Spencer Hufton

Said the following about Chris Fowler:

“Freightliner has always delivered route to competence training for its apprentice mainline drivers, shunters, and ground staff. However, it was recognised that this required a fresh approach from within.

We identified Chris Fowler as our Head of Operational Training and Competence-based on both his experience and the way he develops people. Knowing his calm, professional and structured approach towards stakeholders would be welcomed – indeed this has been both recognised and embraced by the Operational business within Rail and Intermodal.

Over the last 18 months, Chris has identified and implemented a dedicated Rail Operations Team made up of all Freightliner personnel. This has both given individuals the opportunity to grow their careers, removed our need to use external training and improved both the quality and response times within.

Chris has achieved this by evaluating the benefits of internal training over external reliance. From this, he created and justified a business case for such a change. However, Chris recognises that subtle changes are required as the team and requirements progress. These changes often go under the radar due to how Chris allows both his team and internal stakeholders the freedom to own the solution – a key skill in developing people.

Chris, from the beginning, collaborated with the Freightliner Apprentice Manager so the end-to-end delivery was supported and secured during this transition. Plus, the active involvement with the East Coast ERTMS project to embrace and support the two training academies of Ipswich and Doncaster with both resource and delivery plans.

In addition, he recognised the delivery of Non-Technical Skills (NTS) training would also improve as an internal delivery. This aligned with our risk matrix and the opportunity to reduce human error within our workplace. Chris identified an in-house trainer and 8 months from conception we are delivering such training.

Finally working with Chris as his line manager and knowing him for the last seven years, this nomination will not sit comfortably. Chris does not seek praise and glory - in fact, quite the opposite. He goes about his day focused on developing all around him with the end goal of creating a collaborative training environment. That said this nomination is in recognition of the contribution he continues to make to the ongoing development of our people and the strengthening of our safety critical competence within our business today and for the future.“

Anika Shenfield

Said the following about Chris Fowler:

“I cannot think of a more worthy nominee than Chris Fowler for the Learning, Development & Investing in People award. Chris came into the organisation as Head of Operational Training and Competence and took our trainee train driver apprentice programme to another level in a short space of time. Having the underpinning knowledge of Rail, the rules and regulations and the technical elements is key to Chris’s role however what is a breath of fresh air is Chris’s people skills and how he brings his team along where they have fully embraced the changes that Chris has made which have been significant, yet done stealthily.

I enjoy working alongside Chris and find him trustworthy, and ethical and if there are any issues, Chris always takes time to understand and works with you to resolve and does not dictate. He is unflappable, and calm and his door is always open.“