WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS 2025 WINNERS
Finance Strategy & Development Team, Group Finance, Network Rail
Best Training or Development Programme Award
Finance Strategy & Development Team, Group Finance, Network Rail
Winner
Network Rail’s Industry Finance Talent Pool programmes are helping to shape the careers of future finance leaders. These year-long development programmes are equipping finance leaders with new skills whilst building networks and improving understanding and collaboration across the rail industry.
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Unipart
Best Training or Development Programme Award
Unipart
Winner
Unipart Rail’s apprenticeships are a cornerstone of its workforce development strategy. Its comprehensive programme combines academic and on-the-job training. The unique “Unipart Way” culture is a key component, providing a supportive framework that nurtures growth and builds future leaders.
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Siemens Mobility Limited UKI
Social Value Award
Siemens Mobility Limited UKI
Winner
Siemens Mobility’s social value programme promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion while empowering underrepresented groups and engaging local communities. It focuses on employment, skills, wellbeing, responsible procurement, and environmental sustainability. The programme includes initiatives such as STEM outreach, apprenticeships, and volunteering.
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TransPennine Express
Employer of the Year Award
TransPennine Express
Winner
TPE’s ‘vision and values’, supported through training, policies and networks, including ‘women at TPE’, ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘LGBT+’, ensures inclusivity is the thread that runs through the business. Everyone at TPE feels valued, and its engagement index scores have risen significantly.
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Inspire, Network Rail
Best Network Group Driving Gender Equity and Intersectionality Award
Inspire, Network Rail
Winner
Gender equality-focused “Inspire” is Network Rail’s biggest employee network. Recognised beyond the rail industry and now closely aligned with Network Rail’s EDI team, Inspire is the driving force behind initiatives to provide welfare facilities that help women thrive at work.
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South Western Railway
The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Team Award
South Western Railway
Winner
South Western Railway is a progressive company; over the last three years, it has developed a strong Inclusion Strategy. Relevant training for colleagues, alongside new and innovative ways of recruiting from underrepresented groups, has created an inclusive culture and reputation.
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Annabelle Pryce - Customer and Community Engagement Manager, KeolisAmey Metrolink
The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Individual Award
Annabelle Pryce - Customer and Community Engagement Manager, KeolisAmey Metrolink
Winner
Annabelle has played a pivotal role in advancing EDI at Metrolink, contributing to the development of numerous initiatives. She has positively impacted her colleagues' wellbeing while advocating for women and underrepresented groups in rail, mentoring young women, and promoting STEM careers.
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Lucy Lightbown - Sustainability Apprentice, TransPennine Express
The Female Apprentice of the Year Award
Lucy Lightbown - Sustainability Apprentice, TransPennine Express
Winner
TPE’s Sustainability Apprentice, Lucy, has impressed everyone in the business. From her first day in 2023, she has been keen to learn and deliver, whilst stepping above and beyond her role to manage projects that have gained industry-wide attention.
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Katie Roberts - Design Engineer, Siemens Mobility
Female Rising Star of the Year Award
Katie Roberts - Design Engineer, Siemens Mobility
Winner
Katie is an innovator and critical thinker, AND is a passionate and proactive EDI and STEM ambassador. Recognised for her incredible technical knowledge, Katie’s ground-breaking work will enable the industry to reduce waste alongside significant safety, environmental, and cost improvements.
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Oliver Gant - HR, Communications and ESG Director, Arriva Rail London
Male Ally of the Year Award
Oliver Gant - HR, Communications and ESG Director, Arriva Rail London
Winner
Through visionary leadership, Oliver has been transformative in advancing EDI at Arriva Rail London. His focus on removing gender bias within recruitment and training across the business has ensured that female talent and leadership skills are recognised, developed and rewarded.
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Susannah Carroll - Train Driver, Transport for Wales
Inspirational Frontline Woman of the Year Award
Susannah Carroll - Train Driver, Transport for Wales
Winner
Susannah is a trailblazer for equality and diversity at Transport for Wales. After struggling to get the company to fulfil its duty of providing reasonable adjustments for her needs, she pioneered the acknowledgement of equality and diversity amongst frontline staff.
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Ellie Burrows - Regional Managing Director, Eastern, Network Rail
Inspirational Women of the Year Award
Ellie Burrows - Regional Managing Director, Eastern, Network Rail
Winner
Ellie has a long-established passion for rail, and with skills encompassing Operations, Infrastructure and Programmes & Projects, she has a proven track record. She chairs Network Rail’s employee network for gender equality alongside external engagements. Supporting Women in Rail Empowerment.
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Caitriona O’Brien - Safety Improvement Specialist, Network Rail
The Adeline Ginn Unsung Hero Award
Caitriona O’Brien - Safety Improvement Specialist, Network Rail
Winner
Through the creation of the Bereavement Support Group, Cat has created an inclusive and supportive environment for what is an extremely challenging experience. Described as inspiring, Cat shows leadership defined by heart, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those she serves.
