On Thursday 25th February the 2015 Rail Business Awards were held at the London Hilton on Park Lane. As a sponsor of the Young Professional of the Year category the Institution of Railway Operators (IRO) was delighted to attend this event.

As a member of the IRO Board of Directors, Mark Hopwood (Managing Director, Great Western Railway) announced Ashely Bray (Great Western Railway) as the winner of the Young Professional of the Year Award. Dan Holder (Network Rail) was also Highly Commended in this category.

The judges said: ‘Ashley has played a central role in developing GWR’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme. He’s highly motivated with a huge appetite in making things happen where there is a business need. Known as Golden Boy because of his constant and infectious enthusiasm and his substantial achievements, Ashley is clearly a hero within GWR.’

Commenting on his success, Ashely said: ‘I was lucky to be sponsored by GWR to complete my certificate in Railway Operations Management which I successfully completed in 2014. This coupled with my experience at GWR has enabled me to progress within the business. I am now in the position of Customer Services Training Manager and am currently mentoring a student within GWR who is studying with the IRO.’

‘I am very pleased to be awarded the Young Professional of the Year award. I enjoy working at GWR and look forward to many years ahead!’

The IRO would like to congratulate all the winners and entrants at this event on their success and effort to achieve excellence within the industry.

Photography © Rail Business Awards