ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED

ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED

Please note that the deadline for entries into the 2025 awards has now passed.

Entries for the Rail Business Awards 2025 have now closed. However, you can still view the category criteria below. Don’t miss your chance to be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence across the UK rail industry—book your place today!

Accessibility & Integrated Transport Excellence

Entries here should highlight excellence in the provision of accessible facilities and services for rail users, both on trains, stations and journey planning, or for improving integration between rail and other modes.

This category is now closed

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

  • overall benefits for passengers with reduced mobility;
  • enhanced station facilities including waiting rooms, step-free access and level boarding;
  • the provision of accessible customer information and assistance;
  • accessibility improvements to rolling stock, including toilets, wheelchair spaces, information systems and on-board customer assistance;
  • enhanced integration with other modes of transport
  • benefits to the train or station operator resulting from improved accessibility and multi-modal integration, including increased customer numbers, efficiency improvements and revenue growth.

Digital Innovation & Signalling Excellence

Newly introduced for the February 2025 edition, this award will recognise excellence in signalling, train control and related disciplines, with a strong emphasis on digitalisation of legacy technologies.
This category is now closed

Judges will be looking for evidence of:

  • examples of successful signalling project delivery, whether with ETCS, CBTC or conventional technologies;
  • the development of innovations that could reduce the cost and complexity of future signalling enhancements;
  • examples of future-proofing the railway, ensuring it can adapt to the roll-out of next-generation technology such as ETCS and FRMCS;
  • examples of signalling and train control projects that have been delivered on-time and on-budget;
  • deployment of world class train control technology on a par with that being introduced elsewhere in the world;
  • examples of teamwork to ensure rail passengers and freight shippers continue to receive excellent service amid the complexity of signalling enhancement work.

Diversity & Inclusion in Rail

Fairly or not, the rail sector is all too often regarded as ‘pale, male and stale’. This award is intended to recognise efforts to improve gender balance, diversity and inclusion within the UK rail sector, emphasising the case for equality across the industry.

This category is now closed

Criteria:  Judges will be looking for an individual or company that has demonstrated:

  • commitment to improving gender balance by actively promoting and supporting the employment and career development of women in rail;
  • strong personal or corporate commitment to inclusive working practices;
  • positive action to encourage applications from under-represented groups;
  • the value and business benefits of encouraging a diverse and inclusive workforce;
  • positive results in terms of equality, staff engagement, recruitment and retention.

Industry Leader

For the most outstanding industry leader within the UK rail sector.

This award is by nomination from the judging panel, although recommendations are invited. Such nominations should include a brief explanation of how the nominee meets the category criteria below.
This category is now closed

Criteria: Judges will be looking for an individual who:

  • demonstrates a level of industry statemanship and guardianship;
  • identifies and addresses key business and industry issues;
  • is able to react rapidly to changing circumstances and business objectives;
  • demonstrates clear leadership within their organisation and public engagement;
  • has contributed to the growth of market share or the development of their organisation.


    • Infrastructure Project & Station Excellence

    To recognise the most successful infrastructure or station development or enhancement projects across the UK rail network. Ranging from route modernisation schemes through to route reopenings and station construction, renovation or relocation, this category should showcase the best in upgrading the fixed assets on the national network or urban rail systems.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

    • benefits to customers including enhanced operational performance and/or improved quality of service;
    • business benefits such as new revenue opportunities, improved capacity, better performance and reduced operating costs;
    • the use of innovative materials, techniques or systems to enhance project delivery;
    • effective co-operation between all stakeholders;
    • efficient planning of the work to maximise overall benefits and minimise any impact on the operational railway;
    • effective delivery of works on time and within budget.

    Innovation of the Year

    To recognise the development of innovative technology, products, systems or services for the UK rail sector, including (but not limited to) the use of digital technologies.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

    • an effective environment to encourage innovation within the company;
    • the development process from concept to use;
    • how candidates made the economic case for investment in the technology or service;
    • the criteria used to ascertain whether the organisation had the capability to develop and exploit the specific innovation, and what steps were taken to develop that capability;
    • how the innovation has made a difference to the business and/or its customers’ businesses.

