Andy Gray, Project Engineer at London Underground
The event was impressive and very enjoyable for the whole team. By far the best awards event we have attended.
Debbie Thompson, Commercial Director at Cabfind.com
UKRIA, for us, is a massive event. It is about networking, raising our profile and making sure operators know what we can do and help them deliver the passenger satisfaction they crave.
James Parsons, Consultant with Cas Hayward
I think this evening is good because it is across the whole rail industry – it isn’t one particular specialism like civils or structures. And to be here is very important.
As an industry we are not always very good at patting ourselves on the back. So if we can do that, occasionally, then it is good because it is encouraging for all the staff.
Nigel Hayward, Major Projects Director at Arcadis
As Arcadis, having rebranded last year, we felt it was very important to make sure the industry understands who we are and what we do. We’ve also got a project up for an award tonight, but it was important for people to understand our heritage and what we do.
Liam Ryan, Customer Engagement Director at Capita
We keep this country running and without the rail industry, especially here in London, the country would fall apart. We do need to shout about our success and we need to do it every year.
Lisa Spong, Representing Reflex Vans
It is very important to be involved with the event. When we were asked to sponsor the event we were really privileged to do so.
It is very important that we are here. It is very important to celebrate success in any industry; it enables everybody to come together, to be recognised for what they do in the industry and to be rewarded to be the best in that category.
Will Rogers, Production Director at CrossCountry
It is really important to celebrate the success of the rail industry. There are a lot of great things that go on, but aren’t always noticed and we don’t always celebrate those successes. It is good to come together as an industry and recognise the good things we are doing – and feeling proud about it.
Noel Dolphin, Director, Furrer+Frey GB
I just wanted to pass on our thanks to everyone who helped organise UKRIA from everyone at Furrer+Frey who attended. It was another great event that we all enjoyed and found useful.
Carla Whyte, UK Client Propositions Manager, BSI:
Thanks for organizing another fantastic event for UKRIA last week.
Kate Blessing, head of estates and facilities for Electro-Motive Diesel
It is a splendid venue. It is beautiful.
Jenny Godden, Head of Primat, Primat Recruitment:
We were here last year and thought last year was quite hard to top, but this year they’ve done an absolutely superb job. It’s outstanding what’s been done tonight.
Mike Pollard, Head of Collaborative Working, Network Rail:
Events like this are very important because it is an opportunity for people to get together and to network. And I think it is also import to celebrate success, because that brings the industry much closer together.
Bradley Aldridge, General Manager, Gatecare Ltd:
Superb! It’s been managed very well, staged very well and it’s an enjoyable evening.
Graeme Bunker, Rail Operations Development Director, Serco:
It’s a great opportunity to recognise those individuals and companies who go the extra mile, who go beyond the ‘9 to 5’. Fantastic evening.
Julian Dunn, Managing Director, Colas Rail:
Good presenter, the food was as good as I’ve ever experienced at one of these events, so it has been terrific.
Isabelle Lloyd, Sales and Customer Service Director, Unipart Rail:
Fabulous, absolutely fabulous. The choice of compère is fantastic!
Noel Dolphin, Director, Furrer + Frey:
It’s been a really fantastic evening.
Frank Lee, EMEA Compliance & Risk Director, BSI:
Really first class, I enjoyed the whole event.
Ebony Soltani, Marketing Director, Linbrooke:
The event has been excellent; it’s amazing to see so many great projects shortlisted.
Mark Walker, Strategic Adviser, GNGE Alliance:
The recognition that we are getting from these awards tonight after being shortlisted in five categories, even if we don’t win anything, is hugely important for our team morale.
Matt Davies, Team Leader, Interfleet:
It’s been a great event. It’s been a great atmosphere. It’s a lovely, lovely venue and it’s been great fun as well.
David McClelland, National Infrastructure Manager, Marshalls:
It’s a superb event, absolutely superb.
Amanda White, Head of Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester:
It’s brilliant. I think it’s bigger than last year and it’s still growing. It’s getting a good profile. It’s great to get everyone together and just talk about how we can collaborate and work together to face the challenges facing the industry.
Dermot Kelly, Senior Project Manager, Balfour Beatty:
Really Good. Very, very well organised and very well-run; very good fun.
Michael Stubbs, Director London Overground, London Overground:
It’s good to have people to celebrate what is good about the rail industry. My team are here, we’re hopefully up for an award on a major project, something we’re really proud of, and it’s good to have about eight of my team actually here tonight.
