Save the date, book a hotel, and pick out your outfit – the RailStaff Awards will be here sooner than you think!
We’re more than halfway through 2024 and sliding down the hill towards the end of the year, and that means just one thing: the RailStaff Awards are on their way!
On Thursday 28 November, the movers and shakers of the rail industry will gather at Birmingham’s NEC to celebrate the achievements of its outstanding staff. And although the event is dedicated to these wonderful individuals, it would be rude of us not to mention a few more very important people.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we present your host and independent judges for the RailStaff Awards 2024…
A class act
This year, Brian Conley, one of Britain’s best-known performers, will guide attendees through the night’s proceedings. Boasting a decades-long career as an actor, comedian, singer, and TV presenter, he is certain to entertain.
Brian has starred in multiple award-winning television shows, most recently completing a two-year stint on soap favourite, Eastenders. On the stage, he has played the lead role in multiple West End musicals including Me and My Girl, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hairspray, and Oliver! But that’s not all. As a musician, he has released five albums, including Brian Conley Sings, Let the Good Times Roll, and Stage to Stage.
Unsurprisingly, Brian has won numerous awards including a National Television Award and a British Comedy Award, and he was nominated for an Olivier award for his role in the musical, Jolson.
“I’m very proud to be hosting the RailStaff Awards at the NEC on the 28 November”, said Brian. “It’s going to be an absolute extravaganza celebrating the wonderful work that the workers of the rail industry do.
“Put the date in your calendar and book it now, otherwise you’ll be sitting right at the back. I just can’t wait!”
Judging the Awards
Roles across the entire industry are represented at the RailStaff Awards and individuals at any level can be nominated for an award in one of the event’s 20 categories. The task of deciding the winners is no easy feat, and responsibility is handed over to our panel of Independent and Category judges.
Hand-picked from throughout the industry, our Independent judges include:
Stephen Edwards – Chair, UKTram
A highly experienced transport executive, Stephen has a successful background in strategic development, business planning, and operations management – most recently as executive director and director general of South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE).
Bonnie Price – CEO, Young Rail Professionals
Bonnie has been on the YRP board since 2020 and has been elected to her second term at the helm. She is the first woman to hold this position through two elections and the second person in YRP’s history to do so.
Richard Thorp – Director of Engineering & Technology, HS1
Richard is a chartered engineer, with over 25 years’ experience in delivering and developing asset management capabilities for both UK main-line and high-speed railways.
Tonie Davey – Associate Director, IOSH
Tonie has provided health and safety, assurance and quality management consultancy advice across a variety of industries, including high-risk sectors such as rail and construction. Her assignments and roles over the last 30+ years have included safety change initiatives and large-scale safety improvement programmes.
Joana Amoh – Rail Person of the Year
Joana, from Carlisle Support Services, won the Rail Person of the Year prize in 2023. During her time working in rail she has faced many challenges, including saving three lives.
Natasha Grice – Director – Rail, Transport Focus
Natasha is part of the exec team at the independent watchdog Transport Focus as a director leading on Rail. She has been a part of the Rail Industry for over 22 years most of that time with Virgin Trains.
Anit Chandarana – Group Director, System Operator, Network Rail
Between February 2022 and April 2024, Anit served as lead director of GBRTT as well as interim director general of the Rail Infrastructure Group. He returned to Network Rail, where he had previously served for 19 years, earlier this year.
Matt Atkins – Editor, RailStaff
Matt has worked in journalism and publishing for over 15 years. In that time, he’s worked, edited, and written for numerous trade publications covering industries as diverse as finance, business, shipping, and now rail.
Don’t miss out
Though the big event draws closer, you’ve still time to book your ticket or nominate a deserving colleague or friend. But why not do it today? We’d hate for you to miss out.
For more information visit www.railstaffawards.com.
We’ll see you in November!
