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Hull Trains, the UK’s top performing rail operator, has celebrated its dedicated team with a special ‘Excellence Awards’ held at The Deep in Hull.
The awards were an opportunity for colleagues to come together to celebrate and highlight the excellence delivered by the organisation. Categories included recognition for a rising star, giving back to the community and outstanding contributions.
The celebration follows a series of successes for the open access operator, after it was again named the highest scoring British operator in the latest Rail Customer Experience Report. The report provides a regular and comprehensive overview of how customers feel about the railway, with people across the country surveyed as they were on their way to their destination.
Hull Trains also picked up the coveted ‘Operator of the Year’ title at this year’s Spotlight Rail Awards. Judges chose Hull Trains over many other train companies thanks to the hard work of colleagues delivering exceptional customer service, industry leading satisfaction scores and a commitment to driving positive change “beyond the tracks”.
The worthy winners of the Hull Trains Excellence Awards were as follows:
- Steve Hick, Onboard Manager, won the ‘There For Our Customers Award’ with colleagues praising him for his consistently fantastic customer feedback. Steve is a well-known face on the East Coast Main Line, always carrying out his role with a smile.
- Rebecca Tuthill, Onboard Manager Instructor, won the ‘Respecting Our Colleagues Award’ and the ‘Dominic Russell Outstanding Contribution Award’. She has been described as a colleague who embodies every quality that the rest of the team admire and aspire to, always going above and beyond.
- Steph Young, Onboard Manager, won the ‘Dedicated To Safety Award’ due to her dedication to promoting a positive safety. Her colleagues view her as a true advocate for safety on the railway.
- Ryan Shaw, Head of Revenue Development, won the ‘Giving Back To Our Communities Award’ for his tireless dedication to promoting community projects. Ryan is a volunteer for Pride in Hull and a member of the tourism board Visit Hull and East Yorkshire. He is also the brains behind special Hull Trains socks which have raised money for Hull Trains’ official charity of the year P.A.U.L for Brain Recovery.
- Dave Winn, Fleet Engineer, won the ‘Considering Tomorrow Award’ for stepping up to ensure that Hull Trains provides a reliable service for customers. His approach, eye for detail and accountability were praised by colleagues.
- May Thosuwan, Planning and Resource Assistant, won the ‘Rising Star Award’ for the positive difference she makes every single day. Colleagues describe her attitude as ‘incredibly uplifting’ and as someone who would ‘move mountains to support the team’.
Twelve colleagues were also celebrated for 20 years of service at the operator, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. They were all praised for their dedication to the company.
Stuart Jones, Managing Director of First Rail Open Access, presented the awards on the evening. He said: “What an honour it was to celebrate our dedicated colleagues who give their everything to provide the best possible service for our customers every single day. I’d like to wish a massive congratulations to everyone who was recognised on the evening and I think the amazing amount of long service awards given out is a testament to the positive culture we’ve built over the past 25 years at Hull Trains.”
Deborah Birch, Head of HR at Hull Trains, added: “There’s a reason that Hull Trains is so loved by the communities we serve – our dedicated colleagues. They truly embody the Hull spirit and are proud to provide an award-winning service for communities on the East Coast Main Line. I’m very proud of them all.”
Hull Trains provides eight direct weekday train services between East Yorkshire and London King’s Cross. It also serves destinations including Selby, Doncaster, Retford and Grantham. Before Hull Trains launched services on 25th September 2000, there was just one train per day in each direction.
The operator is ‘springing forward’ with some exciting projects over the coming months, including releasing the latest episodes of the successful ‘Moving Minds’ podcast with Gemma Oaten.
Upcoming episodes feature an illuminating discussion with local actress, TV presenter and voice over Amy Thompson where the pair touch upon the pressure to have children. BBC Morning Live presenter Jack Marriner Brown speaks about how he deals with the demands of live broadcasting and there’s a special Hull KR episode featuring former captain Chris Charles and his son, upcoming talent Jack.