    Marketing & Communications Excellence

    Communication is key to growing rail use and retaining existing customers, as well as shaping wider perception of the industry among the public and policymakers. This award covers successful marketing campaigns and external or internal communications initiatives.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

    • the commercial and/or communications context in which the campaign was developed;
    • programmes that work with one or more audiences, effectively managing the profile and reputation of the organisation and as an employer;
    • the quality and use of techniques employed, including the versatility and effective use of various media (both external and internal as appropriate);
    • communication effectiveness and the originality of the messages and materials;
    • the business benefits of the campaign, including enhancement to reputation and awareness, improved organisational behaviour, industrial relations and/or business performance;
    • post-campaign evaluation and measurement against tactical/strategic objectives, including a review of message delivery and key learnings’
    • return on investment, demonstrating value for money.

    Network Resilience & Maintenance Excellence

    This category seeks excellence in the management and maintenance of rolling stock or infrastructure assets across the UK rail sector. A particular focus should go to projects which support the physical and digital resilience of the railway network in the context of an increasingly volatile climate and growing external risks to operations.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

    • efforts to optimise the efficiency of maintenance regimes and minimise the impact of maintenance on the operational railway;
    • the deployment of smart asset management systems such as remote condition monitoring and/or predictive maintenance tools;
    • value engineering and innovative thinking to improve cost-effectiveness and ensure the ‘best bang for the buck’;
    • attention to the trade-offs between maintenance and renewals and the opportunities to deliver minor enhancements;
    • a reduction in the level of unplanned maintenance and rectification of failures in service;
    • adherence to budget and timescales.

    Rail Freight & Logistics Excellence

    The rail freight excellence award captures how this segment of the industry directly supports the UK’s wider economic growth, highlighting the best examples of rail boosting sustainable logistics chains across the country. It covers the development, planning and delivery of rail-based freight and logistics services in the UK.

    Eligibility: This category is open to any business or other organisation operating within the UK’s rail freight sector, including train and terminal operators, logistics companies and supply chain or forwarding agents.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

    • innovation and flexibility in meeting customer requirements, including the adaptation of services or products to improve efficiency or attract new business;
    • regular communication with customers and suppliers to ensure a high quality of service;
    • targeted investment in rail freight, such as the introduction of new or improved rolling stock or the construction of new or improved terminal facilities;
    • initiatives to attract more freight traffic to rail, resulting in modal shift, revenue improvements or business growth;
    • performance and safety improvements.

    Rail Team of the Year

    An award for the most outstanding team working within the UK rail industry. Partnership, collaboration, alliance-building and the accomplishment of shared goals are at the heart of this category’s criteria.

    Eligibility: This award is for any team providing functions relating to rail business management, development or service delivery, whether customer-facing or behind the scenes.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: The judges will be looking for a team that:

    • makes an outstanding contribution to the rail industry;
    • consistently works ‘above and beyond’ to improve their business area;
    • demonstrates evidence of initiative or the ability to overcome significant challenges;
    • maintains high standards and ensures good working relations between team members;
    • encourages and supports their colleagues to improve;
    • makes a positive impact on the business performance of their company or organisation.

    Regional Initiative of the Year

    This award recognises successful initiatives to improve the provision of rail or metro services to regional cities or on behalf of devolved administrations in any part of the UK.

    Eligibility: This category is open to any organisation involved in the delivery of services to rail users, including passenger and freight train operators, local authorities, developers, infrastructure service providers and station or terminal owners or operators.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

    • initiatives to enhance the quality of service provided to rail users and/or improve the operation and performance of regional rail services;
    • improvements to the overall customer experience for either passengers or freight users;
    • close co-operation and co-ordination with regional or devolved authorities to maximise the benefits of any initiative;
    • benefits to train or infrastructure operators and/or local transport authorities, including increased customer numbers, efficiency improvements and revenue growth.
    • a positive impact on overall business and financial performance.

    Richard Hope Award

    To recognise an Outstanding Personal Contribution from anyone employed in the UK rail sector, whether over many years, or for a noteworthy initiative.
    This category is now closed

    This award is by nomination from the judging panel, although recommendations are invited. Such nominations should include a brief explanation of how the nominee:

  • has made an outstanding personal contribution to the rail industry;
  • has maintained high standards and contributed to the success of their organisation;
  • has provided inspiration and encouragement to those around them;
  • has supported the delivery of high quality services for end customers and rail users;
  • has demonstrated professionalism and dedication for the benefit of the wider rail sector.


