The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Graduate of the Year

James Richards

Said the following about Miraan Jothinath:

“Miraan started at Network Rail in September 2017 on the Network Rail Graduate Scheme. In January 2018, he was asked to be a part of a delivery team that were tasked with delivering the largest outreach programme in Network Rail's Year of Engineering calendar called "Fast Trackers". The accredited programme consisted of a sustained piece of early engagement that saw c200 students being given experience of university life, engineering careers and culminating in a 3-day residential to London where they completed an employer project that contributed to graduating from an Industrial Cadets Gold programme.

Miraan is a consummate professional who worked quietly, diligently and supportively through this project, which presented high-pressured time constraints throughout and some complex commercial/political relationships to be navigated. He is a selfless person and as such, provided a hugely calming influence for the other team members in times of high-pressure and conflict, which facilitated a positive dynamic that enabled the team to flourish and ultimately deliver a first-class outcome for the Client and students alike.

Miraan takes time to assess situations from different points of view, which makes him incredibly effective during conflict resolution situations. Furthermore, his quiet, calming and reflective influence enabled a harmonious working relationship to exist within the multi-partner delivery team.

I have no doubt that Miraan’s contribution made the delivery of the project significantly smoother and less fraught than it otherwise might have been and as such I have no hesitation in recommending him for this award.“

Tahir Ayub

Said the following about Miraan Jothinath:

“I first met Miraan at the end of 2017 when he asked me to be his Engineering Mentor. Having investigated my previous work of achieving change in the railway industry he felt that I would be the perfect person to mentor him.

Miraan is an ambitious individual with a passion and motivation to drive change in the rail sector. He is passionate about introducing engineering to sections of the young people that would otherwise have not considered engineering as a career. He has engaged in multiple activities including mentoring young students, working with DB cargo to reduce the risk of fatalities due to trespass from young people and working vigorously to introduce and drive BIM across industry.

Miraan is working on the Network Rail BIM Discipline Review Group having shown an interest in it where others hadn’t. He is been instrumental in pulling together a Digital Innovation competition to foster engagement from new graduates and apprentices to use their digital skills to shape and drive the BIM implementation.

Miraan was a key organiser in the conception and delivery of Network Rails biggest STEM outreach programme called "Fast Trackers", which recently featured in Rail Staff magazine bringing together 200 students from deprived backgrounds from across the UK. Working at director level, Miraan was key in securing partnerships to come on board with the initiative including some of the biggest names in the industry; IMechE, ICE, digital Railway, Virgin Trains and AECOM and working hand in hand with Mott MacDonald. Miraan helped in securing funding from the Government through the National Collabarative Outreach Programme. His passion, commitment and engagement was a key factor in the success of the scheme. Miraan has now been promoted to chair of the delivery group and I am sure that it is his quiet confidence and overarching work style that has impressed his peers. Miraan is seeking to build on the models success and to reach out across the country to further 700 students in the next phase. Miraan has demonstrably encouraged many participants as a result of this scheme to take up a university or an apprenticeship place in engineering. I first met Miraan at the end of 2017 when he asked me to be his Engineering Mentor. Having investigated my previous work of achieving change in the railway industry he felt that I would be the perfect person to mentor him.

Miraan is an ambitious indivi“

Dean Chauke

Said the following about Miraan Jothinath:

“Miraan joined Network Rail in September 2017 and has already taken on a vast array of responsibilities above and beyond his normal role.

Not only has he demonstrated an exceptional engineering mind through using his aerospace knowledge on the railway infrastructure, but he has also demonstrated and developed further, advanced and nuanced softer skills. These include leadership, people management, negotiating, and presenting to huge numbers of varied individuals and groups all the way to the very top of the transport sector. I have seen these skills demonstrated both first hand and through feedback from all the stakeholders that Miraan has worked with and have heard nothing but great things.

Miraan’s style of working is a selfless one, preferring to look at the bigger picture while quietly and thoughtfully ensuring that all the pieces fit together and continually improve till completion and beyond. He is methodical in approach and has effectively been able to utilise transferable skills to best advantage.

It is because of this often overlooked and untapped talent in our graduate teams, that I am proud to nominate Miraan Jothinath for Graduate of the Year.“