FirstGroup Train Companies Recognized at Rail Business Awards

Feb. 27, 2015

FirstGroup's train operating companies have been recognized with 14 awards at the annual Rail Business Awards. Held at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel on 26 February, they celebrate excellence and achievement in the U.K. rail industry.

First Great Western scooped the top award of Rail Business of the Year. They also won awards in Customer Information and Service for keeping the west moving during the collapse of the sea wall at Dawlish last February; best Marketing Campaign for I’m a Great Westerner and in Engineering Excellence for the Engineering team based at Laira Depot in Plymouth.

First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood said, "I am immensely proud of this industry award and the work put in by all of our dedicated staff. While much focus has been put on the collapse of the sea wall at Dawlish and our efforts to maintain services, it also recognises the innovation shown to increase capacity for our passengers and provide them with the additional services we know they want to see; as well as reward for those working on the shop floor and behind the scenes. The recognition is an amazing achievement – and our plans for the future will continue to transform this railway for the better.”

Along with First Great Western, all of FirstGroup’s train operating companies were acknowledged last night. Between them, they received ten Highly Commended awards:

  • Internal Communications – First Great Western
  • Diversity and Inclusion – First Great Western
  • Technology – First Great Western and Singapore Airlines joint ticketing scheme
  • Train Operator – First Hull Trains
  • Marketing Campaign – First ScotRail’s Commonwealth Games campaign
  • Sustainability Excellence – First ScotRail
  • Customer Information and Service Excellence – First ScotRail
  • PR Campaign – First TransPennine Express’s TransPennine Plus
  • Woman of the Year – Kathryn O’Brien, customer service director at First TransPennine Express
  • Rolling Stock Excellence – First TransPennine Express

Meanwhile, First ScotRail’s work to celebrate the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year has also been recognised with a national award.

The train operator won the Marketing and Communications category at the 2015 UK Rail Industry Awards.

The campaign, which championed athletes and staff as well as the Scots language, was chosen as the winner from five category finalists after being reviewed by 21 independent, cross-industry judges.

Sean Duffy, First ScotRail’s commercial director, said: “This is a tremendous endorsement of First, not only for our work for the Games, but also as a supporter of Scotland.  Glasgow 2014 gave us a huge opportunity to showcase Scotland’s railway, and we are proud of the important role we played during the summer celebrations. Winning this award is an honour for everyone involved, and testament to the hard work of our 4,900 staff.”