Andy Harrowell

Said the following about Paula Hilliard:

“Paula is truly one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. Sometimes it feels like she brings more enthusiasm and energy than the rest of the company combined!

Every time I speak with Paula she’s always going way beyond her role as Employee Engagement Manager. When she co-ordinates our programme with the Prince’s Trust she doesn’t just support the young people who are having problems gaining employment – she adopts them. She cares so much about the youngsters and is truly passionate about helping them turn their lives around. She truly makes a difference to these groups and I know they are the better for it. Alongside this, she has brought so much passion to encouraging everyone to get involved in our Employee Survey, not because of any targets or anything like that, but because she truly believes in giving people the chance to have their voice heard, listening to everyone and taking positive action.

Recently, Paula was also truly stupendous in the way she supported individuals across the business in raising funds for the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. In less than a week she took up the challenge of organising collections at large stations. Thanks to her efforts more than 60 people from GTR helped to raise over £12,000 to support those involved in this terrible tragedy. This is a truly impressive figure, especially given the short amount of time she had to organise this. Everyone was clearly communicated with and supported in giving up their time to help others. And, as I have always come to expect, Paula was at every session that week, starting early and finishing late across three consecutive days.

This effort came straight after our Charities Week, when again Paula made a big difference to encouraging people to get involved, especially during our Hitchin “cycle” event, where volunteers tried to cover as many miles as possible whilst collecting donations. Thanks to the efforts of Paula, and the local team, that activity was attended by as many people as we had at the other activities we ran at Luton, Gatwick and Eastbourne combined.

I never fail to be amazed by how much passion and dedication Paula brings to the business – her can-do attitude and caring approach really makes a difference to me and across the organisation. I wouldn’t be without her and I think others can learn a lot from the excellent example she sets.“