The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Station Staff Award

Heather Hodkinson

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“Aaron is a ray of sunshine

For the last 4 years he has been brightening the customer’s day with an inspirational quote board which customers and staff love and helps them through their busy day

Aaron has now also written a book of inspirational quotes which many customers and team have purchased and use for daily motivation

Aaron is an excellent member of the team and is fantastic at customer service and even though he has had many problems in his personal life he still comes into work with a gorgeous smile on his face and encouragement for everyone

Well done Aaron you are a superstar“

Phil Dorricott

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“For the last 5 years he has been motivating customers and colleagues at Crewe Station. He’s such a polite and helpful guy who touches people daily with his motivational/Inspirational quotes illustrated at the entrance to the station. He’s a pleasure to be around and is a very important and valued colleague at Crewe station.“

Phil Dorricott

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“For the last 5 years he has been motivating customers and colleagues at Crewe station. He’s such a polite and helpful guy who helps people daily with his inspirational quotes. He’s a pleasure to be around and is a brilliant part of the team at Crewe station.“

Timothy Matthew

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“Aaron has truly transformed the customer experience for VT customers and non-VT customers using Crewe Station. He’s customer-centric, professional and immaculate at all times and always strives to deliver 100% for customers.

Having been through some traumatic, personal experiences Aaron is always jovial, upbeat and motivational - without sounding clichéd; Aaron is a real inspiration.

Aaron’s “quote of the day” has now become synonymous with Crewe Station as the bricks and mortar are for regular customers; as well as an uplifting focal point for those who aren’t regular users of Crewe Station.

Aaron’s a member of VT’s Gateline Team and it’s a pleasure to interact with him not only for customers, but staff alike.

Aaron’s had an motivational book published that’s must-read to maintain a healthy mind and soul - with mental health being so prominent and topical, I wish Aaron’s hard work, guts and passion prove to be successful.

I commend Aaron Koduah, Virgin Trains - Crewe for the Station Staff Award at the 2019 Rail Staff Awards without hesitation.

All the very best Aaron!“

Dave Whittall

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“Aaron is a credit to Virgin Trains. His interacting with customers and friendly welcome is second to none. But what makes him stand out is his outlook on life. He's been through some personal challenges and he channels his efforts into helping others who are equally going through challenging times. His "Quote of the day" at Crewe station (and previously Stoke) have been met with fantastic feedback from everyday travellers and even celebrities. His book, which has been selling very well on Amazon, is a fantastic book of quotes which help and aspire.“

Declan Cannell - **HAS LEFT**

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“Aaron has been a welcome host for about four years now and motivates customer’s everyday with his thought for the day, it really lightens up people’s day every day. This means a lot to him because he puts a lot of effort into these quotes.“

Luke Bowen - **HAS LEFT**

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“I have previously worked alongside Aaron at Crewe station for three months and I can really say what a great person to work with. He’s a really friendly and helpful guy. I can say I’ve made a friend for life whilst working at the company. He helps every customer he can to the best of his ability and all customers respect him for what he does for them and they all show him huge respect for the quotes from his book he had published.“

Victor Tarfa - **HAS LEFT**

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“He has done a great job motivating customers and staff at Crewe station. These quotes bring a great atmosphere and gets the day started on a positive note.“

Jack Iddon

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“Having just recently started working at Crewe station Aaron made me feel like part of the team from day one. Aaron is always smiling and motivating members of the team. Aaron’s knowledge of his own job role is impeccable and he’s always willing to go the extra mile to help every customer he possibly can.“

Samantha Morris

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“It's with great ease that I nominate Aaron for this award. He is an absolute gentleman that goes out of his way to help. No matter the enquiry or problem, he always welcomes you with the biggest smile. Not so long along I witnessed how Aaron managed to help a teenage runaway who I believe was later reunited with his family. This was just water off a ducks back to Aaron, he was so professional, helpful and calm. He brightens up my daily commutes with his motivational quotes and takes the stress out of using public transport because I know if Aaron is around he will always do his very best to help me and others alike.

He deserves the upmost credit for not only doing a great job but for being so consistently great!“

Chris Hoptroff

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“Aaron makes it a pleasure to come through the barriers for fellow staff and passengers alike. His inspirational thoughts and feelings board, his always happy, chatty, smiling demeanour is always there whatever time of day.“

Michael ODoherty

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“I am nominating Aaron because he is an inspiration to all his colleagues at the Barriers for Crewe station. Every time he is on shift he writes a motivational quote on the station notice board and this is seen and commented on by many passengers from all over the world. He has compiled a book of famous motivational quotes along with some of his own. Aaron and his partner lost their son at birth in November 2018 and this was a very traumatic experience for him but he came back to work and continued to inspire and motivate. He really is a diamond 💎“

Michael ODoherty

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“I am nominating Aaron because he is an inspiration to all his colleagues at the Barriers for Crewe station. Every time he is on shift he writes a motivational quote on the station notice board and this is seen and commented on by many passengers from all over the world. He has compiled a book of famous motivational quotes along with some of his own. Aaron and his partner lost their son at birth in November 2018 and this was a very traumatic experience for him but he came back to work and continued to inspire and motivate. He really is a diamond 💎“

Peter Jones

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“I meet Aaron regularly as a member of the Ticket Barrier staff at Crewe, whilst on my daily commute between Crewe and Manchester/Milton Keynes.

He is always happy and has an infectious smile. It certainly brightens the commute. He deals with all the customers in the same manner, not the easiest of jobs to keep the passengers passing swiftly through the barriers and to keep the smile.

Much appreciate the thought of the day, it's surprising how often they are topical. Please Virgin Trains give him a better to display to make it look professional.“

Matt Palin

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“It’s fantastic news that Mr Koduah is being recognised by so many for his relentless efforts in promoting positivity every day! :)

With a contagious smile and a sincere desire to help motivate people he really is someone whose attitude you hope rubs off on you.

Good luck with the award Aaron! From all your friends @ DHL.“

Mark Swinden

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“Aaron is a guaranteed ray of sunshine at Crewe station. He has a permanent simile on his face and is always engaging, and it is hard not to reciprocate! He must have brightened up 1,000s of peoples' days over the years and for that he is to be congratulated.“

Julian Ogle

Said the following about Aaron Koduah:

“I often see Aaron both morning and evening at Crewe station on my daily commute and he always greets me with a smile and puts passengers first by helping them through the barriers and offering assistance.

I was so sorry to read that he'd suffered a personal loss of such magnitude in the last year, yet you would never know that beneath his ever present positive and professional demeanour.

His messages on the notice board are always interesting to read and provides something to think about to help get through the rigours of the day. Thank you Aaron for brightening my commuting experience and good luck in the future, you deserve it!“