It is one week on since the 2026 RailStaff Awards finalists were announced, and we are extremely proud to see ten nominations of our staff going through as Rail Staff Awards finalists, showcasing just how integral our staff are to rail operations across our cleaning, security, hard FM services and more.
Keep reading to learn more about our finalists and their impact on rail operations.
To read the full nominations, you can visit the RailStaff Awards website to get full details.
Babatunde Kehinde | First Rail London
Babatunde Kehinde has been nominated for his exceptional leadership of the Response Team supporting Carlisle Support Services and First Rail London on the London Overground contract. Through major events, disruption and safety incidents, he leads with professionalism and dedication, helping protect passengers and staff while ensuring safe station operations. Under his leadership, the team has become a trusted operational resource and has been involved in life-saving interventions.
The CSS and Chiltern Railways Revenue Protection Team | Chiltern Railways
The CSS and Chiltern Railways Revenue Protection Team has been nominated for its professionalism, resilience and teamwork while supporting major operational and technological change across the network. Its work has helped reduce revenue at risk to 3.369%—the lowest level since before COVID-19—while improving passenger safety, supporting new gateline technology at High Wycombe and educating customers through change. The team’s adaptable, collaborative approach also deters antisocial behaviour and strengthens confidence across Chiltern Railways.
Daniel Adeola | First Rail London
Daniel Adeola has been nominated for his immediate and decisive response when a child was at risk of falling after an escalator suddenly stopped and reversed. He reached the child before their head struck the escalator, preventing potentially catastrophic injury. His vigilance, courage and commitment to passenger safety exemplify the highest standards of Carlisle Support Services.
Lee Davies And Eugene Aweke | West Midlands Trains
Lee Davies and Eugene Aweke have been jointly nominated for their compassionate and professional response to a distressed person at Longbridge station who disclosed that he was feeling suicidal. They calmly moved him away from the platform, contacted emergency services and remained with him until specialist support arrived. Their teamwork and commitment ensured his immediate safety and wellbeing.
Neil Goodridge | First Rail London
Neil Goodridge has been nominated for trusting his instincts and returning to check on two vulnerable young people at Watford Junction, where he identified serious safeguarding concerns involving self-harm and intoxication. Over a sustained two-hour engagement, he built trust, protected them from further harm and escalated the situation through the correct channels so they could receive appropriate care. His judgement, patience and quiet professionalism demonstrate exceptional vigilance and dedication to safeguarding.
Selena Walters | First Rail London
Selena Walters was nominated for calmly intervening when she discovered a vulnerable teenager on the track at Highams Park Overground Station. Through patience, empathy and skilled communication, she persuaded the young person to return to safety and ensured emergency support was arranged. Her courage, composure and duty of care helped prevent a tragedy and reflect the organisation’s values at their best.
Tavara Barhuti and Rhianna Harrison Yates | First Rail London
Rhianna Harrison-Yates and Tavara Barhuti are nominated for their response to a distressed passenger who climbed onto the roof at Walthamstow Central and threatened to jump. Tavara acted swiftly to support the wider response, while Rhianna maintained calm, compassionate communication that kept the passenger engaged and helped de-escalate the situation. Their teamwork and professionalism contributed to the passenger being brought down safely and receiving support from emergency and health services.
Tavara Barhuti and Rose Appiah | First Rail London
Tavara Barhuti and Rose Appiah are nominated for preventing a distressed passenger at Walthamstow Central from accessing the tracks after she expressed an intention to harm herself. Working together with composure and professionalism, they secured her immediate safety before Tavara built rapport and guided her away from the station environment. Their empathy and teamwork kept the passenger calm and safe until British Transport Police arrived.
David Evans and the GTS Elizabeth line, Railway Security and Safeguarding Officer (RSSO) Team | GTS Elizabeth Line
David Evans and the Elizabeth line Railway Security and Safeguarding Officer Team have been nominated for building an integrated, safeguarding-first operation that has quickly become a trusted presence across the network. Under David’s leadership, the newly recruited and trained team has prevented serious harm through interventions involving violence, suicide risk, vulnerable passengers, domestic abuse concerns and threats to railway staff. Their courage, sound judgement and strong partnership working have earned recognition from Transport for London and made a measurable difference to passenger and staff safety.
