How did you get into this role?

“I began as a Project Manager in 2021 within the Standards Team. After successfully delivering several highly complex and high-risk projects, I gained recognition from the business. I was awarded Employee of the Month twice in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, I won the prestigious Employee of the Year award. Consequently, when a Programme Manager position became available, I applied and, following the recruitment process, was promoted to the role.”

Why RSSB?

“I fully resonate with the values of RSSB. I believe it is a leading company at the forefront of the railway industry in the UK and globally. I am also very pleased with the recognition I have received from the company.”

What do you enjoy most about your current role?

“The challenges in my new role are highly stimulating. This includes the size of the programme portfolio! The high-performing team delivering the projects under my coordination is excellent, and we have tight budgets to work to.

I truly believe we are making a positive impact across our industry, and that our stakeholders appreciate the value we add.”

What are your possible career opportunities?

“Since my recent promotion, I have focused on rising to the challenges of my current role. I’m not thinking about my next career move just yet.

It’s worth noting that RSSB is an excellent matrix organisation, and colleagues are encouraged to find suitable positions in different directorates if they feel it brings value.”

What skills have you developed at RSSB?

“I have significantly improved my project management and delivery skills.

This includes improved stakeholder engagement and communication abilities, increased technical expertise about rail, and considerable development of my people skills.

Overall, I am a better project manager, and a better person, compared to where I was nearly four years ago when I started.”

Key achievements or career highlights at RSSB?

“I am particularly proud of some of the projects I have delivered, which have marked significant improvements in the industry.

I have been heavily involved in the National CCS DRACAS (Defect Reporting and Corrective Analysis System). I have helped to deliver a new standard, a roadmap for implementation, and shape RSSB's role in this area.

Level Crossings are another critical topic. It’s highly technical and safety-focused and we have revolutionised the principles for it. The new standard, published in December 2024, has benefited from a whole-system approach with both model-based system engineering design and significant human factors input.

Finally, I would like to mention the excellent work done in the fatigue management system under one of my projects. We are trialling a driver alertness system on heavy rail. This is the first time this has been done globally. We are ensuring that all stakeholders' interests are properly represented and that the process is based on a fair culture approach. This is paramount for the project's success.”