Steve Cross

Said the following about Raj Shah:

“As Raj approaches retirement age, he can look back on a glittering career spanning more than 30 years on the railway.

Starting as a conductor on London Underground's Central Line, Raj has worked his way through the ranks to reach his current role with Southeastern as Major Projects Interface Manager.

Raj has been performing the role for over ten years and the job title doesn't do justice to the wide scope and output of a truly exceptional railway employee.

Over the last ten years I have been able to view first hand Raj's tireless work ethic to scope and deliver enhancement projects for our customers and staff.

The magnitude of the schemes range from grand projects such as the full refurbishment of Snodland station, closed for 30 years, and re-opening to the public in September through to numerous ticket office refurbishments to improve facilities for customers including those with disabilities and at the other end of the scale, simple cycle parking and signage projects to enhance the station environment.

Raj's output is unmatched within our organisation but he carries this off with such modesty and always has time to help colleagues and painstakingly convey his knowledge and experience to others in the hope of developing the next generation of Rajs.

The sheer volume of output from Raj has benefitted thousands of customers and staff over his ten years with Southeastern and no doubt in his previous roles with Thameslink and going back to his London Underground days.

To emphasise his output, here is a flavour of what he has delivered in just the last five years:

- sympathetic heritage restoration of Snodland station to re-open the station building to paying passengers for the first time in 30 years

- construction of secure cycle hubs at four stations

- implementation of 5000 additional cycle parking facilities

- refresh of customer information screens across to address obsolsecence and improve provision of information

- delivery and integration of digital customer information poster displays at high-speed stations for real time information to be posted out to customers

- creation of new improved transport integrated forecourts and station approaches at: Margate, Ramsgate, West Malling, Dover Priory and Canterbury West

- enlarged and refurbished booking hall and ticket office at Bromley South to tie in with Access for All lift project at the station

- delivery of new booking hall, retail unit and ATM at Grove Park railway station

- creation of a booking hall, new ticket office and cafeteria concession at Folkestone West railway station

- refurbishment of ticket office, booking hall, waiting areas and buffet at Orpington railway station

- facilitated Access-for-All lift installations at numerous stations including: Bromley South, Herne Hill, Sittingbourne, Canterbury West, Staplehurst, New Eltham and Strood to improve accessibility

- heritage restoration of Battle booking hall to provide enhanced customer facilities while preserving the unique appearance of the listed building

This is only an extract of his total output which is quite incredible for one person and has revolutionised the lives of our passengers and staff at countless stations across our network. Such a level of output makes Raj the 'go-to' person for many of our internal stakeholders and he always finds time to discuss their matters and in many cases finds funding and time to deliver a plethora of low level schemes for our frontline teams and customers.

Not content with simply delivering, Raj is now nurturing the next generation of project management at Southeastern and is eager to impart his extensive and formidable knowledge to those identified via succession planning.

Raj is a strong family man and brings that into the workplace and is always there to lend an ear to any member of staff and offer guidance.

A true one-off and as he approaches retirement, it would be great if this can be recognised.

Thanks“