Halema DaiDai

Said the following about Ajmal Akram:

“I wish to nominate Ajmal Akram for the Rail Manager award, I believe Ajmal has produced and implemented many innovative ideas over the past few years that have been rolled out within FGW Depots and other departments, even more significant is that these have been implemented by other TOCs.

I believe Ajmal fits the criteria for this award and I would like to highlight the major enhancements he has made and how they have improved OOC depot as well as other TOC Depots, here are a few examples;Last year he implemented the award winning digital screen system, this has since then been rolled out to various departments within First Great Western. More significant is that other TOCs such at FHT , Govia ( ex FCC) , and Train Builders ( Alstom) have all implemented this system .

After the successful MediaCAT information boards, Ajmal was faced with another problematic issue; the Rostering of colleagues at OOC. Ajmal decided to adopt this issue and find a resolution, he began looking into simplifying and improving the Rostering & fatigue management within the depot. The previous system for; managing staff scheduling, competency records and fatigue and risk required a series of complicated Excel spreadsheets. Access was limited, use was difficult and it was very time consuming, Ajmal quickly customised and simplified the entire scheduling process.

With this new Rostering solution he was able to eliminate numerous problematic issues colleagues had at OOC with the innovative idea. The new system was customised and designed in a way that the HSE Fatigue Index levels could be calculated with the click of a button, alongside shift scheduling and competency management for all staff.

Ajmal has also recently taken it upon himself to create and produce an interactive visitors brief. He recorded the video, then edited the video, Ajmal then used the MediaCAT system to play the video as an interactive brief. This has now been rolled out and has had already received positive feedback, the main objective was to ensure everyone got the same safety message.

In addition, Ajmal was the first person to trial out and implement (Anti Slip) Digital printed floor graphics, Ajmal worked with PTM and rolled out the floor graphics as part of 5S improvements for the Depot.

Ajmal also rolled out an enhanced depot CCTV system, the system uses POE which enabled the depot to install CCTV at Key High Risk areas, which would previously never have been possible to install due to cabling restrictions. The new technology used allowed Ajmal to power Cameras using a single cable which eliminated the requirement of additional power sockets, this has now been rolled out to other depots within FGW .

Ajmal is always thinking ahead and discovering ways to maintain the success of the projects he has implemented, for example whilst Ajmal has been implementing all of his projects he continuously urges the involvement of his colleagues and involves them in the overseeing these projects. Ajmal accomplishes this by designating each colleague at OOC with a role in helping maintain and improve each system.

Ajmal has received several best practices for his ideas, not only for FGW but also for the Railway as a whole. The fact is simple, any idea he comes up with he drives and pushes for one goal. Ajmal shows a unique commitment and dedication to his job role and therefore only deserves to be recognised.“