Greater Anglia and AtkinsRéalis among winners as Rail Business Awards return to Manchester

Following a landmark move to Manchester in 2024, the Rail Business Awards returned to the city on February 20. More than 300 guests came together at the Hilton Hotel Manchester Deansgate for a star-studded evening, organised by the Railway Gazette Group at DVV Media International, with the 27th annual event being hosted by actress, writer, presenter and comedian Lucy Porter.

The move to the north of England not only reflects the geographical spread and diversity of the rail network, but with the devolution of transport policy to cities and regions high on the new government’s national reform agenda, the case for holding the event in Manchester is clear.

The awards come at the start of a year of rail-focused celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in September 1825. However, the rail sector also stands on the cusp of the most significant reforms in three decades, with the consultation on legislation to create Great British Railways now in progress. Against this backdrop, the Rail Business Awards presented an opportunity for the industry to recognise and celebrate the many individuals and companies whose vision, innovation and commitment are helping to ensure the industry continues to play a vital role for the economy and society as a whole.

Welcoming guests to the event, Railway Gazette Group Executive Editor Nick Kingsley underlined the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the many examples of commercial, technical and personal excellence that are seen across the network day-in and day-out. ‘The strong field of entries for the 19 categories being contested this year emphasises that much valuable work is still under way across many different parts of the industry’, he said.