WOMEN IN RAIL AWARDS 2026

Avanti West Coast provides the principal long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales, and Scotland. Its services connect six of the largest cities in the UK: London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, which have a combined metropolitan population of over 18 million.

“We are proud to support the 2026 Women in Rail awards, which is a fantastic event celebrating the amazing work women do in the rail industry every day.

At Avanti West Coast, women play a key role in delivering the best possible service for our customers across all areas of our business. We are proud to have a strong representation of women within our Executive team who also play a critical role in leading of business as well as acting as positive role models within the industry.

We are working hard to encourage more women to join the railway, and we see these awards as an excellent opportunity to shine a light on everything that is great about working in rail. We wish all the finalists the best of luck and congratulate everyone for their outstanding commitment to our fantastic industry.”

At BAM, we imagine, create and enrich buildings and infrastructure across the UK & Ireland. Our vision is to build a sustainable tomorrow. We think beyond the build and focus on the bigger impact. It’s how we make the iconic buildings and infrastructure that shape our society. And that’s why we’re on a mission to make possible. But what are we making possible?

Flood resilience, new habitats and brighter futures. Connected communities, safe working environments and local employment opportunities. These are just some of the things we’re making possible, wherever we go. At the top of our list is always making a positive impact possible – to create a more sustainable tomorrow, for everyone.

“People are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect runs throughout our employee experience. We welcome a wide range of skills, experiences, and new perspectives – because there’s more than ‘one version’ of brilliance.

Promoting gender inclusivity in apprenticeships is crucial for fostering diverse and equitable workplaces that attract new talent. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor this year’s Female Apprentice of the Year Award category.

From day one, apprentices learn on the job, supported by a warm and welcoming culture that encourages growth and confidence. They don’t just observe – they get stuck into big, ambitious projects that shape the built environment and make a real impact.

Together with our social sustainability team and partners such as Women in Rail, we’re aiming for 30% female representation across BAM. By supporting the next generation, we’re helping to build a culture of colleagues that celebrate diversity and reflect the talent our industry needs for the future.

Hear how a BAM apprenticeship opened new opportunities for one apprentice.“

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.”

KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD) is a joint venture between Keolis (70%) and Amey (30%), operating the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) under a franchise for Docklands Light Railway Limited (DLRL), part of Transport for London (TfL). Since taking over operations in 2014, KAD has delivered over one billion passenger journeys, consistently achieving some of the highest customer satisfaction scores across TfL services.

In April 2025, KAD began a new eight-year contract with TfL to operate and maintain the DLR network, with a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer experience.

KAD employs around 950 colleagues who deliver operations, customer service, engineering, and project improvements across the railway. The DLR serves 45 stations and connects diverse communities across Greenwich, Lewisham, Newham, and Tower Hamlets to key destinations including Canary Wharf, Bank, and popular tourist attractions at Greenwich and Tower Gateway.

As part of its commitment to the community, KAD actively engages with local residents and stakeholders, continuing the community railway legacy upon which the DLR was founded.

“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, diversity, and inclusion.

Women in Rail has been instrumental in supporting KAD’s equity, 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 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 train companies such as East Midlands Railway and Merseyrail (in partnership with Serco), and 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 third year. Our continued support stems from our commitment to fostering social mobility and creating social value within the UK rail industry. This award recognises organisations implementing effective social value programmes whilst actively engaging with local communities to ensure broad access to the rail industry.

Last year, we launched our Social Values Charter. TUK is committed to embedding social values into every aspect of our operations. It is intrinsically linked to our core values, as we place the communities we serve, our people, social mobility, and the environment at the heart of all of our activity. Our charter set the foundations for the launch of our Sustainability Strategy this year.”

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

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

“London Northwestern and West Midlands Railways is proud of the invaluable contribution women make both across our organisation and the wider rail industry. From Drivers and Senior Conductors to Revenue officers and Engineers we have women delivering in all areas across our organisation. 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.”