UK rail’s high suppliers have been celebrated on the 2025 RISE Awards, highlighting excellence in innovation, management, range, and security.
Credit score: Railway Business Affiliation
The UK rail provide chain was honoured on the 2025 Railway Business Affiliation (RIA) Dinner and Railway Business Provider Excellence (RISE) Awards at London’s Landmark Lodge. Round 400 friends gathered for the ceremony, which featured leisure and a silent public sale supporting Railway Kids.
Winners have been chosen by a cross-sector judging panel throughout 13 classes, highlighting achievements in innovation, security, digital know-how, ESG, equality and inclusion, wellbeing, and extra.
The night was hosted by broadcaster and former MP Gloria De Piero, with a keynote speech by Community Rail CEO Sir Andrew Haines OBE. As Haines prepares to retire in October, he was honoured with a Private Contribution Award, introduced by RIA Chair Noel Travers, recognising his long-standing dedication to UK rail and robust collaboration with the provision chain.
One of the crucial notable wins was Nick Millington MBE, Route Director for Wales & Western at Community Rail, who acquired the Consumer of the Yr Award. RIA cited his management, assist for suppliers and apprentices, and dedication to the broader business.
Millington mentioned: “Profitable this award has made me actually proud. I see my position within the business as one in every of service, serving the folks and the companies that rely on the railway and use it. But in addition, supporting the folks and the companies that work on and ship the railway. In the beginning, making a secure surroundings is on the forefront of my thoughts, in addition to offering an surroundings the place everybody can excel, and in doing that, we ship the very best railway. Thanks ever a lot, and congratulations to all the nominees and winners.”
Award winners included:
• Consumer of the Yr – Nick Millington MBE, Community Rail
• Private Contribution – Sir Andrew Haines OBE
• Digital Expertise – Community Rail Wales & Western Area & Asset Insights
• EDI – Worldline Mobility and e-Transactional Providers
• Worker of the Yr – Bel French, Gleeds
• Employer of the Yr – QTS Group
• ESG – Dura Composites
• Innovation – Transmission Dynamics
• Partnership – One Huge Circle, KONUX & Community Rail
• Rising Star – Riana Hattrell, Kier
• Security – Community Rail
• SME Exporter – LPA GROUP PLC
• SME Progress – Crayside Consulting
• Wellbeing – Chartered Establishment of Railway Operators
Extremely Counseled entries included CML Civil Engineering, AtkinsRéalis, Hitachi Rail, Steve Denniss (WSP), c2c, Hull Trains, Infinitive Group, CrossTech, Cleshar, CPCS, Railway Challenge Providers, and Balfour Beatty Rail.
RIA Chief Govt Darren Caplan mentioned: “Many congratulations to all of the implausible provider organisations and people who have been recognised this night, whether or not profitable awards or being extremely recommended of their classes. These Annual RISE Awards are a robust reminder of the excessive ranges of expertise and innovation working proper throughout the UK rail provide chain. This night additionally demonstrates the numerous position rail provide performs in producing financial development, boosting social mobility, and delivering a greater and extra sustainable rail because the UK rail panorama modifications with the institution of Nice British Railways within the coming months.
“A particular congratulations to Sir Andrew Haines OBE. We want him properly put up October as he takes on new challenges. I’d additionally wish to congratulate Nick Millington MBE for constantly going above and past, working carefully with suppliers and the broader provide chain to ship actual outcomes for the railway.
“Lastly, thanks to all those that attended the 2025 RIA Dinner and RISE Awards. We hope everybody had a memorable night as we mark UK rail’s 2 hundredth 12 months and RIA’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary. We’re already wanting ahead to 2026 to as soon as once more have a good time excellence within the railway business provide sector.”
