin running services into the Central Terminal via the Creek Siding and the Cross Dock line. Working closely with all Felixstowe Ops teams and other interested parties including Felixstowe Dock & Railway Company (FDRC), RMT and Port Police, the team fine-tuned a procedure to allow services to run with 20 wagons (usually max 8). Once everyone was satisfied with the revised procedure, Freightliner’s Ops Manager conducted the moves with MSOs to ensure they were comfortable with the changes to the process. With the port police managing traffic, Freightliner was responsible for controlling the train movements. After successfully completing these moves with the trains requiring rescue, Freightliner implemented the plan to run seven services per day, with the potential to increase to twelve if space and timings allowed. As only three lines on the South were operational, and not having competent staff available, plans were put in place to retrain drivers via that route, whilst liaising with GB Railfreight to conduct Freightliner services so that Freightliner’s ground staff were competent and able to take over. Despite the restraints on the length of services available to access the Central and concerns on the amount of traffic which would be held up whilst the move took place, 40 hours following the derailment, Freightliner was able to run their first service off the Port. The following week, Freightliner groundstaff were used to assist the arrival of the Network Rail Engineering train to start the re-railing process. Access to the North was handed back at midday on 4 July and, by the following day, Freightliner was back to a full Intermodal plan, ensuring we were able to deliver for our customers as quickly as possible whist ensuring all procedures were carried out safely. This is impressive considering the extent of the derailment. This recovery could not have been achieved in these timescales without close collaboration between interested parties, including daily meetings with FDRC management as daily shunt plans had to be introduced to incorporate the arrival/departure process for both GB Railfreight and Freightliner between the two different terminals. Both sets of ground staff worked in unison whilst the production managers in Ipswich continued to plan for all Freightliner drivers to become competent running via the South Terminal. Freightliner had regular discussions with drivers to ensure they were fully informed, and Freightliner MSOs were involved in working out the necessary alterations to the Cross Dock procedure. Freightliner had regular discussions with drivers to ensure they were fully informed, and Freightliner MSOs were involved in working out the necessary alterations to the Cross Dock procedure. Freightliner’s National Safety and Sustainability Manager was advised and updated on Freightliner’s progress throughout. Port Duty Managers
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Freightliner Mendip Rail Team, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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2024 has been an incredible year for all staff involved in the delivery of services for Mendip Rail, successfully delivering transformative changes that have benefited the customer, their end users, other railway stakeholders, and Freightliner itself.
Following a complete revision to the train plan in December 2023, planning and operational staff have worked tirelessly to realise the opportunities this has provided, showing devotion and commitment to right time running.
Building on the delivery of record volumes in 2023, Freightliner have been able to deliver a step change in performance during 2024 while continuing to deliver exceptional levels of customer service, transforming the Mendip Quarries from the some of the worst performing in the country to among the best, at the same time benefiting other railway users by reducing delays caused to third parties by 50%.
Delivering an improvement in Right Time Departures figures of over 30%, while adjusting to a new operational model and new timetable has only been possible due to the combined dedication of all staff involved in the planning and operation of these services. This achievement has been recognised by both the customer and passenger train operators, who have described the new timetable introduction as setting an industry template for such projects.
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Freightliner's Hartlepool Segment traffic for HS2 Team, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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Freightliner was selected to partner with Strabag UK to manage the rail logistics solution between their new segment manufacturing facility at Hartlepool and the SCS JV terminal in Willesden, West London. The distance between Hartlepool and London makes this critical supply chain for the Tunnel Boring Machines. The route the trains would take are busy, and the need to run over specific lines on the network to ensure the train arrives in the right formation, also added a level of complexity.
Working with PD Ports and Strabag, the rail infrastructure at Hartlepool was upgraded, requiring Freightliner to employ it’s in house ‘Orange Army’ to renew the track and ballast at the Hartlepool site including sourcing resource, materials and undertaking a relay of the key parts of the infrastructure to bring the track up to standard. This was completed between September and November 2023, on schedule and ahead of services being required later in November 2023.
Freightliner also engaged their in-house design team to design and fabricate segment carrying ‘cradles’ designed to fit on an ISO 20ft flatrack. With careful calculations independently verified by a design house, Freightliner was able to construct a light weight but effective design to carry the tunnel segments on a train capable of fitting into the smallest of rail gauges.
The flexibility of the design allows the flatrack to be reused either in international shipping or redeployed into other projects as it remains structurally unaltered which is in keeping with the environmental aims of the HS2 project to reduce waste. This element is the innovation of
independent designers in our business, using sustainable materials (like timber) and skills to create a workable design that is unique to this traffic. The Freightliner Road team moved the cradles when constructed, the short distance to our rail terminal in Southampton for rail movement onto the project in November 2023.
Concurrently, Freightliner’s Rail business mobilised to arrange the Common Safe Systems of Work, Loading Standards, Operational Instructions and all the necessary documentation to create a viable rail solution for the customer who is new to rail in the UK.
The Freightliner team identified underutilised rail paths across the North London Line and married these with requirements to operate efficiently with train crew changes at Peterborough between Northbound and Southbound trains to allow train crew to work back to their home depots and giving the customer confidence they have the requisite rail paths to meet their stringent delivery targets.
This project has recreated a rail connection in the Northeast of England to the network, brought a new customer to rail in the UK, has further enhanced the opportunities for quality, skilled jobs in the Northeast and revived redundant port infrastructure to use for UK-based manufacturing.
The whole implementation took approximately 12 months to complete and has delivered a safe, reliable solution that is reliably delivering tunnel segments into the heart of London and helps to ensure the tunnel boring machines in West London stay on course and supplied with concrete segments.
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Great Northern, Driver Resource Management Team
Company Name
GTR-Great Northern
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This tight knit team come together time and again in resourcing the train service and offering the flexibility to respond at short notice to the dynamic nature of our industry. Despite Great Northern entering a prolonged period of intense driver training programs, periods of industrial action including action short of a strike, and day to day late notice resourcing demands, they have managed to reduce the number of cancellations on the Great Northern route that are attributed to traincrew resourcing deficiencies by over 850 trains a year compared to the previous two operating years. They have become the masters of developing constructive relationships with the driver grade that frequently results in the driver doing that little bit more to help out the customer and supports a service they rightfully expect. All of this is achieved with good humour and a professional determination to provide a driver at the front of every train.
During times of perturbation the usual jovial bon ami is replaced with an efficient hush as each member of the team plays their part in delivering as a collective. Each member automatically knows their part as the well oiled wheels churn into action. Time and time again they deliver efficiently and without fanfare, expecting no reward for what they consider to be 'just doing our job'. None of this would be achievable if it wasn't for their strong team ethic of collaboration and accountability.
As the Great Northern route enters a period of increased training in delivering the East Coast Digital Program, new traction training, new passenger communication system training etc, I have absolute confidence that the team will again pull together to deliver excellence.
Train Service Director Emma Pickard says 'The DRM team are at the heart of our operation, they both plan our resourcing, respond to constant change as well as managing important relationships with our driving team. The role is relentless and 24/7, it also carries a lot of pressure as they work to cover the service, sometimes in very challenging situations. Come rain or shine they need to deliver for our customers and this team do it with enthusiasm, positivity, humour and a great can do attitude. They make a meaningful and tangible difference to both the train services team and our customers'
Head of Driver Operations Scott Milne adds 'I never cease to be amazed at just how well the team pull together when the pressure is on and how they continue to deliver, even under incredibly challenging circumstances. I am proud of the work that the DRM team do for our customers and for our drivers every day, keeping a huge operation moving isn't easy and I regularly see that this is a team who are personally invested in making a real difference.'
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GTR Infrastructure, Project Team
Company Name
GTR
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I would like to nominate GTR Infrastructure Project Team for continuing to deliver exceptional projects, across our network. This small team has gone unseen for many years, based out of Go-Ahead House they deliver projects throughout the whole of the GTR network. Working hard in the background to improve accommodation for employees, enhancing passengers' facilities, working collaboratively with Network Rail to deliver Access for all Schemes, to enable a more step free stations within the network. Delivering Sustainable and environmental improvements working to decreasing GTR's carbon footprint.
They face challenges on a daily basis gaining approvals from Network Rail, Local Councils and Unions still they do not waver which has been recently evidenced working on award wininng schemes Brentcross West Station, Gatwick Station and Luton Airport DART.
They are the go-to team when you don't know where to go, the are the team that never says no, they are the team that delivers every time. Their commitment, enthusiasm makes them a deserving candidate for 'Rail Team of the Year Award'
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GTR Strategic Train Planning and Network Rail, .
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
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GTR and Network Rail has worked jointly with other operators (SWR, GWR and freight operators) since September 2022 to review and successfully implement substantial timetable changes on our West Coastway route. The changes were implemented in June 2024.
Our vision was to create a fast and frequent network of inter-urban and local connecting West Coastway train services along the key corridor between Brighton, Portsmouth, and Southampton by a standardised timetable with greater resilience, improved performance, and reliability, meeting the changed demand across the route.
We undertook a forensic review of train services involving cross-functional teams including control, signallers, station, and on-board teams to design compelling proposals for current users, communities, and potential users aimed at addressing overcrowding, underperformance and poor reliability across the route.
The proposals aimed to improve coastal connectivity to drive growth through improved journey times and renewed confidence in local and regional rail services offering better value for money for taxpayers.
Demand - changed travel patterns, increased leisure travel, led to many services becoming overcrowded (50 minutes standing) with passengers unable to board many trains. The previous timetable was unbalanced, not structured to cater for current demand and was a barrier to further growth.
Performance and reliability - the route was the weakest and most underperforming service group within GTR (Southern).
Prior to the change, these factors resulted in frustration from passengers creating negative sentiment and a lack of confidence in the rail service to deliver for their needs. It was established that all options to improve on previous structure had been exhausted – a radical overhaul of the timetable, simplifying and increasing resilience was required.
The final timetable was designed in partnership with all stakeholders and passengers. We delivered an effective engagement exercise through a five-month consultation programme including meeting 12 groups and station roadshows. This generated 460 responses from councils, businesses, groups, and individuals. We demonstrated agility and flexibility into original proposals and incorporated 19 suggestions.
The new structure has provided:
Creation of a flagship regional service between Brighton and Southampton,
Coastal A27/M27 corridor journey times now better or equivalent to car journeys offering greater competitive edge,
Improved services between Portsmouth Harbour, Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
Local connectivity protected or enhanced with better connections between trains,
Enhanced frequency, more seats and greater capacity for Brighton to Chichester section
Retention of direct services between Brighton and Portsmouth with competitive journey times,
Simplified, standardised, memorable, repeating pattern timetable with greater resilience.
A marketing campaign was linked to the change: ‘better, faster, smoother’ and included radio, newspaper, digital marketing to stimulate growth and create awareness.
Following introduction, early results have delivered strong outcomes:
Performance improvement: on time improved by +12% (61% to 73%), T-3 improved by +8% (78% to 86%), T-15 improved by +1% (97% to 98%).
Demand: passengers standing has reduced by -56% whilst patronage has continued to increase by +10% (Saturdays) and +5% (weekdays)
Subsidy: we achieved this change cost neutrally requiring no additional taxpayer subsidy.
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GTR, REO's
Company Name
GTR
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At GTR there are just under 50 Rail Enforcement Officers covering as far South as Brighton and as far north to Kings Lynn in Norfolk. Our trains serve over 320 stations in nine counties, a vast area for the Teams to cover and have an impact on.
Right time, right place Operations have led to some significant arrests for offences. These have ranged from Firearms, weapons and drugs being seized, wanted persons and sexual offenders located and vehicle crime suspects being apprehended. Add to this the numerous vulnerable missing persons being located, vital suicide interventions and the invaluable Intelligence put into the system. In the past twelve months the REO teams have undertaken and generated the following:
12,076 - Train patrols.
12,874 - Station Visits
40 - Suicide Interventions
310 - Vulnerable persons assisted.
209 - REO Initiated Arrests
260 - Assists to Emergency Services
1436 - Intelligence reports
3834 - Revenue Sanctions
They regularly undertake
Safeguarding Operations. Focusing on signposting and referring homeless persons.
Partnership working. Joint patrols at problematic Stations with Home Office Forces.
Collaboration . Joint ASB patrols on board services and at Stations with BTP across the network as well as the now regular Operation Bonda with Immigration. This focuses on Organised Crime gangs begging on services. It also serves as a Safeguarding initiative as individuals may be subject to intimidation and trafficking.
Add to this their assistance at events where not only do they act as a highly visible presence of reassurance, but also undertake Crowd Control activity.
Another important string to their bow is Community Engagement. They regularly attend days of Action and will work alongside the Samaritans, and other Mental Health charities .This year for example we saw The Brew Train. They were joined by Andys Man Club and Samaritans to talk to passengers whilst on board. Teams have attended Junior Citizens schemes, Interactive workshops and delivered safety talks to over 200 primary schools. They have also run 12 Cycle Surgery events , with cycles all being marked.
REO’s have a very close and collaborative working relationship with the British Transport Police. The work of the REO’s really does assist BTP objectives of reducing crime and making the railway safer for all. They have also assisted in the pilot RSAS training course which BTP will deliver to RSAS staff as an Industry standard.
Jenny Saunders Customer Services Director at GTR had this to say
“The Rail Enforcement team at GTR are simply incredible. Without exception they are hard-working, enthusiastic and fully committed to keeping our railway safe for both customers and railway staff alike. They constantly strive to do more and be better. The REO team make a significant difference every day”
Head of On Board and Rail Enforcement, Andy Leister
“I am incredibly proud of the GTR Rail Enforcement Officer team. They do a fantastic job in some of the most challenging of circumstances, often stepping forward when others are stepping away. The team provide support and reassurance to customers and colleagues”
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Howard Stone and Sentiljano Kacokaj, CSS
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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RSO Sentiljano and RSO Howard helped de-escalate an assault at the Walsall station where the male employee at the Timpson’s shop had begun to attack six young adult males with a hammer. Attempting to stop the assault, the six males had begun to retaliate at the employee by throwing shop items to distract their attacker.
When the police arrived, they arrested the employee on the charge of assault discovering a knife in his personal belongings and took statements from the six males. During this incident, our officers acted professionally and calmly to help resolve the violent male which may have resulted in further and more disastrous violence.
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LTS MK1 OLE Replacement Team, .
Company Name
Keltbray Infrastructure Services Ltd.
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Our London, Tilbury, and Southend (LTS) MK1 OLE Replacement project team delivered essential updates to expired equipment, replacing all overhead lines, catenary systems & SPS. The project renewed wire runs from Fenchurch Street to Barking and Honchurch to Pitsea on the Tilbury Loop Route.
Our project team successfully eliminated defects within the 35-wire run footprint, removed 150 known issues, and improved asset resilience to weather events, resulting in fewer incidents. This project was a shining example of the excellence of our team’s collaborative approach addressing and eliminating system defects, whilst improving asset resilience.
The project teams’ innovative approach to programme management, coupled with a commitment to challenging industry norms, resulted in exceptional efficiency, cost savings, and timely project delivery - setting a new standard for excellence in the rail industry.
Key programme achievements include;
• 33% Reduction in Possession Requirements: Delivered 31 wire runs over 60 possessions, significantly outperforming the incumbent's 31 wire runs over 90 possessions. Achieved a 33% reduction in possession requirements, minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiency.
• Rapid Service Restoration: Successfully returned one mile of de-wired rail back into service within 26 hours, five hours ahead of schedule.
• Operational Reliability: Ensured 100% of possessions returned on time for operational traffic, maintaining uninterrupted service. Improved reliability and certainty in project delivery, enhancing client satisfaction.
• Benchmarked Performance: Improved wire run costs from £703k to £472k, a 39% cost reduction. Adopted a rolling benchmark approach, continuously challenging norms and driving cost efficiency and time savings.
Health & Safety Key Benefits;
• NW & C SHELT Award: Project team received the NW&C SHELT award in occupational health and safety for the work in eliminating manual handling.
• Information Sharing: Shared lessons learned with clients to highlight omissions in GRIP 5 specifications. Incorporated Changes into future designs to improve safety standards.
• Working Groups: Implemented working groups to challenge industry norms & drive safety improvements. Amended working instructions, BBS training & workshops, project specific handbooks issued to IP’s. Implemented lifting points to aid construction and remove manual handling
• Training Programmes: Bespoke project lifting aids and best practices shared with industry. Inhouse competence and safe handling procedures
A collaborative and innovative team approach delivered numerous benefits, including;
• Shared Project Platform: Unified platform for project controls and insights, permitting real-time data sharing among all stakeholders. Enhanced coordination and transparency, generating a 10% cost saving. Ensured total access to up-to-date information, reducing miscommunication and errors.
• Optimised Shift Patterns: for possession, isolation, construction and return teams. Improved team coordination and minimised downtime, yielding efficient work cycles. Alignment of shifts with project demands maximised productivity
• Optimised Resource Allocation: Developed a Resource Management Plan to create a combined work bank, facilitating the efficient transfer of operatives and plant to meet programme needs. Joint scheduling system ‘Signal’, to log availability and forecast work volume
• Team Synergy: Fostered a collaborative environment of cross-functional teams. Encouraged open communication, knowledge sharing and support. Built strong relationships with Network Rail and stakeholders, ensuring alignment of goals.
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Mabs Alom, Sabbir Choudhury
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Mabs Alom and Sabbir Choudhury from our Northern Rail contract embody our customer-at-heart value in their work at Saltaire station.
As two of our Revenue Protection Officers on the network, they are the customers' first point of contact and can assist the general public with enquiries alongside their typical revenue protection role. Recently they received glowing feedback from a member of the public.
This individual reached out to express their delight in the experiences that Mabs and Sabbie have given their students as they make their journeys to school using the Northern line. With a large percentage of this group of students having additional needs, travelling independently can be a daunting process not made easier by changes of schedules or platforms which is often done at short notice. As Revenue Protection Officers, Mabs and Sabbir have become acquainted with the regular students and commuters. For one student who has been using the station to travel to his work placement twice a week, Mabs and Sabbir have helped boost his confidence in navigating the network, by showing him how to buy tickets, how to check departure times or if there are any cancellations which has had a positive impact on the young person’s independence and confidence. They often keep an eye out for train cancellations or delays to ensure that they are able to inform the student.
As a key part of the station’s community, the pair have learnt all of the additional needs students' names from this school so that they can greet them by their names enthusiastically each morning, creating great experiences for students who may otherwise find the experience challenging.
Creating exceptional experiences is what this pair have done for this school, well done Mabs and Sabbir and thank you for working towards creating a more accessible railway for all.
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Merson, Group
Company Name
Merson Group
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I am honoured to nominate Robert Murray and the Merson Group team for the Rail Team Award. The nomination is in recognition of their outstanding collaboration with Network Rail in developing technical input for Section 8 of the Wayfinding Design Manual for signage at nationwide railway stations.
This celebrates the unique contribution that the team have made to the development of the Wayfinding Standard, and its wider impact on enhancing the passenger experience across the UK's railway network. Through their expertise and dedication, they have set a new benchmark for railway signage, embodying the spirit of innovation and collaboration that this award represents, and the industry continues to celebrate.
The Merson Group team, under Robert’s leadership, brought a wealth of technical knowledge and practical experience to the development of the standard. Their construction design work on Section 8 focused on ensuring the effective application of the standard in all stations, from major hubs to smaller local stops, addressing diverse signage needs while maintaining consistency in design and usability. This meticulous attention to detail and commitment to technical excellence will contribute significantly to the smooth and efficient implementation of the Wayfinding.
The standard incorporates a specialist railway font designed by the renowned typographer Margaret Calvert, whose work has been iconic in shaping public wayfinding. The project was further supported and guided by key Network Rail figures, Frank Anatole and Anthony Dewar, with whom the team worked closely.
The collaboration between Merson Group and Network Rail reflects the very best of cross-industry partnerships, ensuring that the physical product design compliments the work that came before and that the information is communicated with clarity. The Sign System involves minimal components, is scalable and crucially, updateable - allowing it to continually evolve alongside the needs of stations. This model ensures the provision of maximum value from initial investment, whilst still meeting the key principles of safety, clarity, and inclusivity.
I wholeheartedly recommend Robert Murray and the Merson Group team for the Rail Team Award for their exceptional contribution to the railway industry through their demonstration of exceptional expertise, commitment, and innovation - and their role in shaping the future of station signage, and customer experience.
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Mike O'Neill and Mark Roxburgh, CSS
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Whilst conducting a visit to Hamilton Square Station, Security Officers O'Neill and Mark Roxburgh disembarked the train and made their way through the subway corridors towards the lift area where they heard an argument in one of the passageways. As they went to investigate, a young adult male passed them and they turned their attention to the other male in the area who was erratic as a result of adrenaline. The man told the officers that he had been punched in the back by the other male who had shortly left the scene and guested towards where he was punched. Upon turning him, they discovered that the male had been stabbed and had received a slash down his back which had managed to rip through his winter coat and leave a deep laceration down his back. Requiring medical assistance, a station team member arrived who called the paramedics to monitor the victim as our officers went in search of the suspect.
Responding to the danger immediately, the officers quickly attempted to apprehend the suspect and found him inside a closing lift, officer Roxburgh reacted quickly, pushing his arm through to prevent the doors from closing as the officers pushed inside. Inside, the suspect lunged for the officers and they struggled to contain him and get him to the floor, whilst aware of the ever present threat of a knife.
O’Neill and Roxburgh continued to restrain the suspect in this position for a further ten minutes as they awaited the arrival of the police who took over the scene and arrested the individual. Their quick actions ensured the arrest of a dangerous individual to be brought to justice for a violent crime.
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Morson, Training
Company Name
Morson Training
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Morson Training is a leader in addressing the talent shortage and skill gaps within the UK rail industry. As the only platinum-awarded training provider by NSAR, we have established ourselves as a cornerstone of training excellence, delivering high-quality programmes that meet the evolving needs of the sector. Celebrating 10 years in 2024, Morson Training has built a reputation as an innovator and advocate for continuous development. We are one of only two training providers in London authorised to deliver training for Transport for London (TfL) and have developed one of the first cross-skilled trainers capable of delivering both London Underground and Network Rail assured training programmes. This achievement exemplifies our commitment to expanding capabilities and providing versatile, high-impact training solutions. Our Role: Since becoming the master vendor to Network Rail in 2023, Morson Training has taken a strategic approach to talent development by investing over £300,000 in the development of six new entrants to the industry. Our Talent Development Team focuses on succession planning and the transfer of knowledge across over 100 individual competencies, which has led to a 50% increase in delivery output. The UK rail industry faces an urgent challenge: a significant shortage of skilled trainers, compounded by an ageing workforce and increased attrition rates. According to the NSAR Rail Workforce Survey, the sector is in danger of losing valuable experience and knowledge if steps are not taken. Morson Training’s Talent Development Team was established to tackle this issue directly. Our team’s “train-the-trainer” initiative provides a structured pathway for experienced professionals to transition into training roles, ensuring knowledge transfer and continuity of expertise within the sector. Key Achievements: • Celebrating 10 years of industry excellence. • Developed the first cross-skilled trainers certified for both London Underground and Network Rail programmes. • One of only two TfL training providers in London, reinforcing our position as a leading training provider in the region. • Invested over £300,000 in new talent development and successfully transferred knowledge across over 100 competencies. • Achieved a 50% increase in training delivery output through strategic succession planning and targeted development programmes. Impact: Our targeted investment in new talent and succession planning has significantly enhanced our capabilities. Through structured mentoring and competency-based development, we are ensuring that essential skills and knowledge are transferred effectively, preserving the quality and safety of rail operations across the country. The initiative has set a benchmark for excellence in training and development, not just within the rail sector but across the wider industry. Future Vision: Morson Training remains dedicated to future-proofing the industry by continuing to expand our talent development programmes and enhancing cross-disciplinary training capabilities. Our goal is to be at the forefront of transforming the rail sector’s approach to training and to serve as a blueprint for others to follow. We’re also investing with the wider Group as part of the Morson STEM Foundation, to develop the future of rail talent, partnering with Primary Engineer’s Rail Programme for the next three years to support future STEM curricula in Manchester
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Network Rail Capacity Planning Production Team, .
Company Name
Network Rail
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Network Rail Capacity Planning Production
Capacity Planning Production is a team of people in Network Rail who are responsible for validating and publishing the train timetable that is bid to it by all the different operators who run trains on the network. The amended train timetable is normally published 12 weeks before it is due to run to enable passengers to purchase advance tickets and freight end users to have certainty on when products will arrive.
This booking horizon was lost in March 2020 when the timetable had to be drastically changed at short notice due to the COVID pandemic. After COVID the publishing timescale was recovered to 8- weeks before the trains run. It was kept at this horizon while a different legislative timescale was reviewed. In July 2023 this was rejected, and the Office of Rail and Road instructed the industry to return to the 12-week Network Code part D publishing horizon.
