WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS 2026

Recognition of an individual who has developed a strong and successful approach to EDI.

This award category recognises that not all individuals work in companies or teams, nor will they have the same starting point, resources, and opportunities to build upon.

Criteria: Please provide evidence to support all or most of the following criteria.

The winner of this category will:

• Been part of or have put in place a strong and successful Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programme in their company or UK rail.
• Have made a tangible and positive effect within the workforce, and if applicable, the wider UK rail industry.
• Recognise the role our industry can play in creating opportunities and unlocking talent.
• Be able to demonstrate how they have met the criteria and/or demonstrated the values of the WR/RIA EDI Charter.
• Have demonstrated a proactive, inclusive, and diverse mindset and culture in the broad sense.
• Have made a particular effort to ensure diverse people are given the opportunity to have the benefit of a rail career.
• Have demonstrated methods used to employ/support diverse people.

Recognition of the talent and outstanding contribution of a female* apprentice. The award is open to apprentices of all ages.

Criteria: Please provide evidence to support all or most of the following criteria.

The winner of this category will:

• Be an apprentice enrolled to receive a recognised programme.
• Have made an outstanding contribution to the UK rail sector for a maximum of three years (from date of nomination).
• Be a champion of gender balance, equity, diversity, and inclusion in UK rail.
• Have demonstrated exceptional skills as an apprentice.
• Have demonstrated an exemplary drive and determination.
• Have demonstrated innovation and pro-activity as an apprentice.

Sponsored by:

*At Women in Rail, the words “woman”, “women” and “female”, when used by the team, span the nine protected characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, as well as broader behavioural and background diversity, such as thinking and personality types, socio-economic background and life experience and include women who are transitioning and non-binary people.

Recognition of a remarkable woman* who is in their first five years of a career in the railway but has already made an impact on colleagues, peers and customers.

Criteria: Please provide evidence to support all or most of the following criteria.

The winner of this category will:

• Have made an outstanding contribution to the UK rail sector for a maximum of five years (from date of nomination).
• Be a champion of gender balance, equity, diversity, and inclusion in UK rail.
• Have demonstrated outstanding (technical or non-technical) abilities.
• Have demonstrated strong personal values.
• Have demonstrated tremendous initiative and proactivity.
• Have inspired and be a role model to others.
• Have demonstrated potential in shaping the future of our industry.

Sponsored by:

*At Women in Rail, the words “woman”, “women” and “female”, when used by the team, span the nine protected characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, as well as broader behavioural and background diversity, such as thinking and personality types, socio-economic background and life experience and include women who are transitioning and non-binary people.

Recognition of a male** ally professional who has made an outstanding contribution to championing females* in the UK rail industry.

Criteria: Please provide evidence to support all or most of the following criteria. 

The winner of this category will: 

• Be a champion of gender balance, equity, diversity, and inclusion in UK rail.
• Be inspirational in what they have achieved.
• Be a role model to others.
• Have leaned into the debate and been proactive in putting in place a solid support structure for women*.
• Have inspired women* to opt for a career in the sector.
• Be a role model whose achievements, infectious energy, and determination to improve gender balance, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the rail sector have been inspirational.
• Have supported women in the workplace overcome challenges and adversity, and/or who have taken a significant career break to bring up a family, and/or been a carer before returning to the railway and achieving great things.

Credit will be given if the nominee’s achievements are outside their employment, and they have shown pure altruism.

*At Women in Rail, the words “woman”, “women” and “female”, when used by the team, span the nine protected characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, as well as broader behavioural and background diversity, such as thinking and personality types, socio-economic background and life experience and include women who are transitioning and non-binary people.

**At Women in Rail, the words “man”, “men” and “male”, when used by the team, span the nine protected characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, as well as broader behavioural and background diversity, such as thinking and personality types, socio-economic background and life experience and include men who are transitioning and non-binary people.

Recognition of a Frontline female* who has made an outstanding contribution to the UK rail sector.

This award is open to ALL female frontline staff, not necessarily managers of public-facing staff.

Criteria: Please provide evidence to support all or most of the following criteria.

The winner of this category will:

• Be a champion of gender balance, equity, diversity, and inclusion in UK rail.
• Be able to demonstrate what they have achieved in a frontline role.
• Demonstrate how they have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their frontline role.
• Be inspirational in what they have achieved within a frontline environment.
• Be a role model to others.
• Have leaned into the debate and been proactive in putting in place a solid support structure for women*.
• Have inspired women* to opt for a career in the sector.
• Be a role model whose achievements, infectious energy, and determination to improve gender balance, equality, diversity, and inclusion in the rail sector have been inspirational.
• Have overcome challenges and adversity and/or taken a significant career break to bring up a family and/or be a carer before returning to the railway and achieving great things.

Credit will be given if the nominee’s achievements are outside their employment and they have shown pure altruism.

Sponsored by:

*At Women in Rail, the words “woman”, “women” and “female”, when used by the team, span the nine protected characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, as well as broader behavioural and background diversity, such as thinking and personality types, socio-economic background and life experience and include women who are transitioning and non-binary people.

Recognition of a female* professional who has made an outstanding contribution to the UK rail sector.

Criteria: Please provide evidence to support all or most of the following criteria.

The winner of this category will:

• Be a champion of gender balance, equity, diversity, and inclusion in UK rail.
• Be inspirational in what they have achieved.
• Be a role model to others.
• Have leaned into the debate and been proactive in putting in place a solid support structure for women*.
• Have inspired women* to opt for a career in the sector.
• Be a role model whose achievements, infectious energy, and determination to improve gender balance, equality, diversity, and inclusion in the rail sector have been inspirational.
• Have overcome challenges and adversity and/or taken a significant career break to bring up a family and/or be a carer before returning to the railway and achieving great things.

Credit will be given if the nominee’s achievements are outside their employment, and they have shown pure altruism.

Sponsored by:

*At Women in Rail, the words “woman”, “women” and “female”, when used by the team, span the nine protected characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, as well as broader behavioural and background diversity, such as thinking and personality types, socio-economic background and life experience and include women who are transitioning and non-binary people.

The Adeline Ginn Unsung Hero Award will be presented to someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Criteria: Please provide evidence to support all or most of the following criteria.

The winner of this category will:

• Have gone above and beyond the call of duty – without recognition – in the course of their employment.
• Have made an exceptional contribution to others – individuals or communities – and demonstrated outstanding kindness, care, and compassion, acting as an inspiration to others.
• Have continued to work tirelessly, contributing to change within their workplace, for colleagues or their local community.

Credit will be given if the nominee’s achievements are outside their employment, and they have shown pure altruism.

The Adeline Ginn Lifetime Achievement Award will recognise a woman* who has made significant and lasting contributions to the rail industry over the course of their career.

Criteria: Please provide evidence to support all or most of the following criteria.

The winner of this category will:

• Have gone above and beyond their day job to support others – individuals or communities.
• Have made an exceptional contribution to others – individuals or communities – and demonstrated outstanding kindness, care, and compassion, acting as an inspiration to others.
• Have continued to work tirelessly, contributing to helping the railway serve passengers and customers.
• Have gone above and beyond to support their colleagues working in operational roles.
• Have carried on in their substantive operational roles but also undertook other voluntary activities to support their local community.

Credit will be given if the nominee’s achievements are outside their employment, and they have shown pure altruism.

*At Women in Rail, the words “woman”, “women” and “female”, when used by the team, span the nine protected characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexual orientation, as well as broader behavioural and background diversity, such as thinking and personality types, socio-economic background and life experience and include women who are transitioning and non-binary people.