The Women in Rail Awards will celebrate a landmark milestone on Thursday 6 May 2027, as the industry’s leading celebration of inclusion, achievement and inspirational leadership moves to the prestigious Old Billingsgate in London for its biggest event to date.

Marking the tenth Women in Rail Awards, the 2027 event will welcome guests from across the rail industry, reflecting the remarkable growth of an event that has become one of the most respected and anticipated dates in the railway calendar.

Since the inaugural Awards in 2018, over 5,400 people have attended, while over 3,000 nominations have recognised the outstanding individuals, teams and organisations whose passion, innovation and leadership are helping to create a stronger, more inclusive railway. In 2026 alone, the Awards attracted 432 nominations-the highest annual total to date-demonstrating the industry’s continued commitment to recognising excellence and celebrating those making a genuine difference.

The event is attended by a cross-section of the UK rail sector, including key stakeholders and decision-makers, infrastructure providers, operators, manufacturers, rolling stock companies, technical consultancy companies and suppliers, to name only a few.

Nominations will open on Monday, 19 October 2026. Join us at the Women in Rail Awards 2027, as together, we show our industry’s commitment to supporting the Women in Rail agenda by celebrating those companies and individuals who work hard to improve gender balance, equality, diversity and inclusion in our sector in line with the objectives of the joint WR/RIA EDI Charter.

We look forward to seeing you at Old Billingsgate on 6 May 2027!

  • Old Billingsgate, London

  • Order of Events
  • Champagne Reception
    18:15
  • Dinner
    19:50
  • Awards Ceremony
    21:30
  • Aftershow Party & Networking
    23:00
  • Carriages
    01:00
  • Dress Code: Black Tie & Formal Wear
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The Host

Picture of Swarzy Shire

Swarzy Shire

Host and BBC Radio Presenter at BBC Radio 1, 1XTRA and Radio 4

Swarzy Shire is a powerhouse broadcaster, speaker, and live event host working at the intersection of radio, culture, and events – with a passion for people and storytelling at the heart of everything she does.

Based in London, Swarzy is a BBC Radio Presenter across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and Radio 4. Alongside broadcasting, she has built a strong reputation as a live host, bringing her joy, quick wit and infectious energy to conferences, award ceremonies, and major events across the UK and internationally.

She has worked with various companies and brands to host events including the Enginuity Skills Awards 2026 and the Kids in Mind Gala in London, Oriflame’s Gold Conference in Paris, the NIKE Trainer Retreat in Brussels, and the WorldSkills 2026 Competition in Shanghai. She has also hosted stages, panels, and conversations for BBC Studios, ITV, TikTok, BFI, and Sunday Morning Live on BBC One.

In 2026, Swarzy was announced as Kew Gardens’ latest Ambassador, in recognition of her work championing diversity of thought and community, and welcoming new audiences into spaces where they might not traditionally see themselves. She was also named a Black History Month “Next Generation Trailblazer” by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Whether on air or on stage, Swarzy is passionate about celebrating people: their journeys, ideas, skills and achievements. This passion extends into the spaces she creates herself. She founded Too Much Source, an annual exhibition and live events platform celebrating Black British creatives making history today, and runs a weekly supper club in her kitchen, bringing friends from across different areas of her life together around the dinner table for food, conversation and community.

Her own career has been anything but linear. From winning a competition to become a radio presenter at KISS FM to becoming one of the voices of BBC Radio and BBC Sounds, Swarzy’s journey has been shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities. She brings that same openness to every room she hosts, creating space for people to connect, celebrate and share their stories.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find Swarzy cooking, hosting friends or thinking about what’s on her menu for her Thursday night supper club.