The rail industry through the Operational Planning Performance Group (OPPG) formed a subgroup and created a joint industry plan to recover to the 12-week publishing horizon lead by Capacity Planning Production. This plan involved 4 weeks where the whole industry had to agree to bid 2 weeks of train plans in one or in advance of fixed dates. This needed a lot of industry collaboration between operators and coordination which was led by Capacity Planning. This involved input into industry working groups, monitoring and sharing progress via OPPG and many operator 1 to 1 calls. This plan started in April 2024 and was completed in August 2024.
This means that in August 2024 for the first time since March 2020 the industry is back to publishing the train timetable 12 weeks before it runs. This enables passengers and freight end users to have greater certainty in the services they rely on and helps the train industry become more attractive to a greater number of users. This achievement required a deal of hard work and teamwork across the rail industry which was co-ordinated, and led by the people that work in Capacity Planning Production.
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Northern Trains Travel Safe Officers, Central Region
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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On 29th March 2024 whilst patrolling a busy city centre train station within the Central Region Travel Safe Officers Saul Stapley and Matthew Clare were requested to attend the toilets situated on the concourse due to a group of young males that were congregating without intentions of travelling.
After several minutes of back and forth and the group becoming quite argumentative the group was ushered out of the station by TSOs present, seconds later the group suddenly turned around and began shouting towards a male and a female accompanying him who was situated on the busy station concourse.
One male then brandished a bladed article and proceeded to slash another young male around the neck area only to be deterred by TSOs who at this point were running towards the danger ahead in an attempt to avoid any further damage coming to the victim.
TSOs Stapley and Clare without care or thought for their own safety attempted to apprehend several members of the group who managed to escape the station grounds, the panic alarm was pressed by officers with them alerting other officers present of the knife attack before taking it upon themselves to give chase in an attempt to ensure no further harm came to any other members of the public.
TSOs Stapley and Clare was joined by TSOs Jonathan Clowes and Danielle MacDonald with the team apprehending one male across from the station.
Whilst this was ongoing Supervisor Gareth Preston was responding to the panic alarm and arrived on scene to treat the young male who had suffered a large laceration to the back of his neck with at this point dozens of onlookers watching proceedings unfold.
Gareth continue to administer first aid until Paramedics and other officers arrived from the Police force
The incident despite it's extremely challenging and dangerous nature only highlighted officers' bravery, courage and willingness to run into the face of adversity would have likely resulted in the group stabbing the victim multiple more times potentially ending his life.
This is a real life example of the challenge faced by officers but the lengths they go to in order to protect the public and maintain safety and security.
A truly outstanding and selfless act by a group of officers who take immense pride in their role and the network they are there to protect.
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Northern Trains Travel Safe Officers, East Region
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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The Northern Trains Travel Safe team based out of Bradford Interchange epitomises all that we stand for whilst embracing the values and culture of our partners at Northern Trains.
The East region made up of 14 accredited professionals led by Bal Birring continues to go from strength to strength and consistently seek and achieve results that astound us within Amulet but in addition, receives glowing feedback from our clients thanking them for taking such pride in their efforts to keep the travelling public and Northern Trains staff safe on a daily basis.
This team is no stranger to accolades and continues to produce special individuals from within only made possible by the unrivalled leadership from both Bal Birring and her second in command Richard Scotton which cannot be underestimated.
This team in particular continue to set the standards for an operation that prides itself on professionalism, integrity, dedication and commitment to drive change in society and remain a visible presence in a bid to deter antisocial behaviour and criminal activity in the communities they serve.
Despite operating under the biggest and most demanding geographical region, the team over the last 12 months have amassed over 3,900 incident reports that have been witnessed and resolved across the railway network for railway byelaw breaches whilst issuing 1,419 parking notices across the last 12 months to keep our clients stations and car parks readily available and assessable for genuine customers.
In addition to the above the team have also prevented 9 individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts from ending their lives whilst responding to 33 separate medical emergencies across the Northern Trains network ranging from broken bones to individuals in cardiac arrest and being severely unwell.
Over the last year we have had officers from within the team attend local schools to share educational material with primary school children in a bid to promote railway safety, we have also had an officer hand-selected by Samaritans to take part in the ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign which took place at London Kings Cross station.
The team not only fulfils their daily obligations but regularly look to surpass any goals laid out by embracing the challenge of making the railway network a safer place.
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Northern Trains, Travel Safe Officers
Company Name
Northern Trains / Amulet Security
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The Northern Trains Travel Safe Officer team continued to add much needed value and benefit to the safety and security of all of Northern Train's valued customers across the network.
A team of 60 plus officers patrolling and securing the network is often first on the scene for some of the most challenging and distressing incidents whilst demonstrating essential soft skills to safeguard and support both staff and passengers going about their daily tasks.
The team which spans all four of Northern Trains regions share immense passion, pride and commitment to deliver a service to be proud of whilst serving the communities they operate within to the highest possible standards, this is reflected in the rewards and recognition not only individual officers have achieved but also the success the contract has seen as a whole at recent awards ceremonies including scooping three highly coveted awards at the 2023 Amulet awards including the Outstanding Act award for the second successive year and having 9 finalists present at the prestigious rail staff awards held at the NEC in Birmingham.
The TSO operation continues to influence the safe running of the Northern network whilst ensuring all incidents both minor and major have minimal disruption to commuters and railway staff a like, this service being delivered in there to compliment the hard work being carried out by colleagues at The British Transport Police across the network as an extension of the policing family and is only made possible by hard work and a commitment to deliver a bespoke training package going hand in hand with a team of 60 plus officers spread across five teams who share the same vision, values and passion as ourselves and respective stakeholders.
The TSO cohort have assisted and interacted with no less than 126 individuals they would consider vulnerable and ensured they remain safe whilst in their care whilst supporting 55 individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts at stations up and down the country and being first on scene and delivering first aid for over 174 medical incidents some of which was extremely distressing for the officers present including two incidents involving knife attacks.
The last year has seen some real success stories shared from across the TSO teams including officers regularly and actively taking part in community engagement events alongside fellow railway stakeholders, TSOs attending local schools to relationship build and educate those children who utilise the network on a daily basis, TSO's taking part in a nationwide suicide awareness campaign whilst officers took part in a first of its kind Violence Against Women experiment in collaboration with Northern Trains and Professor Barak Arial from Cambridge University.
This six month long commitment to improving safety and security for women and girls has drawn immense praise industry wide but also from Professor Arial who off the back of the campaign has selected TSOs also to take part in a further commitment piece centred around reducing violence in the work place due to commence in summer 2024.
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Operational Incident Response Team, .
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Southern and Gatwick Express
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I would like to nominate my Operational Incident Response Team for their continued contribution to incident management within Southern and Gatwick express for GTR.
Their commitment to getting all the evidence and the service recovered as fast as possible helps all parties involved. They consistently go above and beyond to provide comprehensive support to our drivers, network Rail and all staff based at TBROC and get our customers back on the move as soon as possible.
This is a very small team of 8 incident managers and work around the clock 365 days of the year. We were set up in May 23 so still a fairly new team within the railway but they have certainly have made an impact for the business. Our goal is to reduce safety of line incidents on our network.
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Reading Off Track Team, .
Company Name
Network Rail
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Reading off track team are part of the crucial recovery for train performance along the very important commuter corridor between Reading and London Paddington on the Western Route. They have been clearing signals to improve signal sighting and known issues sometimes as many as 30 in a week with a modest workforce as part of project Brunel. The team have also been clearing known vegetation problems which have on occasion caused substantial train performance issues by tripping the OLE equipment. The team also deal with a range of other issues constantly including service requests from MOP for concerns they might have, faults raised from a variety of sources, close calls and their own substantial work bank to deliver an agreed volume of work to manage the day to day safety of the railway. But over the last weeks weeks throughout the growing season the teams have made a huge substantial difference to both train performance on this key route and the reputation of our company amongst the various TOCs and FOCs who use this very busy route. This difference has been noted at a high level throughout our company with regular messages of thanks from the IMDM/IME and head of Maintenance. The team take a great deal of pride in their work and have been known to stay past their normal booking off time to finish important tasks rather than leave them unfinished. They make those who work with them proud to come to work each day and i consider it an honour and a privilege to have them as my work colleagues.
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Revenue Protection Operation for Royal Ascot 2024 Team, .
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I am incredibly proud to nominate the Revenue Protection Operation for Royal Ascot 2024 Team for their outstanding achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence. This remarkable team has not only broken previous records but has also exemplified what it means to work together with passion, dedication, and a shared vision for success.
Their impressive 34% increase in Penalty Fare Notices year-over-year showcases their relentless pursuit of compliance and integrity. It’s a testament to their hard work and determination to uphold the values of our organization, even in the face of challenges.
The 92% rise in MG11 reports reflects their ability to tackle fare evasion effectively while enhancing the overall passenger experience. Watching them come together to support each other and work towards a common goal fills me with pride, as it demonstrates their commitment to not just our team but to the entire organization.
Despite facing operational adjustments that limited ticket sales growth, the team achieved a 3% increase in this area, illustrating their resilience and ability to adapt. Their focus on customer satisfaction, even under pressure, highlights their professionalism and dedication to serving our passengers.
The strategic deployment of six TVAL units for scanning barcoded tickets was a brilliant move that enhanced the efficiency of our operations. By proactively addressing short-ticketing from nearby stations, they contributed significantly to the increase in MG11 reports during the event, showcasing their innovative thinking and teamwork.
I feel honoured to manage and be part of such an inspiring group of individuals. Their spirit of collaboration and support is palpable, especially when they attended Ascot the day before the event, diligently addressing fare issues and ensuring everything ran smoothly. Their commitment to each other and to our mission is truly extraordinary.
The Revenue Protection Operation for Royal Ascot 2024 Team has not only set new records but has also redefined what it means to deliver exceptional revenue protection services with heart. Their hard work, passion, and dedication make them truly deserving of this nomination, and I am proud to stand alongside them as we continue to strive for excellence together
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Safety, Security and Enforcement Officers (SSEO), .
Company Name
ResponSec ltd / Arriva Rail London
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Arriva Rail London (ARL) identified there was a need to increase the additional high visibility support on the London Overground network in response to the rise in staff assaults and anti-social behaviour.
With the need to increase the hi-visibility security presence, and support their existing teams, in May 2024 ResponSec deployed two teams of Safety, Security & Enforcement Officers (SSEO) to the London Overground Network.
This initial 16-week trial set to support by increasing staff confidence, reduce staff assaults, protect revenue, and increase enforcement activities. ResponSec Ltd mobilised a team of 12 Officers within 3 weeks of the contract award and began deploying these highly skilled and proactive officers to the network.
During this period the SSEO team have supported with over 162 revenue operations alongside ARLs Revenue teams, patrolled over 1,763 trains and engaged with members of staff and the public at 920 station visits.
Through the teams pro-active patrolling and collaborative working with the current teams on the ground 80% of ARL staff reported that they felt safer conducting their duties since the introduction of the SSEO team and 77% of staff also felt they had noticed a reduction in workplace violence during this period as a direct result of the team’s implementation.
Key Highlights:
• 792 Passengers were engaged with which resulted in changing their decisions to become fare paying passengers through education.
• The introduction of SSEOs has seen crime decrease during Period 5 at 2 hot spot locations with the increased visibility.
• SSEOs have dealt with over 280 anti-social behaviour instances ranging from minor and major byelaw breeches whilst out on patrol.
• Safeguarded 3 individuals through proactive patrols and supported with 3 medical instances which required first aid.
• Supported and attended 6 Trespass Incidents.
• Prevented 3 crimes from being committed on the ARL network.
With the success of the initial 16-week contract ARL plan to continue to support their frontline staff with the increased SSEOs across the network, with this ResponSec have committed to continuing to support by further work collaborating with other TOCs across the London network, they recognise that we can all learn from other industries and partners that face similar challenges.
‘It has been good having SSEO presence on the line. A visual deterrent is always welcomed and the proactiveness of the team in dealing with ASB has not gone unnoticed. Great job’ – ARL Member of Staff.
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Selhurst Driver Management Team, .
Company Name
GTR - Southern Rail
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I would like to nominate the Selhurst Driver Management team, as they are always striving to push 'Good' to 'Great' in all areas.
This year they have gone above and beyond to engage with their drivers, breaking down the walls and opening the lines of communication by setting up engagement days. These days welcomed other GTR departments and outside companies to the depot, allowing the drivers to ask questions and give feedback on areas that are important to them. They also focused on the wellbeing of the drivers, organising regular Fruit and Smoothy Fridays, which created a fun, relaxed atmosphere for the drivers to chat to the management team in an informal atmosphere.
They have done some excellent work with the new Train Crew Reporting Tool, drastically increasing the response percentage from 45% to 90% and are leading GTR in the management of route learning, currently being the largest depot in the metro area with only 20 route learning days outstanding, which was spearheaded by Trevor Leonard.
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Service Delivery, .
Company Name
Hull Trains
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Hull Trains lives and breathes exemplary service for its customers and for each other. I have worked at larger operators, I have worked on smaller teams, but never have I worked where passion for a company and its customers permeates through every layer of the company. The Service Delivery Team at Hull exemplify this across the board with a willingness to go the extra mile for our customers and our colleagues. The heart on the logo, “love Hull Trains” is true for our team. Some have been here from the start and as Hull Trains turns 24, these colleagues are still exceptionally proud to work here – we're a family.
The question is never why are we doing this? It’s always, how do we get this done?
A common mantra you will hear is ‘what is the art of the possible?’. Diversions into St. Pancras? Done. Ten car services every day? Done. Training drivers from seat to street in 9 months? Done. Contingent managers dropping everything to cover services due to unforeseen circumstances? Done. Operations team restructure? Done. On Call restructure to improve resilience in the business? Done. Setting up and recruiting for standard class catering to improve customer service? Done. A New Learning and Development Academy and simulator to invest in training our staff? Done. Rollout of digital platforms to improve operations? Done.
Delivery may be planned and designed in the background, but the delivery seen by our customers is through the exceptional work put in by our front-line team. Never does a day go by where customers are not writing in praising colleagues, buying them flowers or leaving them chocolates due to their amazing work. Our colleagues genuinely care... They care about our customers, and they care about each other. Honestly, the help and support demonstrated is at times truly humbling.
We promise our customers that we will get them where they need to be, when they need to be there, and we aim to give them the best service on board. The team will move heaven and earth to make sure we deliver on that promise. We have managers giving up weekends to support crew, train crew changing personal plans at short notice to help out, and the most common phrase you will hear is “I don’t want to see a cancellation”. That pretty much sums up the approach and mindset of our team.
No team is truly perfect, but the Service Delivery Team at Hull Trains are as close as you will find anywhere.
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Smarter Information, Smarter Journeys (SISJ) Programme Team, .
Company Name
Network Rail / Rail Delivery Group
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The nominated team is the cross-industry Smarter Information, Smarter Journeys (SISJ) programme team in relation to the challenges they have overcome in ensuring the industry now has a robust Customer Information strategy that will take us through to 2030.
The saying there is ‘strength in numbers’ is true for the SISJ Programme as it is a cross-industry collaboration programme delivered by Network Rail (NR), Rail Delivery Group (RDG), and all Train Operating Company (TOC) colleagues. Other key partners are the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), DfT and Transport Focus. Together everyone is aligned to prioritise the customers’ interest and works to provide customers with the information they want, when and how they want it. As a result, a valuable contribution to creating a more customer-focused and cohesive railway is made by the whole SISJ team.
Before SISJ, there was not a joined up, ‘one team’ approach to resolve industry legacy customer information issues. By the SISJ team working together as ‘one team’ in a collaborative way, they have been able to address customer information challenges that have been impossible to tackle previously. Challenges addressed and key customer deliverables include:
1. Personalised Journey Notifications (PJNs): All TOCs and third-party retailers (TPRs) now send proactive notifications to customers when their booked train is changed, by incorporating a tool developed by SISJ and the supplier, SilverRail. Since PJNs launched, to date 4.1 million notifications have been sent to customers who buy tickets digitally, keeping them informed about changes to their train schedules. Previously customers could buy a ticket online/via an app but were not notified if their train had changed or been cancelled until they arrived at the station.
2. Darwin Developments: Technical improvements to Darwin (industry’s real time train running information service used by all TOCs and TPRs) to support developments and maintain service quality. Other enhancements to Darwin have reduced the number of cancelled trains shown in journey planners, meaning customers will not see details for trains that will not run.
3. Federated Communication on Teams: The National Rail Communications Centre, TOCs, and control centres are all federated on Teams, ensuring effective communication/consistent messaging for customers.
4. Customer Information Pledges: A new set of jargon-free standards that all operators follow, outlining customer commitments and expectations. SISJ delivered the Pledges, working with TOCs and the ORR to agree the principles and ensure all TOCs signed up to deliver them.
5. Enhanced Onboard Announcements: SISJ conducted customer research in partnership with Transport Focus and worked with TOCs to deliver a reduction in recorded announcements, in line with customer research outcomes.
6. Consistent Options for Cancelled Trains: Working with all TOCs, SISJ agreed a new enhanced, flexible policy for customers when they have their train cancelled. Prior to this development, different TOCs offered different policies and options to customers causing a confused position.
By SISJ working collaboratively with industry partners, deep rooted challenges have been addressed and ‘the art of the possible’ has been achieved ensuring a better experience for all rail customers.
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SNGX TSD Engagement team, .
Company Name
GTR
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I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the outstanding efforts of our engagement team. The SNGX TSD Engagement team is a project which consists of a manager from each area with the aim of improving relationships across the network with our drivers and improve areas which were highlighted from the ‘Your View’ survey. This enabled our team to feel listened to and see the actions that each manager takes away to try and improve the depot environment and employee experience. (Alison Smith, Amy Sutton, Jayne Collins, Marianna Busuttil, Howard Thomas, Laura Keenes, Reuben Brescia, Claire Adams, Hayley Harman, Paula Armsby, Paul Barkway.
Their dedication, creativity, and hard work has successfully improved relationships, and enhanced the culture change in local depots. I am truly grateful for the impact they have made so far. The way they have connected with colleagues and fostered relationships with different stakeholders is commendable. The road shows that each area has designed have been innovative but also have resonated deeply with our frontline driver team.
Thank you all, for your collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence. Everyone involved brings unique strengths to the table, and it is inspiring to see how well we all work together to achieve our common goals. Their passion for engagement shine’s through and it is excellent to see their willingness to make a difference.
It is an absolute pleasure to work alongside the team that is involved, and they should be commended for their outstanding work.
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Southern & Gatwick Express Train Services Directorate, .
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Twelve months ago, Southern and Gatwick Express were experiencing poor performance, today the picture is very different. Of the 13 rail periods of the 2022-23 year, just two met target and three were at the lowest possible ranking. One in 20 trains were being cancelled whereas now that figure is closer to one in 400.
Driver performance is at the best it has ever been, we’ve seen a record run of delivering for our customers. It’s not been an easy task, set against a backdrop of industrial relations, political changes and the industry continuing to rebuild in a post-pandemic world. It took an army of people to right the ship.
The SNGX Senior Leadership Team feed into robust improvement plans, many of which were wider than just the “driver-world”, but they were squarely focused on delivering the Train Services Directorates purpose “To get an engaged, competent Driver on the front of every train”.
By going back to basics, we refocused on the fundamentals. We did this by ensuring everyone understood the part they played and the worked relentlessly as a team. We took an in-depth look at the pain-points that were causing us to cancel trains. By installing a marginal gains philosophy, we set about making each day better than the previous day.
We focussed on the reasons keeping Drivers from getting back in the cab, controlling the levels of Driver release and allowing managers to have more time to focus on supporting and engaging with Drivers to do their job in the best possible way.
By implementing seasonal readiness plans, we've seen our best performance ever over the summer and last Christmas. Our proactive approach and much improved performance has earned confidence from external stakeholders such as the Department for Transport, assuring them of our ability to deliver a reliable service. Seasonal readiness is now a daily discussion and part of our business-as-usual activities, ensuring we maintain our high standards all year-round.
Through the hard work of the Driver Instructor team, Resource Managers and Roster Clerks we have reduced our route learning deficit to less than 1200 days down from 5000 across our 13 train crew depots.
Extra attention was paid to making sure the right people are moving through our Training School. We want to set yourselves up for the future and make sure our Drivers are the very best they can be and reflect the communities we serve.
So where do the team go from here? This is just the start; the team will be building on the great work that’s going on across the SNGX TSD and present the best version of ourselves. By reducing the number of safety incidents, upping performance, reducing cancellations and shaping a people culture to be proud of, the team will become an industry leader.
It truly has been a team effort, and everyone has played their part in making it happen. We will continue improving, making marginal gains where we can, to make this our best ever year.
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TCU, .
Company Name
swr
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TCU is the heart of every SWR Ticket Office and maintenance of the staff members accounts and faulting processes. They deal with every ticket office on a daily base giving retail information and liaising with SWR Audit and IT to insure our system is operating to full compacity and reporting any fault. I believe TCU deserve the Rail award because this is one of the teams who dedicate their life to make sure their colleagues life's is running easier and stress free but a team who deserves to be recognised within the rail industry.
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Team Blackburn, .
Company Name
Northern
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The team at Blackburn epitomise what a good team is. Its a group of individuals working together to best serve the community around them.
The team at Blackburn is the best I have worked with. They all go out of their way to make sure that the customer experience is the best it can be. From providing upto date information about the services, managing booking and passenger assistance, assisting with onward connections to providing a safe, warm and caring environment for those that require it. Nothing is too much trouble.
The team consists of Customer Services - Platforms, Customer Services - Ticket Office, On Train Cleaners, Station Cleaners (ISS) and the Gateline Team (CSS).
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Thameslink - Three Bridges Driver Instructors, .
Company Name
GTR / Thameslink
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I'd like to nominate our fantastic team of Driver Instructors at Three Bridges Depot; Darren Thompson, Nick Ryder, Michael Bristow, Nick Moss, Sam Willcox-Jones, John Letham, Karl Spendlove and (last but not least) Brian Chigairo. Our team of Driver Instructors nurture our Trainee Drivers and they take them through their training from the very first moment they join their depot, all the way through to their final driving assessment. Not only do they complete the Trainee Driver training from beginning to end, they also complete all of our route learning courses and route assessments for the depot, which ensures that we continue to have an engaged and competent Driver at the front of every train. Our Driver Instructors are always flexible with their time and always offer assistance, often going above and beyond what we'd expect. They also provide key support for Drivers who are returning post incident/period of absence, and they always go the extra mile to ensure that the Drivers are at ease throughout the their return to the workplace. Our Driver Instructors have exceptional dedication to their role and they will play a key part in aiding Thameslink to deliver Project 94 over the next year.
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Thameslink Driver Resource Management Team, .
Company Name
GTR - Thameslink
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Based at Bedford Traincrew Depot, the Thameslink Driver Resource Management Team are known as the magicians of our route. They make significant resourcing challenges disappear on a regular basis.
The team of 14 managers work together to ensure that over 620 drivers based at 11 depots located throughout Bedfordshire, Sussex, Surrey, and Kent are organised to deliver over 1,000 train services per day (Mon-Sat) for customers on the Thameslink route.
This team have made managing the train service an art. They are required to respond to short notice changes such as individuals becoming unfit for work, facility issues, and service disruptions.
They complete shifts covering 24 hours, 7 days per week. They ensure that shifts are covered and the service they provide is delivered.
The team are required to alter driver diagrams at short notice to ensure that any shortfalls in our resources do not result in mass cancellations of train services.
Any errors could result in cancellations or disruption to the service disruption, their work must be extremely accurate ensuring that drivers’ diagrams provide driver with accurate information and adequate instructions regarding what is required of them. Completing this task for each diagram includes calculating the impact of walking times across stations/depots, working out the impact of taxi journeys and travelling time on train services to ensure that services are not cancelled, and routes are not blocked.
This is an extremely unique and pressurised role, requiring everyone to work in a high level of detail. The team support each other through the good times and challenging times often working additional hours to support colleagues through difficult shifts.
They cannot deliver without maintaining relationships with managers in the Three Bridges ROC, Driver Managers based at driver depots, Drivers and the roster department. They understand that they are part of a larger team all working towards the same goal.
The introduction of ETCS on the Thameslink route presented many challenges, one of the biggest challenges was the provision of training to over 600 drivers without having a negative impact on our train service. We turned to the Driver Resource Management to ensure that the operational impact of releasing drivers for training was minimised.
They have seen the introduction of new technology, an increase in drivers, the implementation of new driver depots, alterations to the route knowledge maintained by drivers and significant resourcing challenges. The team have adapted, remained resolute and focused on a daily basis.
The team consists of 1 Lead Driver Resource Manager, 9 Driver Resource Manager’s, 1 Forward Planning Manager, and 3 Assistant Driver Resource Manager’s.
They are required to focus on immediate issues/alterations, the provision of safety critical information to drivers and identifying and resolving future resourcing challenges. The organisation in the office is outstanding ensuring that tasks are completed by the team whilst working with colleagues in other departments.
