WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS 2025

“LNER is proud to be Headline Sponsor for the Women in Rail Awards 2025, as part of its ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. LNER aims to lead the way in creating a more inclusive rail industry with initiatives as varied as having free period products on trains and at stations to its involvement in the “Never Mind The Gap” programme, helping women wanting to get their career on track after time out of work.

LNER has a 44% female workforce and 13% of drivers are women. While both figures outperforming the UK rail industry the company recognises there is still much more work to be done.

By sponsoring the Women in Rail Awards 2025, LNER reinforces its vision to become the most loved, progressive, and responsible way to travel, while supporting initiatives that empower and inspire women in the sector.”

With 37 locations and 6,000 employees, Alstom is the UK and Ireland’s leading supplier of new trains and train services, and a leading signalling and rail infrastructure provider. Alstom have built just under 40% of the UK mainline train fleet; as well as the entire fleets in service with London Underground and Dublin Luas. Half of all UK rail journeys are made on an Alstom train, while its portfolio of smart products is the widest on the market.

“Alstom is proud to support the Women in Rail Awards, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and diverse rail industry. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for driving innovation, improving business outcomes and ensuring the long-term success of the rail sector. By supporting this event, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in rail and help to inspire the next generation of female leaders.

“The Women in Rail Awards aligns with Alstom’s core values of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity. We recognise the importance of creating a supportive environment that empowers women to thrive in all roles, from engineering and operations to project management and leadership. As a company at the forefront of technological advancements and sustainable mobility, we are committed to fostering talent that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.”

“Through our partnership with the Women in Rail Awards, we aim to highlight the achievements of women who are shaping the future of rail and encourage others to break down barriers. Together, we can create a more balanced and innovative industry that supports the aspirations and potential of all individuals, regardless of gender.”

-Charlotte Briers, Rolling Stock Performance Lead and Chair of Voices of Women at Alstom

Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.

We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.

Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024 and will replace our Voyagers. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.

We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.

For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/

“Avanti West Coast is proud to support the Women in Rail Awards, celebrating those driving positive change in the industry.

We are committed to improving gender balance, equality, diversity, and inclusion in the UK rail sector.

When we launched our 2023 trainee train driver recruitment campaign, we unveiled a mural at London Euston station honouring Karen Harrison, one of the UK’s first female train drivers.  This spotlight on female train drivers, resulted in a huge increase in female applicants and we’re delighted that now one third of our trainee train drivers are women – something that we hope Karen would have been proud of.

At Avanti West Coast, our mission is to be the transport of choice, connecting people and communities along the West Coast. We live this mission by driving inclusivity so that we reflect the diversity of the communities that we serve.

Day in, day out, we’re channelling Karen’s pioneering spirit by championing Women in Rail.”

We are BAM. We use the skills, knowledge, and experience found across BAM to help our clients find the right solutions to their biggest challenges.

We deliver and enhance buildings and infrastructure across the UK and Ireland. Our approach is client-focused. We build strong relationships with our clients, understanding what they do and their biggest challenges, to develop solutions tailored to them.

Our vision is to build a sustainable tomorrow. We use the skills and experience found across our business to develop projects which are innovative, sustainable and value-driven. No matter how complex, we leave no stone unturned to deliver the right solution for our client.

Working together, we will find the right answer.

“We’re proud to sponsor the Women in Rail Awards Apprenticeship category. Promoting gender inclusivity in apprenticeships is crucial for fostering diverse and equitable workplaces that attract new talent.

At BAM, people are at the heart of everything we do. We believe diverse teams deliver the best results for BAM and our clients. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect runs throughout our employee experience. There’s more than ‘one version’ of brilliance. We welcome a wide range of skills, experiences, and new perspectives. Put simply, at BAM we want people to get the support they need to be themselves.

Working with our social sustainability team and partnerships such as Women in Rail, we target 30% female representation in our apprenticeship roles, building from a baseline of 25%.

We’re proud members of Women into Science and Engineering (WISE). Since becoming a strategic partner in 2020, our relationship with WISE has grown significantly. Using WISE resources, BAM’s Gender Action Network guides and supports us. Our objectives include creating a safe environment for our members, supporting family leave and returners, and greater representation within our professional memberships, while educating people about gender equality.

Meet the women at BAM making a real impact!”

