Phil Tobin

Said the following about David Mitchell:

“David has taken the initiative to set up our depot on to Microsoft Teams. The level of communication and engagement between management and the team has increased tenfold. The staff now have all the information they require at their fingertips. I have noticed that we have received a significant drop in calls and request for day to day information and also a huge increase in autonomy regarding shift swaps and AL. The promotion of the system has also helped some of our technophobes engage with their mobile devices and get the best use possible.

Another huge positive is that we are pretty much a paperless depot now, nearly all of our forms and requests are done electronically, which is great for the environment!

David has spent time visiting other OBS depots to help set them up the scheme, receiving really positive results. His enthusiasm for new technology has had positive impact on the team and with his peers. He has made a huge difference in the way we communicate, to which I am eternally grateful“

Magdalena Kaldunska

Said the following about David Mitchell:

“I would like to nominate David Mitchell as rail manager of the year for his dedication and outstanding contribution to the On Board grade for East Croydon and other depots, David has always gone above and beyond as a Manager and as person and without his support and motivation I would not be here thriving in a position that I am in as a Mentor. David is an asset to GTR and motivates his team to the best of their ability by always being positive, David also finds new ways to interact and his work with Microsoft Teams have transformed the way all On Board Supervisors and Conductors work. Which has also helped us to shift perceptions with our passengers. David's knowledge of every aspect of the OBS role and the company in general make him such a great support tool and he is always more than happy to help anyone who is in need at any time of the day/night or even when he is on leave. I am so proud to be part of the team here at East Croydon and David has played a big part of it.“

Tonderai Matizha-Johnson

Said the following about David Mitchell:

“In the past year David has worked tirelessly for his team and department. Despite facing various personal challenges he has managed to deliver to his team and colleagues at a consistently high level leading to various achievements throughout the year.

- He drove and implemented a department wide engagement with Microsoft Teams which has led to a vastly improved communication strategy between management and staff. The move to Teams has also led to various depots significantly reducing their carbon footprint with a gradual move away from paper to digital communication.

- David has also managed to ensure sufficient support structures are in place for his staff. David is a great advocate for mental health awareness and encourages his team and colleagues to make a concentrated to keep themselves physically and mentally healthy.

- David is a selfless and community focused individual and has carried out various activities to raise money for charitable organisations and raised over one thousand pounds for Great Ormond Street charity.

- David is dedicated to delivering an elevated level of customer service to our passengers and has invested considerable time in training contingency members of staff to help cover short falls and ensure that we as a department always provide an On Board Member of staff to assist our passengers and deliver on the commitments we have promised to our passengers.

David is an inspiration to his colleagues and is dedicated to helping GTR deliver on their promises to the passenger. He has remained positive and resilient during a period that has provided challenges to delivering a train service.“