The RailStaff Awards 2024

Laura McDonald

Govia Thameslink Railway

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Nominations for Train Driver of the Year

Alice Shimali

Said the following about Laura McDonald:

“I met Laura in March this year as she was nearing the end of her driver training while on the hunt for a willing participant in some important media outreach work to encourage more women to consider a career in rail.

I instantly warmed to her; she has a great character and sense of humour - often needed when working with the media - and understood the importance of show the career that she was working so hard to attain was well worth the countless hours of training and revision.

Alongside the final months of training, Laura was featured in a fly-on-the-wall BBC documentary - One Day That Changed My Life - which led up to the day of her final assessment. Not many people could have remained so focused on her preparations while surrounded by cameras and interviewers, but she managed the whole process excellently.

While a new driver (5 months in), Laura brings with her a great attitude and genuine love for the role, and continues to inspire more applications from women. I wish her a long and happy career of driving, as she crafts her approach to fun passenger announcements.“