Vicky Evans, Director, Twinfix:
It sparks us to carry on looking at new products and innovating, because as a company that is what we do.
Philippa Oldham, Head of Transport and Manufacturing, Institution of Mechanical Engineers:
It was an award that highlighted innovation and really captured the heart of what engineers are up to in the world of asset management.
Andrew Bell, JNUP Project Director, Thales:
It’s always nice to be recognised. It is nice for the team.
Neil Carter, Director of Special Operations, SmartWater:
Fantastic, absolutely fantastic; we weren’t expecting it and are absolutely delighted.
Kuldeep Gharatya, Head of Technical Strategy, London Underground:
Fantastic, a wonderful surprise, we didn’t expect it. It’s been a great piece of collaboration with my colleague, so wonderful work by the team.
Neil Carter, Director of Special Operations, SmartWater:
Great event tonight! I really enjoyed the live band, great atmosphere.
Richard Parry-Jones, Chairman of Network Rail:
Upon taking to the stage after being introduced by comedian Josh Widdicombe and having watched the UK Rail Industry Awards opening video celebrating the industry’s achievements over the last 12 months, Richard Parry-Jones, Chairman of Network Rail said: “Thank you Josh, and good evening railway people! I don’t know about you, but that video really made me feel proud of this industry, and also reminded me – what a great time to be part of this industry. A fabulous time, when so much is going on that’s all positive.
“It’s a really great pleasure for me to be asked to give this address at the inaugural UK Rail Industry Awards. I think it says something about the appetite for an event like this, not just to see so many distinguished guests here supporting the event, but also to see the quite exceptional level of entries, 239 across the 18 categories. It’s fantastic to see so many people here supporting the nominees.
“But the whole industry can be proud of the people and the work we’ll hear about this evening. I’d also like to thank the sponsors of tonight’s event, and all of the judges, who have given their time to make what I’m sure must have been some really tough decisions about who the winners are. Without them, this evening would not have happened.
“I’d also like to welcome the launch of the UK Rail Industry Training Trust. I very much hope it succeeds in its ambitions and continues to build the understanding of young people as to what a career in the industry could mean for them.”
Rail Minister Stephen Hammond MP:
“Awards ceremonies are always momentous events, and this, the first-ever UK Rail Industry Awards, is particularly so. I’m pleased to see that the award categories this year are celebrating some new and exciting areas of the industry, like mobile technology, collaborative working and electrification.
“It’s also good to see that this evening’s event is supporting the UK Rail Industry Training Trust. We have tremendously skilled, experienced, knowledgeable people working in this industry, but it’s an inescapable fact that the age profile is getting older.
“This event tonight is an expression of an industry that is confident about its future, and knows how to shape it.”
Sally Binns, Commercial Product Manager, Marshalls PLC:
“The highly prestigious UK Rail Industry Awards was a resounding success for Marshalls. Marshalls sponsored the ‘Environmental and Sustainability’ category, and Commercial Account Manager Joe Townsley presented the award to CrossCountry for their Lamp Block project, which involved the design and construction of new sustainable accommodation for 500 train crew using Birmingham New Street station.
“In the last few years Marshalls has been involved in a number of large, high-profile projects in the rail sector. From the station interface, to the platform edge, Marshalls is continually developing new products that not only enhance the passenger experience, but which save our clients time and money.”
Gil Howarth, Chief Executive, National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering
“What’s important for this event is its focus on contributing funds to training.”
Dr Martyn Chymera, Chairman, Young Rail Professionals:
"Just wanted to say thank you for hosting me at your awards last week. It was an enjoyable evening, the food was good, company was great and it's always good to recongnise the achievements of people in our industry. Well done."
Joe Townsley, Commercial Account Manager, Marshalls PLC:
“The awards were a resounding success; not only was the night great fun, but as a business that is growing its presence in the rail industry it was a hugely valuable event for us to sponsor and attend.
“Marshalls has placed sustainability at the heart of its business and so the award we sponsored was highly relevant to us as an organisation. Congratulations to CrossCountry on being a worthy winner.”
Elizabeth Bonfield, Head of Business Innovation, EAL:
“The UK Rail Industry Awards held at The Brewery in February was a vibrant night, full of networking opportunities with senior people throughout the industry. Being new to providing the industry with qualifications, we sponsored the CSR category, which proved to be a great platform to raise our profile.”