BTTC is a high-performance infrastructure project consultancy founded on the principle that our industry can deliver projects ‘better through total collaboration’. We combine an innovative, collaborative and pragmatic approach with high performing leadership, extensive experience and expertise to help our customers to transform the way infrastructure projects are delivered globally.

We are recognised as industry leaders in infrastructure delivery, operating at every stage of the project life-cycle on behalf of our customers. Our strategic services align with industry standards including RICS, APM, and CIPS, while our specialised capabilities in alternative delivery models (Alliance, DB, PDB, CMAR, and Target Price contracts) have earned us partnerships with some of the world’s largest public infrastructure organisations.

We believe in forging long-term, mutually beneficial relationships built on true collaboration. By empowering our teams to share knowledge and mentor others, we create a lasting legacy wherever we work. Our commitment to transforming the infrastructure industry begins with redefining how owners, contractors, and stakeholders work together to achieve better project outcomes.

BTTC is fundamentally a people-oriented organisation. We attract and retain the industry’s best talent by fostering an environment that promotes excellence and opportunity. Our structured personal development programmes are tailored to each individual, optimising their skills and experience while encouraging the highest levels of professional competence.

Through total collaboration, BTTC is transforming the infrastructure industry by building a more effective, innovative, and sustainable future for project delivery worldwide.

“BTTC is proud to sponsor the Women in Rail Awards, an initiative that directly aligns with our core values and vision for the future of infrastructure. As a consultancy built on the principle that our industry can delivery projects ‘better through total collaboration’, we recognise that true collaboration can only exist in an environment where diversity thrives and every voice is valued.

Our commitment to gender equality is demonstrated through action and results. With women comprising 40% of our workforce, significantly exceeding the industry average, and a commitment to advancing female talent at all levels, we’re actively reshaping what leadership looks like in infrastructure. We understand that diverse teams deliver better outcomes, drive innovation, and create more sustainable solutions for our clients.

The rail sector faces unique challenges in attracting and retaining talented women. By supporting the Women in Rail Awards, we aim to highlight exceptional female contributors and progressive organisations who are transforming the industry. This event creates a platform for sharing best practices and recognising progress while also acknowledging the work still to be done.

We believe in leading by example and inspiring change across our industry. By championing gender equality and fostering an inclusive environment where all can succeed, we’re not just building better infrastructure – we’re building a better industry for everyone.”

“At c2c we are proud to sponsor the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team Award category. This sponsorship reflects our deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace not only within our organisation but across the wider rail industry.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) operates over 450 train services daily, offering a blend of fast Intercity routes and vital regional connections. These services link South Yorkshire, the East Midlands, and London St Pancras International, as well as towns and cities across England. At EMR, our vision is to drive the East Midlands toward a brighter future. We aim to connect cities, support communities, and create easier, more accessible journeys for everyone.

 “At East Midlands Railway (EMR), we are proud to support Women in Rail because gender equality is at the heart of our We Embrace Diversity value. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to delivering the best service for our customers and communities. Supporting Women in Rail aligns with our commitment to creating an environment where women feel valued, empowered, and inspired to pursue careers in the railway industry. By supporting initiatives like Women in Rail, we are helping to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and encourage more women to consider careers in our industry. Through mentoring, networking, and development opportunities, we aim to support women at all stages of their careers, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to succeed. EMR is committed to driving meaningful change, and our partnership with Women in Rail is a vital step in building a fairer and more representative railway for everyone.”

Greater Anglia provides intercity, commuter and rural services across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, including the Stansted Express service. We’re responsible for over 2800 employees, operate about 1,300 train services per day and manage 134 stations. In the last few years we’ve transformed rail travel in our region, replacing every single train with a brand-new train offering a better travel experience, with air conditioning, plug and USB points, fast, free wifi and improved accessibility. Our new fleet has also helped us deliver record-breaking and industry-leading performance results, as well as raise customer satisfaction standards. We’re passionate supporters of Women in Rail and committed to helping all our colleagues realise their career aspirations.

“Greater Anglia (GA) is proud to support and, for the second consecutive year, sponsor the Women in Rail Awards. We recognise the essential role Women in Rail plays in improving, equality, diversity and inclusion within our industry and the platform it provides us all to share best practice. In particular, the colleagues that you meet and hear from at the Women in Rail Awards are a motivation to all of us in the work that we do.