This is a dedicated team focused on two things, supporting their colleagues, and delivering a service to our customers on the Thameslink Route.
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Thameslink North Driver Management Team, .
Company Name
GTR - Thameslink
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The Thameslink North Driver Management team consists of 7 Driver Managers responsible for the management of Bedford, Luton and St Albans Driver Depots.
This is an extremely hardworking team that is dedicated to achieving a high standard of performance. They are not afraid to push boundaries and work outside of their comfort zone.
The team have taken the provision of care for their team to new levels, examples of this is the implementation of coaching/support sessions with individuals that needed confidential support tailored to their personal needs, managers have supported drivers with issues that effect their performance at work, but also issues that affect them as human beings.
They have used their own personal time to provide support and advice members of their teams regarding traumatic life experiences such as relationship breakdowns, serious illness, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and deaths of close family or friends.
The members of this team do not stop at arranging support from medical professionals, they continue to provide assistance and support on a human level going beyond the traditional boundaries of the role.
In the 2023 employee survey, 92% of drivers at both St Albans and Luton stated that their manager appreciates and supports them. This is a clear indication of the effectiveness of the teams efforts, throughout 2024 they have continued to improve the quality of support offered to their teams
There are many facets to the Driver Manager role, this team have worked together to redefine the role on the Thameslink route. The team have developed and implemented processes to track key tasks and performance KPI’s.
The team have improved the quality of operational incident investigations through improving the level of documented detail, the quality of interviews and ensuring the human factors are considered and taken into account when identifying immediate and underlying causes. This has played a significant role improving the post incident support provided to drivers.
The role of Driver Manager is a demanding one, the team are required to complete tasks to tight deadlines and multitask to ensure that the requirements of the business are met.
This can put pressure on individuals, but the team support each other, in a world dominated by Teams or Zoom meetings, this team ensure that they meet weekly face to face, ensuring that personal contact is maintained. This has the wonderful impact of ensuring that team remain a genuine team that knows and supports each other on a professional and personal level.
The team understand their purpose, they support and lead their teams of managers without losing sight of the requirement to provide an engaged and competent driver at the front of every train.
This is a team of managers that I am very proud of, their hard work, resilience, and positivity in difficult circumstances is amazing. Their never say die attitude makes anything feel achievable in the area. They take full responsibility for their depots and the performance of individuals within their team.
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The Anglia Route Crime and Suicide Prevention Team, .
Company Name
Network rail, BTP, Greater Anglia, MTR, ARL
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'All on Board' is a partnership between Network Rail and the NHS, embedding Arifa - a Mental Health Nurse, within the Anglia Route Crime Team. Arifa works closely with our embedded BTP and Route Crime Team, reviewing all incidents with a suspected mental health component. She is able to access medical records and provide individualised support for those that are at high risk of harm by developing multi-agency care plans and working as a collective. The team have held multiple events at local stations, community areas and shopping centres in order to raise awareness around suicide prevention and the support available. These events have been held in conjunction with our train operators, BTP, mental health trusts, local councils and charities. There have been several successful mental health interventions and meaningful discussions at these events. They also hold events that coincide with national days/weeks such as Mental Health Awareness Week, Men’s Health Week and Children’s Mental Health Week – the aim of these is to create opportunities for conversations around mental health in settings where ‘hard to reach' groups are more comfortable Arifa has held training sessions for business owners and staff at locations around our stations to encourage members of the community to identify that someone may be struggling before they reach crisis point to make the intervention outside of the station, which is a much safer environment. This training has proved particularly successful in the Romford area where security staff at a shopping centre outside of the station made 2 life saving interventions in the 9 months after their course. We have also secured a screen at the local cinema and presented to over 400 members of the community using the ‘Zero Suicide Alliance’ training package. A range of signposting support literature and signage have been written by the team to address the risks factors for suicide and these are used at all events. These booklets have been ‘pinched with pride’ by local authorities who have adapted them to promote their own local services. The team promotes the ZSA training on digital boards within waiting rooms to encourage commuters to use their 20 minute journey to do something that might help someone they know. Arifa and the team attend a variety of meetings with Local Authorities, NHS Trusts and other stakeholders to share information around demographics and trends and input into wider suicide prevention strategies. Through the relationships that Arifa has built, we are now being proactively contacted by care services to inform us of high risk individuals who have expressed ideation around the railway and who are actively suicidal. This has given us the opportunity to put a safety plan in place before the person has even attended. Over the last 3 years, the team have dealt with over 200 vulnerable people, reducing the number of suicides on Anglia and the resulting trauma and impact to our staff and customers. The team are a great example of the positive impact that cross industry working can have.
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The Carlisle/Chiltern Revenue Protection Officers, (CSS/Chiltern Railways)
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Born as a collaborative approach between Carlisle Support Services (CSS) and Chiltern to find a solution to the ever-rising issue of ticketless travel on the network, CSS was tasked with trialling out a Revenue Protection service to see what improvements could be found across the network.
Commencing in June with the mobilisation of Revenue Protection Officers (RPOs) across Chiltern’s sixty-six stations and two key static locations at Banbury and High Wycombe, Carlisle’ RPOs have made a notable improvement across both revenue protection and passenger safety.
All officers received Highfield level 2 qualifications and training in Customer Service, offering a multi-skilled approach. In doing so, the team elevate customer satisfaction by offering a helping hand with passenger queries whilst acting as an antisocial behaviour deterrent and combating fare evasion.
With an increased presence across the network since the mobilisation, Chiltern has seen a reduction in fare evasion which is expected to have an even greater impact in the long term as passenger behaviour changes and further fare evasion attempts are minimised. The high level of training deployed enables a fresh approach, allowing RPOs to enforce revenue protection and serve as advisors on best practices, helping to re-educate commuters on journey and ticket types. Alongside this, the increased passenger engagement has led to life-saving interactions. We were very pleased to see the team approach distressed passengers with incredible empathy on several occasions, which has gone a long way in ensuring their wellbeing and avoiding life-threatening incidents across the network. The partnership approach between Carlisle and Chiltern has been transformative and illustrates the effectiveness of true collaboration, benefiting both passengers and Chiltern as they combat several issues across the network.
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The Network Rail Master Vendor team at City & Guilds Training, .
Company Name
City & Guilds
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The Network Rail Master Vendor team at City & Guilds Training is a group of professionals committed to booking, delivering, and assuring Signalling and Health and Safety Training for the Network Rail Master Vendor 8-year contract servicing their 42K workforce. Comprising 13 individuals from diverse backgrounds, this team has a shared vision of excellence and innovation.
The team demonstrates the spirit of collaboration by being adaptable to changing processes and implementing a robust upskilling program ensuring Signalling Training is carried out safely and efficiently. Leadership plays a crucial role in empowering team members, enabling everyone’s voice to be heard, and fostering a positive work environment.
The team delivers industry-leading assurance for Signalling Training, assessment, and providers. The Network Rail Master Vendor team at City & Guilds Training manages and monitors the suppliers used to help deliver services to their customers. The department has created a robust onboarding and quality monitoring process to help ensure the best quality of service is received from their clients and customers.
In their commitment to innovation, The Network Rail Master Vendor team has also created a Training Academy to encourage individuals from the industry to help fill skills gaps and become Signalling Trainers. The academy expanded within the first 12 months, with 3 individuals moving from tools to trainers in this period. With approximately 30 Signalling Trainers nationwide, the intention is to increase these numbers to meet the demands of the industry.
City & Guilds Training values the relationship with all its suppliers and sees this key to quality and growth. The team has designed a series of comprehensive workshops that equip suppliers with the tools and knowledge they need to excel. The workshops cover subjects such as online safety, exploring quality improvements, continuous professional development, and many more. The workshops are designed to assist suppliers in achieving an outstanding delivery provision.
The team goes above and beyond by continually expanding its training offering and adapting to ever-evolving industry requirements. Earning praise from learners and colleagues alike, their latest customer satisfaction score was 92.6%. Their ability to innovate, collaborate, and deliver outstanding results under pressure makes them deserving of the Rail Team of the Year Award.
“As with all new contracts, the key to success is maintaining good working relationships with all stakeholders as well as implementing and maintaining strong processes. We have all faced some major challenges at the start of this contract and the team has demonstrated excellent communication, resilience, and versatility in working with Network Rail to meet their needs.” Christina Chambers, Head of Training Delivery, City & Guilds Training.
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TL South, Station Management Team
Company Name
GTR
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I am nominating the TL South Station Management Team; Mo Uddin, Emma Newman, Matthias Roth, Victoria O’Reilly, Graham Duncan & Trudy Habgood.
Mo has managed the TL St Pancras team for the last 6 years. He excels in getting the best of his staff and developing them to their full potential. Under his management he has nurtured 2 new station managers who are excelling in their role.
Mo is very selfless and will always assist his colleagues where he can.
Emma became a station manager in 2011 and has managed several teams in the Thameslink South Area, including Blackfriars, City Thameslink and currently Farringdon.
Station management has it’s challenges, but Emma has risen to each one remaining calm, positive, and determined to get the right outcomes for customers and her team.
She is truly dedicated to her role and always completes work to a very high standard.
Matt joined the TL South station management team in 2022 at City Thameslink after completing his graduate scheme placement.
City Thameslink is subject to frequent intrusive checks with security and fire arrangements. Several improvement actions resulted from these which he has swiftly corrected. He always conducts himself in a professional manner working towards high standards. He is flexible, always willing to help and very pragmatic in any decisions.
Victoria has a real ability to lift the team’s spirits and has a true get up and go attitude!
From arranging cycle challenges and sweepstakes for fundraisers and general activities to promote diversity inclusion she does it all! Following secondment for 1 year she returned and slotted right back into her role with ease. Her management style shows that she really cares about her team and fully supports them.
Graham has managed the Wimbledon Loop team since 2016. Despite significant personal challenges over the last year, he has remained dedicated, committed and positive. With no days off, or any grumbles, he has continued to meet the demands of his role and support his colleagues. With his extensive experience, Graham is a great sounding board for opinions and advice. His area operates seamlessly due to the great relationships he has with his team. Graham seeks the best for his team and will respectfully challenge decisions or plans that may be to their detriment. He is known to be firm but fair which has generated great respect from his team and peers.
Trudy has been managing the Catford Loop team since 2021 and has earned the respect and appreciation from her team through her high standards and caring nature. Her team are highly engaged due to her leadership. She successfully completed her apprenticeship alongside her full-time role with no aspects falling below her high standards.
As with her colleagues, she is always willing to offer a helping hand and support her colleagues even with areas outside of her responsibility.
I hope this nomination helps the team realise how appreciated they are as individuals and their contribution to the team overall.
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Tunstead, Statics
Company Name
Freightliner
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Tunstead static team work under very testing conditions under extreme time and space constraints, performing exceptionally well under these pressure conditions.
Tunstead static shunters team consists of 8 shunters all of whom have recently joined the railway from outside the industry (last 3 years ).They have all performed well in their new roles. They have all recently requested a shift pattern change to assist in rail operations consistency for Tarmac the customer, this now enables the team to operate 12 hour shifts , with two members on shift at any time ,which fit in better with Tarmac train running times. this was a big change for them all and the benefits for the team as a consequence were the agility to self cover most of the time and better work life balance.
The team are regularly available for short notice cover when the need arises, just recently a member of the team fell sick and the other team member on duty at short notice changed his shifts to facilitate the customers needs .
The site itself is long with a single entry at the top of site running through to an 8 road sidings at the bottom end the site also has an exit from these sidings by passing the rest of the site. The customer also has other train operating companies who come onto site and our team is aware of the timings of these other companies so as to best plan in advance any moves the customer may require , often dealing in short notice moves due to early or late running traffic from other operators.
The team deal with ever changing wagon sets for maintenance needs again often at short notice and then make up sets with available wagons so the customers traffic runs accordingly.
The Tunstead team liaise well with the customer (Tarmac) PIC often suggesting moves in advance of train departure to help make things run smoother, they will also liaise with control to best use loco on site as refueling can be a long process due to the length of site so they will have locos in place ready to swap over.
The team pairs swap week by week so they all get a chance to work with one another thus creating a better understanding between them all, this benefit has shown itself in each team member knowing each others strengths and these are used for best performance outcomes for the customer, they all work well together and this shows.
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Winter Stabling Security Team, .
Company Name
STM Group Ltd
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Station Team of the Year
The Winter Stabling Security Project was initiated by STM Group to tackle the critical risks of vandalism and theft faced by South Western Rail (SWR), Govia Thameslink Rail (GTR), and Great Western Railway (GWR) during the Christmas shutdown period. During this time, stabled trains and assets become highly vulnerable, requiring robust protection to prevent operational disruptions and costly damage.
Historical data revealed a 30% spike in criminal activity during previous shutdowns, with key depots such as Wimbledon, Penzance, and Peterborough frequently targeted. The project aimed to secure these high-risk locations, which included SWR depots (Wimbledon, Yeovil, Basingstoke, Guildford), GWR depots (Reading, Gloucester, Penzance, Salisbury), and GTR depots (Peterborough, Three Bridges, Kings Lynn, Brighton). These assets, worth millions, needed comprehensive safeguarding to ensure smooth resumption of services post-holidays.
In response, STM conducted a detailed review of past incidents and consulted directly with security managers from each operator. Risk assessments revealed site-specific vulnerabilities, guiding the development of tailored security measures. The project’s objective was clear: to guarantee asset protection and facilitate an uninterrupted return to service.
However, implementing this solution was not without challenges. One of the primary obstacles was integrating advanced CCTV surveillance across multiple depots with varying infrastructure. STM collaborated with a third-party CCTV provider for seamless installation, deploying real-time monitoring systems that provided immediate alerts of unauthorised access. This proactive surveillance network played a crucial role in identifying and neutralising potential threats.
Mobilising over 500 SIA- and PTS-certified personnel across 12 depots during the three-day Christmas shutdown was another significant logistical feat. STM engaged in rigorous recruitment and delivered an intensive 7-day training programme to ensure operatives were equipped to handle site-specific risks and manage surveillance equipment efficiently. The personnel were deployed in shifts, maintaining 24/7 protection over the critical period, with central command centres coordinating efforts and enabling swift responses to any incidents.
The effectiveness of STM’s approach was evident during real-world scenarios. Throughout the project, advanced CCTV systems detected and prevented 10 theft attempts at SWR sites, 5 at GWR depots, and two incidents at GTR locations. These rapid response protocols ensured that all potential breaches were swiftly neutralised, resulting in no loss or damage to assets.
The project’s success is highlighted by the dramatic reduction in criminal activity across the three operators.
STM’s Winter Stabling Security Team demonstrated exceptional concern for both clients and the integrity of rail operations, overcoming complex challenges to deliver a project that significantly mitigated security risks.
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Wolverhampton CEM's, Woodward
Company Name
West midlands Trains
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WMT Customer Experience area have the business has recently gone through a re-organisation. With this a large number of Customer of Experience Manager's have been introduced. For the Wolverhampton and Stour Valley North route this includes 7 Customer Experience Managers and 1 Area Station Managers to run 15 Stations, 6 unstaffed and 9 staffed, one of which Wolverhampton, which is one of the busiest stations on the network. Most of the CEM's were totally new to the role with the exception of one, who has been a constant support to the others and the ASM. Whilst learning on the job and trying to bond as a team they have been responsible for special events at Cosford, writing the plan and liaising with the stakeholders involved and running the event and managing the many football fixtures for Wolverhampton Wanderers and the huge amount of fans that pass through the station on these days to ensure that all runs smoothly and safely. They have also worked closely with front line colleagues to inspire and build relationships. They have supported colleagues through traumatic time within their personal life and incidents that have happened at work. All of this on top of dealing with the business as usual tasks that require to be completed and have taken this all in their stride whilst prompting the importance of team work. One of them has also organised a huge safeguarding event, inviting relevant stakeholders and working with internal contacts with a view to open a centre at the station where vulnerable people can go to as we see a lot of issues at Wolverhampton, some of which involve County Lines issues. They all support each other and it has been a pleasure t watch the team begin to evolve and grow. I am very proud of them and believe that they deserve the recognition of this award.
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Wolverhampton, Station
Company Name
West midlands Trains
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There was a customer recently who asked one of the Platform staff to check on his wife as she had not returned from using the toilet. Upon checking the lady was found to have collapsed in the cubicle, the member of staff climbed over and into the cubicle to open the door. At this point the Customer Experience Manager was radioed and advised of the incident. The Area Station Manager and the Customer Experience Manager rushed over to Platform 2 to find 2 members of staff in the toilets with the lady. One of the members of staff had needed to climb over to get into the cubicle as the lady had collapsed. An ambulance was called and one member of staff went to fetch the defibrillator. Once back we moved the lady, which was extremely difficult in such a confined space, so that she was lying down in order to use the defibrillator. Two members of staff concentrated on this and carrying out CPR. In the meantime the lady's family was looked after and informed as to what was happening. The ambulance arrived quite quickly as due to the nature of the treatment they felt it necessary and beneficial to get the lady into a more comfortable space and the only place was the platform. In order to protect the lady's dignity all customers had to be removed from the platform and privacy screens were rushed across to the scene. We also had to close the platform opposite so that customers that were on trains that were entering the station could not see anything and all customers were asked to wait on the concourse until their train were on the way. When this happened customers were escorted via a different route to avoid what was taking place. The BTP were now dealing with the family as the couple also had their young grandchildren with them and it was vital that they did not witness any of this. The BTP had also given a very large sheet to us to ensure total privacy whilst the paramedics worked on the lady. The did this for 45 minutes and when it came to moving to the ambulance 2 staff members went with them with privacy screens around the trolley, taking them to the lift and meeting them on the other side. Unfortunately it was a very sad ending as the lady passed away. The resilience, care, professionalism and compassion of the whole team that were working on that day was phenomenal. I was totally blown away by their reactions and how the team had come together and worked so hard to do everything they could in order to save this lady. I am unbelievably proud of this team and they deserve full recognition for everything that they did.
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ROLLING STOCK, FREIGHT & DEPOT PERSON OR TEAM AWARD
Do you know someone who is amazing at their job in or around the depot or within the freight or rolling stock sector? Have they managed challenging situations and incidents by demonstrating a cool head? Or logistical and transport challenges?
Example job titles in this category:
Section Planner, Operations Supervisor, Regional Support Assistants, Maintenance Delivery Team, Resource Planner, Train Presentation Supervisor, Production Manager, Freight Manager, Depot Manager, Shunter, Freight Forwarder, Rolling Stock Field Engineer, Rolling Stock Approvals, Electrical Engineer - Rolling Stock, Fleet Performance, Field Maintenance, Signaller..
You can see all the past winners here.
Adam, Kaczynski
Company Name
Network Rail
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The nomination is for Adam's end-to-end engagement on the Freight Loads Books (FLB) Project. The Freight Loads Books are key documents that outline the maximum tonnages and lengths a freight service can convey across our infrastructure. This project aims to implement digitisation of the loads books to enable easier interpretation of this information in order to minimise human error and save time for all end-users of the application.
Adam Kaczynski (Capability & Planning Manager, System Operator) has been very generous with his time.
The effectiveness of his engagement within Network Rail (i.e. with DDaT (Digital, Data & Technology), Contracts & Procurement) along with his external engagement with the third party supplier, Lampada, has been quite a humbling experience. He is very approachable, and his open minded, positive attitude has made it easy to work together collaboratively. Adam has provided a wealth of business knowledge which he has been willing to share with the project team. He has answered questions promptly and as fully as possible. His actions along with the experience of all individuals on this project team (internal and external) have contributed to the successful, on-time launch of the Digital Freight Loads Book (DFLB) Application on 24 September 2024.
Adam's work has been fundamental to the rail freight world with the following benefits being achieved:
Upgrading FLBs to a digital platform reduces compliance checking time from 30 minutes to 5 seconds, saving around £99,000 annually in staff costs.
Other immediate and short-term benefits include a progressive reduction in risk of safety incidents (eg. slips to a stand, or couplers snapping) in train operations and associated compensation payments, for NR and FOCs. Also, an improvement in data governance & security, creating a single industry-wide source of truth. Furthermore, the platform now has capability to fully embed RSSB’s new FLBs modelling standard (T1302 project), meaning there is potential for local limit increases, accelerating the shift to rail without necessarily requiring additional capacity on the network which remains in short supply.
Longer term:
• Simplified bulk data population and identification.
• Greater data granularity for running longer/heavier trains with temporary permissions.
• Analytical tools for maintenance, investment, routing, and rolling stock optimisation.
• Reduced time and cost for digitising other freight data.
• Enabled data interaction with planning systems and digital signalling via APIs.
• Simplified FLB population with new rolling stock data (T1302).
• Opportunities to optimise traction.
• More options for managing permitted weights/lengths.
• Better customer advice on network capability and routing.
• Reduced time and cost for digitising RT3973 forms and other freight data.
• Capability to interact with other planning and signalling systems.
We couldn't have done this without Adam!
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Engineering Depot Operations Assessor Team, .
Company Name
ScotRail
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My team have just been awarded the ScotRail team of the quarter award. I have a team of six assessors that cover all eight Engineering Depots spread across the Network. Historically, we have experienced between a five and ten percent turnover of staff. This has been due to retirement / promotion / etc. However, with the company having a recruitment drive on mainline driving staff, we have experienced approximately over twenty five percent turnover. The most ever experienced in the last thirty years. It takes between two to three weeks for each new Depot Operator to be passed competent by my team of assessors. I have worked out that this has been approximately seventy five weeks in real time. Additionally, once new Depot Operators are passed competent, instead of the usual three days per year assessment time on experienced staff, new staff require to be assessed over twelve days per year in their post qualifying period. This is a massive workload on my team (four times the workload). My team of assessors have managed this workload, not only by just getting by, but by constantly ensuring they have remained flexible and efficient as possible. They have covered day shifts, backshifts and nightshifts. Weekend working has also been utilised to ensure the depots are not affected in performance and punctuality terms. They have always remained in contact with each other and displayed the true meaning of teamwork, whilst remaining safe themselves. They attend their performance and standardisation meetings with me on a monthly basis and are always positive in their approach to work, with a tremendous work ethic which I have not experienced in my thirty three year railway career. They are a self relieving team that work together even when they are applying for leave, they ensure that they are not taking days off at the same time, which could impact the operations of their depots. Without the hard work, determination and loyalty to their role, I am sure that our Engineering depots would have closed, which would obviously have a huge impact on the service ScotRail operates. The highest compliment I can give my team, is that the depots don't notice the work they undertake. Although this doesn't sound like a compliment, if they were not undertaking such a good job, competency of shunting staff, yard coordinators, depot drivers and designated persons would not be maintained. This would bring our network to a halt and have a negative impact on the company as a whole. It is a pleasure to manage such a team, hence the reason I am submitting this form so that they can be recognised for the wonderful service they provide.
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Engineering Technical Teams, .
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Greater Anglia's technical teams within the Engineering department are made up of two sub-teams which are each responsible for one of our fleets. The North team provide technical support and expertise for the Class 745/755 fleets whilst an identical team in the South provide the same for the Class 720 fleet.
In the last few years, Greater Anglia has replaced all of it's legacy fleets with not one but two new fleets of trains. Greater Anglia's performance has been phenomenal in the last few years, with us recently winning, in addition to a number of other awards, Passenger Operator of the Year 2024 at the National Rail Awards. Greater Anglia is now at the top of the league tables for fleet reliability and performance.
Both technical teams in the Engineering department have contributed to this success in no small part; however, as a support function, it is easy to forget this contribution, which is why I have nominated both teams for this award.
The two technical teams have worked through a significant org change during the move to outsourced maintenance for each of the fleets and have adapted to changing requirements to ensure we get the best performance and reliability of our fleets. Both teams are made up of individuals that work hard, who are dedicated to the success of the company and who take pride in achieving the reliability milestones set for each fleet. The success we enjoy is also down to the collaborative and positive working relationships that have been built with each of the manufacturers/maintainers for each fleet and other departments within Greater Anglia.
Our Technical Support Engineers have played a key role in ensuring incidents on the mainline are dealt with in a safe and timely manner, to reduce the impact on our customers. They take pride in the work they do and the fact they can have a positive impact on customer experience and on Greater Anglia during major incidents.
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Freightliner Felixstowe Operations Team, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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On the night of 18 June, a GB Railfreight train derailed, and it was quickly established that the recovery would be lengthy. As the derailment had a serious impact on Freightliner services, a Freightliner team was quickly assembled to devise a plan for getting their ground crew familiar with the area, so that they could begin running services into the Central Terminal via the Creek Siding and the Cross Dock line.
Working closely with all Felixstowe Ops teams and other interested parties including Felixstowe Dock & Railway Company (FDRC), RMT and Port Police, the team fine-tuned a procedure to allow services to run with 20 wagons (usually max 8). Once everyone was satisfied with the revised procedure, Freightliner’s Ops Manager conducted the moves with MSOs to ensure they were comfortable with the changes to the process.
