It's not just about the evening celebration... Read how previous winners have used their accolades within the industry.
Owen Thomas, R&D Project Manager and Andy Cross, Programme Manager, Network Rail (winner of Innovation of the Year 2023): Winning the National Rail Award for Innovation of the Year is a fantastic achievement especially as we are receiving such high recognition from our colleagues in the railway industry. The Flow bridge project has been challenging throughout its creation as it has innovated in so many different areas, from how we have worked together to the novel design concept. It is great to see the perseverance and hard work of the team has paid off and get the recognition all involved deserved. This award will help us to get the support and interest to see the Flow bridge become an everyday sight on the railway and encourage others to bring innovation to the railway.
Will Rogers, Managing Director, East Midlands Railway (winner of Large Station of the Year 2023): We are very proud of Derby Station being named as 'Large Station of the Year' at the National Rail Awards. The recognition is a testament to our dedicated employees, partners and stakeholders and our commitment to provide world class transportation services that meet and exceed the needs of our customers and communities.
Justin Lanigan, Overhaul Manager, Govia Thameslink Railway (winner of Fleet Achievement of the Year 2023 alongside Porterbrook and Alstom): Our passengers have been very positive about the improvements Project Aurora has delivered for their journeys, but this award from our peers in the industry really highlights the expertise, effort and dedication of every member of the multi-disciplinary team. Equally pleasing is the judges' recognition of the collaboration between industry partners Porterbrook, Alstom and GTR, which our success has depended on every step of the way.
Melanie Harvey, Station Manager for Mid-Devon (winner of Small Station of the Year 2023): It was a great honour for everyone at GWR for Okehampton station to win the Small Station of the Year Award. The NRA Station awards are recognised as a pinnacle in the industry, and winning was a real boost for our local station team and our amazing hard working volunteers in the Dartmoor Railway Association. Not only was winning important to our colleagues but it was really appreciated by our customers and the local community. Okehampton only re-opened recently after a long campaign and through a partnership with Devon County Council, Network Rail, Devon and Cornwall Community Rail Partnership and GWR. The station is very much loved and already far exceeding expected passenger numbers. So having our award on display at the station makes everyone in the town and surrounding area feel very proud that their railway has national recognition as the very best small station in the country.
Mike Bagshaw, Managing Director, MTR Elizabeth Line (winner of Passenger Operator of the Year 2023): The Elizabeth line launched in May 2022, so to be recognised as Passenger Operator of the Year just a little over a year later is a true testament to the incredibly driven, hardworking, and passionate team we have at MTR Elizabeth line.
With 4.1 million passenger journeys made each week on the Elizabeth line – and with several of the UK’s busiest stations located on our route - this award also serves as recognition of the confidence our customers have in our service.
Working collaboratively with our industry partners, we are immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved since the Elizabeth line opened. Embedded in our DNA is our commitment to serving our local communities and helping them thrive; providing rewarding career opportunities for our people; and the best customer experience for all our passengers.
We are excited for what’s to come and are thrilled to have been recognised at the National Rail Awards.
Mark Evans, Senior Programme Manager, Network Rail (winner of Infrastructure Achievement of the Year 2023): From the teams and the many individuals involved, to the Network Rail Executive, all are ecstatic with winning the Infrastructure Achievement of the Year at the 2023 National Rail Awards. This recognition represents hours of tireless effort and expertise from the in-house Principal Contractor, the Capital Delivery Civils team in the North West & Central region, to our specialist suppliers: QED, Gunform, Foulstone Forge, and Story Rail.
This prestigious accolade not only recognises our commitment to preserving railway assets but also to passenger journeys and leading industry practise, showcasing Network Rail’s in-house expertise in civil engineering design and delivery.
Ian Ansell (MIEMA, CEnv), Environmental Advisor, SMD Framework BAM Nuttall (winner of Environmental Excellence Award 2023): Receiving the 2023 National Rail Award for Environmental Excellence validates the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the CP6 Southern Multi-Disciplinary Framework, particularly in our pursuit of sustainability. It is a collaborative achievement driven by our desire to drive innovation across the rail sector and to deliver the best sustainable outcomes for our client. This recognition aligns with BAMs commitment to embed sustainability as a core value within the organization. It also emphasizes the significance of working collaboratively with clients and suppliers to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Nick Farthing, Chair of Hampshire CRP (winner of Outstanding Contribution to Society 2023): Being lucky enough to win this prestigious award is a real privilege and a testament to all the hard work carried out by everyone at the Hampshire Community Rail Partnership, working together with our colleagues and friends at South Western Railway - it has brought huge joy to us all and provides a real boost to everyone involved.
Furthermore, this accolade provides more opportunities to deliver more great projects across the stations we work at by giving both ourselves and others, the confidence we are doing the right thing for the wider community.
Bernadette Miamo, Station Manager, Staines Station (winner of Medium Station of the Year 2023): As Station Manager Staines I was very pleased to be part of the success of Staines winning medium station of the year National Rail Awards. This was a recognition of a collective effort. The positive outcome is this has boosted staff morale and motivation. This victory means Staines train station has a positive exposure across the country.
Alex Hynes, Managing Director, Scotland's Railway (winner of Major Station of the Year 2023): I was delighted for our team at Glasgow Central, who picked up the award for Major Station of the Year 2023. It’s a fantastic endorsement of their hard work and dedication over many years to deliver a top-quality service at Scotland’s busiest station. Recognising and celebrating what we do well as an industry is really important – particularly when it comes to the efforts made every day by our frontline colleagues.
Joanna Lines, Network Rail Programme Director, Infrastructure Monitoring (winner of Safety Achievement of the Year 2023 alongside Porterbrook, One Big Circle, Machines with Vision and DG8): Being recognised at the National Rail Awards for our Switches & Crossings Class 153 Monitoring Service as Safety Achievement of the Year is a huge credit to all those who collaborated to make this service a reality, and for their pace and perseverance to make working practices safer for our colleagues. It shows what is possible when safety is a whole industry challenge and when we pull together to tackle it. There’s much more to do, but it’s great to receive endorsement of the progress so far.
Azaz Khan, Station Assistant, Arriva Rail London (winner of Outstanding Personal Contribution -Frontline 2023): I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the judges of the National Rail Awards for honouring us with the Outstanding Personal Contribution award. I would also like to thank my colleagues at Arriva Rail London, who gave me the opportunity to prove myself and supported us in our work which led to this prestigious award title. I look at the trophy every day and say to myself that I have to do even better and motivate and support other colleagues, so that collectively we can bring a huge change to our workplace. This way, we can achieve positive change that makes our train stations a better place for the staff, community and customers. This award will always encourage me to serve our communities and do even better in my creative field. Special thanks to my colleague Ray McDonagh, Arriva Rail London, our community supporters and the local schools who worked together alongside us to achieve the great results we aimed for.
Ray McDonagh, Station Assistant, Arriva Rail London (winner of Outstanding Personal Contribution - Frontline 2023): I would like to thank the judges for recognising and supporting our vision for South Tottenham station. It was a humbling experience to be acknowledged by our peers, which is something that will always remain with me. Special thanks to my colleague Azaz and other members of Arriva Rail London team for their support and encouragement. For me, the highlight of the whole project was the enthusiasm of the local teachers and school children. I hope that the vision and the perception that we wanted to change will be an incentive for others to strive for.
