Richard Bugler

Said the following about Octavia Neeves:

“This nomination reflects Octavia's efforts, commitment s and contributions to improving environmental & sustainability development within the GWWC Infrastructure Projects: This has been recognised by:

• Developed the idea and combined the internal expertise within Network Rail of mobile technology building and ecology to create the award winning EcoReporter app which has transformed data management of ecological records for Network Rail through a programme of citizen science. The improved data knowledge gained by the app has led to increased efficiencies within the company. Downloaded over 1000 times in its first two months, the app has now generated over 200 records from a variety of people in different job roles within the company and on a range of ecology. The app won the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environment Management (CIEEM) 2017 Best Practice award for Innovation, came highly commended in the Railway Innovations Awards 2016 and was featured in the Rail Standards and Safety Board’s (RSSB) Industry sustainability report.

• Worked with mapping specialists within Network Rail to use data from the EcoReporter map, along with other environmental data, to improve the sharing of information between Network Rail and its supply chain. Presented the mapping system at Rail Industry Environment Forum (RIEF) gaining much support among key contractors within the industry.

• Developing key partnerships with charity organisations, including Butterfly Conservation and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust, to share data and apply joint modelling of protected species to further national conservation.

• Featured in an educational video on great crested newts on the railway for the Track Safety Alliance, which has gained interest with the BBC to run a similar feature on wildlife on the railway for the One Show, which will help further positive public image for the rail industry.

• Leading advocate for promoting women in the rail industry. Involved in Women in Rail programme and promote engagement with young people to encourage them into the railway, garnering support for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) activities among colleagues and encouraging and empowering them to invite work experience students into the business.

• Leading sustainability within Network RailGWWC region, production and Annual Sustainability Reports, demonstrating the progress against SMART sustainability targets and featuring best practice successes from among our project portfolio. - Delivery of regional sustainability conference to support World Environment Day.

• Developed regional sustainability awards from a programme initiative which has enabled internal and external recognition for sustainability across the region under; health and wellbeing, contribution to biodiversity, working with the community, sustainable construction, sustainability individual and safety individual.

• Successfully engaging leadership teams within Network Rail and across the supply chain in sustainability. Including the introduction of a cross company work stream on leadership and commercial solutions relating to Carbon and innovation relating to Carbon.

• Collaborates successfully with route colleagues, TOC colleagues and external stakeholders to bring added value initiatives to projects, such as; the proposal of installation of water fountains at stations to improve passenger experience at the station and to reduce plastic pollution from one use water bottles; and collaboration with local university specialists to bring innovative mitigation proposals to projects.

• Co-author on an article for CIEEM In Practice publication (September 2017) providing a case study from the railway on the application of Natural England’s new licencing policies in relation to great crested newts.

• Involved in developing a sustainable approach to management of an internationally important population of large blue butterflies on the railway through a staff volunteering model. Now working with Somerset Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation, local farmer and the route, to look to enable sheep grazing on the cutting for long term sustainable management of the habitat.“