    • Safety & Security Excellence

    Safety must remain at the heart of everything that we do in the rail industry. This category aims to recognise successful safety, security or cybersecurity initiatives within the UK rail sector.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of improvements to safety and/or security through:

    • the introduction or deployment of new technology, products or systems, or the innovative application to the rail sector of products and services from other industries;
    • an understanding of potential threats and measures taken to address them;
    • improved systems of work or working environments;
    • improved company safety performance such as falling accident rates;
    • benefits to staff, customers or external stakeholders, including neighbours;
    • business benefits.

    Skills Development Excellence

    This category recognises any company or organisation in the UK rail sector putting training and development at the heart of their business. A key focus will be on entries that demonstrate how the industry’s skills shortage is being addressed, and how companies across the sector are upskilling their people to adapt to a changing market.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for:

    • a positive commitment to the education or training of railway employees;
    • leadership in the provision or delivery of apprenticeship or graduate schemes;
    • evidence of career development programmes that support business objectives;
    • evidence that trainees have gained the skills needed to maximise their business contribution;
    • proof of how investment in education and training has brought business success;
    • evidence that investment in education and training has created a committed, motivated and effective workforce.

    Supplier & Contractor Excellence

    To recognise excellence within the UK rail supply chain, by any company or contractor providing products or services to any part of the UK rail sector. The scope of the category also includes the successful export of UK developed railway products, technology or services around the world.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: The judges will be looking for evidence of one or more of the following:

    • the provision of high-quality services and/or products to the rail sector;
    • the company’s ability to understand relevant market requirements and develop a relationship with the end customer and/or local partners to ensure successful delivery;
    • a willingness to build on an initial application to develop further business;
    • a positive impact on the rail industry resulting from use of the products or services;
    • innovation in product or service delivery to improve efficiency or quality of service;
    • positive benefits from collaborative, alliancing or partnership working;
    • a reduction in the cost of rail operations to ensure better value for money;
    • improved business performance and/or cost management.

    Sustainability & Environmental Excellence

    Our rail, metro and light rail systems require investment, but that investment must be delivered in a fashion that meets the highest standards of environmental sustainability. This category is open to projects, programmes and initiatives that showcase how rail and metro operators and asset owners can contribute to realising the UK’s net zero goals, thereby boosting the industry’s already strong green credentials.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

    • a commitment to improving sustainability or reducing the environmental impact of rail services or projects through technical or process innovation;
    • the introduction of environmental, social and financial policies that support more sustainable ways of working;
    • environmental improvements across specific areas within the business;
    • involvement of both senior management and staff in implementing sustainability initiatives;
    • evidence that sustainability is built in to the whole business planning process;
    • the impact of initiatives on operational effectiveness and commercial performance.

    Train Operator of the Year

    This award recognises the UK passenger or freight train operator demonstrating overall business excellence and providing outstanding customer service.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will look for excellence in the following areas:

    • improving performance and delay management;
    • the successful development and delivery of train services, optimising the deployment of staff and assets such as rolling stock to ensure the most cost-effective service provision;
    • effective co-operation with key stakeholders, both locally and nationally;
    • customer service and communication, including the provision of real-time information;
    • growth in ridership, traffic volumes, market share and revenue.

    Wellbeing in Rail

    To recognise efforts to improve mental or physical health and wellbeing across the UK rail sector.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence that an individual or company has demonstrated:

    • a strong personal or corporate commitment to improving the physical and mental health of railway staff;
    • positive action to promote best practice in addressing health concerns and preventing ill health;
    • a strong personal or corporate commitment to the assessment, monitoring and elimination of occupational health hazards;
    • the value and business benefits of encouraging a healthy workforce;
    • workforce health and wellbeing initiatives that have delivered positive results.

    Young Professional of the Year

    For the most outstanding young professional working within the UK rail industry.

    Eligibility: A professional under the age of 35 as at 31/12/24 (DOB to be stated on entry). This award is for excellence in any functions relating to the management or operation of a business in the UK rail sector.

    This category is now closed

    Criteria: The judges will be looking for a person with a proven ability to achieve at a level beyond that normally expected from professionals of this age and experience, who displays:

    • passion and drive for working within the rail industry;
    • leadership and direction at any level within their company;
    • dedication to the development of their company’s business;
    • evidence of initiative and going the extra mile;
    • exceptional progression or potential in their career;
    • an outstanding personal contribution to the rail industry.