Wales Cheung

Said the following about Paul Belle:

“Paul and I have been working on the delivery of Trackworks for the last 3 years, first on the GRIP1-3 Development work where I was the Design Manager and he was the Engineering Manager, and currently on GRIP4-8 Alliance where I am the Programme Manager and he is the Engineering Manager for the West portfolio.

Paul is a true ambassador of engineering. Passionate, with a drive to perfection and well respected by his team, peers and Client. He worked extremely hard to put the right structure and process in place to deliver the GRIP1-3 products, so much as that they were considered ‘Best in Class’ by the Client. He is now applying the same high intensity energy across the West team, already making a difference.

Paul is well reasoned, attention to detail and is not fazed by challenges. He has an in-depth knowledge of Railways and in particular, multi-disciplinary integration and coordination. Combining this stunning ability with his direct communication skills, he is able to overcome concerns become they become issues and blockers.

Hence I am voting for Paul for the Rail Engineer of the Year award“

Mary Johnson

Said the following about Paul Belle:

“We are nominating Paul Belle as Rail Engineer of the Year as he has been pivotal in making a difference to the rail industry both from a delivery perspective through to the production of our enhanced Track Competency process to support the development of our junior engineers for the future.

Paul led the development of the GRIP 1 -3 feasibility studies for the Rail Systems Alliance South (formally S&C Alliance) in the East and has achieved class leading standards of delivery through his understanding of stakeholder requirements and applying his technical and pragmatic expertise to achieve high quality designs giving early cost surety as well as allowing for practicable installation.

Paul’s passion and dedication based on his extensive knowledge of renewals made it a joy to attend his meetings by all key players; discussions were focused with regard to achieving the required objectives and early contractor involvement meant that access and train plan requirements could be harmonised at an early stage. The transformation from possessions dictating the engineering at typically 18 months out to the engineering leading the access requirements to typically 2 years + was a significant step change. Paul developed robust survey specification ‘survey once and use many times’ providing designs with sufficient risk mitigation at early stages – ultimately achieving a timely delivery model on a conveyor belt approach which is class leading.

Interspersed with his day job, Paul produced our enhanced track competency process which provided a framework for our engineers to develop with a focus of professional development. Paul’s determination and drive to issue was somewhat akin to a possession date and the Professional Head of Permanent Way was glad to report this was achieved with margin to spare. Ultimately this was received with much enthusiasm by our engineers and will set the scene for the coming years.“

Sae Ah Yoon

Said the following about Paul Belle:

“I worked closely with Paul on IP Track Development (GRIP 1-3) of Track Renewals works for Anglia and South East Regions, where he was Engineering Manager (CEM) of multi-disciplinary Railway Engineering works.

I truly admires his passion and drives doing the right things to Railway, providing solid and pragmatic Engineering solutions, considering all stakeholder’s interests as well as whole lifecycle of the Railway Engineering works. This is why the GRIP 1-3 products (including key deliverable, Project Requirements Specification), Paul significantly improved, is considered as the best in the UK by the Client, and has been promoted to be applied to the other Regions as a best Example.

Working with Paul was a fun and he always spends time to explain Engineering concepts and issues to junior Engineers as well as non-technical colleagues to resolve Engineering problems and to achieve the same goal.

I thoroughly recommend Paul for Rail Engineer nomination from his excellent achievement and contribution to the Railway and do believe he is deserved to win.“

Sean Murray

Said the following about Paul Belle:

“I have known Paul for most of his professional life - he started as an enthusiastic young engineer and this has continued through to today.

Paul wants to do the right thing, even if that "thing" is not something he owns. He will see opportunity in improving process, promote good practise, and enhance communication between individuals and teams to get to the right solution. All this is done with exemplary behaviours - Paul is a well respected member of the business.

He deserves Rail Engineer of the Year for his behaviours, his selflessness and want to help others, his performance and aim to do the right thing to deliver.“