RailStaff Awards 2023 honours industry superstars

The great and good of the Rail Industry gathered at Birmingham’s NEC last night (Thursday 30 November) for the RailStaff Awards 2023.

After another eventful 12 months for Rail, all were there to celebrate the outstanding efforts of the industry’s exemplary employees, who go above and beyond to keep the nation moving.

Following a triumphant return in 2022, last night was an even more spectacular event. Attendees were amazed by the electrifying entertainment on offer and the outstanding quality of the night’s Finalists.

From rail managers to customer service assistants, apprentices to training managers, the full breadth and depth of job roles were represented at the Awards. A record-breaking 144,0000 votes were cast to decide who would be in the running for the night’s prizes.

The RailStaff Awards has become more impressive with each passing year, and last night saw a party like no other. The evening’s theme was ‘Effervescence’, a celebration of everything that oozes glitz and glamour, and attendees did not disappoint, dressing to the nines for a night of indulgence. Guests were dazzled by astounding aerial performers, heart-stopping high wire acts, fearless fire dancers, and a captivating grand finale.

Star of TV and Radio Gethin Jones compèred the evening’s events, guiding guests through the night with his easy charm, making the special night all the more memorable. A firm family favourite, Gethin started his career on Wales’ S4C before taking on the iconic role of Blue Peter presenter. Since then, he’s appeared in countless high-profile shows entertaining the nation.

Once every category winner had collected their award, the night got into full swing, with after-dinner entertainment extending the party into the small hours. Throughout the evening, guests were welcome to make a memento of the occasion at the photo booth, sponsored by RailwayPeople.

The evening was another huge success for the RailStaff Awards, which have been running since 2007. Adam O’Connor, managing director of Rail Media, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to once again host the rail industry at the RailStaff Awards. It’s the industry event of the year and the feedback we’ve received has been incredible.

“The RailStaff Awards are an event like no other, recognising the people in our industry who regularly go the extra mile. 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.

“My thanks go out to our sponsors and supporters, without whom we’d be unable to put on such a fantastic show. Thanks also to our panel of judges and the whole team at Rail Media for their exceptional efforts in staging this wonderful event.”

Thank you
The RailStaff Awards would not be possible without the support of some very special groups. We would like to express our gratitude to all those who recognised their colleagues’ contributions and took the time to nominate. A huge thank you also to our judges, everyone who voted, and all those who attended the ceremony.

The Rail Staff Awards also thanks its sponsors: Amulet Security, Bodyguard Workwear Ltd, Broadhead Global, BTTC, c2c (Trenitalia c2c Ltd), City & Guilds Training, Deploy Recruitment Group, Freightliner, GeoAccess, GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway), Inspire (Structures) Ltd, Keolis, Quattro Group, Rail Delivery Group, RailwayPeople.com, Rail Media, ReadyPower Group, Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group (UK), Samaritans, Telent, Train’d Up Railway Resourcing Ltd, Transport Benevolent Fund (TBF), and TSO.

Event organiser Gemma King said: “Once again we bring another memorable RailStaff Awards to a close. We hope everyone enjoyed a thrilling evening. Congratulations once again to all of tonight’s winners – you’ve more than earned your trophies and your place in RailStaff Awards history.”

The winners of the 2023 RailStaff Awards are:

Apprentice or Newcomer of the Year
Winner: Smital Dhake, Alstom
Highly Commended: Lucy Robinson, Faithful+Gould and Kalen Ruddock, Alstom

Award for Charity
Winner: Mark Fielding-Smith, AtkinsRéalis
Highly Commended: Susan Temple, Scotrail and Alex Garnett-Scherer, Transport for London

Digital Railway (S&T) Person or Team Award
Winner: Scotland’s Railway Communication Teams, Scotland’s Railway
Highly Commended: Rebecca Meechan, Network Rail and Dean Bolton, Transport for Wales

Depot & Freight Staff Award
Winner: GB Railfreight Felixstowe Operations Team, GB Railfreight
Highly Commended: Josh Webster, Freightliner Heavyhaul and David Jenkinson, DB Cargo

Sustainability & Net Zero Person of Team Award
Winner: Green Travel Pledge, Rail Delivery Group
Highly Commended: Shrewsbury Delivery Unit Wales and Borders, Network Rail and Bob Browning, Quattro Plant

Customer Service Award
Winner: Jonathan Louis, Southern Rail
Highly Commended: Wahsim Safiedeen, MTR Elizabeth Line and Gentian Kala, Land Sheriffs

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Person or Team of the Year
Winner: Erin Gray, Network Rail
Highly Commended: McGinley Support Services Apprenticeship Team, McGinley Support Services and Central Resourcing Team, Siemens Rail Infrastructure

Samaritans Lifesaver Award
Winner: Megan Moore, ScotRail
Highly Commended: George Mitchell and Harry Jordan, Amulet Security / Northern and Fazakerley Station Team Station Retailers, Merseyrail

Rail Manager of the Year
Winner: Rhiannon Price, BTTC
Highly Commended: Bernadette Miamo, South Western Railway and Satty Potiwal, South Western Railway

Safety Person or Team Award
Winner: Bridget Nolan and Jeremy Rogers, Southern Railway / GTR
Highly Commended: Samaritans Rail Team, Samaritans and Station Operations Team, South Western Railway

HR, Diversity & Inclusion Person or Team Award
Winner: Paul McGunningle-White, Trenitalia c2c
Highly Commended: Lorraine Mhonyera, Network Rail and Hull Trains HR Team, Hull Trains

Station Staff Award
Winner: St Pancras International Station Team, Network Rail High Speed
Highly Commended: Shafizul Hussain, Network Rail and Angela Milton, Greater Anglia

Health & Wellbeing Award
Winner: Railway Mission Chaplain Team, Railway Mission
Highly Commended: Stuart Young, Iain Perry, and Rik Mostert, Govia Thameslink Railway and Sheree Whetren, South Western Railway

Learning, Development & Investing in People Award
Winner: Chris Crawley & The City and Guilds Impact Team, City & Guilds Training (Intertrain)
Highly Commended: James Beckingham, GTR and Alina-Florentina Lighean, AtkinsRéalis

Rail Engineer of the Year
Winner: David Millar, Balfour Beatty VINCI
Highly Commended: Naresh Kumar Kalra, AtkinsRéalis and Janine Bootland, Amey

Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Julie Garn, GB Railfreight
Highly Commended: Richard Godwin, Network Rail and Stewart Cumming, CrossCountry

Rail Team of the Year
Winner: Johnstone Station Staff, ScotRail
Highly Commended: Serrano Safeguarding Team working on Operation Beach, Amulet Security and DC Lines Resleepering Alliance, Network Rail

Rail Person of the Year
Winner: Joana Amoh, Carlisle Support Services
Highly Commended: Elliott Waters, Southeastern and Adam Archer, Great Western Railway