It started with a question ‘What if you had £50,000 to bring your best idea to life?’ No limits, no hierarchy – just vision, courage, and the chance to make real impact. At Carlisle Support Services, it led to a wave of breakthrough ideas and the birth of something extraordinary. That question ignited an initiative known as Challenge Innovation, and what followed was one of the most inspiring chapters in Carlisle’s journey to date.
Challenge Innovation is more than a competition, it is a stage for ideas that matter. Over 25 submissions came in from across the business ranging from frontline staff to head office teams. Whether from Merseyrail or from the Southbank, from a payroll desk to a command room, everyone’s voice mattered. Each pitch aimed to solve a real-world problem with heart, purpose, and often, incredible technical sophistication.
Some ideas looked to the skies, like using drones for facility management and rapid-response surveillance. Others looked inward, towards communication and culture. Finalists pitched solutions involving BLE beacons, hands-free patrol systems, podcast platforms, virtual reality, and much more. Judged by a panel of respected industry figures and Carlisle’s senior leaders, the submissions proved just how innovative and bold our people are when given the tools and trust to lead. It wasn’t just about investing up to £50,000 in three winning projects, but about recognising concepts with the power to add meaningful value and reshape the way Carlisle operates. By March, five finalists stood on stage at the Innovation Lab in London, each presenting ideas that made a powerful impression and left a lasting mark. What truly set Challenge Innovation apart is its purpose; to support every employee in turning bold ideas into real impact.
Jeff Higham’s Tech-Fuelled Vision
For Jeff Higham, Contract Manager at Merseyrail with 21 years at Carlisle, the inspiration came from years of frustration. He had seen too many stabled trains defaced by overnight graffiti, while security teams remained restricted from accessing key areas due to safety limitations. He believed there had to be a more effective solution.
Challenge Innovation gave him the platform to put that solution into action with £22,500 in funding awarded to bring his idea to life. He researched the technology, scoped costs, sourced developers, and built the entire proposal from scratch. Jeff shared:
“I priced it, tested it, and pitched it myself. This wasn’t about theory. It was about solving real problems we face every day.”
Jeff proposed a system called ‘I Am Protecting’. It uses Bluetooth Passive Infrared sensors fixed to train carriages, linked to a mobile LTE gateway. When these sensors detect human presence, alerts are sent directly to Carlisle’s Control Room and to British Transport Police. The system is designed to deter vandalism, support police response, and significantly reduce both operational downtime and cost.
Samantha Williams’ Podcast for the People
Samantha Williams, Payroll Manager, works in a world of numbers, but her passion lies with people. Sam’s innovation is personal, rooted in inclusion and connection. Her winning idea centres to create a company-wide podcast to highlight employee stories, personal challenges, and wellbeing topics that resonate throughout the organisation.
With a natural passion for connection and a genuine interest in how people experience life at work, Samantha envisioned a platform that is not just informative, but deeply human. Thus, she wanted to build a platform where voices from all corners of the business could be heard, helping to strengthen the Carlisle culture and give people a stronger sense of belonging.
“We’re a big company, but sometimes people feel unseen. I wanted to create a space where we celebrate each other’s stories, challenges, and wins.”
Carlisle backed her vision with £5,000 in funding, allowing the project to move into early development with cross-functional support already in place. The podcast aims to build a voice for everyday experiences, and thoughts to foster deeper understanding, belonging across departments, and regions. It reflects Samantha’s belief that real engagement comes from listening, and that every employee story has the power to inspire.
Ruth Ripley’s VAWG Initiative using WalkSafe Pro
For Ruth Ripley, Events Security Manager at the Southbank Centre, innovation has never been about tech or tools. It is about creating safer, violence-free zones for women and girls while facilitating a more inclusive environment for women working in security, an industry where female voices are often underrepresented, and concerns around safety and visibility go unspoken.
Her idea came like a lightning bolt, just two days before the submission deadline. Focused on tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in frontline environments, Ruth acted quickly.
With guidance from Carlisle’s senior leadership, she spent an entire night crafting a clear, strategic plan grounded in real-world experience. It included measurable benefits, cost analysis, and a long-term vision to support women in high-risk, public-facing roles.
At its core is WalkSafe Pro, a pre-existing personal safety app enabling real-time monitoring, route sharing, and proactive alerts to better protect all colleagues on the move. The app will be integrated into a licensed subscription, allowing all staff members to install it on their phones and use it effectively when returning home or going out during their shift. Ruth intended to donate the prize money to support team safety initiatives, with a special focus on protecting her staff.
Alongside practical tools, her project also aims to raise broader awareness of gendered safety challenges across the organisation.
“I love improving processes,” Ruth explained, “but when I had the chance to make someone feel safer at work, that’s when it really mattered. Once the idea was in my head, I couldn’t let it go.”
Carlisle recognised both the urgency and the impact of her vision, awarding £22,500 to bring it to life. But for Ruth, the greatest reward wasn’t the funding – it was the belief. “That support meant everything,” she said.
Her project is set to influence not only how Carlisle approaches safety, but how the entire industry considers protection, inclusion, and respect for women working in security. Her vision reminds us that innovation doesn’t always come with code or circuits. Sometimes, it starts with simply asking ‘How can we make this better for the people who need it most?’
Challenge Innovation 2025 has become more than a competition. It served as a true reflection of Carlisle’s values in motion. The initiative reinforced the belief that people closest to the work are often closest to the best solutions.
COO Adrian White, put it best when he said, “This is about empowering people to think big, challenge norms, and lead from wherever they stand”.
With Carlisle’s community of innovative minds now taking centre stage and many more ideas still under development, this momentum is only growing.
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