It’s only a few months since we all gathered at Birmingham’s NEC for the 2024 RailStaff Awards, but here at Rail Media we’re already preparing for the next stunning event.
On 28 November, over 1,000 fabulous guests gathered to celebrate the extraordinary hard work of those employees who always go the extra mile. From rail managers to customer service assistants, apprentices to training managers, all were celebrated as equals with one aim – to keep the nation moving.
We always put on a magnificent event and 2024 was no different, with attendees breathing in the glitz and glamour of a winter’s New York City evening. TV star and all-round top entertainer Brian Conley hosted the evening, putting guests at ease with his easy charm and lightening wit.
Champions of 2024
As ever, the full breadth and depth of the industry’s superb staff was represented, and our judges were forced to make some very tough decisions. Eventually, and to much fanfare, the names of 2024’s award-winning employees were announced:
Apprentice of the Year
Joe Dodman, Motion
Award for Charity
Kev Adlam, Mark Bridel, Jerry Dickinson and Martin House Charter Team, Network Rail and GB Railfreight
Customer Service Person or Team Award
Shabana Haroon, Trenitalia c2c
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Person or Team Award
Carys Thomas, Great Western Railway
Graduate of the Year Award
Rumbi Chiparamandu, AtkinsRéalis
Health & Wellbeing Person or Team Award
Bianca Molloy, TES 2000 Ltd
HR, Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Person or Team Award
Volume Resourcing Team, Group HR, Network Rail
Innovation & Technology Person or Team Award
Raymond Sturton, Hitachi Rail
Learning, Development & Investing in People Award
HMP Highpoint Rehabilitation Team, City & Guilds
Lifesaver Award
Liam King, Northern
Lifetime Achievement Award
Matt Clark, BTTC
Rail Ambassador of the Year
Heather Waugh, Freightliner
Rail Engineer of the Year
Alina Lixandru, AtkinsRéalis
Rail Manager of the Year
Alana Davoren, Alstom
Rail Person of the Year
Marianna Busuttil, GTR Southern
Rail Team of the Year
Freight Loads Books Digitisation Project team, Network Rail and Lampada Digital Solutions
Rolling Stock, Freight & Depot Person or Team Award
Jack Eagling, GB Railfreight
Safety Person or Team Award
Safety, Security, and Enforcement Officers (SSEO), ResponSec Ltd / Arriva Rail London
Station Staff Person or Team Award
Blackpool Gateline Operators, Northern
Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Person or Team Award
Heathrow POD, Heathrow Airport
An evening without comparison
The RailStaff Awards gets bigger and better every year, attracting more attention, more nominations, and even more positive feedback. But what makes it stand out from all the other awards evenings?
A key point is that each RailStaff Award is solely preserved for a member (or team) of the industry’s exemplary employees – the people on the ground who keep the network running. 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 those who go beyond their job description, put aside their time for others, and show the utmost care for customers and colleagues.
“The RailStaff Awards is a truly unique event, celebrating the individuals in our industry who consistently go above and beyond,” says Rail Media Managing Director Adam O’Connor.
“It is inspiring and humbling to host this event and witness the profound impact it has on our remarkable workforce. All winners and highly commended individuals deserve immense recognition, as do all the finalists and nominees.
Looking ahead
And now to the task of making this year’s event even more memorable than the last. Based on the success of 2024 we have our work cut out, but we guarantee you yet another a spectacular evening.
If you’re yet to attend the RailStaff Awards it’s always a remarkable occasion, but more than that it’s a celebration of the people that make our industry great. It’s an evening when the entire railway family comes together to honour its brightest stars.
Join us in November for an incredible experience. Take the opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues, enjoy spectacular entertainment and, once the winners are announced, party the night away.
Make 2025 the year you join us in celebrating the wonderful employees of the rail industry. It’s not an occasion to be missed!
