The deadline for nominations for this year’s (RIA) Railway Industry Supplier Excellence Awards (RISE) and Dinner is fast approaching, with entries closing on Friday (April 26) at 5pm. The event celebrates the value organisations and individuals bring to the rail supply industry across a range of categories.
Company awards include Innovation, Employer of the Year and Safety while individual categories include Employee of the Year and Rising Star Award. This year includes a new category ‘The Economic Contribution Award’. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 26th April at 5pm, with the awards’ ceremony taking place at a glitzy dinner at the Landmark Hotel in London on Thursday, 27 June.
Grace Smithen, Senior Marketing and Events Manager, said: “The RIA Dinner and RISE Awards celebrate the innovation, growth and impact that organisations and individuals have on our rail industry.
“The industry is facing huge challenges with the suppliers having a vital role in not just delivering transformational rail projects to serve a growing number of passengers and freight customers, but also creating jobs and generating economic growth in the process.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your achievements and also joining us in celebrating all of the achievements within the sector.”
There will be a diverse high-level suite of industry professionals judging this year’s entries, including Toufic Machnouk, Director, Industry Partnership for Digital Railway, Network Rail, Ian Prosser
CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Railways, Office of Rail and Road; Raye Fullard, Chair, Women in Rail/ Railway Industry Association EDI Charter Working Group; Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain, Innovation Manager, East West Rail; and Justin Moss, Head of Business Development and Electrification at Siemens Mobility.
Justin said: “As a passionate advocate for the rail industry, I am truly excited to join the judging panel again for the RISE Awards 2024. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to celebrate the people, innovative projects and technologies that are shaping the future of our industry.”
Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain added: “The RISE awards are a vital way of recognising the achievements and contributions of suppliers in the UK rail sector. Especially looking at the next few years, innovation and collaboration with the supply chain is becoming increasingly essential, and these awards enable organisations like East West Rail to see some of the very best new technologies and services which could be used to enhance national projects.”
The event is looking to build on the success of last years, which was hosted by comedian, broadcaster and former political advisor Ayesha Hazarika MBE, and featured keynote speeches from Rail & HS2 Minister, Huw Merriman MP, and RIA’s Chief Executive Darren Caplan and Chairman David Tonkin.
An independent judging panel of senior industry figures picked the winners after a record number of over 90 entries were submitted across 11 categories. Among the winners, Andy Lord, Transport for London Commissioner, picked up the ‘Client of the Year’ Award, regarded by the RIA Board as the rail client individual who had done the most to deliver rail in their area and build strong supplier relationships over the year.
Speaking about last year’s event, Rebecca O’Donnell, Business Development Manager at AtkinsRéalis, said: “Atkins were proud to sponsor the RIA RISE Awards in the SME Growth category. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the diverse talent in our sector, as well as some truly innovative and sustainable solutions.
“These awards are always a brilliant way to reconnect with colleagues and grow your network, and we look forward to supporting again in the future.”
Deadline for submissions – Friday 26 April 2024 at 5pm.
Shortlist Announcement – Monday 13 May 2024.
Where and when is the Award ceremony held? The ceremony will take place at the RIA RISE Awards Dinner, at the Landmark Hotel in London on Thursday 27 June 2024.
How to enter the RISE Awards? Read more about the categories and how to submit your entry by clicking here.
Price You may enter the RISE awards, whether or not you are a RIA member. Entry fee is £200 +VAT per award entry. (£350 +VAT for non-members). RIA’s SME members with an annual rail turnover below £1m will enjoy a 50 per cent fee reduction.
Please note, to attend the RISE Award ceremony you will need to buy tickets. Book them here.
Photo of last year’s winners. Photo credit: RIA