We are honoured to sponsor the Inspirational Woman of the Year category at this years’ Awards. Here at GA, we have many inspirational women across the company, who lead our colleagues, look after our customers and achieve remarkable results each day. For us, this award showcases colleagues who – whether they know it or not – are role models to others and will have their own story to tell on their journey. The nominations within this category provide shining examples of the many inspirational females we are fortunate to have within our industry who have a positive impact on others.”

With our 3,500 employees in the UK and our global HQ in London, Hitachi Rail is a cornerstone of the UK’s rail industry. Operating across 20 sites across England, Scotland and Wales, we leverage an extensive network of depots, maintenance centres and our factory in the North East. This infrastructure enables us to deliver world-class solutions in signalling, digital maintenance and telecom systems. Our skilled and diverse workforce is the heart of our operations, driving innovation, delivering results of our customers and nurturing the next generation of rail talent across the UK.

“Hitachi Rail is proud to sponsor the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Individual Award and show our full support for the 2025 Women in Rail Awards. At Hitachi Rail, we are committed to accelerating the pace of change and harnessing the benefits a truly diverse and inclusive workforce can bring.

Under our DEI framework, BeYou, we have launched 4 networks to support people in marginalised groups, including the Women’s Network. Our mission is to start the vital conversations that need to take place to highlight actions that individuals can take to contribute to Hitachi’s vision for social innovation, not only within our organisation but also in their day-to-day lives. Under the framework, we have created a community that involves networking events, inspirational speakers, mentoring opportunities, awareness training and initiatives that look at inclusive design and the status of our policies.

Looking for partnerships with our customers, suppliers and industry bodies is also a key part of our framework, as we believe that it is through partnerships and collaboration that we can collectively have the most impact.“

KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD) operates the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) under franchise for Docklands Light Railway Limited (DLRL), part of Transport for London (TfL) and comprises c900 employees working to deliver the operations, customer service, engineering, and project services for the railway.  The DLR serves a total of 45 stations, of which only four are permanently staffed.  The train service operates through a number of diverse and varied boroughs in east and south east London, connecting residents from Greenwich, Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets to the heart of London’s financial districts in Canary Wharf and Bank and popular tourist attractions at Greenwich and Tower Gateway. We work hard to engage, connect and support our local communities and continue the community railway legacy that the DLR was built upon. 

“KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD) is delighted to once again sponsor the Women in Rail Awards and stand alongside the UK rail industry in its ongoing commitment to gender balance, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Women in Rail has been instrumental in supporting KAD’s equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. From leveraging insights from the Industry Survey Report to shape our outreach and recruitment strategies, to engaging in the cross-company mentoring programme as a cornerstone of our Women in KAD Development Programme, the platform continues to be invaluable in advancing best practices across the sector.

This year, we are proud to sponsor the Female Rising Star Award & Employer of the Year Award and look forward to celebrating the outstanding individuals and teams driving progress within the Women in Rail agenda.”

Transport UK is a dynamic UK-based private sector group operating Greater Anglia, West Midlands Trains, and East Midlands Railway, operating Merseyrail in partnership with Serco, and operating 11% of London’s bus routes. Led by a dedicated team of industry experts with unrivalled experience in the sector, Transport UK is playing a vital role in shaping the future of integrated public transport.

“Transport UK is proud to support the Social Value Award at the Women in Rail Awards for a second year. Our support stems from our commitment to fostering social mobility and creating social value within the UK rail industry. This year, we launched our Social Values Charter that lays out our commitments. This award recognises organisations implementing effective social value programmes whilst actively engaging with local communities to ensure broad access to rail industry careers.

“With an extensive operational reach across various communities, Transport UK inherently understands the significance of connecting people with work, school, their loved ones, and recreation. As a major employer with over 12,000 diverse staff members, we set industry standards in promoting inclusivity and sustainable practices. We will continue to advocate for and implement policies like the Living Wage and promoting sustainable transport options. We also take a dedicated approach to diversifying our pool of applicants for our apprenticeship programmes, to welcome in incredible talent and improve diversity across the sector from the bottom up.”

“Transport UK are also proud to support Women in Transport, Women in Engineering, Women in STEM, Women in Bus and Coach.”

West Midlands Railway is ran by owning company Transport UK and is made up of two networks West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway.

West Midlands Railway services operate to destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill. London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston.

“West Midlands Railway is proud of the invaluable contribution women make both across our organisation and the wider rail industry. We actively want to recognise and support this celebratory event of women who have and continue to positively challenge the status quo in a male dominated environment to break down barriers, open opportunities and inspire females to pursue a career on the railways.”