We’re pleased to announce that Alison Rumsey, group HR director for Network Rail, will be part of the independent industry panel judging this year’s RailStaff Awards.
Responsible for creating the overall people strategy for CP6, Alison was appointed to Network Rail’s executive committee at the start of this year. She joined Network Rail Infrastructure Projects in 2015 as HR director, having held senior roles in various government departments since 2009.
“It’s a really important event to showcase the industry,” said Alison. “Obviously the recognition for the individual is fantastic and a really good way to showcase some of the really talented people we have in the railway.”
There is a particularly eclectic mix of talents within the rail industry; this is reflected in the 20 different awards that will be presented at this year’s event.
Although the achievements detailed in the nominations are likely to vary, Alison believes there will undoubtedly be some common themes: delivering for customers, health and wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion.
Alison said: “In addition to the wide spectrum of awards is the diverse range of people in the industry. Showing that it’s an inclusive industry that everyone can really achieve something is really a great thing that the awards do.”
By celebrating newcomers to the industry, the awards ceremony also helps to drive the apprentice agenda, said Alison, and gives apprentices and graduates across the industry something to aspire to.
Alison is one of several new expert judges who will help to pick this year’s winners. The panel is independent and will offer an impartial view of all of this year’s nominations. In May, we confirmed the first member of the judging team: Rail Delivery Group (RDG) director Gary Cooper.
While the recognition side of the awards is often the focus, Alison said the opportunity to meet industry colleagues you’d never ordinarily meet and learn from other areas of the industry was another benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked.
“Absolutely. My own HR team will confirm that’s one thing that’s really important about awards,” said Alison. “It’s a real opportunity to learn. It’s a chance to hear what’s going on in other parts of the industry you might not know.”
Jolene Price, Rail Media events director, said: “We’re really excited to welcome Alison to our RailStaff Awards judging panel. It was really important for us to be able to assemble a respected group of rail professionals to decide who takes home the top awards this year and, as someone who is responsible for almost 40,000 people across the country, there is no one better placed to recognise the outstanding achievements of rail industry staff.”
To submit a nomination for the 2018 RailStaff Awards, visit www.railstaffawards.com/event/2018/nominate.
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