Angela White

Said the following about Jonathan Kirby:

“I would like to nominate Jon Kirby for the RailStaff Awards Manager of the Year category. Jon has worked for the railway for over 30 years doing everything from dispatching to selling tickets. He has been a manager at Greater Anglia for seven years and this year is taking early retirement but carrying on doing a job share at one of our stations.

Jon manages a large team, Cambridge Ticket Office and stations from Shelford down to Elsenham. He has always prided himself on demonstrating honesty and integrity. Prior to becoming a manager, he worked as a Supervisor in Cambridge Ticket Office for over ten years. He found the lack of progression for internal applicants frustrating and managers always seem to be appointed from either the graduate scheme or from other TOCs. Jon worked really hard and eventually secured a management role.

He is inspiring and has mentored various staff members over the past seven years to achieving alternative positions. One such member of staff is now another manager in our area and refers to Jon as his work dad. Jon is a tough but fair manager always looking at ways to support and develop his staff.

Jon is always visible during times of disruption. He will wade into the thick of it to lend a helping hand to his colleagues and to get customers on their way. He will not leave a situation until everything has been resolved and his staff have their welfare very well looked after.

We really appreciate everything Jon has done for the team over the past few years. He really is a diamond and we will miss him immensely.“