Introduction 2010 awards take the stage


The 12 months since the last Rail Business Awards have offered the industry an opportunity to shine, says Rail Professional editor Katie Silvester


This time last year a General Election was looming and the Lib Dems’ plans for the railways couldn’t have been more different from those of the Conservatives. Plans for a high speed line from London to Birmingham were in their infancy, new Thameslink rolling stock was expected to be ordered ‘anytime’ and FirstGroup was still in the freight business.


The election brought an unexpected result,


then there was the Comprehensive Spending Review axe that never really did fall, but gave plenty in the industry sleepless nights wondering what was to be cut. A few heavy hitters who we thought


would always be around have signalled their


intention to retire during the last year, even if they’ve not left the building yet. Prepare to wave goodbye to Keith Ludeman, Moir Lockhead and Ian Brown. There have also been a few things that,


er, haven’t happened. No decision has been made on the Thameslink rolling stock order, and uncertainty still surrounds the InterCity Express Programme. Some of the big stories of the year are


reflected in the entries for this year’s awards. But a lot of the entries, as ever, show how much hard work is done behind the scenes by people who rarely generate newspaper headlines, yet spend their days keeping trains running, keeping customers happy and going


LOOKING AFTER THE RAILWAY FAMILY


The Railway Benefit Fund’s chairman


Dominic Booth is


keen to greet guests at the 2010 Rail Business Awards and remind them how they can help the industry’s charity and how it is there to support them. Booth says: ‘This will be my first Rail Business Awards as chairman of the Railway Benefit Fund. The event has provided crucial support for the charity over the past five years and we are very grateful for all of the donations we have received in this time. In the current climate we are finding that people need our help more than ever. ‘To meet this demand we recently


appointed Jemma Hooper as our fundraising and membership manager, which is a new role for the charity. Jemma has an excellent track record of working with charities and national organisations, including household names such as Penguin and The Parkinson’s Disease Society, where she notably drove and increased membership and fundraising activity.’ Hooper will travel around the UK to promote membership of the charity and is


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already working on a schedule of fundraising events for the coming year. She says: ‘I am enjoying settling into my new role working with the rail industry’s charity. In the short time since my appointment, I have already seen many examples of the good work it does and see that my role will help to significantly grow that activity for the future.’ In 2010, the Railway Benefit Fund celebrated another successful Scottish Dinner and Golf Day, which former chairman David Allen will continue to organise in 2011. On top of this, fundraising


on eBay currently has raised £25,000. Booth added: ‘With some new faces on the team we are working towards another good year in 2011, maybe the best yet. If they wish to do so, guests will be able to make donations on the night of the awards or simply visit our website – all is gratefully received.’ To find out more about the Railway Benefit Fund, please visit www. railwaybenefitfund.org.uk, where you can make a donation to the charity, find out about help available, and subscribe to the charity’s newsletter Turntable.


the extra mile to keep the railways running – even in the face of adverse weather conditions, vandalism or mechanical failures. No matter who wins on the night, the


process of entering for the Rail Business Awards gives companies a chance to reflect on what their successes have been and who among their staff has really pushed the boat out to make things happen. And that is a very worthwhile process indeed.


Last year’s awards


Dominic Booth


Jemma Hooper


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