Liverpool Central Security Team | Merseyrail
The Merseyrail Liverpool Central Security Team have been nominated for their outstanding professionalism and dedication at one of the busiest and most challenging stations on the Merseyrail network. The team consistently goes beyond its core security role by responding to complex incidents, safeguarding vulnerable passengers and providing leadership and reassurance to station colleagues, including new starters. Its trusted partnership with station staff has strengthened safety, morale and confidence across Liverpool Central.
Congratulations to all finalists and those nominated. Whether nominated or a finalist, everyone involved should be incredibly proud of the work achieved to merit a nomination. We wish our six finalists all the best for the Rail Staff Awards on Thursday, 26th November 2026.
Carlisle Support Services has proudly kicked off Good Employment Week 2026 by receiving its Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter Full Member certificate in person from
Carlisle Support Services announces the appointment of Chris Wright as Head of Operations (South) for the Arts & Culture client portfolio, strengthening the company’s leadership team
Carlisle Support Services (Carlisle) achieved member status in the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, in recognition of its sustained commitment to fair, inclusive, and progressive employment
Providing flexible, on-demand support to help organisations build resilience, mitigate risks, and adapt to the ever-changing political, socio-economic, and environmental landscape to deliver seamless event experiences.
Managing trees and vegetation for the UK’s public infrastructure and commercial spaces.
Delivering aesthetically pleasing environments whilst eliminating potential hazards and operational disruptions caused by vegetation.
Provide fully vetted, accredited officers equipped with the latest technologies to secure and protect your people, premises, assets and the wider public.
Providing bespoke services that identify site specific vulnerabilities and address complex challenges to mitigate risks.
Maintaining high facility standards and minimising service disruptions across the UK rail network.
Delivering exceptionally clean environments at optimal cost and positive environmental footprint with unrivalled quality control across nationwide operations.
Delivering seamless passenger experiences whilst protecting revenue and achieving operational excellence.
Providing flexible, on-demand support to help organisations build resilience, mitigate risks, and adapt to the ever-changing political, socio-economic, and environmental landscape.
Deploying balanced crowd management strategies for optimal safety and seamless visitor experiences.
Delivering seamless visitor experiences across the UK’s biggest venues, stadiums and exhibition centres.
Transforming customer journeys with innovative car parking solutions that maximise operational control and revenue.
Enhancing and maintaining site aesthetics for optimal nature, commercial infrastructure, and community harmony. We aim to deliver beautiful scenery whilst eliminating potential hazards and operational disruptions caused by vegetation.
We streamline cleaning and facilities services that help organisations maintain exceptional standards across single and multi-site operations.
We offer a total turnkey solution from initial design and product selection through to installation and commissioning. Our customers benefit from benefit from around-the-clock protection for optimal peace of mind that comes from working with a trusted alarm monitoring service.
Our range of fire life safety solutions are designed to prevent, detect and contain fire and where necessary enable a safe and timely escape.
From the initial Fire Risk Assessment through to the design and installation of fire detection and fire suppression systems and ongoing maintenance and monitoring contracts, we provide you with a one stop fire protection solution.
From security-cleared operations with MOD-affiliated organisations to supporting the UK’s rail infrastructure and securing the Highest Court of the British Isles alongside countless major venues across the UK, we provide fully vetted, accredited officers equipped with the latest technologies to secure and protect your people, premises, assets and the wider public.
Fulfilling the most complex single and multi-site cleaning requirements at an award-winning standard for over 30 years.
Providing an extensive range of Soft and Hard FM services to help you streamline management and eliminate operational disruptions.
Undertaking routine cleaning to maintain the highest standards in cleanliness and hygiene for exceptional environments.
