Two Network Rail employees and a non-executive director are among the railway people recognised for their outstanding contributions in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Steve Scrimshaw, who joined Network Rail as a non-executive director last year, has received a CBE for services to British manufacturing, transport, and the green transition to net zero.

Senior media relations manager Donna Mitchell has received a British Empire Medal for services to safety for Young People.

For over a decade, Donna Mitchell has led powerful campaigns to tackle the issue of trespassing. She has also united rail organisations to share safety materials and involve frontline staff.

She said: ‘On getting this news I experienced a wave of emotion: surprise, gratitude and a little bit of embarrassment – mainly because I feel a little underserving of being singled out for an honour when everything I’ve achieved would not have been possible without the help of others. It is also a bit discomforting being the subject rather than author of a press release.’

Also honoured was Mike Mitchell, field technical support engineer in Route Services, who has received a BEM for his contribution to society and his voluntary work supporting young people promoting careers in STEM and the railway. Alongside his 35-year career at Network Rail, he founded Hull Kung Fu with his wife, helping hundreds of young people to overcome drug misuse and mental health problems through martial arts, education, and career training.

Mike said: ‘I really wasn’t expecting this, but I’m so grateful to everyone who’s supported our voluntary organisations over the years. It’s been amazing to see how people’s lives have changed for the better during my 23 years of volunteering – and even more inspiring to watch them go on to help others too.’

Chief executive Sir Andrew Haines said: ‘I’d like to pass on huge congratulations to Donna and Mike on being awarded their BEMs – a truly fitting recognition of the remarkable impact they’ve had on communities across the country. Their dedication and achievements are greatly appreciated.

‘I’m delighted that Steve Scrimshaw’s outstanding contributions to the transport and energy sectors have been acknowledged. His work has left a lasting legacy, and this honour is a testament to that.’

Former Go-Ahead chief executive Keith Ludeman, who is now chairman of London St Pancras Highspeed, has been awarded an OBE in recognition of his contribution to British transport. He has also worked at Network Rail, ATOC and the LT Museum, as well as London Luton Airport and Bristol Water. He said: ‘I have dedicated much of my life to the transport industry, and am grateful for the incredibly fulfilling career it has given me in return.’

Bridget Eickhoff and Vaibhav Puri of the Rail Safety and Standards Board have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the railways.

Bridget, who is RSSB’s principal infrastructure engineer, has received an MBE for her services to railway engineering.

Bridget was at the forefront of developing computer software to aid understanding of rail vehicle dynamics, as well as ways to reduce the risk of derailment. She said: ‘The rail industry is a great place to work, with difficult technical issues to address and an opportunity to contribute to a wide range of important challenges. Throughout my career I’ve been grateful for the support and encouragement of a wide range of colleagues across the industry.’

Vaibhav Puri, RSSB’s director of sector strategy and transformation, has received an OBE for his contribution to railway safety and standards.

The RSSB said ‘Vaibhav has been an influential voice’ in the evolution of railway legislation in Britain and alsewhere, including helping the Department for Transport and the industry to change seamlessly to revised  legal standards following Brexit. He said: ‘It is really a reflection of the amazing work of the incredible teams and people at RSSB. I have been very privileged to be able to support the evolution of railway standards.’

Transport for London lead sponsor Jenny Hamilton has received an MBE for her work on some of London’s busiest and most complex Underground stations, helping less able people to find step-free routes and easing crowded passageways. The stations she has helped to improve have included Bank, Elephant & Castle and Paddington.

She said: ‘It is a privilege to work on these projects and to then get this recognition for what I’ve done is such a surprise. I’ve spent most of my career in sponsorship, and I see my role as being about making stations safer and more accessible. Our stations see thousands of people travelling through them every day and I’m really happy to see so many enjoying the results of what I do.’

Do you have a comment? Please click here  to send an email to Platform at Railnews.

 Moderated comments will be published on this site, and may also be used in the next print edition.