WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS 2024 WINNERS
Talent & Development Team - HS2 Ltd
Best Training or Development Programme Award
Talent & Development Team - HS2 Ltd
Winner
HS2’s Talent and Development Team has created a successful apprenticeship programme which is developing diverse talent for the future. New and existing employees are supported professionally and personally; enhancing their skills, knowledge and confidence, making a real difference to the culture within the company.
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Alstom
Social Value Award
Alstom
Winner
Alstom has created and embedded an agile, inclusive, and responsible culture committed to delivering social and environmental value for communities, employees, and customers. Alongside its Community Project Fund, it focuses on tackling social inequality, driving equal opportunity, improving health and wellbeing, and fighting climate change.
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AtkinsRéalis
Employer of the Year Award
AtkinsRéalis
Winner
AtkinsRéalis has made significant progress towards supporting, attracting, and retaining female colleagues. Engagement with a number of employee networks has seen a notable increase in female and ethnic minority graduates in their Early Careers intake. AtkinsRéalis has also spearheaded rail’s first Governors for Schools programme.
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Alstom
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team Award
Alstom
Winner
Alstom’s leadership recognised its culture wasn’t creating the desired diverse and representative-balanced workforce. They listened, learned from, nurtured, and empowered Alstom’s 'quiet voices' to create and embed an inclusive and flexible culture; creating four employee networks with voices of Women, Disability, Cultural Diversity and Pride+.
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Rose Merchant - Talent Attraction Manager, Greater Anglia
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Individual Award
Rose Merchant - Talent Attraction Manager, Greater Anglia
Winner
Having joined the railway less than two years ago, Rose has excelled in promoting EDI; designing strategies that will continue to develop EDI initiatives in the future. Her energy, range of initiatives and advocacy of important social issues is making real impact within the industry.
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Paige Palmer - Assistant Engineering Technician, Arup
Female Apprentice of the Year Award
Paige Palmer - Assistant Engineering Technician, Arup
Winner
In just over three years Paige has exceeded expectations and made remarkable progress. She has an aptitude for leadership and has made a positive impact on several high-profile projects. Paige is recognised as an approachable and inclusive colleague, passionate about equality in all aspects.
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Michael Perrett - Manufacturing Engineer, CAF Rolling Stock UK
Male Apprentice of the Year Award
Michael Perrett - Manufacturing Engineer, CAF Rolling Stock UK
Winner
Mike joined CAF in 2021, becoming a Team Leader within a year. A programme of Leadership & Management awards has prepared him for a senior role in performance management. Mike’s involvement with CAF’s Mental Health programme, particularly in the area of neurodiversity, has been praised.
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Jane Wright - Environment & Sustainability Engineer, Transport for London
Female Rising Star of the Year Award
Jane Wright - Environment & Sustainability Engineer, Transport for London
Winner
Jane is an influential thought leader in carbon management and decarbonisation. Positive moves by the rail and infrastructure sectors are partly down to her inspirational drive and passion. Jane is an outstanding advocate for a Diverse and Inclusive rail industry and a dedicated STEM ambassador.
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Luke Ryan Martin - Supply Chain Activation Manager, CAF Rolling Stock UK
Male Rising Star of the Year Award
Luke Ryan Martin - Supply Chain Activation Manager, CAF Rolling Stock UK
Winner
Luke joined the industry in 2020 with rapid promotions clearly identifying him as a Rising Star. An active member of CAF’s Employee Engagement Forum, he promotes equality and diversity in the workplace. His strong personal values make him a real asset to the business.
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Julie Hillman - Transformation Director, Worldline
Inspirational Woman of the Year Award
Julie Hillman - Transformation Director, Worldline
Winner
Julie’s career journey is inspirational. After leaving school at 15 with no qualifications, she progressed through a range of studies and professional qualifications until gaining an MBA. Now Global Strategic Workforce Director, Julie is passionate about social mobility, inspiring women to choose careers in rail. Julie is a fierce advocate for gender equity. With her sharp focus on people and culture, she has made significant and outstanding contributions which have led to national recognition for her company.
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Jonathan James - Head of Industry Coordination, MTR Elizabeth line
Inspirational Man of the Year Award
Jonathan James - Head of Industry Coordination, MTR Elizabeth line
Winner
Jonathan has been actively involved in some of the industry’s most impressive and emotive projects in his 35-year career. His expertise and passion for leaving a meaningful legacy includes writing more than a dozen books, numerous articles and speaking at industry events, bravely sharing his personal story, following the loss of his 13-year-old child. Jonathan felt his own experiences could help shine a light on the importance of reaching out for help and donated all the royalties from his last book to the charity, ‘Young Minds’.
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Ian Watson - Driver Manager, TransPennine Express
The Adeline Ginn Unsung Hero Award
Ian Watson - Driver Manager, TransPennine Express
Winner
A tragic event whilst driving a train changed Ian’s life for ever. He is now a key advocate for mental health at both TPE and in local communities. He helped to launch “Chatty Benches” and his work with men’s suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club led to extensive media coverage.
