Network
Group Editor rail@bauermedia.co.uk
ENTRIES are now open for RAIL’s 2024 National Rail Awards, Britain’s biggest and most respected rail awards which recognise and reward people, companies and initiatives that demonstrate innovation and excellence.
The National Rail Awards (NRAs) celebrate achievements and excellence across every aspect of the railway, from senior management to individuals on the front line, as well as safety triumphs, major engineering successes, and environmental sustainability.
They recognise outstanding accomplishments over the past year, but particularly look to highlight initiatives which deliver measurable improvements in performance.
By doing so, the rail industry ‘Oscars’ seek to promote the industry’s longer-term success and sustainability, which relies on a highly skilled, diverse, motivated and engaged workforce, and exceptional leaders.
Network Rail Chairman Lord Hendy said: “The National Rail Awards is a brilliant event - a high point of the rail industry’s annual calendar which recognises all our achievements.
“My favourite part is the acknowledgement of the personal achievements of ordinary workers who have done extraordinary things. But there is something for every part of the railway, and I’d encourage everyone in the rail sector to consider entering the 2024 awards.”
Winners can expect to benefit from heightened staff morale, positive publicity, and a potential boost to business, making the NRA entry process a valuable use of time.
Melanie Harvey, station manager at Great Western Railway, described it as a “great honour” for Okehampton station to win Small Station of the Year at last year’s awards.
She added: “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 volunteers in the Dartmoor Railway Association. Not only was winning important to our colleagues, it was really appreciated by our customers and the local community.”
Ray McDonagh, station assistant at Arriva Rail London and an Outstanding Personal Contribution winner, hopes the award will incentivise others to strive for similar improvements in vision and perception.
“It was a humbling experience to be acknowledged by our peers, which is something that will always remain with me,” he said.
And Bernadette Miamo, station manager at Staines (2023 Medium Station of the Year), said: “This has boosted staff morale and motivation. This victory means Staines railway station has a positive exposure across the country.”
Nina Lockwood, chief executive officer at Intuitive Interim & Executive Search, and an NRA judge since 2017 (serving on the Outstanding Teamwork and Outstanding Personal Contribution panels), underline
