Phil Jerstice

Said the following about Tom Fleming:

“Tom Fleming’s extensive experience out in the operation and his natural talent for nurturing relationships with staff during his 22 years with Freightliner has earned him a great deal of respect amongst Freightliner colleagues across the UK.

Tom joined Freightliner’s Coatbridge terminal in October 1995 as Health & Safety Manager and was appointed to his current role of Assurance Manager in 2008.

His Assurance Manager role involves Tom travelling the length and breadth of the UK, often working long, unsocial hours, and having to stay away from home for weeks at a time. However, Tom takes this on board without complaint and always makes a point of spending time talking to colleagues out on the shop floor, earning their trust and confidence.

He is Freightliner’s ‘Mr Fix-it’, not only supporting colleagues with any concerns or issues they may have but helping out in the operation wherever he can.

He has a natural calming influence during periods of unrest amongst the workforce, supporting local managers and helping to diffuse difficult situations.

Despite suffering a serious seizure which meant Tom being absent from work for several months, Tom has returned to work with the same can-do attitude, remaining totally committed to the company and to the well-being of his peers and colleagues.

Freightliner HR Director said:

“Tom has worked in the industry generally, and in Freightliner, for many years and knows our business intimately. Despite his rise to Assurance Manager, Tom has never lost the human touch and has an inherent ability to appeal to the troops and galvanise the team around him. A true Scot, pragmatic and says it how it is, he remains firm but fair in his stance at all times - a true gentleman.

“Despite a very serious illness, Tom has remained loyal to the business, despite now being unable to drive, he has returned in an operational role, local to home to ensure his return to the business as soon as he feasibly could, but remains our "Mr Fix It" at Coatbridge. One in a million and if only we could replicate him 20 times over!!”

A thoroughly deserving nominee for the title ‘Rail Manager of the Year’.“