Sophie Wilmore

Said the following about Nicola Broadberry:

“If you were to look up positive culture, perseverance, accountability, or loyalty to the team – you would find Nicola in the definition. Nicola is a Senior Finance Business Partner for the Network Rail N&E (North & East) route and has responsibility for the operations and maintenance functions within our business. In the short time in which Nicola has been with Network Rail, she has transformed the finance business partnering support for Operations. Nicola has brought with her some great practice from her previous roles and has moved quickly to implement much needed changes within the Operations team. A true Rising Star

Nicola Broadberry is Senior Business Partner for Network Rail Operations and Maintenance functions. Bringing her knowledge and skills from the private sector she has been responsible for promoting and advancing operational processes, setting the strategic direction of the execution of all finance controls of the two largest departments in the North & East Route. This includes finance process development, risk and opportunities registers and improved governance with an increased number of reviews throughout the organisational hierarchy to allow better control and attention to detail for cost centre owners. The improved monitoring, processes and number of reviews have resulted in the Operations team delivering on their financial budget for the first time in many years.

Her multi-functional oversight makes the primary back-up for the Route Finance Controller. She does not shy away from a challenge, which sets her apart from some peers. She consistently demonstrates a can-do attitude and will find a way to solve a problem.

She is also a trusted member of the Operations leadership team she supports and is included in strategic staff discussions. She understands how to navigate sensitive situations and ensure confidentiality while also eager to learn the business, so her support is meaningful for the leaders. 

Being identified by the business as a potential business leader Nicola achieved a coveted place on the Finance Talent Pool, promoting self-development and innovation. She is a valued member of the cohort and brings her wealth of knowledge and experience which she uses to support other team members in achieving their goals. She also uses her skills to mentor her team providing a comprehensive level of service, at a fast pace in a supportive and engaging way.

In a time of change and uncertainty in our business, Nicola’s role within the Operations team became focused on team culture and creating a positive work environment. She had a vision to foster team spirit with forms of recognition and camaraderie in creative ways. She attends and contributes to the team sessions irrespective of it being finance related in order to expand her knowledge and support the wider team. She contributes new ideas of how to overcome barriers and delivers a healthy challenge where appropriate. Nicola always recognises others good work and results and make sure they receive the recognition amongst the team. She also recognises that a simple explanation of complex finances can increase accountability and never forgets to thank the wider team for their contribution.

She's done this by building great relationships with cost centre managers, offering support, advice and guidance to help them understand their budgets and costs. There's an energy around Nicola which is refreshing, and this has helped to galvanize the team around controlling and reducing costs across Operations, particularly premium hours. This is exactly what Business Partnering is, healthy challenge where appropriate and support where needed, being innovative in bringing in fresh ideas from outside Network Rail and rolling out good and best practice across our business.

Nicola demonstrates a passion for her work, the business, and the railway tradition. In an industry that can be difficult to make change at pace she has introduce new processes that resulted in financial benefit for the route. She shows promise in her field and is making a large impact how we manage our costs within our functions. She is very dedicated at her role, passionate about getting the figures right, innovative on finding new ways to look at things, like analysing the spends and trends to cut any wastage and always has the best interest of the people and the company at heart. 

Introducing new monthly business review packs that identifies opportunities and risks for the functions, has brought a renewed focus across the team with dedicated next steps and action owners.

Nicola is a true example of the amazing female talent that exists in our industry, Not only is she currently an individual contributor to our industry, but she really is also a woman who can be a leader of tomorrow.“