Gary Wells, Managing Director, Infrastructure, Laing O’Rourke:
“As a global player in the rail sector, it’s so important that we all take time to recognise excellence both within teams and through individuals. So we were immensely proud to sponsor the first UK Rail Industry Awards and celebrate the work that is being done to deliver an efficient, innovative and above all, a safe rail network. Thank you for a fantastic event.”
Jenny Burns, Marketing Executive, Commend:
“This year Commend UK entered the UK Rail Industry Awards and were shortlisted in the ‘Passenger Safety’ category. Along with the excitement of this, it was also a great opportunity to take some of our staff and customers out for the evening. The venue was great, the food was great, and the wine too! All in all, even though we didn’t win our category, the evening was a pleasure to be involved in, and Commend will most definitely be there at the future UK Rail Industry Awards.”
Malcolm Paul, Managing Director, Lowery:
“Not having been to the venue before we did not know what to expect. We were blown away by the size and character of the place, the number of people attending and the general buzz. The food was excellent, served promptly and hot. The canapes served with the pre-dinner champagne were especially tasty. The whole evening ran to programme and is to be recommended.”
Charlotte Mace, Civil Field Engineer, Network Rail – winner of the Young Rail Professional Award:
“Winning that award really was a complete surprise but it has since been something to feel really proud of, so thank you to everyone on your side who helped this.”
Nathan Whitcombe, Marketing Team Lead, Primat Recruitment:
“I’ve had some really positive feedback from the team that attended the event last week. By all accounts it was really well put together and went down very well with the clients that we took too.”
James Fox, Director, 3 Squared:
“It was an amazing event last week, I can't believe how well attended it was too! Had an amazing time and will definitely be there next year.”
Neil O’Connor, Wimbledon Depot Manager, South West Trains:
“The event was very useful for networking and recognising the hard work that all in the industry are offering.”
Simon Iwnicki, Professor of Railway Engineering, University of Huddersfield and Academic Co-Chair of the Rail Research UK Association (RRUKA):
“I thought the event was excellent, a great success – well done!”
Joanna Summers, Programme Controls Manager – Projects, Colas Rail:
“I attended the event last night – I had a great evening, thank you.”
Daniella de Sá, Discipline Manager, Network Rail:
“Thank you for a fabulous evening last night. It was really great and even better to be winners!! Thanks once again, an incredible effort by all.”
Andrew Lobo, Marketing Co-ordinator, Primat Recruitment:
“Thank you for your hard work in organising the RTM UK Rail Industry Awards. There has been terrific feedback from our staff and clients that attended the evening. Please let us know when you are taking award and sponsorship entries for next year.”
Lee Hallam, Owner, Linbrooke Services – winner of the Corporate Social Responsibility award:
“The awards for us are extremely important and bring together everyone from across the industry.”
Alan Runacres, Project Director, CH2M HILL – winner of the Lifetime Achievement award
“I’m absolutely thrilled – thank you very much, it was really incredible.”
Craig Goldie, Director, Swietelsky:
“It’s an opportunity for the rail sector to promote the excellence that lies behind a lot of what it does and we’re very proud to be associated with such a prestigious event.”
Stewart MacVicker, Head of Projects, ScotRail:
“It makes sure the good things that are happening get recognised and broadcast and we keep building on that success.”
Tony Barnett, Owner, Barnbrook Systems – winner of the Passenger Safety award
“Superbly organised, good presentation and a credit to the organisers.”
Jenny Godden, Head of Primat Recruitment:
“Fabulous, it’s their first one and there’s more to come.”
Jol Bates, Director, Mott MacDonald – winner of the Training & Development award:
“I’m amazed at the number of people here and the amount of interest. It’s got a really good buzz about it, it’s going to be quite exciting I think.”
Sarah Jefferey, Project Manager, Virgin Trains:
“I think it’s very good: it’s a lovely venue with a lot of history to the place. I’m really enjoying it.”
Janet Hector, Marketing Manager, McGinley Support Services:
“It’s really lovely – the venue is superb, I’m surprised by the turn-out considering it's thier first event and I think it’s fantastic.”
Maria MacMahon, Strategy Director, Aspin Group:
"We were shortlisted in the Cost Base Reduction Category, but we felt like winners at the prestigious UK Rail Industry Awards, sharing our product and innovation achievements with similar like-minded people. In recent years, working in partnership with Network Rail has showcased our excellence and ability to provide enhanced solutions within the UK rail network that replace more traditional construction methods, reducing passenger delays, costs and improving safety. We look forward to working with our partners to recognise similar enhanced methods of railway construction and implementing them in the forthcoming years."