With the port police managing traffic, Freightliner was responsible for controlling the train movements. After successfully completing these moves with the trains requiring rescue, Freightliner implemented the plan to run seven services per day, with the potential to increase to twelve if space and timings allowed.
As only three lines on the South were operational, and not having competent staff available, plans were put in place to retrain drivers via that route, whilst liaising with GB Railfreight to conduct Freightliner services so that Freightliner’s ground staff were competent and able to take over.
Despite the restraints on the length of services available to access the Central and concerns on the amount of traffic which would be held up whilst the move took place, 40 hours following the derailment, Freightliner was able to run their first service off the Port.
The following week, Freightliner groundstaff were used to assist the arrival of the Network Rail Engineering train to start the re-railing process. Access to the North was handed back at midday on 4 July and, by the following day, Freightliner was back to a full Intermodal plan, ensuring we were able to deliver for our customers as quickly as possible whist ensuring all procedures were carried out safely. This is impressive considering the extent of the derailment.
This recovery could not have been achieved in these timescales without close collaboration between interested parties, including daily meetings with FDRC management as daily shunt plans had to be introduced to incorporate the arrival/departure process for both GB Railfreight and Freightliner between the two different terminals. Both sets of ground staff worked in unison whilst the production managers in Ipswich continued to plan for all Freightliner drivers to become competent running via the South Terminal.
Freightliner had regular discussions with drivers to ensure they were fully informed, and Freightliner MSOs were involved in working out the necessary alterations to the Cross Dock procedure. Freightliner’s National Safety and Sustainability Manager was advised and updated on Freightliner’s progress throughout. Port Duty Managers would oversee the operation on a regular basis throughout the degraded working, all in line with the briefs and plan.
A thoroughly deserving nominee for a RailStaff Award.
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Freightliner Mendip Team, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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2024 has been an incredible year for all staff involved in the delivery of services for Mendip
Rail, successfully delivering transformative changes that have benefited the customer, their
end users, other railway stakeholders, and Freightliner itself.
Following a complete revision to the train plan in December 2023, planning and operational
staff have worked tirelessly to realise the opportunities this has provided, showing devotion
and commitment to right time running.
Building on the delivery of record volumes in 2023, Freightliner have been able to deliver a
step change in performance during 2024 while continuing to deliver exceptional levels of
customer service, transforming the Mendip Quarries from the some of the worst performing
in the country to among the best, at the same time benefiting other railway users by
reducing delays caused to third parties by 50%.
Delivering an improvement in Right Time Departures figures of over 30%, while adjusting to
a new operational model and new timetable has only been possible due to the combined
dedication of all staff involved in the planning and operation of these services. This
achievement has been recognised by both the customer and passenger train operators, who
have described the new timetable introduction as setting an industry template for such
projects.
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Freightliner's Hartlepool Segment traffic for HS2 Team, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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Freightliner was selected to partner with Strabag UK to manage the rail logistics solution between their new segment manufacturing facility at Hartlepool and the SCS JV terminal in Willesden, West London. The distance between Hartlepool and London makes this critical supply chain for the Tunnel Boring Machines. The route the trains would take are busy, and the need to run over specific lines on the network to ensure the train arrives in the right formation, also added a level of complexity.
Working with PD Ports and Strabag, the rail infrastructure at Hartlepool was upgraded, requiring Freightliner to employ it’s in house ‘Orange Army’ to renew the track and ballast at the Hartlepool site including sourcing resource, materials and undertaking a relay of the key parts of the infrastructure to bring the track up to standard. This was completed between September and November 2023, on schedule and ahead of services being required later in November 2023.
Freightliner also engaged their in-house design team to design and fabricate segment carrying ‘cradles’ designed to fit on an ISO 20ft flatrack. With careful calculations independently verified by a design house, Freightliner was able to construct a light weight but effective design to carry the tunnel segments on a train capable of fitting into the smallest of rail gauges.
The flexibility of the design allows the flatrack to be reused either in international shipping or redeployed into other projects as it remains structurally unaltered which is in keeping with the environmental aims of the HS2 project to reduce waste. This element is the innovation of
independent designers in our business, using sustainable materials (like timber) and skills to create a workable design that is unique to this traffic. The Freightliner Road team moved the cradles when constructed, the short distance to our rail terminal in Southampton for rail movement onto the project in November 2023.
Concurrently, Freightliner’s Rail business mobilised to arrange the Common Safe Systems of Work, Loading Standards, Operational Instructions and all the necessary documentation to create a viable rail solution for the customer who is new to rail in the UK.
The Freightliner team identified underutilised rail paths across the North London Line and married these with requirements to operate efficiently with train crew changes at Peterborough between Northbound and Southbound trains to allow train crew to work back to their home depots and giving the customer confidence they have the requisite rail paths to meet their stringent delivery targets.
This project has recreated a rail connection in the Northeast of England to the network, brought a new customer to rail in the UK, has further enhanced the opportunities for quality, skilled jobs in the Northeast and revived redundant port infrastructure to use for UK-based manufacturing.
The whole implementation took approximately 12 months to complete and has delivered a safe, reliable solution that is reliably delivering tunnel segments into the heart of London and helps to ensure the tunnel boring machines in West London stay on course and supplied with concrete segments.
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Great Northern & Thameslink Shunting Team, .
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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The GNTL Shunting team is made up of colleagues across 5 locations and includes 37 current members of staff
The team have had a tough couple of years with multiple vacancies but they have all pulled together to ensure that yards remain open, ensuring the service can still run and passengers are not disrupted. Some colleagues have learnt additional yards to assist their wider colleagues further, taken on additional duties to help management and to provide assistance to each other
They have not let their normal duties lack despite the extra workload and have still had safety as a priority, reporting suspicious activity, trespass activity and near misses such as swans being stuck
They have shown that they are a close team who are willing to stand up and be proud of each other, be involved in their department and be proactive and be willing to keep the service running for customers
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Jack, Eagling
Company Name
GB Railfreight
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Jack Eagling joined GB Railfreight in September 2014, having begun his career at RWA Rail (now part of Tracsis) and having other roles at First Capital Connect. He initially joined the business as a Business Implementation Manager and has grown his career through our Business Implementation, Planning and Timetabling teams. In 2022 became Head of Integrated Business Planning before assuming his current role as Head of Fleet Planning earlier this year.
Jack has been responsible for devising and implementing a dynamic asset management programme within GBRf – know as Integrated Business Planning (IBP) has created a totally revitalised locomotive and rolling stock management system that allows the business to implement long term planning process to manage its assets against market demand.
The implementation of the IBP has balanced the needs for GBRf to be a lean, agile and cost-effective business with the challenging and ever-evolving demands of dynamic rail freight business and its customers. The principles of the IBP align with the principles of sales and operations planning (S&OP) to align demand and supply, and the associated financial implications, to drive aligned master planning and executive strategic direction.
The IPB process has involved creating a four week cycle, where the leads on each of business commodity look forward 24 months to analyse market trends and future demands. It allows the business Director to effectively understand the future requirements for rolling stock, human resource and physical locations to ensure that the business is best positioned to continue its growth.
Jack advocated for and was instrumental in GB Railfreight’s push to connect the north end sidings at our Peterborough campus with the East Coast Main Line. The project delivered in partnership with Network Rail and railway contractors KGJ Price. Several new points have been installed, slewing the existing track to create five intermodal length sidings accessible from both north and south, as well as additional capacity for spare wagons. The new sidings will be vital in unlocking the full potential of the site, where GBRf recently opened a c.£5.75m maintenance facility, and will double the capacity of the yard.
As Jack has become more senior in the business he is always willing to share his experience and expertise with colleagues. A former team member in our planning team says of Jack; “I first met Jack in my interview for GB and I have been lucky enough to sit opposite him since working here. Jack is a very approachable person, he always makes time for people and even though he is no longer directly involved in my job he is always happy to share his knowledge with me and has often sat with me when I am stuck on a particular task and come up with some great ideas of how to get the task completed. On a personal level, he is a genuinely nice guy. We have had many conversations which aren’t work related, where we can really relate to each other’s situations and it’s always insightful sharing those experiences and opinions."
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Joshua, Webster
Company Name
Freightliner
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Look after your people, and they will look after your customers, and your business.
It’s a principle that is fundamental to every industry, but is crucial within freight, where the needs of our customers can change weekly, daily, and even hourly, often at the last minute. You can plan, you can roster, and you can have contingencies, but ultimately, you will always need your people to be willing to adapt and go the extra mile for you.
But how do you get the best from your staff, when so often their needs don’t compliment your priorities?
Joshua Webster proves that the impossible CAN be done. That you CAN be utterly focused on solving the ever-changing needs of your business and customers, whilst making your team feel valued and supported. Josh proves that you don’t need to choose between the needs of the business, and the needs of your team.
Josh rosters up to 7 depots, plus the special team of rapid deployment drivers, who cover the whole of the U.K. He takes the lead in rostering the big infrastructure projects, like the Railhead Treatment Train contracts, and is also the lead for covering last-minute uncovered turns across the U.K.
So, if you were to phone Josh to tell him you needed last-minute leave, would you really expect him to take the time to see if there’s any way to cover it?
But Josh DOES. Whatever the request, Josh chooses to believe there is a way to say yes. Despite all he is juggling, and the high-pressure environment he is constantly working in, he finds the time to make YOUR needs feel as valued as his needs.
And when Josh DOES say no, it’s accepted. Because you KNOW if there was a way to say yes, he’d have found it. And, ultimately, the needs of the business DO come first, and he will ALWAYS put those needs first. But he proves that you can make people feel valued, whatever decision you have to make.
In return, when he calls, you answer. Whatever he needs, you do all you can to say yes, just as he does for you. And, on the rare occasions you can’t help, he accepts without judgement.
Josh creates an environment of mutual respect.
Josh pulls off the impossible for our customers. No matter the challenge, he finds cost effective, and innovative solutions, whilst making the drivers feel considered within those solutions.
One example of this is the unprecedented 99% reliability levels achieved by Freightliner during RHTT, despite using the fewest number of drivers, and no overtime. Innovative rostering that delivered for the business, but also engaging with drivers to ensure they would go the extra mile for the customer, when needed.
Doing what is best for the business, and customers, whilst showing respect and consideration to the people on the frontline. For our industry to succeed, we need more like Josh. Let’s send that message by recognising him at the Rail Staff Awards!
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Matthew, Scott
Company Name
Thameslink
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On 26th July 2024 there was a Microsoft outage and the IT systems within Doc Base at Three Bridges Depot were affected. This meant that several systems were down, including the DPPS system and the departure/arrival screens. Without a functioning DPPS the Operations Control Manager's cannot tell what staff are logged into which road.
The initial fault had been logged by the early shift, but as the shift progressed, the IT helpdesk had not been in contact to help due to many other departments requiring assistance.
Matt Scott kept in contact with the IT helpdesk throughout his shift to chase up the fault but to no avail. This meant that workings within the depot were exceptionally limited and may require the depot being closed if the systems could not be brought back online.
He then managed to get a link via teams with an IT engineer who was able to give Matt a description of how to fix the fault. Matt then spent the next half hour fixing all the systems within doc base. This meant that when the night turn arrived, everything was back up and running.
If Matt had not gone above and beyond, the depot would not have been able to function.
I wish for Matt's efforts to be duly recognised; the impact would have been a lot greater if the depot had had to close.
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Michael, Craig
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Michael works tirelessly and with an amazing attention to detail to investigate failures and safety related issues on our fleet of trains.
No stone is left unturned, highly detailed and professional reports accompany each investigation setting a gold standard for others to strive towards.
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Monica, Dutta
Company Name
GTR
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There are no words to convey how special Monica Dutta truly is. I joined the Norwood Depot management team last year, with no railway experience and from the moment I stepped foot into the office I was warmly welcomed like I was family. Monica has mentored me throughout the last year, and continues to support my learning and development in the role, no question is off limits and she will drop anything to help. Not only has Monica supported me but with some many new managers starting last year, she has supported them also.
Besides Monica supporting the managers, she is dedicated to her drivers. Her unfaltering commitment to ensuring the smooth running of the depot and the highest quality of engagement with the drivers. Monica is so highly respected by the drivers that once she makes a decision that is final, she is trusted implicitly and adored by all who meet her.
Above all else Monica is a genuinely, wonderfully warm person with a heart of gold and a smile to match. She is the beating heart of Norwood Depot and I an grateful to be part of her team and honoured to call her my friend. Thank you Monica for all you have done, you are a joy to know
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Stuart, Dulson
Company Name
Freightliner
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Over the years, Freightliner, like many other Companies has issued procedures, standards, bulletins and brieifngs out to it's staff and while the advent of handheld mobile devices has made it easier to access information, it is always a problem knowing which document to look for
Our Groundstaff perform the final safety critical checks on trains before they enter the Network and so it is essential they have access to the latest information and that it easy to find what they need
Recognising this as a problem, Stuart realised that all this information was spread over many different documents in different formats so he decided to start work on a document that would become the "single source of truth" for a member of Groundstaff
This involved reviewing engineering standards, Freightliner Handbooks, Manuals and dozens of Operating Bulletins and putting it all into a single Handbook
Before adding the information, he had to confirm with the authors that the information was still correct and gain agreement that upon issue, the old documents would be withdrawn to ensure there was only that "single source of truth"
As work progressed and in discussion with the Groundstaff, it became clear that while a Handbook was needed for keeping all the information in one place, there was some information that Groundstaff need on a regular basis so he developed a series of "Key Point Cards; the same size as Wagon Labels so they would fit into the pockets of work trousers
The Handbook is now available on our internal document management system, Omnia and in hard copy and the Key Point Cards have been issued to Groundstaff
Feedback has already been good with staff suggesting additional Cards to be issued to them on other topics
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Tony, Deadman
Company Name
Network Rail
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Tony Deadman is a Supervisor based in the Works Delivery Buildings team at Hitchin. Tony was acting up as Works Delivery
Manager, without having any back fill for his own position, meaning he was carrying out an incredible work load without a
huge amount of support prior to the Works Delivery Manager joining the team. Tony independently dealt with a death in
service of an Operative that he had worked with for a long time, putting aside his own emotion to act as the family liaison for
Network Rail. He kept the family up to date with the procedures for this situation and helped navigate them through the
legals that follow these sad occurrences
Tony visited the family and attended the funeral, his actions as an ambassador for network rail helped the family have a
smoother journey through this traumatic episode.
In addition to this, Tony lead the team through a difficult period, ensuring their welfare was prioritised before his own.
Further to this, Tony has again showed his compassion by dealing with a member of the team who has been suffering from a
long term illness by being reassuring, and maintaining regular visits to the employee to maintain the employee relationship
and reassure him of a return to work when he is able to, aiding with reasonable adjustments and creating a facilitating
working environment to ensure we are acting as an Inclusive employer.
Due to Tony's determination to prioritise the team members that he works with, he has acted as a point of reliance and a
voice of reason throughout a turbulent year as a Supervisor. The journey the team have entered on has been difficult but
Tony has persevered for the benefit of his colleagues and represented the values of Network Rail in an admirable manner, he
has made difficult decisions regarding Ill Health Severance to balance the business needs with the team performance, and
acted as a Mental Health liaison for all of the Hitchin depot.
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Tunstead Statics, .
Company Name
Freightliner
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Tunstead static team work under very testing conditions under extreme time and space constraints, performing exceptionally well under these pressure conditions.
Tunstead static shunters team consists of 8 shunters all of whom have recently joined the railway from outside the industry (last 3 years ).They have all performed well in their new roles. They have all recently requested a shift pattern change to assist in rail operations consistency for Tarmac the customer, this now enables the team to operate 12 hour shifts , with two members on shift at any time ,which fit in better with Tarmac train running times. this was a big change for them all and the benefits for the team as a consequence were the agility to self cover most of the time and better work life balance.
The team are regularly available for short notice cover when the need arises, just recently a member of the team fell sick and the other team member on duty at short notice changed his shifts to facilitate the customers needs .
The site itself is long with a single entry at the top of site running through to an 8 road sidings at the bottom end the site also has an exit from these sidings by passing the rest of the site. The customer also has other train operating companies who come onto site and our team is aware of the timings of these other companies so as to best plan in advance any moves the customer may require , often dealing in short notice moves due to early or late running traffic from other operators.
The team deal with ever changing wagon sets for maintenance needs again often at short notice and then make up sets with available wagons so the customers traffic runs accordingly.
The Tunstead team liaise well with the customer (Tarmac) PIC often suggesting moves in advance of train departure to help make things run smoother, they will also liaise with control to best use loco on site as refueling can be a long process due to the length of site so they will have locos in place ready to swap over.
The team pairs swap week by week so they all get a chance to work with one another thus creating a better understanding between them all, this benefit has shown itself in each team member knowing each others strengths and these are used for best performance outcomes for the customer, they all work well together and this shows
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SAFETY PERSON OR TEAM AWARD
Is there someone you know that has improved the safety record of where you work? That has the enthusiasm to instill in others the importance of constantly improving the training to the front line troops? Maybe the leader of a new safety programme?
Example job titles for this category:
Signalling, Signaller, HSQE Advisor, Operations Standards Manager, HSEA Manager, Possession & Rimini Planner, Safety and Compliance Controller, COSS, Training Specialist, Infrastructure Maintainer, Maintenance Workforce Safety Advisor, Workforce Health Safety & Environment Advisor, Incident Response, Competence Manager, Transport Police, SQE Advisor...
You can see all the past winners here.
Andrew, Burrows
Company Name
Project Leaders
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Introduction:
Project Leaders Ltd are thrilled to nominate Andrew Burrows, Construction Manager for the Safety Award. Since representing Project Leaders and carrying out the role of Construction Manager for MTR, Andrew has significantly enhanced the Health and Safety (H&S) practices, proving himself a pivotal asset in the continuous efforts to provide a secure working environment. His actions have not only improved safety but have also fostered a culture of proactive safety management across the projects MTR are delivering in infrastructure.
Commitment to Safe Practices on Site:
Andrew has been instrumental in elevating on-site safety standards. His ability to identify and rectify unsafe practices has led to considerable improvements in operational procedures. A prime example of his impact is evident in his contributions to the McLeod Mews project. Here, Andrew identified critical inefficiencies in how materials were handled on-site. By pioneering a new approach, he significantly mitigated potential hazards, enhancing safety for all personnel involved. His readiness to halt work to address safety concerns underscores his dedication to the well-being of every team member.
Proactive Health & Safety Monitoring:
Beyond immediate safety interventions, Andrew has championed the importance of proactive H&S monitoring. His efforts have led to a substantial increase in the reporting of "close calls" on our sites. This shift towards early identification of potential issues is crucial, as it allows risks to be addressed before they escalate into actual incidents. Andrew’s strategic foresight in H&S monitoring not only prevents accidents but also embeds a culture of safety that permeates throughout our projects.
Impact and Leadership:
Andrew’s extensive experience and exceptional communication skills have made him a respected leader in safety. His approachable manner and clear communication have encouraged staff to more actively engage in safety practices and discussions, contributing to an overall safer and more aware workplace.
Conclusion:
Andrew Burrows is a deserving candidate for the Safety Award, given his unwavering commitment to safety, proactive approach to risk management, and influential leadership. His contributions have not only enhanced safety but have also instilled a sustainable culture of caution and care. We believe that recognizing Andrew’s efforts with this award will not only honour his accomplishments but also reinforce the importance of safety in our industry.
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David, Hughes
Company Name
Lumo
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David, Safety Governance Manager has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to enhancing safety standards at Lumo, through his extensive work on the platform train interface hazards campaign, with a strong emphasis on the importance of the yellow line.
David has demonstrated unwavering commitment to safety governance, focusing on the critical interface between trains and platforms. Recognising the potential risks associated with platform-train interactions, he spearheaded a comprehensive safety campaign that educates colleagues, young people and customers about the significance of the yellow line—a vital visual cue that serves to keep individuals at a safe distance from the edge of the platform.
Under David’s guidance, the campaign has achieved remarkable outcomes:
Increased Awareness: David worked with the digital marketing team to develop engaging social media content that effectively communicated the hazards associated with platform train interfaces. His innovative approach ensured that message resonated with all stakeholders, from frontline colleagues to regular commuters, and those potentially making a journey. At the time this campaign launched, the Olympics were taking place and as an operator who connects with European train services from London, it was fitting that colleague engagement led to suggestions for David to tie in with the Olympics as a theme. The campaign reached over 8,000 individual people across our measured social platforms, with approx. 16,000 impressions. David furthered this work by leading a cross-industry group comprising of safety and communications leads from organisations spanning the ECML and North and East routes who are focusing on further awareness campaigns that will be supported and delivered by each operator with an aim of one consistent messages which is amplified through various media types.
Community Engagement: Understanding the importance of community involvement, David supported an event targeted at young people throughout the summer holidays that involved local schools and organisations at The Metrocentre. These initiatives not only spread awareness but also fostered a culture of safety within the community, encouraging everyone to take an active role in being aware of the dangers of the railway, and staying safe whilst travelling.
Collaboration/Leadership: David has exemplified true leadership by collaborating with departments within Lumo, ensuring safety is a shared responsibility. His ability to foster teamwork and open communication has created a robust safety culture that prioritises the well-being of everyone. Externally, David has worked with one of his key partners, Learn Live, who deliver the Rail Safe Friendly Programme to continue to develop materials focused at educating young people on the dangers of the railway and how they can ensure they stay safe, day-to-day, and when making a journey on the network.
Innovation in Safety Practices: David has incorporated cutting-edge technology and best practices into the campaign, enhancing the way safety is communicated and enforced at platforms. His forward-thinking mindset ensures Lumo remains at the forefront of safety governance in the industry, by bringing in new and improved processes that have a continued focus on safety improvements.
Davids dedication, innovative spirit, and leadership have set a benchmark for the entire industry.
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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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Gill, Dalrymple
Company Name
GWR
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The nomination is for an amazing piece of work which has saved the company an incredible £16k per newly appointed colleague into the role. This year alone, this piece of work has already saved a huge £32k in external consultancy fees and going forward will continue to save the business many thousands of pounds. The previous provider for this training were not able to deliver this training in an appropriate timescale, resulting in no training package for the role, this meant that there was an ongoing risk that [redacted] could close during times where no
was trained to operate the signalling system at the Depot meaning that there would have been catastrophic consequences for the train service in the [redacted] region for our customers and colleagues. The colleague used their initiative and self-learnt skills from doing the role, coupled with liaison with internal and external stakeholders has created a bespoke training package from scratch. This has additionally passed through the GWR safety validation process
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Gillian (Gill), Walton
Company Name
Hitachi Rail
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Gill's leadership at Hitachi Rail has marked a significant shift in our approach to safety, making her an exemplary candidate for the award. Her efforts have not only improved our safety record but have instilled a culture where safety is paramount, demonstrating her commitment to both the wellbeing of her colleagues and the operational integrity of the company.
Gill has spearheaded several key safety initiatives but most recently identified an opportunity to develop our apprentices embracing her passion for developing others. Gill created and delivered numerous workshops, including ‘building resilience’, cementing the message that, ‘you will never be penalised for speaking up’. This messaging is pivotal to inspiring the next generation, providing the platform where, whatever it is, it is better to share. The apprentices have been inspired by Gill’s ability to share her own life experiences to bring safety, both psychological and physical, to life. Gill’s work demonstrates how she removes barriers, gives other people a voice whilst embedding a safety culture.
Trevor Rolfe, Director of Services, reflects on Gill's impact: "In my extensive experience within the rail sector, Gill's approach to safety leadership stands unparalleled. Her profound knowledge and genuine support have not only enhanced our safety metrics but have cultivated an environment where safety is synonymous with trust and care. Her influence extends beyond procedures; she instills confidence and loyalty, vital components in our industry."
Trevor's endorsement underscores Gill's dual role as both a safety expert and a compassionate leader. Her policy of open communication has transformed the approach to safety from being a mandated requirement to a collective responsibility. Through Gill's mentorship, a new generation of safety advocates is on the rise, ensuring that this ethos of safety will endure.
During Gills tenure she has worked diligently to achieve concrete improvements to our HSE performance and culture. An example of that is the tangible improvements in reporting of hazards and 'over and above good practices'. These initiatives have helped engage the workforce, allow resolution of hazards which under different circumstances could cause harm.
Sarah Tack, HSE Director at Hitachi Rail adds: “Gill has been instrumental in developing a process to manage one of the industries top risks, fatigue. During this initiative she has developed not only process but accountability at a leadership level to manage working hours and fatigue avoidance effectively”.
In conclusion Gill's leadership in safety goes beyond traditional roles; she embodies the spirit of what it means to be a safety leader. Her technical acumen has directly led to safer workplaces, but it's her heartfelt commitment to her colleagues welfare that truly distinguishes her. Gill's efforts have transformed Hitachi Rail's approach to safety, making it intrinsic to our identity. Her profound impact on safety practices, from policy formulation to personal engagement, makes her the ideal recipient for this award, showcasing how dedicated safety leadership can elevate not just an organisation, but an industry, towards a future where safety is lived experience rather than just practiced protocol.
