Maxine Joicey

Said the following about Gail Jamieson:

“Gail has a proven track record of supporting and developing colleagues throughout her 8-year career with Network Rail. She commits a vast amount of her personal time in helping colleagues learn new skills, gain experience and supporting their personal wellbeing. The strength and performance of her teams of past and current, is evidence of the investment she has made in their development in both a professional and personal level. Her compassion and genuine care for others and the business is highly revered.

In her role, Gail manages and co-ordinates the financial support for the North and East Route’s capital portfolio, which delivers £230m of renewal investment each year. She takes the lead financial role in supporting Network Rail’s Engineering Asset Managers and Delivery team. This is a logistical challenge to bring them all together, but she regularly achieves this to deliver business reviews, financial forecasts and ensure that Network Rail delivers its investment commitment. Gail has recently established the “North and East Route Investment panel” which ensures that local governance and scrutiny is given to the annual ¼ billion-pound investment pot, resulting in local prioritisation for the travelling public. This has empowered employees at a route level to contribute as this was previously undertaken at a regional level.

Gail strives to get the best out of her colleagues so that they can achieve business goals. This is demonstrated in many ways including the in-house training that she collaboratively put together for Asset management teams. The training she provides, improves the quality of the investment papers ensuring value for money is demonstrated and delivers continuous improvement through an efficient investment cycle process.

Recognising the efforts in and outside of the workplace, Gail been successful in achieving a coveted place on the National Network Rail Finance Talent pool. As a valued member of the cohort, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which is imparted to other members to help them achieve their goals.

A specific example of Gail’s compassion and benevolence was proved in September 2020. She volunteered to assist a member of the finance community who had been unwell for an extended period. Whilst the individual did not directly report to Gail, she offered to temporarily line manage the colleague and took charge of her rehabilitation back into the workplace. She showed compassion and understanding to deal with difficult mental health issues often working outside of normal working hours and committing up to 2 hours per day to assist the colleague, build confidence and allow her to return to work and thrive.

The individual who was supported by Gail came back to workplace through a phased return and subsequently secured another full-time role. Gail received the following feedback:

“I cannot speak highly enough of Gail as a Line Manager. She is very approachable and honest (not to be mention knowledgeable!). If I have been feeling anxious, I have always been able to have an open and honest conversation with her. Where I have needed some reassurance she has been there 100%. I have also found that I am able to ask for feedback which has always been helpful and professional. Gail has also given me feedback which I have received positively. She has helped me to develop as an employee and on a personal level. For me, Gail really is a star! She is a role model for Network Rail on Line managing a team (my opinion!) and I can sincerely say it has been a fabulous end to this year. ““