James Wall

Said the following about Dennis Moss:

“Throughout his lengthy career spanning over 50 years, working in more than 10 different countries in numerous senior level positions, Dennis Moss has achieved so much more than your average railwayman.

In starting his career as a British Rail apprentice in 1965, Dennis was responsible for the maintenance of Derby Carriage Works. He specialised in joinery, making furniture for the works manager’s office amongst various other maintenance activities over a five year period.

At the age of 21, Dennis moved into the sawmill making patterns for the machinists. After a further three years he successfully completed an industrial engineering course, progressing into managerial roles including Chief Foreman in the vehicle assembly shops.

In 1993 he moved to York to take up a position as Bodyshell Manager for Adtranz, working alongside Phil Hufton who is now Managing Director of Network Operations at Network Rail. Upon arriving on site for the first day in his new role, his attention was drawn to challenges in an alternative area of the business – the fitting and testing of the Class 166 trains. The project was experiencing delays in delivery, continuous quality issues and was becoming considerably overspent. As his first challenge Dennis was diverted from his original role and tasked with getting the project back on track.

After months of hard graft, introducing new business processes, upskilling of existing staff and ensuring efficiency across all activities, Dennis pulled out all the stops to ensure the project was delivered successfully. As a result of his management and influence, cost savings were achieved and the Class 166 trains were delivered on time and within budget. In recognising Dennis’ exemplary efforts during a site visit, the President of international power and automation company ABB Ltd quoted “I don’t know what magic you used to turn this project around but make sure you do the same in your role as Bodyshell Manager.”

Following this major achievement in his career Dennis has since been tasked with many challenging roles, including a relocation to South Africa as a senior manager for UCW (Union Carriage and Wagon). Towards the end of his contract the employee union visited Dennis to encourage him to stay with the company, threatening strike action as there were concerns things would go backwards if he was to leave. Upon his return from South Africa he accepted a position as HQ Project Director with Adtranz in Crewe, overseeing projects throughout Europe. Dennis soon became well known as “the man that can,” a real problem solver – with no challenge too big or too small.

More recently over the last five years Dennis has been based at Bombardier’s Litchurch Lane site as Head of Operations (BTRoS Production), becoming heavily involved in the company’s apprenticeship scheme. With his wealth of experience and diverse knowledge in rail, Dennis has continuously grown in line with the industry requirements which has aided his ability in mentoring young professionals.

To date Dennis has guided numerous young apprentices through Bombardier’s apprenticeship scheme, many of which have progressed into Team Leader and senior level positions. Apprentice Lewis Slack was awarded ‘Rail Engineer of the Future’ at the Rail Business Awards in February 2015 and has now become a Team Leader at the age of 21. Separately apprentice Kirsten Gorton was recognised by Education Minister, The Rt Hon Nicky Morgan and went on to present at the Conservative Party Conference on the subject of women in rail. Without Dennis’ continued guidance, support and personal approach, many apprentices would not be exposed to such progression and opportunities.

Dennis is consistently praised on his approach to people management, work ethic, traditional values and extensive knowledge of the industry, which has result in gaining the utmost respect from apprentices and his colleagues alike. In his 50th year on the railway, Dennis continues to assist in developing future talent and is much-admired as a “man of the people”. This is a true accolade of Dennis’ dedication, commitment and outstanding efforts – he is truly one in a million and is more than worthy of the RailStaff lifetime achievement award.“

Peter Doolin

Said the following about Dennis Moss:

“Having known Dennis for in excess of 30 years I can fully support his nomination- Whether when he was heading up the Industrial Engineering function at Derby Carriage works, working on one of my projects as a Senior Project Manager to support the turnaround of projects in 2010 he has always set a formidable standard in each and every role he has undertaken.

In recent years he has revolutionised the manufacture, testing and delivery of critical electrical looms, cab desks and equipment cases to each of our successful projects.

His leadership style is fully inclusive, whether he is dealing with a new starter or our CEO of our major customer.

He has been a major asset of Bombardier and like many of my colleagues a total pleasure to work with over many, many years for generations of employees whom his has guided along their way to a successful career in the rail industry.“

Phil Hufton

Said the following about Dennis Moss:

“Dennis is one of the most loyal and committed managers I have met and I feel privileged to have had Dennis part of my team on a number of occasions. He leads from the front, is a results driven leader and has a great sense of humour. I cannot think of anybody more deserved for this award, a great colleague and friend.“

James Couchman

Said the following about Dennis Moss:

“Shorterm Group have had the pleasure of working closely with Dennis for more than eight years now supporting him in a number of the senior management roles he has undertaken for Bombardier.

During his career history spanning more than 50 years in the rail industry Dennis has developed an unrivalled knowledge and expertise within the rolling stock manufacturing sector. We are nominating Dennis because we know that he imparts this knowledge and experience readily to those around him in a supportive and productive manner. This has allowed these persons to maximise their potential and create a successful and dynamic working environment that has contributed significantly to the success of the rail industry as a whole. We have had first hand experience of this in seeing him drive apprenticeships, develop succession planning and support a variety of staff within Bombardier to follow a similar path to Dennis, whereby they have organically grown within the business internally from Apprentice’s to business leaders. Dennis is currently managing Bombardier’s Cables & Interiors division (BTRS) and his experience has shaped the way BTRS operate now becoming a reliable and first class supplier into the Rail Industry and this is evident in the way that BTRS sit in a profitable position, with a variety of large projects including Crossrail on the horizon.

What also makes Dennis stand out is how he manages people at all levels in the same way, in a dignified and professional manner, always pragmatic he is someone we have grown to trust and respect in everything he does.“