The weeks after the Christmas break always fly by and somehow we now find ourselves bang in the middle of February. While it may not be quite the beginning of the year, we’re not yet clear of the winter months, and before we emerge into spring there’s still time to consider what we might achieve in the year ahead.
It’s apt then, that this issue includes a focus on careers and recruitment. It’s a time when many are thinking about their next move up the ladder or considering a complete change of course. With features from training specialists City & Guilds, recruitment experts Advance TRS, and Australian rail firm Arc International, we have plenty of options for you.
For some of our wonderful colleagues, 2024 got off to a flying start when they received much-deserved accolades in the New Years Honours List. We take the time to salute these esteemed employees who have gone beyond their remit to deliver excellent service and improve the lives of those around them.
Speaking of a new year, it only seems five minutes since we were celebrating at the RailStaff Awards back in November. It’s hard to believe but we’re already preparing for another spectacular event, and we’d love to see you all there.
As always, Colin Wheeler gives us his regular take on the safety issues of the day, examining the latest reports from the RAIB. He also looks ahead to our Rail Safety Summit, which brings together safety professionals to discuss the latest developments, ideas, and technology. The event will be held on Tuesday 12 March, and we reveal the speakers who are confirmed to appear.
With safety in mind, you’ll hardly have missed the atrocious weather we’ve seen in recent weeks. The consecutive named storms that hit the UK through January have caused chaos for the network, and rising global temperatures mean this will be a regular phenomenon in the years to come. Alice Lake, a climate scientist at the Met Office tells us how climate change is affecting the network and how it will continue to influence the efficiency of our railways.
To a perfect storm of another sort, at the end of 2024 we sat down with Jo Kaye, CEO of Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), to discuss the financial turbulence that many in the industry currently face. As the cost-of-living crisis drags on, those lucky enough to have had savings are seeing them run dry and RBF is seeing increasing calls for help. Jo urges everyone to speak up about their difficulties before they become unescapable.
But before all of this, we start the issue with a celebration of the life of Tom O’Connor, founder of RailStaff, who sadly passed away in January. Tom was a passionate supporter of the UK rail industry and a committed advocate for the employees that make it all work. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
