RSSB employees awarded in King’s Birthday Honours list
Bridget Eickhoff, RSSB’s Principal Infrastructure Engineer has received the honour of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to railway engineering.
A Cambridge maths graduate and chartered engineer, Bridget was at the forefront of developing computer software to inform understanding of rail vehicle dynamics, as well as ways to reduce the risk of derailment. Since joining RSSB in 2008, Bridget has had a lead role in developing and updating rail infrastructure standards and is a key expert on the engineering issues at the platform-train interface.
For over 20 years, Bridget has played a key role in IMechE’s Railway Division, including serving as Chair of the Railway Division in 2012-13, and contributing to professional development, training, and mentoring future rail engineers.
On being named in the Honours, Bridget said:
“I’m delighted to be recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for nominating me, and to the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) for their support of my nomination.
“The rail industry is a great place to work, with difficult technical issues to address and an opportunity to contribute to a wide range of important challenges. Throughout my career I’ve been grateful for the support and encouragement of a wide range of colleagues across the industry.
"I'm keen for railway engineering to be seen as a rewarding career path for young people. The IMechE's Railway Challenge competition for students, apprentices and graduates is an excellent opportunity for young people to develop their skills in order to become our future engineering leaders, addressing the complex and demanding challenges confronting the railway sector."
Vaibhav Puri, RSSB’s Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation has received the honour of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contribution to railway safety and standards.
Vaibhav has been an influential voice in the evolution of UK, EU and international railway legislation, including supporting the Department for Transport and the sector in transitioning seamlessly to a post-EU exit legal and standards landscape. Vaibhav is recognised in the UK and internationally as an expert in rail regulation, governance, and standards.
Vaibhav leads RSSB’s Futures Lab which is helping the industry prepare for emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, as well as using Foresight and Horizon Scanning to prepare for future risks and opportunities. He is also supporting the Rail Reform process, ensuring safety is not compromised during this period of change, and promoting the importance of sector culture as a key mechanism for the continuation of GB rail’s excellent safety performance.
On being named in the Honours, Vaibhav said:
“I’m deeply humbled and honoured to receive this recognition. It is really a reflection of the amazing work of the incredible teams and people at RSSB. I have been very privileged to be able to support the evolution of railway standards and regulations to ensure that safety, standardisation and innovation objectives can co-exist and enable each other.
“I am excited to support the industry as it readies itself for a once in a lifetime change to its structure as well as help in the adoption of new technology with confidence and care whilst preparing for the future.
“I want to thank all my colleagues at RSSB and in the rail industry, as while this award is in my name, it wouldn’t have been possible without their contribution and hard work.”
Mark Phillips, CEO, RSSB, said:
“I would like to congratulate Bridget and Vaibhav for their very well-deserved awards.
“We are delighted to see their contributions recognised at the highest level. Both Bridget and Vaibhav have had a profound impact on the rail sector’s ability to manage safety risks and innovate, safely and responsibly. These honours reflect not only their personal achievements but also the collaborative spirit that drives progress across our industry.”
The Royal Honour nominations mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK. The honours celebrate those who go above and beyond, making a lasting impact on their communities and the railway industry.
Editors' Notes
The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is the independent safety, standards, and research body for Great Britain’s rail network. We help to make an evolving railway safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.
We work collaboratively with an evolving rail industry to ensure that innovative and sustainable technology is operated safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. We codify and share best practice, both in Britain and abroad. We are proudly impartial. We are home to some of rail’s leading technical experts. Guided by facts and analysis, we help to bridge knowledge gaps and optimise use of the latest technology. We distribute and systemise industry best practice.
On behalf of the UK, Vaibhav chairs the Committee of Technical Experts (CTE) for the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) which sets international law for rail transport. He is also the co-chair of the National Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Regulation, Standards and Ethics Committee.
Bridget became an Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham in 2018 and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2019. In 2017 Bridget was awarded the prestigious IMechE James Clayton Prize, awarded for exceptional contribution to mechanical engineering and related science, technology and invention. Through increased use of simulation of the dynamic behaviour of trains, Bridget’s innovative work enabled product approval of new rail vehicles to be achieved more quickly throughout Europe, reducing cost without compromising safety.