WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS 2021 WINNERS
Avanti West Coast
Best Apprenticeship Scheme Award
Avanti West Coast
Winner
Apprenticeship schemes are the lifeblood for the UK rail industry’s future. The Judges felt that Avanti West Coast’ support to their apprentices during the pandemic was exceptional and their Lead The Way Campaign to encourage applications for leadership and management roles commendable.
The award was collected by Karen Broad, Talent Development Manager, Avanti West Coast
Sponsored by
Steer
Best Graduate Programme Award
Steer
Winner
The Judges were impressed by Steer’s efforts to attract, retain and develop women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds as part of their graduate programme and the strength of the evidence provided to support the nomination.
The award was collected by Craig Fergusson, Head of People and Kate Inston, Associate Director for Steer.
Sponsored by
Barking Riverside Extension, Morgan Sindall Volkerfitzpatrick Joint Venture
Social Inclusion Award
Barking Riverside Extension, Morgan Sindall Volkerfitzpatrick Joint Venture
Winner
The Judges felt that the scale of the Joint Venture’s social inclusion activities was impressive, with a launch of a social value charter, the appointment of a full time social value manager and funding of community initiatives, many focusing on the recruitment of a local diverse workforce.
The award was collected by Steve Balliston, Project Director for VolkerFitzpatrick and Liam McGreavy, Project Manager & CRE for Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure.
Sponsored by
Jacobs
Top Employer Award
Jacobs
Winner
The Judges were impressed with Jacobs’ committed focus on diversity and inclusion with the adoption of several internal initiatives such as “We Live Inclusion” as a foundation level value and the launch of an Accelerated Leadership Development Programme comprising 50% of women.
The award was collected by James Nash, John Downer, Nicole Suriano and Jess Ellery.
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Tamsin Leaman-Hewitt - Degree Apprentice For Atkins Ltd
Female Apprentice Of The Year Award
Tamsin Leaman-Hewitt - Degree Apprentice For Atkins Ltd
Winner
The Judges commented that Tamsin is operating a level way above her apprenticeship. She is a rounded professional in terms of her personal attributes and skills.
The award was collected by Jo Moffatt, Engineering Practice Director for Strategic Rail at Atkins.
Sponsored by
Anna Kuncelman - Engineer For Arup
Rising Star Of The Year Award
Anna Kuncelman - Engineer For Arup
Winner
The Judges commented that despite only being in the first 3 years of her career in the rail industry, Anna has been passionately contributing to the development of sustainability and digital skills on her projects, developing creative connections between academia and engineers to help address climate issues on projects and influencing senior leaders to develop strategies for the development of sustainability skills.
The award was collected by Gemma James, Civil Structures Engineer, Arup
Sponsored by
Mat Baine - CEO, CPMS Part Of The Egis Group
Inspirational Man Of The Year Award
Mat Baine - CEO, CPMS Part Of The Egis Group
Winner
The Judges felt that Mat was a very impressive leader with a demonstrated commitment to improving not only gender balance but also diversity and the advancement of women and diverse talent within his business. The diversity ally initiative is a recognition of the true value placed by Mat on fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture within his workforce, demonstrated by excellent staff feedback and an impressive staff retention rate.
The award was collected by Mat Baine – CEO, CPMS Part Of The Egis Group
Sponsored by
Bonnie Price - Scheme Project Manager For Network Rail And National Treasurer For Young Rail Professionals
Inspirational Woman Of The Year Award
Bonnie Price - Scheme Project Manager For Network Rail And National Treasurer For Young Rail Professionals
Winner
The Judges commented that Bonnie defied the odds. Because of her background, she had to work harder than most, yet she was remarkable in her achievements, focusing on the issues most of us in the industry hold dear such as attracting more young people into rail and working with small businesses. Bonnie inspired and gave to others in a wide range of commendable ways.
The award was collected by Bonnie Price – Scheme Project Manager For Network Rail And National Treasurer For Young Rail Professionals
Sponsored by
Karen Paton - Onboard Manager, Avanti West Coast
The Women in Rail Award
Karen Paton - Onboard Manager, Avanti West Coast
Winner
The Judges were impressed with Karen’s pro-active and inspirational initiatives during the pandemic, such as launching the idea of making boxes of supplies to distribute to local hospitals and care homes, an idea which was shortly thereafter extended to the Anglo Scottish route, with parcels sent by trains to other stations down the line, for the benefit of local communities.
The award was collected by Karen Paton – Onboard Manager, Avanti West Coast
Sponsored by
Darren O’Brien, Retail Systems and Contracts Manager for Southeastern
Outstanding Contribution Award
Darren O’Brien, Retail Systems and Contracts Manager for Southeastern
SPECIAL AWARD
An Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Darren O’Brien, Retail Systems and Contracts Manager at Southeastern, for initiating “Rail to Refuge”, an initiative aimed at securing free train tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse to refuge accommodations and which, to date, has helped get over 1,348 survivors, including 362 children over 5 years old, to safety.
The award was collected by Darren O’Brien, Retail Systems and Contracts Manager for Southeastern
Sponsored by
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Transpennine Route Upgrade
Social Inclusion Award
Transpennine Route Upgrade
HIGHLY COMMENDED
The Judges were impressed that TRU includes 9 organisations and their supply chain and have devised an extensive and impressive programme of activities to drive significant social, economic, and environmental benefits to people across the north of England.
Sponsored by
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Bhavin Bakhda - Rail Civils Associate Engineer, Jacobs
Inspirational Man Of The Year Award
Bhavin Bakhda - Rail Civils Associate Engineer, Jacobs
HIGHLY COMMENDED
The Judges commended Bhavin for his demonstrated commitment to pro-actively supporting the personal and professional development of the young apprentices within his team.
Sponsored by
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Lee Piper - Senior Works Superintendent, SCS Railways
Inspirational Man Of The Year Award
Lee Piper - Senior Works Superintendent, SCS Railways
HIGHLY COMMENDED
The Judges commended Lee for being a champion for gender equality and fostering inclusion within his team and projects, often going the extra mile and putting in the extra hours to support and mentor others.
Sponsored by
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Nasreen Hunt - Associate Director, Arcadis
Women In Rail Award
Nasreen Hunt - Associate Director, Arcadis
HIGHLY COMMENDED
The Judges were impressed with Nasreen’s commitment and diligence in leading and managing the delivery of core deliverables during the pandemic, with many male and female colleagues coming forward to nominate her as their inspirational role model for this outstanding award.
Sponsored by
JUDGES SPECIAL MENTION
Sam Collins - Vulnerability & Safeguarding Co-Ordinator For Rail Delivery Group
Rising Star Of The Year Award
Sam Collins - Vulnerability & Safeguarding Co-Ordinator For Rail Delivery Group
JUDGES SPECIAL MENTION
The Judges commented that Sam is a compelling and inspirational individual. She created a national strategy and training programme to deliver safer travel for all, and, to protect women and girls from sexually motivated harassment and sexual assault, with her strategy achieving plaudits from British Transport Police, Transport for London, Advocacy Groups, and academics.
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