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Helen, Stone
Company Name
GTR
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Helen (or H as she prefers) exemplifies our Zero Harm Safety culture. She's out on the network every day and leads by example, she consistently prioritises Safety above all else and ensures that those values are embedded in every decision, process, and action that she takes.
In her role as CDM (Competence Development Manager) she assesses our Dispatchers and with her open communication and encouragement is able to have rich Safety discussions by making things relateable to their role and enhancing their understanding and ownership of the part they play in keeping our customers safe.
She is able to communicate in many different ways to ensure that the individual has a full understanding and will never leave anyone with unanswered questions.
She consistently goes over and above to "do the right thing" even at the detriment of her personal time or immaculate planning, and going out on the route with her is like being with a celebrity.
She is much loved and respected and I hope this nomination goes, in some small way, to show her that.
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John, Angus
Company Name
Network Rail
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John is consistently congratulated for being in the top 5 sentinel checkers in the country, and has been on many occasions the top checker !
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Kathleen, Martin
Company Name
Great Northern
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Kath is the team leader for Great Northern’s Rail Enforcement Officers, based at Hitchin.
Kath is the epitome of the word LEADER, always leading from the front and encouraging her team of REOs to get out on the network and make a difference. Kath is always thinking outside the box and proactively deploys her team to the stations and locations that need a visible and reassuring presence, based on intelligence, trends and analytical data. This approach has seen a reduction and displacement of crime and anti-social behaviour away for the GN network and stations. Kath always makes herself available both on and off duty.
Kath has developed close links with British Transport Police and is the main driver behind Operation Bolster, a joint proactive operation between her REOs and BTP, targeting criminal and anti-social behaviour across the GN network. As a result of this operation Kath has also forged strong bonds with local Neighbourhood teams from local policing teams, especially those in Hertfordshire.
Thameslink REO Team Manager James Edwards said “Kathleen is always thinking of ways to ensure our customers and staff are safe by working with other agencies. She continuously moves forward by working with outside agencies to ensure every avenue has been investigated to make people feel safe on the network. Kathleen has literally saved people’s lives because of her quick actions. I am very proud of the work Kathleen is doing and hope one day, it will be replicated across the network”
A member of BTPs team based in London has said “Having worked with Kath, she is really dedicated to her role, her team and her push to make the railway a safer place for all customers and colleagues while also supporting BTP”
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Lee, Eydman
Company Name
GTR
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Lee is the Competency Development Manager for Southern’s Metro Area Station team. His role ensures that standards are achieved and maintained for those who are required to carry out Safety Critical duties. Lee, as an experienced CDM offering guidance and support to his peers new to the role of CDM and continues supporting them as they develop building relationships and being part of a key team ensuring the safe dispatch of services.
For the Station Team he assesses, he goes beyond that of just an assessor, he guides new Mentors in techniques, developing their skills to aid those new to the role of Train Dispatch. Lee moved to the role of CDM from Station Management and this has undoubtedly gave him insight into how to aid new employees supporting them through their development and coaching them beyond the initial assessment and outside the designated review periods. He works well with his colleagues in Station Management, offering as appropriate a reflection against past experience and supporting new Station
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Mark, Briers
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Mark joined the railway industry in 2008 as an Onboard Services Manager for Greater Anglia. He very quickly stood out through his competence, hard work and positive attitude and was able to move on to different roles within the customer services team, which were focused on compliance with H&S legislation and company standards.
Looking for a new challenge, in 2020 Mark then moved into the Engineering QHSE team as a document controller, working with colleagues at various engineering sites to complete risk assessments, safe systems of work and procedures to ensure activities are undertaken safely and risks managed to as low as reasonably practicable.
In the relatively short space of time since 2020, Mark has worked his way up and was appointed to the senior management role of Fleet QHSE Manager for the Engineering department at Greater Anglia in 2023 and now provides leadership to the team on QHSE matters.
Mark took on this role at a challenging time where the QHSE team was depleted following a re-org and where staff morale was also quite low. What stands out the most is how Mark has risen to the challenge - he has chipped away at filling the vacancies, whilst not dropping the ball on the day to day activities and still managing to support engineering teams based across GA sites and thus ensuring that safety was never compromised. Mark is an honest, transparent and trustworthy person, which naturally comes across in dealings with him - these excellent qualities have helped him to build strong relationships within Engineering and to get the buy-in of colleagues for the safety improvements he's trying to implement.
One of Mark's biggest achievements in this role is the integration of Train Presentation into the Engineering team in 2023. Even with vacancies in his team, Mark managed his time, workload and priorities in a way that he was still able to support the Train Presentation function with all of the changes they have been required to make in order to comply with the requirements of ISO9001:2015. He's worked with Train Presentation to identify areas for improvement in terms of COSHH substances used/stored, risk assessments and safe systems of work, training and competence requirements, audit requirements, IPCs, PGIs and the close out of corrective actions.
Mark is qualified and competent and his knowledge has helped him to earn the respect of his colleagues; however, this combined with his personality and his ability to collaborate is what really makes him stand out and will ensure his success in continuously improving the safety culture at Greater Anglia.
Mark is an asset to the team and to Greater Anglia, which is why I would like to make this nomination.
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Martyn, Shaftoe
Company Name
Network Rail
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This individual has lead the way for Wessex route in terms of identifying the risk and then scoping, securing funding, progressing and project managing the roll out of Lithium Ion battery storage for the Wessex route. This is a new and emerging problem for the whole rail industry and has required fast paced, high level assurance in a field that’s is new and emerging.
Martyn identified that the route had a big risk across multiple depots and offices with lithium ion tools and batteries being charged in sever rooms, offices, kitchens, storage units with petrol powered plant and even tools being taken home to be charged. The risk of thermal runaway was high and posed a significant fire risk to both assets and potential people injuries.
Martyn was required to work at pace in terms of identifying the size and scale of the problem for the whole of the Wessex route. He had to identify the risk, prioritise which areas needed the risk covering first and then putting a business case together to ensure the business was onboard with the proposal. It also required him to identify the most suitable products for each location and then secure funding from the business for a project that was not funded for.
The whole project, with no background knowledge or national guidance went from a standing start to near completion in a little over 12 months and teams and individuals are much safer now as result. He also produced a detailed guidance overview document for all teams to refer to. As result, over 1200 staff across Wessex are now safer as a result of the actions he has taken.
Finally, as a result of the good work he has undertaken, other routes are actively engaging with the Wessex route to follow the same blueprint Martyn put together as it is seen as a successful model that has received positive feedback across the board”
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Metro CDM Team, .
Company Name
GTR Southern And Gatwick Express
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I would like to nominate our Metro Competency Development Team for their continued contribution in supporting our drivers and conducting their expertise in driving standards and ongoing development for our drivers. The team's unwavering commitment to safety, skill development, and continuous improvement has significantly contributed to the overall safety and efficiency of our operations.
The Metro Competency Development Team has consistently gone above and beyond to provide comprehensive support to our drivers, trainee drivers and also to the Driver managers. Ensuring that every driver, regardless of experience level, receives the guidance necessary to excel in their roles. Their proactive approach in identifying areas for improvement and addressing them through targeted personal and one on one training.
Safety is at the core of everything we do, and the Metro Competency Development Team embodies this principle in all their efforts. Their work with apprentice trainee drivers & drivers has instilled a strong safety culture, the efforts of the Metro Competency Development Team have had a profound impact on our operations. Their work has not only enhanced the skills and safety of our drivers . The team's ability to foster a supportive and educational environment to get the best out of the trainees and drivers, this is why the team is deserving of this nomination.
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Mohammed Musa, Khan
Company Name
Network Rail
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I am honoured to nominate Musa Khan for the Safety Person of the Year award. Musa Khan initiated a crowding risk assessment presented to the ORR, which was key for a notice withdrawal and is now used by other stations as guidance. He is a true role model with consistently safe behaviour, arranging bespoke safety trainings on fatigue, manual handling, and aggression avoidance. Musa ensures high standards in accident investigations, supporting and reviewing each case thoroughly. His reviewed work activity risk assessments, identified safety gaps, and transformed them into role-based activity assessments. Musa started multiple safety programs at the station, including Fast Facts, Level 0 Investigation, and periodic safety cascades. His ambition drives them to continuously learn and seek knowledge, promoting a strong safety culture. Musa demonstrate outstanding skills and are a true safety professional, ensuring everyone gets home safe every day.
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Neil, Blakeman
Company Name
Network Rail
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Always thinking of others before himself and will help at all times. Fire safety was not much i thought of until Neil Blakeman took up the position of fire warden and i have to say he is the best fire warden i have ever come across. He takes the responsibility very seriously and it would be a shame if he has to give that position up as i don't think anyone could fill his shoes. On top of all i have said he is a lovely down to earth soul.
Good luck to him with this award
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Operation Incident Team, Chichester
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Southern and Gatwick Express
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I would like to nominate my operational incident manager team for their continued contribution to incident management within Southern and Gatwick express for GTR.
Their commitment to getting all the evidence and the service recovered as fast as possible helps all parties involved. They consistently go above and beyond to provide comprehensive support to our drivers, network Rail and all staff based at TBROC and get our customers back on the move as soon as possible.
This is a very small team of 8 incident managers and work around the clock 365 days of the year. We were set up in May 23 so still a fairly new team within the railway but they have certainly have made an impact for the business. Our goal is to reduce safety of line incidents on our network.
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Paul, Meenan
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Paul Meenan is being nominated for his exceptional commitment to safety within the station environment, with a particular focus on excellence in electrical and fire safety. Paul has played a pivotal role in identifying gaps in safety processes and procedures, and he has taken practical steps to enhance conditions at stations through on-site training and infrastructure improvements.
In the area of electrical safety, Paul’s proactive approach has been critical in identifying potential hazards that could affect passengers, staff and contractors. His swift development and implementation of a mitigation plan have been instrumental in resolving electrical faults across the network, ensuring a safer environment for all.
Paul has also revolutionised c2c’s fire safety practices, ensuring full compliance with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. By establishing a dedicated fire safety working group, he has actively engaged the wider business to raise awareness and foster a culture of vigilance and safety throughout the organisation.
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Richard, Bonella
Company Name
Network Certification Body (NCB)
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I am nominating Richard Bonella for the Safety Person Award. Richard is one of NCB’s longest serving safety assessors. Throughout his time with NCB, Richard has consistently delivered assessment reports in the safety assurance of many parts of the railway industry. Richard’s knowledge is well regarded by colleagues and customers across a range of technical and procedural subject areas.
Over and above his regular assessment work, Richard has pioneered, produced and delivered NCB’s training and briefing events to pay forward his experiences to promote wider understanding in the railway safety assurance world.
In the past 12 months, Richard has delivered 10 system safety awareness briefing events to railway staff across the England, Scotland and Wales. Richard’s unique approach in story telling brings to life the journey that the rail industry needs to make in order to meet its ethical and legal duties.
Richard is helping a new generation of railway experts continue to make the UK's railways safer for years to come.
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Safety, Security and Enforcement Officers (SSEO), .
Company Name
ResponSec ltd / Arriva Rail London
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Arriva Rail London (ARL) identified there was a need to increase the additional high visibility support on the London Overground network in response to the rise in staff assaults and anti-social behaviour.
With the need to increase the hi-visibility security presence, and support their existing teams, in May 2024 ResponSec deployed two teams of Safety, Security & Enforcement Officers (SSEO) to the London Overground Network.
This initial 16-week trial set to support by increasing staff confidence, reduce staff assaults, protect revenue, and increase enforcement activities. ResponSec Ltd mobilised a team of 12 Officers within 3 weeks of the contract award and began deploying these highly skilled and proactive officers to the network.
During this period the SSEO team have supported with over 162 revenue operations alongside ARLs Revenue teams, patrolled over 1,763 trains and engaged with members of staff and the public at 920 station visits.
Through the teams pro-active patrolling and collaborative working with the current teams on the ground 80% of ARL staff reported that they felt safer conducting their duties since the introduction of the SSEO team and 77% of staff also felt they had noticed a reduction in workplace violence during this period as a direct result of the team’s implementation.
Key Highlights:
• 792 Passengers were engaged with which resulted in changing their decisions to become fare paying passengers through education.
• The introduction of SSEOs has seen crime decrease during Period 5 at 2 hot spot locations with the increased visibility.
• SSEOs have dealt with over 280 anti-social behaviour instances ranging from minor and major byelaw breeches whilst out on patrol.
• Safeguarded 3 individuals through proactive patrols and supported with 3 medical instances which required first aid.
• Supported and attended 6 Trespass Incidents.
• Prevented 3 crimes from being committed on the ARL network.
With the success of the initial 16-week contract ARL plan to continue to support their frontline staff with the increased SSEOs across the network, with this ResponSec have committed to continuing to support by further work collaborating with other TOCs across the London network, they recognise that we can all learn from other industries and partners that face similar challenges.
‘It has been good having SSEO presence on the line. A visual deterrent is always welcomed and the proactiveness of the team in dealing with ASB has not gone unnoticed. Great job’ – ARL Member of Staff.
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Safwaan, Ali
Company Name
Jackson Civils
Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
During our time on the Camphill Lines Project at VolkerFitzpatrick, he was in charge of the the Kingsheath Station for the project and he stood up to senior management and kept the work force carrying out unsafe works for the sake of non critical advancement. I strongly feel he saved people lives and stopped them from injury.
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Samantha, Boucher
Company Name
Freightliner
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Sam joined Freightliner in January 2023 as our Safety and Non-Technical Skills Training Manager. She is very passionate about improving safety-related behaviours to reduce injuries and accidents to workers which shines through in her training delivery across the organisation.
Sam loves working in the railway, so when the opportunity arose for Sam to support the Rail Safe Friendly initiative in March 2023, she jumped at the chance.
The purpose of Rail Safe Friendly is to educate young people about the risks of the railway so that they can make safer decisions, reducing trespassing rates and deaths.
Sam has become the lead driver for Freightliner in this initiative, maintaining strong relationships with the Rail Safe Friendly team at Learn Live and other companies within the railway sector. In 2023, Freightliner sponsored 10 schools at the partner level, but Sam exceeded this by visiting schools with Learn Live and on her own to keep pushing the initiative and raising awareness.
Sam arranged a visit to her sons' primary school to talk about railway safety and read a safety pathway book, which the children loved. She also agreed for the headteacher of that school to provide a testimonial for the initiative.
In May 2024, Freightliner increased their sponsorship and agreed to sponsor 150 schools. By August 2024, Sam had 51 schools registered, with 3 schools at the Silver Level. These are fantastic results, considering that the summer period runs from mid-July to the end of August when schools are closed.
Sam's commitment to this initiative is in addition to her busy day job.
“Since its inception in March 2023, Sam Boucher has been a pivotal force behind the Rail Safe Friendly initiative, demonstrating unwavering commitment and passion for improving railway safety awareness among young people. Sam took on a lead role in promoting this important initiative, fostering strong partnerships with the Rail Safe Friendly team at Learn Live and other key stakeholders in the rail industry.
Sam's dedication extends beyond her formal duties. She has consistently gone above and beyond by personally visiting schools, collaborating with the Learn Live team, and independently raising awareness of rail safety. Notably, Sam played a critical role in increasing Freightliner’s sponsorship from supporting 10 schools in 2023 to an impressive commitment to 150 schools in 2024 – a remarkable achievement.
In addition to her professional efforts, Sam has made personal contributions to the initiative, including visiting her sons' primary school to engage students in rail safety education and even securing a testimonial from the school’s headteacher to support the cause. Her passion for safety and education has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of the Rail Safe Friendly programme, significantly contributing to its success in reducing trespassing and accidents on the railway.
Sam’s leadership and commitment to the Rail Safe Friendly programme make her an outstanding candidate for this award, as her tireless work continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people and the wider rail community.”
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Security, Team
Company Name
South Western Railway
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By embodying safety, professionalism, innovation, community engagement, leadership, ethics, and continuous improvement, the South Western Railway (SWR) Security Team stands out as a deserving nominee for the Safety Award. Their dedication to these values significantly contributes to SWR's success and reputation.
The Security team played a pivotal role in safely moving over 5,000 Armed Forces personnel for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, the largest military movement by rail since Winston Churchill’s funeral in 1965. This achievement ensured customers experienced smooth journeys during the memorable weekend celebrations, earning praise for the company’s hard work and the dedication of its colleagues.
As an industry leader, the SWR Security Team collaborates closely with other SWR departments and external agencies to seamlessly coordinate security efforts. They provide guidance, training, and support to ensure security practices are integrated across all levels of the business, ensuring th
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Stephen, Wiskin
Company Name
FES FM Ltd
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The rail industry is highly regulated and takes safety extremely seriously and continues to refine its safety standards year on year. Fundamental to that safety record are the people that seek continuously to raise awareness and develop a safety culture within teams. Steve Wiskin has been in the Rail Industry all his working life and is currently the Risk Manager for FES FM Ltd delivering the highest standards to the Elizabeth Line through our contract with MTREL. Steve has developed his skills and qualifications sets over the last 30+ years and relating those skills to the outstanding service he delivers, both personally and professionally, to the collaborative collective of the team, deserves special recognition. Steve has set out 5 year plans to deliver our safety regime and culture and delivers year on year. Using close calls as catalyst for the safety awareness culture and setting aspirational targets (and achieving them), Steve has been instrumental in setting up and delivering the training programs for the team including Behavioural Safety, NEBOSH and Subsurface Fire Awareness.
Our safety record is an enviable one Steve holds dear to his heart and we are so proud of.
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The North & East Route HSEAs, .
Company Name
Network Rail
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
The North & East Route HSEAs have been providing of workforce safety advice to Our Route’s workforce and Managers teams. Barry Smith, Ron Dudley, Gary Chambers, Lee Gardiner, Lily Robson.
They have been instrumental and leading the way on lots of workforce health and safety initiatives, undertaking lots of research for further development in our continuous drive so that everyone goes home safely. The development of the Route’s staff health & wellbeing events & suppliers events have been noted across the Region and further afield in our business for these events that our staff and managers really buy into. The work that the HSEAs put into these events are paramount in keeping our staff, customers, passengers & public safe. The topics that have been covered in the past year include mini medical checks, sleep and fatigue workshops, nutrition information, stress & mental health awareness. Team leader development days, behavioural workshops all helping our staff to stay focused, committed, healthy and empowering them to fetch up ideas on new working methods for their working environment. Other safety metrics that are now going in the right direction is the introduction of battery powered tools and equipment which are improving our staff occupational health risks by • Reducing the vibration in our tools to control people’s exposure to hand-arm vibration syndrome by repeated use of hand-held power tools. • Minimised the sound emitted by tools and therefore reducing the long-term affects they have on people’s hearing. • Helping to design new tools that are lighter, easier to manoeuvre, making manual handling safer and less likely to lead to musculoskeletal injuries. The railway maintenance and operations work that our front line teams do on a daily basis some risks are unavoidable, but by thinking creatively and changing the way our front-line teams work, the HSEAs have helped mitigate these risks and reduce the possibility of incidents or accidents occurring. The HSEAs have worked closely with front line staff to trial new equipment, listening and learning to see what works best for them and implementing the changes they want to see. They have collaborated with Maintenance Engineers, Route Asset Engineers and Local Operation Managers to reduce or eliminate the occupational health risks that exist in maintenance and operational work. The environment benefits of moving away from diesel/petrol driven tools & equipment is making costs savings for our Route by the non-purchasing of fuel and tool & equipment servicing costs. The HSEAs have really bought into the North & East Route’s health & safety vision and will keep striving for continuous development and implementation of the Route’s Health and Safety strategy for workforce safety, which includes training for our staff through IOSH courses, delivering lessons learnt in safety bulletins and safety conversation documents to promote discussion with our teams to prevent accidents and incidents reoccurring, working with Maintenance and Operations staff/teams including them in new and existing projects e.g. HAVs exposure monitoring, Working at Height, Working in Confined Spaces, Driving and Fatigue risks, improving these working
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STATION STAFF PERSON OR TEAM AWARD
We are looking for someone who is hard working, respected, and well liked; who helps both colleagues and customers have a better experience at their station...
Example job titles in this category:
Ticket office / Booking staff, Retail, Transport Police, Cleaners, Customer Service, Travel Centre Staff, Station Supervisor, Station Sales Assistant, Station Customer Service, Team Leader, Service Delivery Assistant, Sales Point Assistant, Station Manager, Revenue and Security...
You can see all the past winners here.
Sponsored by:
Aethan, Blake
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Aethan has been with Greater Anglia for just over 12 months. He started his railway career on the Gateline and has now secured a position in Cambridge Ticket Office, one of the busiest Ticket Offices on the Greater Anglia network. Aethan has proved himself to be a quick learner and his knowledge of train routes and local bus routes means he is a major asset to the team. His customer service skills are excellent and he is a popular member of the team. He always turns up for work with a smile on his face and his a pleasure to have on shift. Aethan is very keen to get involved in events organised by Greater Anglia and to assist his colleagues when the need arises. He attended the Norwich Pride event which was sponsored by Greater Anglia for the first time this year, an event he really enjoyed and was very enthusiastic about. Aethan then also volunteered to assist a colleague at a single manned station who felt unwell and needed to go home mid-shift. He attended the station to ensure it was securely locked up and accompanied the staff member to her home station to ensure she was okay. Aethan volunteered to do this without hesitation, he has a heart of gold. More recently Aethan has had the misfortune of working a few shifts where we have had major disruption and been short staffed over the holiday period. These were extremely stressful situations which Aethan dealt with very well. Aethan deserves the recognition of being nominated for this award as he has made an excellent start to what will hopefully be a long career with the railway. Well done Aethan!
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Alex, Lucas
Company Name
GreaterAnglia
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Alex has his customers at heart, he is always willing to help where needed at work and in the community. He enjoys celebrating different holidays and events throughout the year, with christmas being his favourite. Alex takes pride in his job, greeting everyone with a smile,a hello and chat. Alex is always professional when it comes to work and his work place, making sure customers feel at ease when buying tickets and helping visitors the this country get themselves around london and other places in the uk. He loves his job, which he has been doing for 16 years.
Alex has helped a runaway reunite with foster carers, the lad was 12yrs old and had runaway with another lad who was caught at liverpool st, he got off at Elsenham, Alex was notified by a passenger that the lad was lost, he spoke to the lad and his carer on the phone who asked Alex if he could look after him as he may try and run again. Alex took him under his wing and got him something to eat and drink and the lad fell asleep while waiting for carer to arrive, which was about 4hours later, very kind soul. Alex always shows customer service and is always smart in appearance. Alex has been nominated, in the past for rail staff awards, but never won, so lets hope he gets through and can get the win he deserves.
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Amulet/West Midlands Trains, Milton Keynes Central
Company Name
Amulet
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Please tell us why you have nominated this individual
Iddi, Muhammad and Philip are a part of the Amulet night security team at Milton Keynes Central for West Midlands trains. Over the last year between them they have dealt with four suicide interventions, countless anti social behavior, supported on large scale footfall when events are on in the city and two specific incidents of criminal damage to the station.
Security patrols are a paramount part of their role, not only being a visible presence but being vigilant at all times has meant they recognised the people in distress and intervened helping save their lives and getting them the help they need. Muhammad's reporting in particular has been outstanding with excellent feedback from our customer West Midlands Trains
The team are well liked by the rest of the station staff and always put safety and security of passengers and staff first.
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Angela, Oxley
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Angela is like a real-life superwoman. She always comes to Elys aid when there is a staff shortage that being in the ticket office or as customer service as she does not like to see her colleagues lone working, and loves to help out wherever she can. If she can help she always volunteers herself even if she is going on holiday the very next day, or even that night she has been known to do an 8-hour shift and then jump on a train for her holiday! Angela is a very experienced member of the team and will be seen chatting away to her regular passengers or trying to turn a negative situation into a more positive one. She is well know at March station by her passengers and is often being bought chocolates for all the help she gives to the passengers there, she does not hesitate to call Ely or Peterborough to find out more information when things are going wrong to keep her passengers in the loop as at March information can sometimes be very limited. I have even seen Angela out the front of March station organising bus replacement vehicles as again there are no organisers at March and passengers are picked up from down the road of the station. This year in particular Angela grew a massive amount of strawberries and made sure her fellow GA colleagues did not go without them, we all received our own tubs of homegrown strawberries to have! She is very kind and considerate and always puts others before herself, she is the ultimate superwoman!
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Angela, White
Company Name
greateranglia
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Angela is a super star. I no longer work with her as i now work with another Toc. But the 5 years i was with Greater Anglia she was always there to help everyone, even those that were not in her work area. Before she became the ticket office supervisor at Cambridge she was the area ticket office relief for another area. This would not stop her from stepping out of her area to come and help where she was needed. She was just to willing to help where she could. I then had the privilege to work under her at Cambridge ticket office. What a huge Welcome she was to the team!!! There was nothing she would not do to help us all out, she would gladly sit there and listen to all that needed an ear to bend. She is the like office mother, making sure all her flock are all well and got everything that they need. She goes out of her way to make sure all the staff in Cambridge ticket office and the rest of the station know that if they need her all they need to do is ask.
