On Thursday, 28th November, the 2025 Rail Staff Awards took place for their 18th year. Starting in 2007, the event is an annual awards evening that brings together Rail Industry staff from the frontline, to executives, to celebrate collective achievements. As an opportunity to celebrate anyone from drivers, cleaners, station staff, project organisers and more, this event is the main industry event for those in Rail.
This year, we were fortunate to have had six finalists make it through to the awards evening, held at the NEC Birmingham, which was an incredible number of individuals, showcasing how integral our staff are to rail operations across our cleaning, security, hard FM services and more.
This is why we are proud to announce that frontline employee Dorothy Omovbude, from our Arriva Rail London (ARL) contract, was awarded the Lifesaver of the Year Award on the night, to a room full of cheers. Nominated for her composure, professionalism and compassion during an individual’s most vulnerable moment. Dorothy’s actions provided the individual with dignity and respect, taking control of the situation to ensure that emergency services would arrive on scene shortly and that the individual was hidden during the experience by asking members of the general public to help shield them with their jackets and coats. Dorothy’s actions were overwhelmingly human, providing grace and empathy to the struggling individual.
Head of Operations, David Evans, who was also present at the awards, said,
“Saving a life is one of the greatest achievements anyone can accomplish. Among all categories, the Lifesaver Award stands as the pinnacle of recognition, and Dorothy is truly deserving of this honour. She should feel immensely proud of this remarkable achievement – and so are we.”
Alongside Dorothy’s win, we are extremely proud to see five additional nominations of our staff as finalists, showcasing just how integral our staff are to rail operations across our cleaning, security, hard FM services and more.
Starting with our support functions, we were fortunate enough to have two individuals as finalists for their impact on rail operations. Within our IT Team, Operational Reporting Analyst Tim Leach was nominated within the Innovation and Technology category for his remarkable support on the Arriva Rail London (ARL) contract, particularly for developing bespoke data collection forms that have streamlined operations and improved staff development.
In the HR Category, HR Advisor Mary Machado was nominated for her significant growth since becoming an HR Advisor in November 2023. During her time in the team, she has proactively developed her skills, having recently qualified as a Mental Health First Aider and in her role now supports around 2,000 Security South employees.
Within the lifesaver category, Dorian Jacobs, also from our ARL contract, was also put forward as a finalist for his professionalism and composure whilst dealing with a critical medical situation, working to stabilise the passenger, liaising with emergency services and ensuring passenger safety during the incident. For both his and Dorothy’s experiences, the key message of these occurrences is that if they had not acted, these events would have had very different results due to their quick thinking, calm leadership, and dedication to their passengers.
Within the Station Staff Team or Person Award, Louise Harrison’s ARL Event Supervisor Team were put forward as finalists for their outstanding leadership, professionalism, and dedication during a series of high-profile events at Tottenham Stadium. Across the team of six, the team lead all major events and football events with their Team of over 30 staff.
Also, within the Station Staff category and who were highly commended at the awards for their efforts were ARL Revenue Security Officers, Keeley Rees and Shola Ola. Who were nominated for their exceptional vigilance, leadership and teamwork in tackling persistent fare evasion. Taking the initiative to stop a persistent evader, they took the lead in coordinating a well-planned, multi-agency response. They ensured staff were positioned at key areas, monitored live CCTV, and liaised closely with British Transport Police to intercept the individual safely and effectively. When the fare evader attempted to slip through the gate again, Keeley and Shola acted quickly – challenging the individual, preventing an escape, and securing the necessary details.
We would like to say a big congratulations to our winner, Dorothy, our five finalists and all who were nominated for their achievements. Everyone involved should be incredibly proud of the work achieved to merit a nomination.
Tim Leach | Operational Reporting Analyst
Mary Machado | HR Advisor
Event Supervisor Team | Arriva Rail London
Shola Ola | Arriva Rail London
Dorian Jacobs | Arriva Rail London
Keeley Rees | Arriva Rail London
The cold reaches the gates long before London wakes. Yet through winter rain, biting winds and the long hours of the night, Carlisle’s security officers
Frontline security officers navigate a landscape of intense psychological pressure and unpredictable human tension every day. From crowded transit hubs, high-stakes emergency rooms to absorbing
Keeping people safe has always been at the heart of Carlisle while that commitment is demonstrated every day across Britain’s rail network, it extends far
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.