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Alison Thompson - Infrastructure Management Director, Amey
The Adeline Ginn Lifetime Achievement Award
Alison Thompson - Infrastructure Management Director, Amey
Winner
Having started her career as a graduate Civil Engineer for British Rail, our winner has dedicated over 35 years to the rail industry. During this time, no matter her role, she has driven true diversity and inclusion to leave a lasting impact. Her passion for mentoring is a key focus, having participated in many industry schemes, including Women in Rail. She leads by example, empowering her mentees to lead in their own way, challenge the status quo, and not ‘put themselves in a box.’ She offers a fresh perspective to young women making their way in a male-dominated industry, striving to unlock new potential and shape the future of the industry. She has also provided STEM activities for schools and career fairs throughout her career, demonstrating to young minds that they don’t have to see themselves as ‘exceptional’ or come from privileged backgrounds to forge a career in engineering - helping to make the industry more accessible and inclusive and inspiring the wider community to get involved. She has confronted some of the most demanding situations, including being one of the first on the scene after the London terror attacks. Colleagues speak of her calm leadership, care and compassion with the emotional well-being and immediate safety of her team as a central focus. Her support didn’t end when the crisis subsided; in the weeks that followed, implementing an open-door policy, to ensure her team felt supported, with a safe space for them to voice concerns, anxieties and sadness at what they had experienced, putting aside her own worries to be a pillar of kindness for those who needed it. Throughout, she remained a steady presence, helping their team process the trauma with empathy and resilience. This is summed up by a colleague who says, “Her caring, compassionate and strong leadership makes her a first-class leader that is rare to find, and a great example to all aspiring engineers. I cannot think of anybody more worthy of the Adeline Ginn Lifetime Achievement Award.”
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WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS 2025 HIGHLY COMMENDED
KeolisAmey Metrolink
Social Value Award
KeolisAmey Metrolink
Highly Commended
KeolisAmey Metrolink is fostering an inclusive company culture and engaging with the broader community, focusing on school engagement, initiatives that support women, vulnerable communities and individuals facing mental health challenges.
Award Category sponsored by
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Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Social Value Award
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Highly Commended
Morgan Sindall seeks to enhance communities, protect people, work with suppliers, improve the environment, and develop people, creating an employment and skills legacy for local women and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Award Category sponsored by
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Southeastern
Employer of the Year Award
Southeastern
Highly Commended
Southeastern is a pioneer for gender equity and inclusion in rail, valuing diversity and inclusion. Its trailblazing initiatives have seen job applications from underrepresented groups up 140 per cent.
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CFO EDI Champions Working Group, Network Rail
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Team Award
CFO EDI Champions Working Group, Network Rail
Highly Commended
The Working Group is a cross-functional team that has worked tirelessly to promote EDI, lead, and deliver initiatives to improve the experience of diverse groups working in Network Rail.
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Hull Trains
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Team Award
Hull Trains
Highly Commended
Hull Trains’ industry-leading approach to diversity has resulted in women making up 28% of its train drivers and a 52:48 female-to-male staff ratio across the entire organisation.
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Aona Stuart - Environment Manager, Network Rail (High Speed)
Female Rising Star of the Year Award
Aona Stuart - Environment Manager, Network Rail (High Speed)
Highly Commended
Aona has made a remarkable contribution in just two years. Through her proactive leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive culture, she is continuing to set new standards for excellence.
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Helen Gander - Train Manager (Driver), GBRailfreight
Inspirational Frontline Woman of the Year Award
Helen Gander - Train Manager (Driver), GBRailfreight
Highly Commended
Helen has used her diagnosis of autism to help others in the industry. Supported by her employer, she has reassured others and encouraged the industry to do more to help those with neurodiversity.
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Kath Martin - Rail Enforcement Team Leader for Great Northern, Govia Thameslink Railway
Inspirational Frontline Woman of the Year Award
Kath Martin - Rail Enforcement Team Leader for Great Northern, Govia Thameslink Railway
Highly Commended
Rail Enforcement Officer Kath has helped make the network a safer place for women and championed gender balance and equality. Her diversified team has an equal split of male and female officers.
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Alyson Downham - Engineering Delivery Manager, Hitachi Rail
Inspirational Women of the Year Award
Alyson Downham - Engineering Delivery Manager, Hitachi Rail
Highly Commended
Alyson is an inspirational torchbearer for EDI, producing and delivering STEM activities to inspire women and them into a career in rail as well as supporting local and national events.
Award Category sponsored by
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Joanne Cox - Head of Quality Manufacturing Rolling Stock Goole, Siemens Mobility
Inspirational Woman of the Year Award
Joanne Cox - Head of Quality Manufacturing Rolling Stock Goole, Siemens Mobility
Highly Commended
Jo has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering others, even in the face of personal health challenges. She is a role model in the fight for gender equality and a more inclusive workforce.
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Esther Steele - Station Duty Manager, East Midlands Railway
The Adeline Ginn Unsung Hero Award
Esther Steele - Station Duty Manager, East Midlands Railway
Highly Commended
Esther is committed to supporting her local community and has a natural passion for helping others. Her care, compassion, and enthusiasm have earned widespread praise from colleagues and community members alike.
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Natalie Thornton - Operations Support Manager, Siemens Mobility Limited, Goole Rail Village
The Adeline Ginn Unsung Hero Award
Natalie Thornton - Operations Support Manager, Siemens Mobility Limited, Goole Rail Village
Highly Commended
Natalie quietly dedicates herself to transforming her community through selfless effort and tireless work. Never seeking recognition, she champions diversity, inclusion, and social impact while inspiring others to do the same.
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