Angela is a great asset to Greater Anglia and the team she fronts. From the cleaners to the managers she is there for them all!! EVERY TOC SHOULD HAVE AND ANGELA!!!! I know i surely do miss working directly with her but lucky enough for me i still work in the same station but with a different Toc, but she still greats me with a smile and the utmost respect. If she is on i always make a point of going to see her.
I also had the privilege of being her team leader in the incident care team and she put her heart and sole into this demanding role, it just goes to shoe how much of a caring person she really is to volunteer to be part of the incident care team.
She is the most sweetest, loving, kind and respectful person i have ever had the honour to work with! Her heart is made of pure gold.
I truly believe she disserves this accolade to show her how much she is loved by us all. Its the little things that count and making sure all the team has drinks while working and baking us lots of yummy sausage rolls and buying us birthday cakes makes all the difference.
If i could of taken Angela with me to my new job i sure would have.
When i was struggling with some health issues with my head she was always making sure i was ok and if i needed to step away from the window she would not hesitate to cover for me to make sure the team and i got the help we all needed.
Ange you are sunshine in human form and a wonderful person to work with and a pleasure to call one of my closest friends and I thank you!!
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Birmingham Snow Hill Announcers, .
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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The announcers at Birmingham Snow Hill have been working extremely hard for the past 12 months, faced with unprecedented levels of short staffing and changes associated with reorganization within the station. The announcer’s link was the only one not subjected to major change or short staffing. The team worked extremely hard not only covering their own roles but supporting the station, supervisors and their line managers. The announcers are covering plethora of station roles and tasks such as train dispatch, lost property, station cleaning, security checks, poster audits, passenger assists, covering Operations Supervisor role, training new starters, liaising with project managers about best use of the station screens and information within them, providing support and guidance for new management team at the station. They all do it with a smile on their faces when faced with adversity. I believe they should be recognized for their hard work and efforts as they are demonstrating all values of hard working, dedicated, motivated and willing team.
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Birmingham Snow Hill Station Team, Birmingham Snow Hill Station Team
Company Name
West Midlands Trains
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Birmingham Snow Hill is one of the 3 main railway stations in Birmingham serving in excess of 5 million passengers annually. All of the station team functions work collaboratively together to provide the best possible experience for our passengers. Over last 12 months there have been huge changes within the station with new leadership team, recruitment of new Revenue Officers, Dispatchers and Booking Office staff. It was great to see how experienced staff be it Revenue Officers, Dispatcher ,Retail staff and remaining Operations Supervisors took new starters under their wings and shared their experiences and knowledge with new staff allowing them to excel in their roles making it one great environment. Over last 12 months we saw number of staff progress into various roles within the company such as becoming Customer Experience Managers, Senior Conductors, Customer Relation Advisors and one went to become a Signaler. All of the functions worked extremely hard in times of disruptions and working well with new management team to create a good working relationship. I believe that the whole station team should be rewarded for their hard work and continuous support to their managers and providing exceptional customer service.
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Blackpool Gateline Operators, .
Company Name
Northern Trains
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Blackpool a holiday destination resort has a gigantic volume of customers entering this station throughout the summer period. This team prepares like no other like clockwork each has a meticulous role they know will bring out the best skills in everyone they are super supportive of each other and deliver high-performance. There are many challenging times ahead for this team, especially with so many summer events held at Blackpool attracting thousands upon thousands to travel through the station. The summer period at Blackpool North is like no other station it is the most joyous, chaotic, challenging, energetic, exhilarating, and fun experience all in one. A small gateline team - I just don’t know how they do it day in and day out. During the summer season on weekdays the team face the daily massive influx of customers which they thrive on they adapt their forward-thinking skills to the different spectrum of enormous weekend revellers. Always, prepared to deal with all types of situations and do this with great positivity and mental strength. The challenges faced can vary from anti-social issues to attempted suicides - the way they quickly dealt with a young woman who was on platform edge who was visibly distressed was brilliantly carried out. They quickly saw the early signs and took their time, listened, and talked to this young woman for a lengthy time, and managed to talk this young woman to go back to the concourse area where help was being arranged. They reassured this young woman that everything was no trouble and waited together for help to arrive. Also, at the same time a customer had fallen down the platform edge onto track side where they assisted the customer from the track onto platform. They arranged medical assistance and looked after the customer until ambulance arrived. The gateline also deal with many vulnerable minors to customers who have fled domestic violence to medical emergencies. The list is endless. Customer situational awareness and the sincerity shown from this team is not just good it is impressive they have that ability to make a real impact. One situation that stands out was when a customer sadly collapsed on platform 3. The proactive thinking and quick positive reactions from this team to support and aid the customer made all of us proud. There was no leader everyone worked together. One called the ambulance, one administered CPR, another took the initiative to get the defibrillator ready for use. This was administered while communicating with the emergency services on the phone and one gathered the privacy screens. The team comforted and offered the customer's partner support and did not leave their side during this difficult time. They all dealt with this challenging and difficult situation. The Blackpool Gateline team inspire so many of us - they carry on regardless and can smile even when things are not going well and somehow always find away together to resolve and makes things better. Blackpool Gateline you are heroes you deserve this recognition!
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Carlisle Supports Services Supervisors for Arriva Rail London, (ARL)
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Ahmed Nunow, Mourad Abada, Babatunde Kehinde, Michelle Cummings, Charlotte McClean, Chenelle Phillips, Alfred Opoku are all part of The Supervising Team at Arriva Rail London. Together, this team have saved 13 lives and has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in ensuring the smooth operation of our client ARL's services.
This team go above and beyond in supporting and empowering our staff, providing regular welfare checks and ensuring that all team members are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to deliver a world-class service to our customers. Their proactive approach to problem-solving, and their commitment to fostering a positive and collaborative work environment has significantly contributed to the success of our operations. We are proud to nominate our Supervising Team for their outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication
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Catford Loop station team, .
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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Catford Loop consists of seven stations: Denmark Hill, Nunhead, Crofton park, Catford, Bellingham, Beckenham Hill and Ravensbourne run by Thameslink. I have managed the team of twenty six staff for four years and when I thought about who is deserving or which station is best I decided each have something unique to offer and collectively we are a team and proud to be so. Based in Southeast London the stations bridge the connection between Kent and central London. Often called the Cinderella line ( you could not travel after midnight at one time!) they face many challenges with a diverse and high passenger footfall and a lot of anti social behaviour.
Denmark Hill is next to Kings college hospital and the Maudsley Hospital so complete a high number of passenger assists daily for not only Thameslink but Southeastern Trains and Overground services. Denmark Hill came second in the World cup of stations and have a brilliant award winning community partner The Camberwell Society. The station has bug houses, a vineyard and an art trail. The station is run by 4 platform staff ( Mike, Martins, Ian and Rebecca) , 3 ticket office clerks( Mark, Leonie, Cristina) and 5 gate line staff (Wes, Dante, Kemar, Usman and Amrik) assisted by 7 agency staff and 2 cleaners.
Nunhead is run efficiently by four female ticket staff, Zoe, Bola, Molly and Jorgina and often have zero fails for SQR audits. This station also serves Southeastern trains.
Crofton park is run by Giles and has a fabulous community garden attached. It is the heart of the community and loved by families.
Catford would not win the most beautiful station but is in a busy location run by Paul and John. Recently had new lifts installed.
Bellingham has had some recent improvements but is a challenge for anti social behaviour. Jane and Dan are both experienced staff and cope brilliantly.
Beckenham Hill is also the base for our mobile assist team consisting of Andy, Herbert and Tarik. Claire has won an award for her excellent customer service within GTR and maintains the station environment superbly.
Ravensbourne is the prettiest station on the loop and managed by Joseph. He keeps the team updated with upcoming engineering works and a keen photographer he shares his wonderful pictures especially the steam trains which we all love.
Christal, Xavier and Cristina cover all station absences and are vital to the team.
The Catford Loop stations are often overshadowed by the larger London stations but we are a team deserving of recognition for the community's we serve and the way staff go above and beyond everyday to ensure our passengers are safe, happy and get to where they need to be efficiently. The staff work hard in a challenging environment, often lone working but manage to maintain safe, pleasant stations for our customers. I am proud of my team hence this nomination.
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Chris, Whetren
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Revenue Manager at Waterloo Station
I am nominating Chris Whetren for the Rail Staff Awards due to his exceptional dedication and selflessness in bringing joy to the community, especially to school children, during the festive season.
For the past four years, Chris has volunteered his time every December to play Father Christmas for over 200 school children.
Chris decorates the ticket office waiting room in a grotto style and reads a Christmas story to the children. He ensures each child receives a gift and engages with them by answering their questions, often bringing laughter and joy. Chris returns in the evening, donning his Santa suit once again, to continue spreading cheer. He interacts with children and parents outside the station, making sure everyone feels the festive spirit. Chris’s dedication has made a significant impact on the community.
Many children in the community do not get to experience Christmas at home. Chris’s efforts ensure they have a memorable and joyful experience. His selflessness and commitment have made him a beloved figure in the community, bringing people together and creating a highlight of the year for many families.
Chris is a selfless individual who goes above and beyond his duties as a revenue manager to bring happiness to others. His actions embody the spirit of community service and make him a deserving candidate for the Rail Staff Awards. I strongly support his nomination and believe he is truly the star of the year at Hedge End train station.
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Danny, Impey
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Danny has worked tirelessly over the past few years - working hard during the royal coronation and the Royal weddings while battling many personal issues, Danny has always put his best foot forward supporting his colleagues and working hard, Danny is the kind of guy that we all aspire to be when knocked down Danny gets back up learning and developing new strategies to continue to be the best at what he does.
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Darren, Mccourt
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Darren has been nothing short of outstanding since joining the company. With a ‘can do’ attitude, he has a personal drive and enthusiasm at work and effectively liaises with station staff regardless of whether they are Avanti or Carlisle staff. Darren has an infectious smile and always has time for fellow staff to lend a shoulder if required, he will always be prepared to go the extra mile when given a task. Darren is an ambassador for CSS whilst working on site, ensuring that the work gets done promptly and carefully with the minimum of fuss. Thank you Darren for the great work that you do every day.
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David, Graham
Company Name
Transport for Wales
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I have nominated Dave for this award as he always goes above and beyond during his working day on the railway. Nothing is too much trouble for Dave. He is always in high spirits and is very caring toward passengers and staff. Dave has been on the railway for over 14 years.
I had the pleasure of working with him for 4+ years and he absolutely deserves the recognition for all his hard work.
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David, O'Donnell
Company Name
Network Rail
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After 20 years in the railway (with 17 of these being part of many maintenance and off-track teams) Davie has found meaning and a new lease of life these past three years customer facing as a Customer Service Assistant specialising in mobility assistance in Scotland's largest and possibly most difficult to navigate station!
Davie is a beacon for essential contact to all our visitors at Edinburgh and his work gains frequent praise from across the globe carrying out around 200 assistances in the month of Edinburgh Festival alone.
With his distinctive look and engaging personality Davie exemplifies personality and engagement with our passengers, tourists and customers alike.
Davie has recently been through some tough times with the loss of a close family member (never letting his own standards slip) is always available for a chat with his colleagues at the station or as part of his fierce advocacy for ANDYSMAN CLUB where he is a local lynchpin and promoter of the group.
Davie truly is an essential part of Network rail and the wider station community. A true asset to the industry.
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Debra, Upcraft
Company Name
gtr
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We have received some amazing feedback from a customer who has been using Cheam station for the last 13+ years, and what a positive impact she has had on him, below is a snippet from the customer
"I moved to Cheam and began commuting from there in February 2011.
Debbie in the ticket office and now with a broader station-wide remit has looked out for me ever since.
She is professional, knowledgeable, helpful and hard working. Debbie has encyclopaedic insight.
Beyond those fantastic skills, Debbie has enormous heart and takes care of the travellers. Her kindness and joy shines like a beacon of light. A real life Saint Christopher.
I appreciate Debbie enormously and cannot commend her enough to you.
I hope that you celebrate Debbie. She doesn’t do anything for accolades and whilst that should speak volumes it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t stand her on the shoulders of the organisation for once and cheer her on. What she brings is priceless. "
On top of this i have witnessed her with the young children from the nearby nursery who come every now and again to watch and wave at the trains, taking time to say hello and interact with them
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Eddie, Watson
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Eddie Watson was on duty at Cambridge when he was asked to attend Ely to help support customers and station colleagues following the very sad passing a driver on 6 June. Eddie had been with GA for less than a year, but volunteered to help at a station he had never worked at, helped his colleagues and customers out throughout the incident and remained very calm and professional in the most tragic of circumstances. His assistance was described as being ‘in a different class’ to the Customer Service management team.
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Euston Ticket office CSA's, Great Euston front line staff
Company Name
Avanti West Coast
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Euston ticket office team has been through a lot. Day to day we are dealing with bookings all over the country, always approaching customers with exceptional customer service skills and knowledge. We not only selling ticket, we are dealing with many l8fe changing situations. Yesterday we received message about elderly customer whom lost her shoes getting on the train and staff was enable to retrieve it. One of our colleagues got on the underground and went to get pair of shoes for customer, as she needed to travel through London.
On another occasion we spent few hours trying to locate passenger lost luggage which had her passport, and she was due yo fly home next morning, of course we found it and reunited passenger with her belongings.
We had many situations where we took care of vulnerable passengers, lost children, we even had few situations where we helped victims of domestic violence.
We are extremely short of staff, but yet we all work as a fantastic team of individuals, we are here for our customers and always priorities they safety and satisfaction.
Lately our company has been in " little bit of trouble" , we are trying our best as we can, to keep our customers happy. Our team need a bit of appreciation and assurance that what they are doing doesn't go unnoticed.
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Francesca, Manley
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd
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I would like to nominate Francesca for her empathy and kindness when dealing with vulnerable customers and providing first aid. Fran works at Luton Airport Parkway which sees large numbers of people travelling with luggage who are not familiar with the station and also people from the local and surrounding area as it is an accessible station. One example of Fran's empathy and caring nature occurred earlier this year an elderly lady fell on the escalators late one evening sustaining a cut to her head requiring hospital treatment. The ambulance arrival had a long wait and Fran arranged for a taxi and escorted the lady to hospital even though it was near to the end of her shift as she did not want the lady to go alone. Fran has also assisted with concern for welfare and those with intent with a calm and level headed manner.
Fran has deals with everything that comes her direction with a calm, caring and no nonsense manner.
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George, Vasilache
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I would like to nominate George Vasilache, Station Assistant @ Luton Station.
He consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and willingness to assist wherever needed. George is always willing to step in and help his colleagues, and his dedication to customer service is truly commendable.
As a front line ambassador, his professionalism and reliability makes him a valuable member of the team.
I wanted to take this moment to praise you for your exceptional work as a station assistant at Luton Station. Your dedication and professionalism are truly commendable, and I am constantly impressed by your willingness to go above and beyond to assist customers.
You are a real team player and always putting the needs of others first and ensuring that every customer has a positive experience at the station. Your positive attitude and attention to detail do not go unnoticed, and I want to thank you for all that you do.
Keep up the good work George!
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Great Northern Revenue Protection team, .
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway Limited
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The Great Northern On Board team cover and check tickets on trains between Kings Lynn and Peterborough down to Kings Cross and St Pancras and are always proactive in their work, ensuring that as much of GTR's revenue is protected as possible.
They are always visible, helpful and very customer focused, as their role ensures passengers have the right ticket for every journey, as a recent Department of Transport audit has demonstrated, where revenue at risk fell by over 32%. As well as enforcement through penalty fare notices and mg11 statements they also check that as many passengers as possible have the right ticket before boarding.
With 5 excellent team leaders and working closely with station colleagues, operations colleagues and other stakeholders they are often the first team to be called upon to help during disruption, dealing with thousands of passengers and their work ensures that the passengers are kept informed about delays and the service can return to normality as quickly as possible.
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Hull Station TPE Security, CSS
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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During the recent riots that crossed the nation, our team at Hull Station, specifically officers Daniel Clarke and Lee Sherlock dealt with challenging behaviours from rioters.
On Saturday 3rd August 2024, riots moved closer to the station which alerted the team to operate access control to the station to ensure that they were able to keep regular customers safe during the incident.
During, Lee and Dan went above and beyond in order to keep passengers safe alongside keeping the station secure and protecting property that they could. Throughout they needed little instruction, completing whatever duties asked of them and often completing what was needed without being asked.
During unprecedented circumstances, they worked well and handled the situation without issues which took the pressure of the BTP.
On a regular, Hull is one of our busiest station and the team deal with incidents daily, good news stories such as the finding of missing persons, medicals, assisting the BTP, de-escalating situations, safeguard
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Isaac, Enyan
Company Name
C2C rail
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Isaac ia a very brilliant officer and caring person who always goes beyond and above to help custom and exceeds their requirements.
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Jade, Wilkinson
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Jade is the most supportive, encouraging and proactive person to have in our team. Jade really care about Ely Station, she is regularly volunteers with the station adopters to make our customer experience a better one, from sunflower growing competitions to maintaining the hanging baskets and flower beds around the station. The positive impact the flowers and plant have on Ely makes a huge difference for all our customer that use the station.
Jade's action don't just stop with plants, Jade has also recently organised a guide guide visit, promoting women in rail and asking a driver to give the girls a little presentation. The visit was a huge success with a lot of the organising done in Jade own time and goody bags for the girls to take away with them.
Nothing phases Jade, she always gets stuck in, supporting her colleagues in times of disruption, staying on hours after her shift ends to make sure no one has to lone work and ensuring our customers are getting the best experience.
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James Waring and Abdi Sharey, Blackburn
Company Name
Northern & Carlisle Security Services
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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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Jason, Griffith
Company Name
Northern
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I would like to nominate Jason for his commitment and passion for supporting his team members. Jason is a dispatcher and is always going the extra mile to support his team and will often go and support on his team on the gateline in between trains. An example of this is when Jason unfortunately discovered a body on the track at Liverpool Lime Street. He reported this immediately to BTP and followed the correct procedure. Jason was very upset witnessing this however when the manager carried out his chain of care Jason declined the offer to go home early from his shift as he wanted to support his teammates as he knew that they would also be distressed by this as well as not wanting to leave them a person down when there would be guaranteed disruption, showing his care and compassion for his colleagues.
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Jayson, Gill
Company Name
LNER
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We proudly nominate Jayson Mark Gill for the prestigious Station Person of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding advocacy for station staff and exceptional leadership qualities. Jayson’s commitment to the well-being and success of his colleagues sets him apart as an exemplary team leader deserving of this honour.
Advocacy for Station Staff:
Jayson has demonstrated unwavering dedication to advocating for the needs and rights of station staff. He consistently listens to his colleagues, addresses their concerns, and actively works towards solutions that benefit everyone. Through his leadership, Jayson has fostered a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and respected.
Pride in Appearance:
Jayson exemplifies professionalism by taking great pride in his appearance. His attention to detail and presentation not only reflects personal integrity but also inspires others to uphold high standards within the station team. By leading by example, Jayson instills a sense of professionalism that positively impacts the entire staff.
Caring for Passenger Safety:
Jayson’s dedication to passenger safety is unparalleled. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that safety protocols are followed diligently. Whether it’s coordinating emergency procedures or implementing safety initiatives, Jayson’s proactive approach significantly enhances the overall safety and experience for station visitors.
Improving Union Experience:
Recognising the importance of collective representation, Jayson has actively worked to enhance the union experience for his colleagues. He advocates for fair working conditions, improved benefits, and better communication channels. Jayson’s efforts have strengthened unity within the team, empowering each member to voice their concerns and contribute to positive change.
Exceptional Team Leader:
Jayson Mark Gill embodies the qualities of an exceptional team leader. His leadership style is characterised by empathy, integrity, and a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment. Under his guidance, the station staff has flourished, achieving greater cohesion, productivity, and job satisfaction.
In summary, Jayson Mark Gill’s outstanding advocacy for station staff, pride in appearance, commitment to passenger safety, and efforts to improve the union experience make him a deserving candidate for the Station Person of the Year award. His leadership has made a lasting impact on the station community, reflecting his unwavering dedication to excellence and service. We wholeheartedly endorse Jayson Mark Gill for this esteemed recognition.
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Joe, Cunningham
Company Name
Southeastern Railway
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Joe is a station supervisor at Margate railway station who leads a team of 4 staff at a time. During the summer Margate has thousands of passengers pass through the station going to the beach. When Joe was working a set of nights during July. Joe dealt with 6 suicidal people in one week. Joe provided the suicidal people with help and support and allows staff to be confident when Joe is about. Joe is also a great leader and supports the team anyway he can. Joe gives 110% each time he puts his Hi Viz on. Joe is also helping Margate station by helping with local Community projects. Such as helping having a Hornby Layout in the booking hall for kids to enjoy
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John, Webster
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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John is an outstanding supervisor who leads from the front, and who will always provide solutions to a situation. John fits in well with the team and is a great personality to have around the Avanti West Coast and Carlisle team on site. When observing him on site reacting with the customers his mannerisms are always professional but light-hearted, providing a smile to commuters and enhancing their experience during their journey. John is always on time, working until the job is finished, he will always happily cover at short notice and is an outstanding character and a pleasure to know.
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Leeds Station Dispatch Team, (CSS)
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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Recently Alexander Mclean stepped up to Team Leader this year, and from October he will have been on the contract for 17 years, which is a massive achievement in itself. At Leeds Station when awarding staff for recommendations individually they are all extremely humble and always insist it is a team effort.
Morale is always on a high when visiting Leeds, where the staff go above and beyond for customers consistently but more importantly for each other which extends into their own feedback. We often find that the team are extremely humble when receiving feedback, insisting that it is a result of the group operation and not a singular individual.
Our team leaders Alex and Marie work on a 4 on 4 off shift but using strong collaboration always find a way to cover the operation, whether it be by completing extra shifts or working with the team to ensure all trains have an adequate amount of dispatchers.
Within their roles as dispatch, the team regularly deal with disrupted service and communicates this effectively with staff and commuters, delivering excellent customer service. Due to the flexible nature of the shift patterns, the team are all successfully able to cover team leader duties to ensure work is completed, which may require them to make decisions under pressure which they have all risen to the challenge of.
The operation at Leeds is run effectively and efficiently and the environment the team have cultivated at Leeds is something that they should all be proud of for contributing to.
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Leslie, Fant
Company Name
South Eastern railway
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I have always found Les to be fair and supportive gateline team leader at london bridge station. I feel les is dedicated to his role as a team leader.
He is always happy to help, and to do the best he can. Les takes pride in his team, and colleagues. He has a kind and understanding demeanor. Which I feel is a great quality to have as a team leader. He will often greet staff members in a friendly approach. He is always interested in how you are keeping, how job role is going. I have witnesses Les working till late at night. And checking that the gateline staff have finished the shift pattern without any issues. And checking that all gatelines are open correctly. I feel has a staff member, employee. I could confided in Les knowing he would keep any information confidential. This is extremely important to know as an employee, knowing all staff can speak to Les regarding any work related issues, with confidence. I think Les deserves to be recognised by South Eastern railway for all the hard work and hours Les as dedicated to his role of gateline team leader position. I know he would be very appreciative to be choosen for a reward. And surprised too. It is always nice to do something good, especially when you know the person deserves to acknowledge for all the good they do in helping the company to keep the driving force going. And assisting his colleagues with team work in mind. I hope you will consider Leslie Fant for an up coming award. I know this would make him happy. And this would make smile with contentment seeing Les receive an award. How wonderful this is.
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London Blackfriars, .
Company Name
GTR
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I have managed the Thameslink team at Blackfriars for 4 years. Within that time i have not seen a more professional, dedicated and supportive team. A total of 46 staff ranging from gate line, platform and ticket office. All of this supported by a strong team of 6 Supervisors. Blackfriars has a mixture of commuters, London tourists and through travellers as we serve both Gatwick and Luton airports. Sadly when disruption hits and the Thameslink core can not function, staff have a short time frame to manage passengers and re-direct, then prepare platforms and bays for amended services that turn with us back South. This again is all done with teamwork and professionalism. Along with all of this, Blackfriars is the TL South Hub where they support stations along Catford and Sutton Loops. They manage our 'buddy system' to ensure all lone workers are safe and accounted for on EVERY shift throughout the year. We also have mentors who manage the safety critical training of agency staff who support the whole Thameslink and Great Northern route. I continuously witness staff always putting our customers first and enjoy sharing customer praise with the team on a weekly basis. My team have a vast amount of experience as i have staff that have been here 6 months, working alongside staff who will be celebrating their 45th year next year! As a thankyou from me to my team i would be really proud for them to be acknowledged with Station Team of the year award.
