One of the most prestigious prizes at the RailStaff awards is that taken home by individuals who’ve provided the industry with a lifetime of stellar service.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises those people who’ve invested so much of their own time to delivering excellence for the benefit of customers and colleagues alike, those who’ve displayed a career’s worth of dedication, commitment, and a willingness to go that extra mile.
The rail industry is distinctive in that it’s not uncommon to find staff who’ve given 30, 40, or 50 years’ service. There are thousands of people who’ve served the rail industry faithfully throughout their entire careers.
Decades of experience
This year, leading technology company Telent is once again backing the award that celebrates a lifetime of commitment and service.
The company is a specialist in the design, build, support and management of the UK’s critical digital infrastructure, drawing on decades of experience in mission critical communications and technology. Telent enable organisations to create, improve and operate the networks that their businesses and customers depend on. Indeed, Telent traces its origins right back to the Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company, created by Guglielmo Marconi – the man who laid the basis for radio technology.
With a strong focus on key customer areas including transport, emergency services, network providers and the public sector, Telent is a trusted partner of many organisations in the UK rail industry, including Transport for London (TfL), Network Rail, Transport Scotland and leading train operators and infrastructure companies.
You could say the company has itself provided a lifetime’s support to the industry.
True dedication
In 2023, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Julie Garn, head of intermodal at GB Railfreight. For over 20 years, Julie has dedicated herself to building the company’s intermodal offering and running a high performing team which operates 52 daily intermodal services.
“When you enjoy the work that you do it becomes easy to take it for granted, but being nominated for an award like this, and then being judged to be the best in the category, is an absolutely wonderful feeling,” said Julie.
Across the industry, many look up to Julie for her relentless work ethic, passion for delivering for customers, her desire to see GBRf grow as a business, and as a leading female in a male-dominated sector.
A treasured asset
New recruits are essential to keep the UK’s Rail Network moving in the long term, and the RailStaff Awards places great emphasis on recognising the achievements of graduates, apprentices, and new starters.
However, it’s critically important we don’t forget those who mentor and share a lifetime of knowledge and experience with them. The combined experience of these industry heroes is a treasured asset and recognising them for their contribution is a real privilege.
Kevin Bonanno, rail director at Telent said of the Awards: “It is incredible to see the dedication and commitment of those who are shaping the future of rail at the RailStaff Awards. When you speak to people about what they do, they genuinely do not realise the extraordinary efforts they put in for the UK rail industry and its passengers.
“This year’s RailStaff Awards is a great opportunity to recognise those individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond to keep our railway running safely, which is why Telent is honoured to be one of this year’s sponsors.”
Image credit: Rail Media
