Jenny Peat

Said the following about Kevin Spencer:

“I would like to nominate Kevin Spencer for Rail Manager of the year award. Kev really is a superstar in everyway possible. He has saved the company thousands on working trains to keep the job running and to avoid cancellations whilst in his role as a team leader and being responsible for all the new team members.

He is based at one of our busiest depots as a team leader (Acton SVG), not only does he go above and beyond with managing his team, but he will always volunteer to cover uncovered work, short notice sicknesses and always volunteers to work weekends to ensure no trains are cancelled.

A great example of this was when he was on annual leave and due to leave for a Cruise. We had a driver who needed passing out on a route in order to cover the workload rostered. Kev came in with hours to spare before his holiday departure to ensure this driver was passed out. This meant that everything got covered and there were no train cancellations as the driver was passed out as competent on the route.

Working additional turns often means him not being able to go home and staying in lodge away from home and family to which he never complains. As stated with the amount he has agreed to cover saving cancellations on too many occasions to count – he has honestly saved the company thousands.

As his roster clerk he keeps in regular contact, assisting with route learning and helping whenever he possibly can. Often assisting with any issues which may arise and pointing out ways to solve any upcoming issues which really does make my job easier.

Acton SVG is a group of drivers from various depots whom lodge on a weekly basis to cover workload and keep the Mendip contract running. Eventually the Wembley depot will take over which will mean the lodging drivers will be going back to their home depot. This has been quite challenging for many reasons. Firstly, the lodging drivers go to Kev to seek reassurance that their contract will not be ending soon and that they will continue to be based at Acton.

The second challenge we are facing is making sure the Wembley drivers are trained to increase their knowledge so eventually they can take over – this has meant hours of mentoring/route learning by Kev who has never complained and just gets on with the job in hand. He has been instrumental keeping the peace and ensuring the drivers are focused for the job in hand, maximising their productivity and flexibility for covering the increasing workload. Ultimately keeping everyone happy and safe. This would not have been possible without his input.

Kev is an absolute delight to work with, always happy and can never do enough. I have never heard him speak a bad word or complain about anything and I really do think he needs acknowledging for all his hard work and effort that he puts in on a daily basis.

Upon writing this nomination I have spoken to various people throughout the organisation:- drivers, management, controllers, other roster clerks all of which speak very highly of him and support my nomination which I feel speaks volumes.

Without Kevin in the team, we really would be lost without him, he really is such a deserving individual for this award.“

Jonathan Fawcett

Said the following about Kevin Spencer:

“I am a newcomer to the industry and I first encountered Kev when I had just passed my rules and driving assessment, and had been sent to my depot. It was a period in between PM’s and Kev took it upon himself to get me learning my first route. From then on he has been a source of constant support, whether that be for simple reassurance, or for advice on anything driving and the railway. He is gold to all the drivers in the depot, but especially to the new folks, getting them started on the railway.“