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Michael, Pace
Company Name
GTR
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When considering an individual for a RailStaff award it should be reflected against the impact and support the person has and continues to have on others. Michael without any consideration delivers everything that he does to an unbelievable standard and not only provides support to his line managers but also to those he works with on the front line.
Michael’s role is supposed to be light touch maintenance, cleaning, deliveries but it is not only what he delivers for the Metro Area. He goes above and beyond his core duties without argument or complaint but with pleasure and purpose. A smile on his face and the ability to make a good cup of tea!
We had a need for a coach/mentor, to support the introduction of the new accessibility app. Michael accepted the challenge with enthusiasm taking up the training and achieving the qualifications. This was the start of a new Michael, he maintained the same high level of standards in his own role but he now balances his work load with coaching and supporting Management and his colleagues.
The Metro team is quite diverse from those that are in engaged in technology to those that find all IT a challenge. Michael has become a support to all those needing help as he delivers and engages with colleagues promoting, guiding and delivering instruction through coaching key subjects that are not only desirable for the business but key to the Franchise commitments.
Since April 2023 to April 2024 to over 100 colleagues Michael has delivered three core briefings ensuring understanding, meeting compliance and most importantly giving our team with confidence and the ability support other.
.Passenger assistance app to front line colleagues.
.Accessibility Refresher training.
.Respect training supporting inclusion and awareness.
He doesn’t stop.
We are all aware that running a Railway comes with many challenges. Victorian Stations and new train stock that don’t quite sit step free alongside each other. This means we deploy ramps to aid those needing help to and from our services. And to add to the challenges we have more than one operator and several different fleet types all with different methods of deployment. Michael guides all our team through the deployment and tests their gained knowledge. Michael trains the new starters and checks the knowledge and skills of long-standing team members. He is currently refreshing on a new cycle ramp deployment.
Michael’s role has little direct customer face to face interaction but without his skills knowledge and way with those he is imparting understanding too, our customers would not receive the support from confident able and empowered colleagues.
Michael is a true Railway Person and colleague.
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Mick, Upfield
Company Name
Chiltern railways
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All the passengers love Mick from Bicester North , He is so good with the children and always makes everyone happy , The staff love him to
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Mohammad, Alam
Company Name
C2C
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Mohammad always very helpful and caring person. Customers & staffs safety is his most priority. For instance, on 1st July early morning he came to travel from LHS STN. and realised Stn was closed but Trains were running. No Stn. staffs were turned up to open the Stn. Even he wasn't working this Stn and not yet start his shift.
But due to customers safety and security he has gone extra mile, contacted C2C control and opened the stn for everyone's safety access.
This is how is Mohammad.
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Mohammad, Chaudhary
Company Name
Transport for London
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Since joining Green Park Station as a Customer Service Manager at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mohammad (Mo) has established himself as a competent and approachable leader who encourages staff to be their best while sharing the benefit of his previous experience in managing similar stations to coach staff who may be less confident. Mo has always been willing to take on a new challenge and has led from the front on the station's response to events that had attracted the scrutiny of the world including those in response to the passing and coronation of monarchs, large-scale demonstrations and winter-time leisure activities, ensuring that the team tasked with operating the station during these times are both equipped and supported to maintain a safe and effective operation. In such situations Mo is the perfect all-rounder, combining his passion for and knowledge of operational procedures/crowd management with his natural prowess as a people leader to help others succeed and the business deliver for our customers and stakeholders. As if Mo's general attitude towards work wasn't enough, a relatively recent intervention from Mo demonstrated his selfless attitude to service and ultimately led to the saving of a customer's life after they had suffered a cardiac incident while in the station - Mo reacted promptly to this and despite the prevailing risk from Covid-19 that was present at the time performed CPR until the arrival of the ambulance service with the effect of preserving life.
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Pawani, Mudalige
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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I would like to put forward my nomination for Pawani Mudalige. She joined the ticket office team at Stansted Airport over a year ago and has consistently demonstrated her ambition and dedication to her role within the Greater Anglia train company. Pawani excels in customer service, often going above and beyond to embody our company values.
She readily takes on additional projects, collaborating closely with other departments, which not only enhances her skills but also enriches her experience. A testament to her commitment and performance, Pawani achieved a remarkable 100% score on the Mystery Shop evaluation, significantly contributing to the company's overall success.
Pawani is a reliable team player who is always ready to support her colleagues when needed. She frequently volunteers to extend her hours during disruptions to assist her teammates. Additionally, during my own period of illness, she demonstrated exceptional care and concern by keeping in touch and ensuring that I had everything I needed. Her willingness to engage in lengthy conversations provided me with invaluable emotional support, helping me feel connected and not forgotten.
I have no doubt that she would extend the same level of care to anyone else facing similar challenges. Pawani possesses a strong character; she is clear about her goals and works diligently to achieve them.
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STM Station Deep Cleaning Team, .
Company Name
STM Group Ltd
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STM Group's Deep Cleaning Team has redefined station maintenance standards through its comprehensive projects with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), South Western Railway (SWR), and Chiltern Railways. Their remarkable work ethic, attention to detail, and innovative approach have transformed stations into cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environments for both colleagues and passengers.
Scope and Impact of the Projects
The team's extraordinary efforts spanned 154 stations for GTR, 75 for SWR, and 34 for Chiltern Railways, totalling over 132,000 hours of cleaning for GTR, 42,000 hours for SWR, and 30,000 hours for Chiltern. This commitment underscores STM's dedication to operational excellence, as they tackled each station’s unique challenges with precision and care.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)
STM partnered with GTR to deliver deep cleaning services across major stations such as Brighton, East Croydon, and Gatwick Airport. Over 503 days, the team ensured these busy hubs remained compliant with Station Quality.
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Sandra, Vicente
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I am nominating Sandra Vicente, Area Supervisor at Luton Station as she exemplifies the qualities of a true leader and is a customer service champion at Govia Thameslink Railway.
Numerous passengers have expressed their appreciation for Sandra's approachable nature and readiness to assist, often highlighting her as a standout representative of Govia Thameslink Railway
Her commitment to excellence not only enhances the customer experience but also uplifts her entire team, making her an invaluable asset to the organisation.
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Sandwell & Dudley Team, Woodward
Company Name
West midlands Trains
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The team at Sandwell & Dudley have been extremely short staffed for a long period of time. They have constantly ensured that all shifts have been covered as best they can to ensure that they can dispatch the Avanti services which is an exclusive agreement between West Midlands Trains and Avanti west Coast. Two of the team that work there have been impacted by the re-organisation within the stations area of the Customer Experience element of the business as their role no longer exists. Even though they were clearly upset by this they have not allowed this to impact on their dedication and professionalism for the role that they perform. They have been a great help to the new Management structure and are always eager to help in any way that they can. They are a cheerful resilient bunch who always have a smile on their face and deal with all sorts of situations in their stride. Even though they have been single person dispatch on most of their shift their performance figures are amazing and have not incurred any
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Siraz, Islam
Company Name
c2c Trenitalia
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Siraz Islam is being nominated for his exceptional commitment to going above and beyond for both colleagues and customers. His consistent efforts to assist others are well-known, but a recent heartfelt email from a customer service case truly highlights his remarkable acts of kindness.
One standout instance is when Siraz personally paid for a taxi so that a customer could attend an important medical appointment, using his own money. The customer, who is partially blind and has underlying health conditions, described her experience:
“On 30/09/23, I was travelling from London Fenchurch Street to South Benfleet early in the morning for a hospital appointment. When I arrived, the station was closed due to train strikes. Upset and worried, with my phone out of charge, I was unsure what to do. Siraz Islam, a staff member at Fenchurch Street, approached me outside the station and offered assistance.
“Despite my initial frustration with c2c services, Siraz remained professional and calm. He explained the situation about the strike and informed me that there were no alternative transport options available that day. My appointment was critical and I had been waiting over six months for it. Unfortunately, I did not have enough money for a taxi.
“Recognising my distress, Siraz arranged and paid £80 for a taxi from Fenchurch Street to South Benfleet. His kindness and selflessness went well beyond my expectations. Siraz truly has a heart of gold and has made a significant difference in my life. His efforts to help others are exemplary and though I don't have his contact information, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to him. Siraz is a valuable asset to the railway and his dedication deserves to be recognised.”
Siraz’s genuine care, professionalism and unwavering support for those around him make him an outstanding candidate for this recognition. His dedication to helping others, even in challenging situations, has left a lasting positive impact on both customers and colleagues.
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Stratford Station, .
Company Name
MTR Elizabeth line
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We would like to nominate Stratford Station for Team of the Year due to their exemplary performance and dedication throughout the year in managing a multitude of events and an extensive passenger flow in a challenging infrastructure flow.
Exceptional Management of High-Profile Events: Stratford Station has successfully managed events with crowds of up to and over 60,000 people, demonstrating outstanding organisation, communication, and teamwork with all involved. Their ability to coordinate together in a ‘gold command’ structure to work with local agencies and crowd manage the platforms and subways, has been crucial in ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all customers. The team's proactive planning and execution have not only enhanced the passenger experience but also set a benchmark for other stations to follow.
Collaboration with Multiple Operators: The Stratford Station team has excelled in fostering strong partnerships with various operators, including Transport for London (TfL), Greater Anglia,
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Stuart, Rees
Company Name
Ethos Farm Limited
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Award Entry for Stuart Rees: Station Staff Person Award
Stuart Rees is the heartbeat of the Luton DART, known for his hard work, positive energy, and dedication to making every interaction a memorable experience. He is not only well-liked and respected by his colleagues but is also adored by passengers, with 80% of customer compliments directly mentioning Stuart's exceptional service (and we get around 2 per day for him alone!). He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that both colleagues and customers feel supported and valued.
As one colleague shared, "Stuart is continuously spreading positivity to everyone around him," making him a beacon of encouragement and optimism. His genuine care for passengers is evident, with many colleagues echoing sentiments like, "Stuart always goes above and beyond for passengers, making sure their experience is the best it can be."
His work ethic and passion for service are matched by his ability to uplift the entire team. One comment highlighted, "Stuart brings energy to the team with a positive attitude," a testament to his leadership through example. Whether it's helping colleagues or ensuring that passengers feel taken care of, Stuart embodies the essence of service excellence.
Stuart’s commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for everyone at the Luton DART makes him an outstanding candidate for the Station Staff Person Award.
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Susan and Janice, Johnstone
Company Name
Scotrail
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I would like to nominate Susan and Janice and the Johnstone Railway team for the incredible impact they have on their community. They are so well respected and liked by the community and have become part of the very fabric of community life in that area. Always there with a helping hand, or a sympathetic ear, they know their jobs are much more important than just the job descriptions they have to adhere to. Being employed in a face-to-face role in the community brings a responsibility of its own - and this team have cracked it!
People are well aware of how much they do for their community, so if anyone has anything to spare, they will call and ask the team if they can use it for someone they know that is down on their luck. That answer is always ‘yes’, because they know their customers personally.
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 them developing this further is the lack of storage in the locality.
Susan also started a book lending service from the station which provided a lifeline during lockdown as council buildings and library services had to close. They have continued this service as they recognise that coming to get a book means that people also get human interaction…for some, the station staff are the only people they speak to that day.
Susan and Janice have made it their job to know what goes on in the community, such as social clubs, so that they can help their customers find support or hobbies they need. I know for a fact they know who their local councillors are and who the Members of Parliament are in case their customers have issues they need help with. They have good relationships with local businesses who help them when they are fundraising for local causes. I could go on and on but only have 500 words!!
In short, I believe that this team is special. Their customers think so too, and it is my opinion that they should be recognised for all they do. Remember….all this is over and above doing their job. They do this voluntarily, out of the kindness of their hearts, and I am truly thankful to them for giving their all to our citizens.
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Susan, Temple
Company Name
ScotRail
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Consistently pleasant, welcoming and helpful to customers. She is well known locally and always has a smile ready at the counter.
Susan is passionate about helping others. Over the years she has invited station users to contribute using the waiting room as a hub.
She also does a lot of Community networking.
Susan also gives up her time to do Charity walks and the like. I don't think that she has done any sky diving yet ? but she could possibly be persuaded? Rail users are kept up to date via a noticeboard.
Several years ago she picked up a book on a train journey that had been left by a previous passenger, with a note inside that it was for a subsequent passenger to enjoy, because they had enjoyed it. This gave her the idea to bring a bookcase from home into the station waiting room and placed a few books in it. There are now 2 bookcases in the waiting room and adults and children can browse a book, take away a book free of charge or donate books. These bookcases need regular monthly restocking by a Johnstone inhabitant whom she roped in to the team. Susan tells me that there is a wee girl that sits and reads to her younger brother whilst waiting for their train.
She ably assisted by her colleague, Janice, who also provides an excellent level of service to customers.
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TCU, .
Company Name
SWR
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The Retail Team is the heart of South Western Railway System, without this dedicated team you would not have a smooth running operating team, they give great support to everyone including the TCU team who deal with everything ticket office based on a daily base. Michelle Feebery is a amazing Manager and encourages you to be the best you can be and help motivate you and bring a togetherness with in SWR.
For me personally she's been a amazing support for the Retail Team, TCU and SWR as a whole.
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Team Haslemere, .
Company Name
South Western Railway
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This team is incredible!! Every year they support a number of charity causes and go above and beyond every time. The last event was D-Day and raised £1,000 for charity. They will support any cause within their communities surrounding the station they work at. This year they have decorated their station for Valentines Day, Easter, Kings Coronation, D-Day and Mental Health Week.
The team consists of Rail Operators, Gateline Colleagues, Ticket Office colleagues, guard and managers.
The Haslemere community love the team and they are constantly praised on the local social media pages. I cannot think of another team that constantly go above and beyond for their customers like they do. The smiles and laughter they just bring on the customers faces makes it all worth while, but they have also raised thousands for different causes every year which is fantastic.
Thank you Haslemere for all what you do and good luck - you totally deserve it.
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Train Presentation London Waterloo, .
Company Name
South western railway
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The Train Presentation Team work night and day, At London Waterloo, maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness to ensure a safe, pleasant, and welcoming environment for SWR customers.
ensuring these standards are consistently achieved, conducting weekly audits which are crucial in maintaining the commitment to excellence and identifying any areas for improvement.
Subject to Service Quality Excellence (SQE) audits per period which underscore the necessity of delivering consistently clean and safe railway services, closing out and rectifying cleanliness issues as soon as possible, they make sure that the railway not only meets, but exceeds the cleanliness expectations for the customers at London Waterloo.
They present the First impression the customers get of SWR and should be recognised for the high standard of work they do Every single day.
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Tyreece, Hewitt
Company Name
Carlisle Support Services
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I can see potential from this young man. He deserves the recognition for his hard work and consistency
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Vauxhall Station, South Western Railway
Company Name
South Western Railway
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Vauxhall station sees more than 21 million customers per year with an average of more than 50,000 per day. The station has eight platforms with more than 20 trains per hour and a direct connection with Vauxhall Underground station which serves over 30 million customers per year.
The team at Vauxhall comprises 36 of our colleagues including three managers, in addition to agency colleagues and a team of paramedics. This team supervises around 460 trains to and from London Waterloo each day.
Our colleagues at Vauxhall are committed to our customers and treat each one individually, as reflected in our most recent Mystery Shopper survey, in which the team achieved a score of 87.5% - 2.5% over our target.
The team knows its regular customers well and welcomes them with a smile, such as on Valentine's Day this year, when they were welcomed with homemade roses and heart decorations.
Our colleagues also pay great attention to detail and achieve excellent results in terms of quality assurance. During 2023/24, the team achieved 90.22%, the best result in our metro region and 5% over target.
The Vauxhall team is like a family. Not so big that they don’t know each other but big enough to find support and friends in the workplace. Team members support one another both at work and outside of work – recently, they even won the inter-station football competition.
The management team at Vauxhall has identified a number of coaches who assist colleagues in their professional development. They are also provided with opportunities and encouraged to develop their strengths and pursue their dream careers.
The team is also always on alert for unplanned events. In Autumn 2023 the station came to national attention during Palestinian protests when Vauxhall Underground station was closed. Attendees used the SWR station instead, requiring additional services to London Waterloo. As ever, the team stepped up to the challenge and delivered.
The Vauxhall team think about the safety and security of customers and colleagues in everything they do. In the last year there have been a number of challenges, such as when a suspicious bag was left outside the station, forcing the closure of the main entrance. The team dealt with the incident in a calm and professional manner, providing reassurance for customers, especially when the bag had to be neutralized through a controlled explosion.
Vauxhall station is within walking distance of The Oval cricket ground and a hub for people joining the SWR network to reach other sporting locations SWR serves, such as Twickenham and Wimbledon. Events such as these and New Year’s Eve, when large volumes of customers come to watch the London fireworks, are managed smoothly and without a significant effect on performance by the train dispatchers' team.
The Vauxhall station team work hard together, and for each other, keeping customers informed and happy, whilst being able to professionally react to any situation.
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Wedian, Rajab
Company Name
South Western Railway
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I would like to nominate Wedian in recognition of how she is valued by customers and colleagues. The quotations in the section below describe what her team said about her. This is echoed by the station managers she supported who commented how helpful and supportive she is. This shows how she embodies South Western Railway values and behaviours; she seeks to deliver excellence, seeing tasks through, and helping, supporting and developing others.
Wedian sees how effective teamwork makes a difference, notices when people need extra support and can be relied upon at all times. She notices when the team needs a boost and acts upon it with her unstinting enthusiasm.
She is highly professional, makes suggestions for improvement, but never forgets the importance of fun. She is one of the faces of Staines and a great role with the local community.
Wedian is a team worker who supports her team on a regular basis.” “She encourages people to find out answers for themselves while supporting their decisions.” “She listens to colleagues’ problems/issues and offers support.” “She organises team events e.g. Christmas shoes box collection, Macmillan coffee morning.” “She always does her best to ensure tasks are seen through to the end.” “All of this is done with a smile.” “I nominate Wedian for her overall contribution to the team and her helpful attitude towards colleagues.”
Wedian is also great at encouraging us to take part in team activities. She strives every day to ensure that despite all the challenges thrown at her she would spend her shift with a smile on her face, making the most out of every day. I don’t think I ever saw Wedian in anything other than a great mood.
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William, Ashworth
Company Name
Greater Anglia
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Will always gives a 5 star service to every single passenger that passes through our station, he always making children laugh and showing them a little fairy house he helped build on platform 1, and going above and beyond to help passengers. A few months ago we had a passenger that was out of control on our platform not only did the whole team pull together to turn this unsafe situation into a safe one but I feel special praise/acknowledgement needs to be given to Will Ashworth. He was there from start to finish and at one point put himself between the passenger in the scooter and between the approaching train (in a safe way) telling the passenger 'I'm not going to let you do this'. Within 10 minutes Will had the passenger away from the edge in a safe spot and was starting to calm him down and talk him round even though the passenger was quite simply hurling abuse and out of control, and at one point trying to get his stick out his bag to hit Will. This enabled the rest of the team to call signallers, put blocks on line, realise with train crews and most importantly calling the police. Will eventually calmed him down and got him a cup of tea and stayed with him from 13.30 up until the passenger eventually taken away in a police van at 1600. Will even offered to get on the train with the man to PBO however I wouldn't let him do this due to the abuse we had all witnessed.
In times like this Will really took control of the situation which enabled the rest of us to get on with our jobs ensuring other passengers' safety.
It would be lovely for Will to be recognised in some way for this.
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SUSTAINABILITY & CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY PERSON OR TEAM AWARD
Recognising Exceptional Dedication to Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility and Net Zero Impact.
The Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Person or Team award celebrates individuals or teams who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to driving positive change in the realm of sustainability, climate action, and achieving net-zero impact.
In an era where environmental concerns are paramount, this award honors those who have taken extraordinary steps to reshape practices, policies, and perspectives, forging a path toward a more sustainable and net-zero future.
Example job titles for this category:
Corporate Strategy, Environment, Regional Community and Sustainability Manager...
You can see all the past winners here.
Sponsored by:
Advanced Hydrogen Technologies Group (AHT) & K2C Rail, Partnership
Company Name
Advanced Hydrogen Terchnologies and K2C Rail
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Cleantech pioneers Advanced Hydrogen Technologies (AHT) Group have partnered with K2C Rail, and together are bringing groundbreaking engine carbon clean and capture technology to the rail industry, aiming to make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions and driving sustainable transformation.
An immediate solution to reduce carbon emissions and costs for every vehicle, piece of plant and locomotive, driven by a combustion engine.
It’s a highly efficient system generator that removes carbon build-up in any internal combustion engines - generating and injecting controlled amounts of hydrogen and oxygen to burn off residual carbon deposits, while also reducing harmful emissions and particulates.
Hydrogen is extracted from plain tap water using electrolysis and the pure medical grade gas cleans the engine of carbon build up that restricts the airways.
The exhaust gases pass through the capture component and all heavy particulates are seamlessly extracted and collected – to complete the engine cleaning process. This restores the engine back to optimum operating efficiency, simultaneously cutting carbon emissions, while it also works within enclosed or limited ventilation spaces.
It only targets carbon build-up – so streamlined commercial railway vehicles benefit from a cost-cutting and environmental perspective and without removing any parts or using harsh chemicals.
Initial testing on a Harry Needles Railroad Company Class 08 locomotive, carried out at the world-class Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre generated impressive results. Overall exhaust gas emissions were reduced by 22% and heavy particulates by 20%, while diesel efficiency savings of 8% were achieved too.
This was followed by an even more impressive four-month independent trial on a 40-tonne articulated lorry at the UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, one of the largest vehicle testing centres in Europe. Exhaust gas emissions and particulate matter collectively averaged out at a 49% reduction following the AHT process. With an average fuel efficiency saving of 7.5%, in this instance £8,000 per annum.
This is leading edge technology that significantly reduces carbon footprint and fuel costs, while helping businesses meet their Net Zero targets, plus the figures get even better over time and with regular cleaning.
We are currently working together with contractors, plant companies, and freight operators to optimise performance and cost benefits.
Engine Carbon Clean & Capture offers an immediate solution – also restoring engine efficiency and power, lowering maintenance costs, extending the lifespan of assets and fully aligning with the new ESG compliance requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standards mandate.
For locomotives it is completely modular and can be fitted to any size or type and will soon be mainline certified – now with proven independent data for a tangible green hydrogen business investment case on upgrading and improving ageing rail stock.
What’s more, this will also transform the approach to Scope 1 emissions for rail company transportation and distribution fleets - motor vehicles, all types of heavy plant and machinery, including Road Rail Vehicles, On-Track Machines, On-Track Plant – and put adopters of the technology at the forefront of sustainability performance.
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David, Harkin
Company Name
Network Rail
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Climate change is affecting all of us, but for many, the solutions can feel overwhelming. David has an extraordinary ability to transform complex scientific concepts into clear, actionable solutions that can be easily understood and applied. Through his work, he bridges the gap between rigorous climate data and its practical implications for the railway industry. One of his most significant achievements is the development of the ground-breaking "Scotland's Railway Climate Ready Plan." This forward-thinking initiative not only simplifies the science of climate resilience but also provides a strategic roadmap to safeguard the future of our railway infrastructure. By advancing our understanding of climate-related risks, enhancing asset resilience, and using climate adaptation strategies to guide investment, this plan ensures we are prepared for the challenges ahead.
Authored and produced by David, the Climate Ready Plan outlines Scotland’s Railway's comprehensive response to the ongoing and future impacts of climate change. Covering both Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail, it exemplifies the collaboration between track and train to benefit passengers. The plan details the actions that both organisations, under the Scotland’s Railway umbrella, will take to improve the resilience of our railway against adverse and extreme weather conditions. Moreover, it lays the foundation for addressing the longer-term risks posed by a changing climate and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
David is not only a visionary thinker but also an exceptional communicator. His presentations are both informative and engaging, taking his audience on a journey from problem identification to solution. He has a unique gift for making complex information accessible and inspiring, ensuring that every audience member—whether a technical expert or a non-specialist—understands and feels invested in the mission of building a climate-resilient future.
His skill in stakeholder engagement is equally impressive. David excels at building consensus and fostering strong, productive relationships, which is key to his success in driving impactful progress. This is exemplified by his establishment and continued facilitation of the Scotland-wide Climate Ready Infrastructure Forum. This cross-industry initiative brings together key players to develop holistic solutions, share best practices, and promote collaboration. David’s ability to unite diverse groups around a shared goal is a testament to his leadership and unwavering commitment to creating a resilient and sustainable railway - not only for today but for the generations of railway users and customers to come.
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Environment and Sustainability team, .
Company Name
Govia Thameslink Railway
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I'm nominating the Environment and Sustainability Team as they are leading the industry in several areas of Sustainable Development. Led by the brilliant Head of Environment and Sustainability Jason Brooker, Environment Specialists Eloise Rowan, Claudia Mak, Oliver Frampton and Utilities Manager Mat Barclay and with an impressive 47 years of railway experience between them they know what areas we need to focus on to make rail even greener.
