STATION master Daniel Opoku’s welcoming smile for his passengers has widened even more.

Daniel station master for South West Trains at London’s Mortlake station, has scooped a coveted National Customer Service Award.

The 44-year old described as the station’s “spirit and glory” was named ICS Front-Line Customer Service Professional of the Year during a glittering award dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The title was the icing on the cake for the man voted SWT’s Customer Service Employee of the Year last year after nominations by the public.

The delighted railwayman, told Railnews: “I am so grateful to everyone, from my family to SWT and the passengers who have contributed so much.”

Ian Johnston, customer service director for SWT, said: “I am absolutely elated, Daniel is a very special ambassador for our company, the passengers really love him.

“It is fantastic to see him recognised like this. He has won on behalf of all our employees who provide customer service day in and day out.”

Other rail winners were:
Customer Service Leader of the Year: Vernon Barker, managing director of First Trans-Pennine Express, for leading his company to achieve 53 per cent passenger growth in four years, raising passenger satisfaction levels and reducing the carbon footprint.

Best Use of Technology In Customer Service: Chiltern Railways, for launching the first railway ‘ticket by text’ service.

Customer Service Team of the Year – Airlines, Transport and Distribution: Customer service terminals, Eurostar (UK), for helping to deliver a ‘seamless’ move from Waterloo to St Pancras International.