Recruitment
“I would like to nominate my manager Mr Wayne Parker, for Rail Manager of the year. Wayne started life on the Railway as a Revenue Protection Inspector, working endlessly to prove himself and is now the Central Area Revenue Protection Manager and has been for around 5 years.
He has built the Central Revenue department up from a mere 20 staff to the 70 staff that he is proud to call THE TEAM. Central Revenue team is the top performing team in Great Western Railway and has been for some years, something Wayne is extremely proud of. This has been by no means plain sailing for Wayne who run the department single handed for some time. He takes on all of the events putting in the extra hours our biggest being Glastonbury festival, which takes months of planning. Although I am proud of all these facts and figures my nomination goes far beyond this, let me tell you a story of a Manager who believed in the odd ball, the black sheep, you know the one nobody wants to employ yes that is me. I start the story from the beginning but this year has been the game changer. A Manager is not just facts and figures, it's how he builds his team!
Just over 4 years ago life was tough for me, having been stuck in a dead end job for 8 years, every time I tried to get out, no one wanted to take a chance on me. I applied for a job as a Ticket Examiner at Great Western Railway. To this day I have no idea why Wayne employed me but I am forever grateful. He saw something that day that nobody ever has, and I have no idea what it was either, but he had seen it. I was quiet drawn in and kept myself to myself, one unhappy person I guess, stuck in an controlling relationship. The Team that Wayne built became my Railway Family and made me the person I am today.
Wayne gave me all the tools I needed to be great as a Ticket Examiner encouraging and supporting me every day but it was never enough, I wanted more. I applied to be a Revenue Protection Inspector in 2017, just as my marriage of 20 years fell apart. My husband left taking anything of any value, even my most precious possession my daughter Sophie. I was broken, lost and had no plans to carry life on. Wayne fully supported me through this, down to the txts "I’m here if you need a chat" I was picked up dusted off and the game changed. But he told me the times not right for you to be an Inspector and I totally agree with the decision he made that day.
Wayne knew I was struggling and would often offer me extra shifts so I could pay the bills. He often checked in on me without making it known. After the dust had settled Wayne encouraged me to shine, sending me on training courses, having challenging conversations with me regarding my Customer Skills (yes they were terrible, shocking even) towards the end of 2018 the role of RPI came up again and this time was going to be my time. Again I stood in that room and asked Wayne to believe in me because this time was different he taught me to believe in myself something I had never done before. I have no idea who was more proud that day he offered me the job Revenue Protection Inspector me or him, because he made me that person. I have been in the role now for 9 months and Wayne will support me in any way he can, for me to further my career and has always told me he will support me whatever path of the Railway I take, even if it is not in the Revenue Department. My daughter Sophie is back with me now, but she has challenging ADHD something else I find Wayne supports me with, he will often ask about her, and if there is anything he can do to help me. I feel Wayne's door is always open, I believe he will listen to anything I have to say.
The following is a statement from Julie Easton Ticket Examiner:
Wayne has always been supportive to me and all other members of staff. He is also supportive if you want to progress within GWR. He offers help & guidance and is fully behind you.
As the local Union Rep I can honestly say I've worked with Wayne and he is open to new suggestions with diagrams. Any issues Wayne will also try and accommodate your request. Wayne has fully supported me to further my career as a Train Manager, something he knew I wanted to be.
I'm going to leave my nomination with some wise words Wayne taught me
Success is never owned, it is rented and the rent is due every day.“
“I can't thank Wayne enough for the support he gave me whilst working in the Revenue Department. Having to deal with the loss of an ex-partner and the traumatic effect it had in my daughter was difficult, yet I felt fully supported by Wayne and the team and I knew they had my back. Revenue is not just a department it's a family that supports each other through the good times and the bad. Wayne has created an atmosphere of openness amongst staff which naturally created a supportive working environment. Wayne gave me my first job on the railway and u will always hold a debt of gratitude to him for giving me that chance.“
“I think we can all agree that managers are paid to be managers, whether they're great at their job or not. I'm not putting this nomination forward because I wish to highlight the obvious; this company is full of "great" managers. I'm putting this nomination forward because I wish to highlight something which is harder to find in general, let alone in someone in a position of power: and that is someone who cares. Someone who really cares. Someone who cares before you've signed in, and after you signed out.
I don't follow a leader because they chant company charter for a textbook; anyone can be trained to do that. I follow a leader because, whether win or lose, full time or part time, weekend or weekday, they will unquestionably support me, regardless of targets, spreadsheets and pie charts- and Wayne has done this countless times, both personally and professionally.
Wayne Parker is a great person; and was, undoubtedly, before he became a manager, and will continue to be long after, despite role or rank: and I think that's what's really worth celebrating.“
“I would like to nominate Wayne Parker for lots of reasons. He will never expect you to do anything that he wouldn’t do himself. Priceless. He will never expect or allow you to do anything that will put yourself or others at risk. Priceless. He understands and juggles work and family commitments himself. Priceless. He is honest, demonstrates integrity and a really good work ethic. Priceless. He has worked his way up through the company and understands the challenges we all face. Priceless. He always has our back and will do his very best to make our working environment safer, more comfortable and enjoyable. Priceless. His mantra is quite simple, he purely expects an honest day’s work from his team and demonstrates that in the way he conducts himself. A true role model. I feel truly honoured to call him "My Boss" Parker gets my vote hands down 😓
“The quality of leadership is one of the most influential factors on team performance.
Maybe, this is the reason why Wayne Parker always delivers positive results against his business objectives and KPTs.
Leading a diverse team his pragmatic style of management not only supports the operational side of the business but also enables his team to have a clear understanding of standards required to fulfil their role.
As a people manager Wayne empowers his team to make decisions by not micro managing. He is incredibly supportive of his team and always goes the extra mile to incorporate personal issues without affecting performance.
Wayne has the most difficult task of managing in the middle juggling both the performance of the department and the needs of his team to which he is most proficient.
This management skill is a real bonus and his work and moral attitude should be recognised in a wider forum rather than just the department he successfully leads.
Thank you Wayne for all your support over the last two years“
“I whole heartedly support this nomination! Wayne's a 'good man' I experienced his caring nature during a health scare last year while his listened to me rant and rang after my all clear to share my joy! I also seen his caring of my colleagues when one fell on the cobbles outside Temple Meads he was first there offering support, many have shared their experiences of him 'being there' then needed. He's not got an easy job, we ALL require his full attention and he provides it during working hours and after - with a big team working across the full range of operational hours this isn't easy but he never leaves you unheard.“
“Rail Staff Awards 2022. Wonderful atmosphere and Atkins-CRSA really enjoyed the night.”
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