Over the last year they have worked successfully collaborated with the not-for-profit community benefit society 'Energy Garden' to continue the pioneering work started at Streatham Hill Depot to instal community owned solar energy on Bedford Depot and are now paving the way for more installations over the next year. All proceeds from purchasing energy are directly re-invested in the local community. This demonstrates that their environmental projects are not individual 'headline' grabbers, but true innovation and sustainable practices that can change the way we look at development.
The team also work closely with local communities. In the last year they have hosted the Great British Beach Clean in Brighton where representatives from across the business collected 356 individual pieces of litter weighing 10.5kg (over 60% of which was plastic), introducing over 60 'Homes for Nature' across the network in collaboration with the Bee Friendly Trust, and supported local station partnerships with station planting and gardening initiatives. The team are constantly thinking outside the box when it comes to sustainable solutions and are ensuring GTR are held to account in everything they do. They're not afraid to have difficult conversations, and challenging the norm where possible. This is demonstrated by their commitment to set Science Based Targets for emissions reductions, with the targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative and made public earlier this year.
The team is passionate, skilled and very visible across the network. They take the time to travel the network and meet our teams, helping to find sustainable solutions to challenges, whilst supporting and educating along the way.
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Gareth, Parry
Company Name
Networkrail
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I am thrilled to nominate Gareth Parry for the Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Person Award, in recognition of his dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices at Euston Station.
Under Gareth's leadership, a pioneering mini recycling project was initiated in collaboration with the station's cleaning contractor. This project involves the meticulous segregation of waste at Euston, ensuring that materials such as cardboard and plastic are properly compressed using a baler. As a result, waste is packed into individual containers, streamlining the recycling process.
One of the most impressive outcomes of this initiative has been the significant reduction in dustcart trips, from daily occurrences to just once every three weeks. This change has not only reduced the station's carbon footprint but also decreased the amount of waste sent to landfill, aligning with broader environmental goals.
Gareth Parry's commitment to sustainability has set a new standard for station management, demonstrating that corporate responsibility and environmental consciousness can go hand in hand. His innovative approach has had a measurable impact, making him a worthy recipient of this award.
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Green Travel Pledge, Team
Company Name
Rail Delivery Group
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Green Travel Pledge nomination:
Rail travel is one of the most sustainable modes of transport, offering significant carbon savings compared to cars and planes. The Rail Delivery Group has harnessed this with the Green Travel Pledge, an initiative transforming how UK businesses approach sustainable travel. Over the past year, the team has established an industry-recognised standard for corporate travel through a tool developed with the industry. This tool drives passenger revenue to rail and equips travelers with key considerations for sustainable business travel. Comprehensive carbon emissions data is now available for nearly all direct rail business routes, empowering companies to make eco-conscious travel decisions.
Working alongside industry stakeholders, the project team have ensured that the Green Travel Pledge remains relevant to corporate travel. They’ve created a platform that’s easy to adopt, aligns with travel policies, and allows for future scalability as sustainability and reporting requirements evolve.
Phase 1 Success:
Phase 1 delivered reliable per-passenger carbon emission data for Britain’s top 100 business station-to-station travel routes, combining data on occupancy, fuel type, journey distance, and more. This was the first time such granular data was used to create a full picture of carbon emissions for rail business travel. The results were clear: businesses can significantly reduce emissions by switching from cars to trains. Data from four key air routes was also analysed, further highlighting rail’s environmental benefits.
These insights encouraged businesses to adopt rail travel as part of their ESG and Net Zero targets, laying the groundwork for an expanded dataset in the next phase.
Phase 2 Expansion:
In July 2024, Phase 2 expanded the dataset from the top 100 business routes to over 40,000 direct routes across Britain. It also included petrol/diesel car emissions data for these routes, allowing businesses to directly compare carbon emissions between modes of transport. Rail was proven to be the lower-carbon option for 93.8% of these routes compared to petrol/diesel car travel.
The expanded dataset empowers businesses to make smarter, more sustainable travel decisions, further emphasising the environmental benefits of rail over other modes of transport. The platform, designed for ease of use and alignment with corporate travel policies, remains at the forefront of sustainable travel solutions, while also allowing for future scalability and wider sustainability initiatives.
The Phase 2 release received positive press coverage from prominent outlets such as RailAdvent, Business Travel News Europe, and Rail Business Daily.
Why the Green Travel Pledge Team Deserves to Win:
The Green Travel Pledge team has demonstrated unwavering commitment to a greener future for business travel. Their innovative carbon measurement tools and industry collaboration are reshaping how UK businesses view sustainable travel. The team is enabling a modal shift to rail to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of corporate travel.
By helping businesses meet their ESG goals, comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and advance Net Zero commitments, Green Travel Pledge is driving measurable environmental impact. Positioned for future growth, the initiative continues to promote rail as the leading green travel option for UK businesses.
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Heathrow, POD
Company Name
Heathrow Airport
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The Heathrow POD System Team exemplifies sustainability and corporate responsibility through its innovative, fully autonomous, and zero-emission transport service at Heathrow Airport. Since its launch in 2011, the team has consistently demonstrated environmental stewardship by significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with airport transportation.
The POD system has removed an astounding 910,000 bus journeys as of 2024, preventing the release of 1,300 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. This reduction is equivalent to the annual CO2 absorption of nearly 400 football pitches worth of newly planted forests. Additionally, the POD system uses only half the energy per passenger compared to other forms of airport transport, further emphasizing its energy efficiency and commitment to reducing emissions.
The system’s operational zero onsite emissions serve as a benchmark in sustainable transport solutions. With an impressive system availability of 99%, the POD ensures reliable, eco-friendly transit for passengers traveling between Heathrow terminals and car parks. In total, over the past thirteen years, the POD system has carried 5.05 million passengers over 7.33 million kilometres—a distance equal to traveling around the Earth nearly 183 times.
The team operates a fleet of 21 PODs, supported by autonomous driving technology and a dedicated support team providing 21-hour service. The team’s efficiency, and innovation has created a seamless user experience, with 96% of passengers boarding in under one minute, and 84% experiencing zero wait times.
In addition to its success at Heathrow, the team has begun exporting this cutting-edge technology to international markets, including Chengdu, Mumbai, and the Glydways project in San Jose, showcasing the scalability of sustainable transport solutions.
The Heathrow POD System is more than just a transportation provider; it is a vital contributor to Heathrow’s long-term sustainability goals. The team’s dedication to reducing environmental impact, coupled with their continuous efforts to innovate and improve, is a testament to their commitment to corporate responsibility.
By offering a cleaner, greener alternative to traditional airport transport, the POD System Team is a leader in sustainable transport, setting a global example for eco-friendly innovation in the rail and transit sectors.
The Heathrow POD is proud to have been working in partnership with the charity Pursing Independent Paths (PiP) to raise awareness of adults with autism. The students were set a task of designing some POD wraps with the winning designs being implemented onto the vehicles.
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Innes, Murray
Company Name
BTTC
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Innes has been instrumental in driving a positive social impact within our company and surrounding community and leads the Corporate and Social Sustainability Steering Group to oversee the company’s responsibility goals and drive the company’s social value agenda.
Innes is an individual who seamlessly integrates social value into both everyday business practices and personal actions. He introduced the cycle to work scheme in the UK and launched an employee bike scheme in the Canadian office to drive environmental consciousness among employees. In the UK, he was key to developing the electric vehicle scheme, offering financial support for employees leasing or purchasing electric vehicles.
Innes also worked with COCO+, a platform that tracks carbon footprints and provides travel options based on the lowest carbon emissions. COCO+ offsets all employee travel through the purchase of carbon credits, resulting in 101% of BTTC’s carbon emissions being offset, equating to 224.85 tCO2e in Gold Standard climate impact
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London Victoria Control Point Team, .
Company Name
GTR Southern and Gatwick Express
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I am nominating the whole London Victoria Control Point team (Liston Clarke / Hayden Payne / Courtney Ely/ Jim Smith / Imy Hitler / LaTayna Clarke / Matt Tarsey / Tom Starbuck / Jonathan Clifford / Michael Trudgill / Cris Dizon / Mo Abdi / Mark Lloyd / Liam Scullion / David Goble / Spencer Ritson / Chris Rivett) for the sustainability and corporate responsibility award. Over the past year they team has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical working practice.
They have all fully embraced new ways of working to reduce the number of resources used in the control point, they have encouraged colleagues to think before printing or using energy unnecessarily. They have also been looking at more ethical ways of rostering to ensure everyone in the team is treated fairly and with respect.
They have engaged with colleagues across the station to encourage a reduction in printing and highlighting why it’s important to reserve resources. The team are very innovative and have carried on using equipment, which is out of date, but still functional rather than insisting on equipment being replaced.
The control point is 24-hours, and they have all remained vigilant to ensure unsured PCs and lights are switched off overnight to reduce energy consumption.
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Lumo, Operations Team
Company Name
Lumo
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The Lumo operations team has displayed an outstanding dedication to sustainability, positioning Lumo as the industry leader in responsible rail travel. Their tireless efforts have ensured that Lumo not only sets the standard, but continually pushes the boundaries of what sustainable rail travel can achieve.
At the heart of Lumo’s sustainability strategy is its fully electric train fleet, that supports a significant reduction in carbon emissions with a service that is 25 times greener and cleaner than flying. This commitment to cleaner energy allows Lumo to offer one of the most environmentally friendly travel options in the UK. By replacing diesel-powered alternatives, Lumo has reduced CO2 emissions per passenger mile by over 80%, contributing to the national drive toward achieving net-zero targets by 2050.
The operations team’s contributions extend far beyond Lumo’s electric fleet, having championed a series of forward-thinking initiatives that have reshaped the way the company operates and interacts with its customers. The team led the charge to make Lumo the first long-distance train operator to eliminate plastic bottles onboard and supported the wider business to operate entirely paper-free, minimising waste and streamlining operations.
The team helped launch the partnership with Flawsome! Drinks, providing sustainable onboard juice drinks using ‘wonky fruit’ that would otherwise be wasted, alongside a range of recyclable canned drinks. This demonstrates their commitment to reducing food waste and supporting circular economy. In addition to this, the operations team has designed an onboard menu that is 50% plant based. This plant-forward approach not only offers customers healthier options, but also significantly reduces the energy, water, and carbon footprint required to produce these meals.
Even the uniforms worn by Lumo staff reflect the team’s dedication to eco-conscious decision-making, as they are responsibly sourced and fully recyclable, ensuring that sustainability is woven into every element of the company.
By implementing environmentally conscious practices across all areas of the business, the operations team has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, achieving measurable reductions in carbon emissions, energy consumption, and waste, while setting a new industry benchmark for eco-friendly rail operations.
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Lumo, Safety and Comms Team
Company Name
Lumo
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The Lumo safety and comms team has displayed exemplary efforts to raise awareness of and reduce trespassing on the East Cost Mainline.
In response to emerging safety challenges on the railway, the team has pioneered a series of initiatives including a collaboration with Metrocentre Gateshead which sought to educate the younger generation on the importance of staying safe on the railway. The first campaign took place across the summer months to target families visiting the shopping centre during the school holidays and included the team taking over Metrocentre’s famous mini-express train to communicate key messaging throughout the carriages and highlight the dangers of railway trespass. The initiative reached the thousands of people who visited the shopping centre over the summer months in addition to the wider local and rail community, with press coverage in trade and regional media reaching a readership of over 1.7 million.
To further raise awareness of rail safety among the local community, the team partnered with Rail Safe Friendly, to provide online rail safety training programmes to almost 50 schools in the North East, with one school in Denton already achieving their gold-level certificate.
A further impactful initiative led by Lumo’s Safety Governance Manager and supported by the safety and comms team was the Rail Safety Week campaign, which included a series of successful and engaging activities in support of the important awareness week. In addition to targeted communications, and initiatives addressing key areas of rail safety, the team held an interactive Open Day for both internal and external stakeholders focused on safety and emergency response. This included train to train evacuation procedures, driving simulations, informative case studies and engaging with potential future applicants for train driver roles.
The team also created onboard activity sheets, printed on fully recycled materials, that were issued on all Lumo trains. The activity sheets included entertaining activities for children to complete on their journey whilst educating them on railway safety, with a digital version also available for download.
By employing a number of strategic tactics to engage key stakeholders and share valuable insight into rail safety best practice, the safety and comms team has made a significant impact to foster a culture of safety awareness across the organisation and local community, to reduce incidents across the rail network.
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Patrick, Power
Company Name
Network Rail
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I would like to nominate Patrick Power, Head of Stations & Passenger Experience at Network Rail (Birmingham), for the Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Person or Team Award. Patrick has demonstrated unwavering dedication to advancing sustainability not just at New Street Station that Patrick manages, but has also led and supported initiatives that have set a new bar in the rail industry, with a particular focus on transforming Birmingham New Street Station into a model of new sustainable achievements and best practices. His visionary leadership has driven substantial positive change, not only in the station’s infrastructure but also in fostering a culture of sustainability among staff and passengers alike.
Patrick’s commitment to environmental responsibility is evident through his collaboration with Q Sustain in particular on several innovative projects at Birmingham New Street. These ;
- the Pluvo filtration units: supported and helped the install of first of its kind air filtration units to improve air quality at the station using innovative filtration and ionisation technology.
- Lighting Retrofit: supported a first of its kind halogen to LED retrofit of 891 lights that saved 163 Tons of embodied CO2
- PEPA filters: install of Pathogen Eliminating Filters in the ventilation system to destroy COVID bacteria in waiting areas.
- Solar Film trial: exploration of solar thin film feasibility for the station’s façade.
Each of these initiatives reflects Patrick’s forward-thinking approach and deep understanding of the role that infrastructure plays in reducing environmental impact and whole life carbon, and mitigating climate change.
Under his leadership, the lighting retrofit project at Birmingham New Street has delivered substantial energy savings while significantly reducing the station's carbon footprint. Patrick helped facilitate a lighting upgrade scheme that not only improved energy efficiency but also enhanced the passenger experience by providing a safer, more inviting environment. His keen attention to detail ensures that sustainability goes hand-in-hand with improving the day-to-day operations of the station, reflecting his holistic view of corporate responsibility.
Additionally, Patrick has championed the installation of green walls at the station, an initiative that exemplifies his understanding of the importance of biodiversity and urban greening. These living walls not only contribute to carbon sequestration but also improve air quality and provide aesthetic value, transforming the station into a more vibrant and ecologically conscious space. This project highlights his ability to incorporate sustainable practices into the built environment in a way that is both functional and visually appealing.
Patrick Power’s dedication to sustainability, corporate responsibility, and net-zero impact is nothing short of exceptional. He is a leader who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that environmental considerations are integrated into every facet of his work. His achievements at Birmingham New Street Station stand as a testament to his commitment to driving positive change in the realm of sustainability, and his efforts will undoubtedly inspire future generations of rail professionals to continue the work toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
His exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to sustainability make him a truly deserving candidate.
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Sicut Enterprises Ltd., -
Company Name
Sicut Enterprises Ltd.
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Network Rail made the pivotal decision to stop procuring hardwood sleepers as of June 1st, opting instead for Sicut composite sleepers made from recycled plastic waste. This move is crucial not only for Network Rail’s 2050 net zero targets but also for the planet as a whole.
Previously, Network Rail procured approximately 40,000 to 60,000 hardwood sleepers annually, equivalent to around 120 acres of tropical forest, or 60 football fields' worth of trees. These trees play a vital role in converting CO2 into oxygen, maintaining biodiversity, and providing habitats for thousands of species. Since tropical trees take hundreds of years to grow back, their loss is irreplaceable.
By choosing Sicut Sleepers, Network Rail is preventing deforestation and reducing embodied CO2e by 182,000 kilogrammes per kilometre of track. For every 60,000 Sicut Sleepers procured, Network Rail will save 8,372,000kg in embodied CO2e. This reduction is equivalent to:
driving 34,459,201 kilometres in an average gasoline-powered car;
the annual electricity consumption of 1,652 homes;
charging 552,691,680 smartphones;
consuming 19,383 barrels of oil;
or burning 46 railcars’ worth of coal.
Moreover, Sicut Sleepers repurpose about 6,000,000 plastic bottles worth of waste per kilometre of track (equivalent to 300,000kg of waste, or the weight of a five-car train in the UK). Thus, in addition to preventing deforestation, Sicut Sleepers keep plastic waste out of landfills, oceans, and the natural environment, transforming it into useful infrastructure that supports public transport, an environmentally friendly method of travel.
Sicut Sleepers also boast a lifespan that is at least twice as long as hardwood sleepers. At the end of their life, they can be recycled into entirely new sleepers, preventing landfill growth and supporting the circular economy.
Network Rail’s Technical Authority conducted a whole-life value study and concluded that they would save £46 to £87 per sleeper installed annually. Over their minimum 50-year lifespan, Sicut Sleepers will save Network Rail between £1,800 and £4,400 per sleeper, or up to £6.7 million per kilometre of track. These savings can potentially be reinvested into numerous other carbon-saving initiatives.
Traditional timber and concrete sleepers account for 24% of the railway’s carbon emissions during construction. By installing Sicut Sleepers, Network Rail is cutting its carbon emissions from sleepers by approximately 50%. Since Network Rail first approved Sicut’s Sleepers in 2020, they have helped repurpose over 210,000,000 bottles in plastic waste (equal to 10,500,000kg) and have reduced embedded CO2e by 6,370,000kg.
Sicut’s production of these innovative, sustainable sleepers and Network Rail’s vital decision to utilise them rather than hardwood sleepers demonstrates a commitment to preventing deforestation, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing plastic waste. This strategic move supports Network Rail's 2050 net zero targets and promotes the circular economy. Their efforts set a new standard for sustainability in the railway industry, demonstrating outstanding corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship.
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Sustainability Team, South Western Railway
Company Name
South Western Railway
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SWR's dedicated Sustainability team, made up of five experienced professionals, is leading the charge in transforming SWR into a sustainable leader in the industry. Supporting a workforce of over 5,000 colleagues, the team provides invaluable expertise and guidance, seamlessly integrating sustainability into every aspect of SWR's operations.
From optimizing depot and train operations to procuring goods and services responsibly, the team's mission is to minimize SWR's environmental footprint while creating new opportunities for sustainable growth within the rail industry.
By collaborating with stakeholders across the rail sector and the broader sustainability community. SWR ensures alignment with leading practices and initiatives. The team plays an active role in engaging station adopters and community rail partners, driving impactful biodiversity initiatives, that contribute to the ambitious goal of becoming biodiversity net positive by 2030.
SWR's sustainability team is a driving force behind positive change, showcasing the company's unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
Here are some of the achievements delivered over the past year:
Net Zero by 2040: The team continues to work towards SWR’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions a full decade ahead of the national target. This includes an innovative Carbon Dashboard which we are using to forecast and plan, in order to achieve our industry-leading SBTI targets. Through the successful delivery of our carbon reduction programmes, we achieved a 27% reduction in 2023 for scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions against our 2019 baseline, which is ahead of 2023’s required progress for our Science Based Target.
Biodiversity Champion: The team have developed a pathway for SWR to be biodiversity net positive by 2030. Implementation of year 1 of this pathway is currently being delivered by the Sustainability team.
Industry-Leading Recycling: Thanks to the team’s efforts, SWR has achieved an impressive recycling rate of 84%, the highest amongst UK TOCs. The team has expanded SWRs waste management programme to include recycling coffee cups and food waste.
Healthy Communities: SWR is committed to clean air and a healthy soundscape for our passengers and communities. The team has facilitated the implementation of innovative strategies for air quality improvement and noise management. In 2023 SWR was Highly Commended in the ‘Silent Approach’ category at the Noise Abatement Society’s John Connell Awards. SWR was credited with its effort to be a considerate neighbour and deliver a quieter railway service. The team is currently collaborating with Network Rail and air quality specialists to produce a Joint Air Quality Improvement Plan. SWR is the first TOC to work with Network Rail on a joint air quality plan.
Training: A bespoke sustainability training programme is available to all SWR colleagues. This has been further expanded to include an innovative training tool called Stickerbook, which uses gamification to deliver engaging sustainability training across the business.
These accomplishments showcase the team's dedication to environmental excellence. By consistently exceeding ambitious targets, SWR is actively shaping a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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Sustainability, Team
Company Name
Freightliner
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A step change in sustainability performance of Freightliner in its journey to net zero.
The Freightliner sustainability team have achieved a 21% overall reduction in its total carbon emissions (Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3) in 2023 against a baseline of 2020. This has seen a 7% reduction in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and a 44% reduction across its Scope 3 emissions. This has been achieved by the Sustainability team through identifying material impacts and changes needed, engagement and collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders along with maintaining a level of curiosity and influence to drive change needed in the operations of the business.
Freightliner has committed to the Science Based Target initiative and to set a 55% reduction of its Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2033 (near term target) and long term targets to be a net zero operation by at least 2050. These targets are in line with the latest climate science.
Freightliner was the first Freight Operating Company to disclose against the external disclosure CDP framework, achieving a rating of C. Freightliner’s rating aligns with all CDP submissions across the world of the intermodal transport and logistics sector. A submission has taken place in FY2024 with a target to step up one level by achieving a B- rating, based on the work completed over the year.
Freightliner is the first Freight Operating Company to have its entire reported carbon emissions to be independently verified and validated by a 3rd party against the ISO 14064-part 3 Standard. Showcasing our reporting and disclosures in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Science Based Targets.
Freightliner has developed the internal reporting tools, which capture Customers Scope 3 datasets to a single shipping container or single wagon to enable robust and traceable data to showcase the benefits of modal shift, enable the transition to lower carbon transportation and support its Customers with their own targets and programmes.
In September 2024, Freightliner launched its ECO90 booking process, a first for any Freight Operating Company, to enable Customers to purchase a set amount of alternative lower carbon fuel, based on their needs for moving a set number of shipping containers, to claim the carbon savings. This enables Customers to balance reductions in carbon emission against cost-effective solutions.
In April 2024, Freightliner achieved its commitment to purchased 100% renewable non-traction electricity across all of its freightliner owned metered sites. These has been achieved by REGO-backed certificates.
In April 2024, Freightliner signed a Memorandum of Understanding, a first for any rail operating in the world, with Zero Petroleum to partner and collaborate on the creation and usage of synthetic diesel. The partnership is targeting to enable Freightliner to have fossil-free locomotive operations by 2040 and to potential enable the internal combustion engine to continue to be used. This is a game-changing opportunity to further enable modal-shift, fossil free fuel and enable Freightliner to run net-zero locomotives.
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Young Rail Professionals (YRP), .
Company Name
Young Rail Professionals
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In an era where sustainability and climate action are critical to the future of our planet, the National Executive Committee of Young Rail Professionals Ltd. Has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to driving positive change within the rail industry over the last 15 years. Our initiatives, particularly through our regional committees and specialised programs—Young Rail Tours, Into Rail, and RailWeek—have collectively forged a path toward a more sustainable and net-zero future.
The regional committees (9) of YRP play a pivotal role in promoting sustainability at a grassroots level. Each committee is empowered to tailor initiatives that resonate with local communities and stakeholders, ensuring that sustainability is not just a corporate mandate but a shared value. For instance, regional committees have organized local clean-up events, tree planting initiatives, and awareness campaigns that engage members and the public alike. These activities not only enhance community involvement but also foster a culture of environmental stewardship among young professionals in the rail sector.
Moreover, the regional committees have been instrumental in collaborating with local rail operators to implement sustainable practices. By advocating for the adoption of greener technologies and practices, such as energy-efficient trains and waste reduction strategies, these committees have contributed to measurable reductions in carbon footprints across various regions.
1. Young Rail Tours: Participants are exposed to innovative sustainable practices in rail operations, such as the use of renewable energy sources and eco-friendly materials. By showcasing these advancements, we inspire the next generation of rail professionals to prioritise sustainability in their careers.
2. Into Rail: This initiative focuses on the inclusion of those still in education, to promote the rail industry to them. Attending schools, universities and careers fairs.
3. RailWeek: RailWeek serves as a platform to celebrate and promote the rail industry’s contributions to society. Through a series of events, workshops, and discussions, we engage industry leaders, stakeholders, and the public in conversations about climate action and sustainable practices. This initiative has successfully raised awareness about the rail sector's role in achieving national and global sustainability goals, fostering a collaborative spirit among participants for a week long celebration yearly.
4. Heritage Engagement: YRP did over 1000 hours last year of volunteer hours on heritage railways all over the UK, the programme is set to surpass that this year by more than 30%.
Conclusion
The National Executive Committee of Young Rail Professionals Ltd. is proud to lead a movement that prioritises sustainability, corporate responsibility and true EDI within the rail industry. Through the impactful work of our regional committees and initiatives like Young Rail Tours, Into Rail, and RailWeek, we are not only reshaping practices and policies but also inspiring a new generation of rail professionals to embrace sustainability as a core value. We believe that our collective efforts exemplify the spirit of this award, and we are committed to continuing our journey toward a sustainable and net-zero future.
Thank you for considering our submission for the Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Person or Team Award.
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