It only seems five minutes since we were celebrating at the RailStaff Awards 2023, but we’re already preparing for another spectacular event.
The Awards become more impressive each year, and 30 November saw a party like no other. The evening’s theme was ‘Effervescence’, a celebration of everything that oozes glitz and glamour, and attendees dressed to the nines for a night of indulgence. Star of TV and Radio Gethin Jones compèred the evening’s events, guiding guests through the night with his easy charm, making the special occasion all the more memorable.
The winners
From rail managers to customer service assistants, apprentices to training managers, the full breadth and depth of the industry’s staff was represented, and a record 144,000 votes were cast to decide the finalists. Our judges had some tough decisions to make, but eventually the names of our winners were announced:
Apprentice or Newcomer of the Year
Smital Dhake, Alstom
Award for Charity
Mark Fielding-Smith, AtkinsRéalis
Digital Railway (S&T) Person or Team Award
Scotland’s Railway Communication Teams, Scotland’s Railway
Depot & Freight Staff Award
GB Railfreight Felixstowe Operations Team, GB Railfreight
Sustainability & Net Zero Person or Team Award
Green Travel Pledge, Rail Delivery Group
Customer Service Award
Jonathan Louis, Southern Rail
Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Person or Team of the Year
Erin Gray, Network Rail
Samaritans Lifesaver Award
Megan Moore, ScotRail
Rail Manager of the Year
Rhiannon Price, BTTC
Safety Person or Team Award
Bridget Nolan and Jeremy Rogers, Southern Railway / GTR
HR, Diversity & Inclusion Person or Team Award
Paul McGunnigle-White, Trenitalia c2c
Station Staff Award
St Pancras International Station Team, Network Rail High Speed
Health & Wellbeing Award
Railway Mission Chaplain Team, Railway Mission
Learning, Development & Investing in People Award
Chris Crawley & The City and Guilds Impact Team, City & Guilds Training (Intertrain)
Rail Engineer of the Year
David Millar, Balfour Beatty VINCI
Lifetime Achievement Award
Julie Garn, GB Railfreight
Rail Team of the Year
Johnstone Station Staff, ScotRail
Rail Person of the Year
Joana Amoh, Carlisle Support Services
Services to Public Wellbeing
A special mention must be made of George the Stourbridge Junction Station Cat. George was nominated in three categories for his dedication to the well being of staff and passengers alike. George has been a resident of the station since 2017 and, on top of his mouse-catching duties, he has built up a large online following who appreciate the positive messages he posts on a daily basis.
After receiving over 11,000 votes, George graciously withdrew from the competition to allow his human colleagues the opportunity to celebrate.
As a gesture of our appreciation, George has been awarded a very special award for Service to Public Wellbeing.
You’re a worthy winner, George!
A ceremony beyond compare
Each year, the RailStaff Awards gains more attention, more nominations, and more positive feedback, but what is the key to its success?
One major difference is that the Awards are solely for the industry’s amazing staff – the people that keep the wheels turning. The event recognises those who go the extra mile, whether that’s supporting their co-workers, making the railway safer, helping society at large, or just making peoples’ days a little brighter. It honours the people who work beyond their jobs, set aside their precious time for others, and remind us all to care for everyone on the network.
“The RailStaff Awards recognise the people in our industry who regularly go the extra mile,” said Rail Media Managing Director Adam O’Connor on the night.
“It’s humbling to be able to stage this event and see the impact it has on the industry’s incredible work force. Every winner and highly commended individual deserves applause, so too all the finalists and nominees.
Looking ahead
Now we get on with the job of making this year’s event bigger, better, and more memorable than ever. It won’t be an easy task, but we’ve managed to outclass ourselves each and every year.
If you’ve never attended, the RailStaff Awards is always a spectacular night, but more than that it’s a celebration of the people that make the industry great. It’s an evening when the whole railway family comes together to honour its brightest stars.
Join us in November for an amazing experience. Take the opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues, enjoy spectacular entertainment and, once the winners are announced, dance the night away.
Make 2024 the year you join us in celebrating the wonderful employees of the rail industry. It’s a night you don’t want to miss.
