Jody Ball

Said the following about Kristina Thompson:

“Kristina Thompson has made a huge impact in CrossCountry since she arrived summer 2013 as a Retail Service Manager, working on the front-line in on-train catering. Her strength of character and determination to succeed was quickly identified and when she applied to join the General Management Graduate scheme in September 2014 she was quickly allocated into roles that would make a big difference to our business. In March 2015 she accepted the role of Project Manager in the Direct Award Team where she was instrumental in helping to secure a three-year extension to the franchise. Kristina is now working on another key project to provide major timetable changes that will benefit the entire rail industry.

Kristina was given full responsibility for project managing CrossCountry’s Service Enhancement and Timetable Strategy (SEATS) using PRINCE 2 methodology to address overcrowding issues on CrossCountry services in close collaboration with the Department for Transport. The project involved organising a full public consultation, submission of a summary report, presentation to key stakeholders and a fully costed timetable proposal.

As a Project Manager, she demonstrates excellent team leadership skills in alignment with the Arriva Leadership Behaviours, especially competencies around communicating with people. Kristina is an extremely focused and disciplined individual, who manages to remain objective in her decision-making. She displays a keen attention to detail and effectively encourages her team members to follow her example.

Kristina adopts a hands-on approach to teamwork and proactively supports her team. She effectively manages relationships within all areas of the CrossCountry business. Kristina also provides invaluable liaison between her team, the departments and the Executive Board, and has provided processes within which all parties can operate. During the Direct Award project, she used her strong interpersonal skills to unite her disparate team members and, in her current role, she continues to liaise and collaborate effectively with all stakeholders, including the DfT and Network Rail.

Kristina provides inspiration for other young people both within and outside the rail industry. Her story features on the Arriva Graduate Programme website, through which they can contact Kristina directly, and she has shared her experiences with fellow graduates across the group. She is committed to bringing the best out in people and, going forward, will be providing mentorship around project management and life within CrossCountry.

Within only four years, Kristina has risen from her initial front-line position to a PRINCE2 qualified Project Manager. Since then, Kristina has played a key role in submitting a Direct Award Proposal, helping the business secure its three-year franchise extension. Her contribution to the negotiation process of the Direct Award was recognised by the Director of Arriva UK Trains. Her ability to engage with different stakeholders and to tailor her presentation style has enabled her to develop relationships from inside and outside the organisation.

Her project management approach has been recognised both within CrossCountry and externally, for instance her collaborative approach to project management has received high praise from the industry and has been considered to be taken forward and adopted as best practice.“