Simon Burrows

Said the following about Station Operations Team:

“I am honoured to submit this nomination for the South Western Railway Station Operations Team for their exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication in managing crucial events such as the troop movements to London for the coronation and the Queen's funeral, as well as their remarkable involvement in events, safety and the learning meetings held by them to make the next event safer, more operational and better for our customers and teams.

The outstanding qualities and achievements of this team make them deserving candidates for recognition and commendation.

1. Attention to Detail shown by The South Western Railway Station Operations Team has consistently demonstrated their commitment to precision and excellence in every aspect of their work. Their meticulous attention to finer details ensures the smooth execution of critical operations from the emergency lighting roll out for performance, to the additional ramps installed around the business to aid our customers on and off trains, bring not only dwell times down but making it safe for passengers and customers by limiting the carrying of ramps along busy platforms to replacing faulty ramps in a timely manner.

2. Exemplary Planning: The team's meticulous planning and strategic foresight have been instrumental in successfully managing complex events, ensuring the safety and efficiency of railway operations during troop movements for the King Coronation and high-profile events like the Queen's funeral, but also smaller events that could lead to bigger events if not handled correctly like Rugby, Football, Engineering Works and Risk Assessments critical for the business to operator safely.

3. Cross-TOC Collaboration The South Western Railway Station Operations Team has taken a proactive approach in fostering collaboration across various Train Operating Companies (TOCs). Their establishment of a cross-TOC working group showcases their commitment to industry-wide progress and efficiency which has been very much shown during the industrial action and the planning for station operations for major events like victorious at Portsmouth.

4. Effective Problem Solvers, the team's ability to turn plans into reality is exceptional. They have consistently shown the capability to make things happen, even in challenging circumstances, ensuring that stations run smoothly and safely and have worked closely with other functions so the work they do is not impacting other functions and brings other functions into the group from security to station property that only helps build relationships between more teams that are still working closely with each other.

5. Teamwork and Support their dedication to teamwork is exemplary. Whether it's offering support over the phone, working seamlessly within their station teams, or assisting individuals in person, their commitment to each other and their colleagues is unwavering, and they can regular be found out on platforms or events leading from the front to help grow the business for safety and performance.

6. External Partnerships, The South Western Railway Station Operations Team has built strong and valuable networks with external partners. Their ability to collaborate effectively with external organisations has been key to the success of various initiatives and events, from running major rugby games on industrial action days, to horse racing and football. Overseeing New Year’s Eve planning at Waterloo, the work with the RFU and Network Rail shows that the events have only grown in strength from the learning reviews they hold with all participants to make sure smooth running of the event for years to come.

In conclusion, the South Western Railway Station Operations Team's outstanding performance, meticulous planning, cross-TOC collaboration, and unwavering support demonstrate their exceptional commitment to the railway industry, the business of SWR colleagues and its passengers. Their dedication to detail and ability to handle high-pressure situations make them truly deserving of recognition and commendation.

I wholeheartedly nominate the South Western Railway Station Operations Team for a team award. Their accomplishments and contributions to the industry are truly remarkable, and they serve as an inspiration to all within the field.

Thank you for considering this nomination. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any additional information or references.“