Sam Batey

Said the following about GB RailFreight Felixstowe Operations Team:

“Since last year, GB Railfreight’s Felixstowe Operations team has completely transformed its performance. Back in the summer of 2022, it had become apparent that the service delivery performance for ground staff was at a low, with a recent employee survey results reflecting ground staff frustrations. The Felixstowe team service has for a while been one GBRf’s best performing teams, moving 300,000 containers a year with an annual turnover of £100 million, but more needed to be done to ensure that ground staff felt supported with their wellbeing, workload and development. Driving this change were Mike Flatt and Dave Kidd.

After the disappointing performance figures and staff survey last year, the management structure was reviewed and an Operations Standards Manager grade was implemented to cover Felixstowe and parts of Anglia. Mike Flatt was moved across from Operational Manager to Operational Standard Manager, allowing Dave Kidd to be promoted from Train Manager to Operations Manager. This enabled Dave to concentrate on performance issues and working with the Port of Felixstowe, with Mike then concentrating on the training and standards. They swiftly set about reviewing the recruitment process, drawing on a strong talent pool, so they could select the very best candidates.

Mike and Dave have also listened to ground staff about their concerns around health and wellbeing. In response to their concerns, they have installed a Physical Needs Break facility in the North Terminal and have made changes to the rosters to encourage a better work-life balance. Dave and Mike also care deeply about ground staff’s professional development and decided to set up an upskilling programme. These changes have led to a significant reduction in staff absence and much-improved team performance.

To help improve efficiency and procedures, Mike and Dave implemented a Yard Shift Supervisor (YSL) role, to refine working practices and shift management across GBRf’s Felixstowe operation. As well as improving GB Railfreight’s performance, the YSL has also worked with the Port of Felixstowe to implement dynamic loading of intermodal containers onto GBRf’s wagons, resulting in increased efficiency and performance for both parties.

Overall, the improved work ethic and performance changes to the operations team have enabled it to implement new business better and adapt swiftly to new opportunities.“