Craig Fletcher

Said the following about Girish Jani:

“For the past 45 years, Girish Jani has devoted his life and built a reputable career in the Railway Industry. Girish started his career as a “secondman” at Stonebridge in 1974, he became a Driver in 1977, fulfilled his dreams to be a Driver at Euston and then became a Driver Manager in 1998. Girish Jani has been a pillar of the Euston Driver Management Team for 21 years and in his penultimate year before retirement Girish Jani should be recognised for the outstanding contribution he has made to London Euston depot, Driver Management Team and his local community of Wembley.

Girish has built a wealth of local contacts from key stakeholders that ensures he deals with problems locally. He always knows that right person to contact that can resolve issues. Network Rail, Engine Arrangers, Signallers, TOC partners, Girish has contacts everywhere able to assist with one phone call from him.

His personality, caring nature and appreciative humility ensures the relationships he establishes are long lasting not only in time but also in memory. Living only miles away from the depot, Girish is the first to help and respond in times of disruption, even when he is not on call to assist with service recovery.

His devotion and passion to London Euston is renowned and he has devoted himself to ensuring the competence of hundreds of qualified and trainee Drivers, ensuring they are welcome to the depot, enriching their lives and the driving community. His personable skills, knowledge and experience make him an invaluable Driver Team Managers at Virgin Trains.

His continuous welfare of Drivers requiring support in times of need is one example of going above and beyond to ensure Drivers feel valued, supported and have a friend not just a manager. This caring supportive skill comes from the heart and is testament to his character.

After a trespass Shugborough tunnel in Staffordshire in July 2019, Girish talked to the driver, investigated and discovered a children’s camp site local to the incident site. He initiated a visit to the camp site in conjunction with Network Rail to reach out to the children, make them understand the risks of trespassing on the railway and made a lasting impression on them! His report to the business really made a difference to how we look at such incidents and especially working with children around the risks involved on the railway. This holistic approach went above and beyond what is expected, typical Jarni!

Away from the workplace Girish is a valued leader in his local community and performs magistrate duties. Where he finds the time to commit to his work and social commitments is a mystery, yet he delivers time and time again.

Girish Jani’s corporate knowledge is vast and along with his caring, supportive and cheeky personality will be greatly missed when he commences his well earnt retirement.“