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Debra Iveson - Asset Protection Coordinator, Network Rail High Speed
The Adeline Ginn Lifetime Achievement Award
Debra Iveson - Asset Protection Coordinator, Network Rail High Speed
Winner
``In their nomination for the award their colleagues state that this person “Epitomises the qualities of kindness, care, and compassion; acting as a constant source of inspiration to others in the rail industry. Their tireless work stands as a testament to the power of selflessness and dedication.” The recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award has made a remarkable impact on our railway. From the start of their career in a customer service role to a senior position within the industry, they have touched the lives of many colleagues through their commitment to their work and their local community. As well as their selflessness and dedication to ensuring the safe operation of the railway this person is always willing to take on challenges beyond their job description, tackling extra projects with enthusiasm, and displaying a true passion for their work. Their passion for educating young people about the dangers of railway trespassing has included personal visits to schools to support assemblies and promote rail safety and awareness. Tonight's winner is always ready to support colleagues in their operational roles as well as organising volunteering opportunities for local charities. As well as becoming a Mental Health First Aider they have worked to raise awareness around breast cancer, using their spare time to take on challenges to raise money for charities supporting breast cancer. Ladies, gentlemen and all other gentlepersons, please stand up and join me in a standing ovation for the winner of this Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award… Debra Iveson - Asset Protection Coordinator, Network Rail High Speed.``
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WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS 2024 HIGHLY COMMENDED
Alstom
Best Training or Development Programme Award
Alstom
Highly Commended
Alstom’s Springboard Programme supports its commitment to changing the under-representation of women at manager, engineer and professional levels. Springboard’s positive impact has created an empowered and more confident female workforce.
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Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Social Value Award
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Highly Commended
Community Engagement Advisor Emily is leading Morgan Sindall’s Social Value delivery across the Northeast. She’s a champion of diversity and inclusion, encouraging women to play a leading role within our industry.
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First Rail Consultancy
Employer of the Year Award
First Rail Consultancy
Highly Commended
First Rail Holdings believes that while diversity is important, true inclusion goes beyond mere representation. It is leading a committed and collective effort to create an environment where everyone feels included, heard, and empowered.
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Thales Social Value and EDI Team
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team Award
Thales Social Value and EDI Team
Highly Commended
In the last 12 months Thales GTS has made a huge transformational change; creating a culture of belonging and inclusion for all colleagues and embedding accessibility into all its Social Value activities.
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Hannah Walton - CVL ICC Control Operations Apprentice, Transport for Wales Rail
Female Apprentice of the Year Award
Hannah Walton - CVL ICC Control Operations Apprentice, Transport for Wales Rail
Highly Commended
Described as a model professional Hannah has become a well-respected member of the team, frequently helping colleagues with her exceptional knowledge. They have praised her enthusiasm and proactive approach to her work.
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Aadil Panchbhaya - Software Engineering Apprentice, Thales
Male Apprentice of the Year Award
Aadil Panchbhaya - Software Engineering Apprentice, Thales
Highly Commended
Colleagues say Aadil is “an inspiration and a delight to know and work with”. As well as thriving in his apprenticeship role he actively promotes neurodiversity and offers mentoring to people from deprived backgrounds.
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Zoe Alexaki - Senior Engineer, Robert Bird Group
Female Rising Star of the Year Award
Zoe Alexaki - Senior Engineer, Robert Bird Group
Highly Commended
An exceptional young design engineer, Zoe has a reputation for engineering innovation; successfully delivering project work that receives excellent client feedback. She’s now team EDI representative and actively mentors and supports her female colleagues.
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Joe Lofts - Resource and Skills Partner, Transport for Wales
Male Rising Star of the Year Award
Joe Lofts - Resource and Skills Partner, Transport for Wales
Highly Commended
Joe has made an exceptional contribution to recruitment at Transport for Wales, particularly in promoting inclusivity and diversity. His participation in industry events and working groups - and willingness to share knowledge - is influencing the wider industry.
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Ms Esther Olorunfemi - Head of Engineering, London Trams, Transport for London
Inspirational Woman of the Year Award
Ms Esther Olorunfemi - Head of Engineering, London Trams, Transport for London
Highly Commended
Esther’s role as the Chairperson for Transport for London’s Females in Transport Engineering has been truly significant. Esther is also a dedicated volunteer and a highly effective mentor, driving real change in the areas of diversity, inclusion and gender parity. Esther was the first ever black female from TFL to achieve fellowship within the ICE and is highly deserving of Industry and peer recognition.
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Michelle Parkes - Senior Surveyor, Network Rail
Inspirational Woman of the Year Award
Michelle Parkes - Senior Surveyor, Network Rail
Highly Commended
Michelle's spirit, concern for others and desire to make the workplace better for everyone shone through in her nomination. Michelle has shown tenacity through adversity, and her constant desire to learn and grow is encouraging others to do the same.
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