Lee Johnson

Said the following about Melanie Osborne:

“Melanie truly loves being a rail engineer. She is the embodiment of what a genuine engineer really is. Endowed with an abundance of enthusiasm and creative energy, never afraid to challenge conventional engineering methods and processes, she is an engineer the railway industry is very lucky to have.

As an IRSE licensed lead signalling design engineer, incorporated with the IET, Melanie has been at the heart of design and management of engineering and infrastructure schemes in the rail sector for 15 years, including both UK heavy rail and London Underground. Recently, she been the lead design engineer for teams undertaking signalling design work for major projects such as Crossrail and Gospel Oak to Barking Electrification. She makes no secret of how proud she is to be a signalling engineer and strives to learn more about this and other disciplines on the railway.

Melanie has long been a leading pioneer in sustainability through climate change management. This is something she is extremely passionate about and it is hard to overstate how inspirational she is within Amey on this matter. She champions solutions and techniques that curtail the impact our industry is having on the environment. Acutely aware of her personal influence on the environment, as a committed mother of three children, she has always refused to own a car, opting to carry her young children to school on the back of her bicycle before coming to work at the office each morning.

It is Melanie’s personal investment in the future of rail engineering that demands her recognition more than anything. She devotes unprecedented amounts of time and energy into educating children and young budding engineers about science and engineering. She is responsible for looking after work experience students and excels at mentoring junior engineers in the workplace. She is both a highly enthusiastic Schools Liaison Officer and an exceptionally motivated STEM ambassador which sees her regularly volunteering at both national and local events like The South West Big Bang fair and the Cheltenham Science Festival where she recently helped kids write code to drive robots. She will not stop until she has found and inspired the next generation of rail engineers, the ones that will steer our industry into a prosperous future.“

Nathan Sealy

Said the following about Melanie Osborne:

“Mel's enthusiasm for engineering, particularly in rail, is infectious. In her "day job" she is incredibly conscientious and relentlessly works towards efficient and accurate design solutions. She is universally liked and respected by her peers and manages to walk the line between self-confidence and understanding of the limits of her knowledge and experience.

But it is in her "extra-curricular" commitment to supporting STEM engagement in schools and colleges that sets her apart. Mel takes a lead role in creating STEM engagement activities, lobbying the Amey management team for time and resources, and directly engaging in countless activities throughout the year. She takes advantage of all allowance that the company gives for her to do STEM activities but puts in far more than that of her own time.

It's my pleasure to nominated Mel for Rail Engineer of the Year.“

Helen Townend

Said the following about Melanie Osborne:

“Working with Mel over the last year I have been inspired by her energy and enthusiasm when it comes to Engineering and STEM outreach activities to engage the next generation of engineers. She communicates

Mel has been instrumental in setting up a comprehensive and very successful Work Experience Programme for the Bristol Office. She has received the Amey Rail Consulting South's star of the month for her excellent work with the work experience process and being so committed to bringing new talent into our business.

But then Mel is passionate about all things STEM and has taken part in various events so far this year at Science Fairs, 6th Forms and University, reaching over 160 young people ranging from 3 to 21 years old.

In addition, Mel is taking the new Amey Engineering Badge into a local Brownie pack and has signed up a further two Brownie groups in the Bristol area who are now planning to take up the Badge as well.

Mel understands the benefits of a diverse and inclusive working environment and is an active and vocal member of our Women @ Amey Group and has recently offered to assist on the Steering Group.

Mel is a fantastic role model for Engineering and would be a truly worthy winner of the Rail Engineer of the Year Award“