Emma-Kate Ryan

Said the following about Paul Case:

“Paul Case’s drive, unique passion and engaging demeanour has led me to nominate Paul for Graduate of the Year. As a graduate project manager at Transport for London, Paul had an early desire to be involved in as much as he could and willingly sought opportunities to learn, develop and deliver greater quality and efficiency to his employer and to the wider rail industry. For example, he organised a six month placement within the TfL parliamentary engagement team, learning the political about the intricacies of the railway sector, and also regularly volunteered to support the TfL graduate training scheme; giving presentations, organising events and preparing training guides for new graduates. He didn’t, however, contain himself to his daily role and actively looked for new opportunities, ideas and contacts, and ways that he could bring this experience into his work and also share ideas across the industry.

To this end he took early responsibilities with Young Rail Professionals (YRP) and over the past two years has quickly risen within the organisation, to be elected National Vice-Chair for 2016/17. He sought to grow the organisation, build and strengthen its capabilities and ensure that YRP becomes the number one national organisation for young professionals within the railway industry; delivering to help fill the skill gaps in the industry, facilitate idea sharing across organisations and solidify YRPs reputation as a highly professional organisation owned and managed by volunteers across the industry.

In his first National role with YRP, that of National External Relations Manager in 2015/16, he established two events: Firstly, the Politics of Rail event, on the basis that young professionals rarely get to experience first-hand the political factors affecting the industry. This was an opportunity to hear from politicians and senior industry figures. The first year saw Lilian Greenwood (Shadow Rail Minister) and three senior industry managers discuss the politics of the industry. The second year saw Mike Brown (Commissioner TfL) speak and answer questions from the audience.

Secondly, he established the Corporate Stakeholder Event Series. During his tenure as National External Relations Manager, Paul established collaborative relationships with a number of companies across the industry and set up Corporate Stakeholder events to bring senior managers and directors together with young professionals; giving them networking opportunities not often available.

Paul didn’t stop for a rest; his passion to improve the industry and the career prospects of young people in it, led to his election as National Vice Chair for the year 2016 and 2017. In his current capacity, he went further: he developed into the role of National Vice Chair on a platform of two objectives; (1) strengthen YRP’s organisational capabilities and (2) manage sustained growth of the business. He recognised that the Young Rail Professional’s accomplishments in a short time had left YRP vulnerable as growth exceeded current capability. He looked at where YRP’s strengths were and where the biggest gaps and risks existed and working with the YRP Executive Team, to plan ways to fill these gaps. He made it his priority to improve internal communications, improve management processes and this year organised the first ever YRP national leadership conference, to bring together the talented individuals that run YRP to plan YRP’s growth and future successes, and also to develop their own skills, as future leaders of the industry.

Paul does all this in his spare time, while also completing a Master’s degree in Project and Enterprise Management at University College London. He has also started the process towards gaining chartership with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. He always remains calm and considerate towards his work and Young Rail Professional colleagues, and deals with difficult situations with a charm and can-do attitude which is rare, and should be celebrated. It is for this reason I wish to nominate Paul Case for the Graduate of the Year award.“

Adam Stead

Said the following about Paul Case:

“Since joining the YRP committee in February 2014, Paul has always demonstrated his commitment to professionalising Young Rail Professionals. Since YRP became formally incorporated in March 2014, Paul has played key roles in ensuring that YRP is:

● Reputable and influential - through putting on industry leading events with high profile speakers,

● Financially sound - through sustaining and growing its revenue through corporate membership packages,

● Supported by companies across the rail sector - by proactively encouraging engagement in YRP activities

● Governed towards growth - in leading the on-going operations of YRP as Vice Chair.

Paul's commitment to YRP is unwavering despite continuing to drive himself academically and in his day job too. Paul has sought to broaden his understanding of rail via YRP, and in joining its leadership has gained new skills and experiences to further his professional career. Paul uses that experience now to provide opportunities to other new graduates, and to also lead the sector to do more to attract young people into rail careers. Paul is an inspiration for what all graduates can achieve in the formative stages of their career and as such I am pleased to endorse the nomination of Paul as Graduate of the Year.“

Stephen Head

Said the following about Paul Case:

“Paul is extremely passionate about the rail industry and puts an incredible amount of energy into both his day job at TfL and his second (voluntary) job with Young Rail Professionals. Whilst still in the early and formative years of his rail career, Paul has already done a significant amount to add value to the industry and within the young person development sphere he is one of the leading minds. He has actively sought out opportunities to develop himself, pushing himself into new areas within his day job and taking on increasingly more responsibility within YRP. Paul always exhibits a high level of professionalism and leadership, whilst also having an excellent focus on delivering quality products on time and to budget.

In my view, Paul exhibits a level of professionalism and takes on responsibility well above his station, and has a proven track record for delivering. He is an ideal candidate and winner of the Graduate of the Year award.“