Ambassadors

Maddie is a recent Aerospace Engineering graduate who has joined Network Rail as a Graduate Engineer. She is also a Network Rail and PWI Diversity & Inclusion Champion. Maddie has a great interest in remote condition monitoring and machine learning allowing for more predictive maintenance and something she wants to help implement in all disciplines on the railway. She is starting a Railway Engineering Masters at Leeds University this year and has spoken at various university career events about her early experiences entering the rail industry.

Having graduated from college with a NVQ Level 2 in Welding, Tyrone joined Network Rail in 2011 on their Apprenticeship Programme. He completed his apprenticeship in half the expected time and was awarded the Safest Driver and Best Overall Academic Apprentice. Tyrone became a Technician and then Supervisor at the Norwood Depot under Croydon DU, where he spent years learning from others and developing his expertise. In 2014, he undertook the NVQ level 3 in Railway Engineering, the Institute of Leadership and Management(ILM) Level 3 and the Sussex and Kent Section Manager’s Development Programme. Then in 2017, he was appointed as Track Section Manager at Horsham Depot under Brighton DU; his role today. He also achieved a Foundation Degree in Railway Engineering at Sheffield University. In 2018, Tyrone achieved his EngTech with the PWI and between 2020-2021 completed a BEng in Railway Engineering.

After leaving school, Leah started her career by studying a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and joining the Track Design Apprenticeship programme with WSP in 2019. As one of our youngest PWI Members and Ambassadors, Leah has written about her early career experiences for the PWI Journal. She participated in a fantastic “careers” feature where she was co-interviewed with one of our eldest PWI Members and, speaking from opposite ends of their careers, the pair were able to share and compare invaluable insights into their very different perspectives and experiences. Today, Leah is enjoying continuing her track design apprenticeship and is especially interested in learning new skills, CAD and modelling.

Tony “stumbled” into his rail career when his father helped him get an interview with Carillion at age 18. After 6 months as a Trackman, Network Rail was formed and Tony spent the next 6 years working his way up to Ganger, in charge of a team carrying out p-way maintenance and renewals. Rail engineering became his passion and in 2011, when works delivery were formed by Network Rail to deliver small renewal projects, Tony became Works Delivery Manager for West Midlands. At 27, he graduated from the Network Rail Leadership Programme. He later joined Murphy Group (JMS) as Senior Engineer, progressing to Engineering Manager, where today he covers the whole country for all civil engineering works for railway. Tony not only endorses PWI Professional Registration, having achieved that milestone in 2017, he now mentors others to do the same. Tony was recognised as the PWI Star of the Year winning the inaugural BARBRO Award in 2022, against some stiff competition.

Tim graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is one of our youngest PWI Ambassadors. He joined Network Rail’s graduate scheme in Birmingham in 2017, during which he worked within renewals and design before successfully applying to become a Principal Technical Officer in maintenance. "What I love the most about working on the Railway is that despite there being multiple TOCs, FOCs and contractors, we’re all still united by one thing - the pride that everyone seems to have. Being a young engineer is exciting, because not only does the rail industry take people places, but it’s going places itself too."

Moses began his career in March 2020 as part of a lucrative 5-year Rail Degree Apprenticeship programme with Amey, who are producing young and aspiring engineers within the rail industry for the near future. He is currently assigned to TRU Project whilst completing first year studies at Sheffield Hallam University. His interest in the sector was first sparked via HS2 whilst attending NCATI (formerly National College for High-Speed Rail) early in 2019 on a L3 Access to HE Diploma (in Engineering). Upon successful completion of the course, he grew further interested in the industry through networking and events, leading him to Amey and the PWI. "I am thrilled to be a part of this industry as a young, aspiring professional."

Inara is a lecturer at the School of Engineering, London South Bank University. Born in Latvia, she grew up around the railways with both her parents working in the sector. Her stepfather was rewarded a medal for his exceptional work for his country’s railway, and Inara has gone on to embrace the same industry. She graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Riga Technical University and has a MSc in Transport Engineering and Planning from London South Bank University. In 2020 she successfully defended her PhD Thesis on the topic “Sustainability and Related Factors of High-Speed Railways” at London South bank University and in September 2020 was awarded her PhD. She is currently involved in two international projects in Australia and Ecuador. Inara is a member of the PWI, ICE, OR and the DMDU society, and has several publications in UK and internationally and has written for the PWI Journal.

Samuel joined Network Rail as a Track Design Trainee through their Star Track programme at age 18. During those two years, he gained experience in plain line and S&C track design through Network Rail’s internal design team, as well as placements in renewals and maintenance. "I completed a Foundation Degree in Railway Engineering in 2018 before becoming an Assistant Design Engineer [Track] following the completion of the Star Track programme the same year. I now work in Network Rail’s Route Services Design Delivery team (NRDD) where I continue to undertake S&C design at a variety of GRIP stages. I achieved EngTech status through the PWI in 2019 and aspire to achieve IEng and eventually CEng as well.”

Arun started his career in the rail industry between 2013 and 2014, at the age of 25, having graduated with a master’s degree in transportation in 2011 from UVCE Bangalore University, India. Through an interview process he landed his first role as Guideway Engineer for SMEC India. In August 2019, Arun joined WSP Consultants in the role of Principal Engineer, which he continues to enjoy today. In April 2020 he achieved PWI Chartered Engineer status and has submitted technical content to the PWI Journal. Arun aspires to continue his learning journey, as well as guiding young people who are entering the industry as new starters, helping them to deliver excellence in the projects they are part of.

Ryan is one of our youngest PWI Ambassadors and writes up a quarterly "Apprenticeship Diaries" feature for our blog. As a Rail Apprentice for Amey, Ryan got into engineering because of the industry appeal; "it's a great industry where you truly can learn something new everyday. The idea of being challenged and being able to start planning and carrying out my own piece of work really appealed. As I continue my career, I aspire to work my way up to hopefully either being a Managing Director or have my own company one day. Amey have been a great employer in giving me the chance to learn different things about railway engineering as well as providing me with a platform to continue my academic development."

Kwabena started his career as Plant Technician Engineer in 1988, having achieved an HND in Plant Engineering. After some years working as a Duty Manager and Researcher, he completed a BEng Hons (Mechanical) at Greenwich University in 1996. He then entered the rail industry in 1998 as Signalling Controller (West Hampstead) for Network Rail. In 1999 Kwabena achieved his MSc in Design & Manufacturing Management at South Bank University and became Assistant Area Track Engineer for Network Rail. In 2002, he embarked on Network Rail’s Track Conversion Engineers Course (Comprehensive Railway Infrastructure Management) and in 2007 he progressed to Permanent Way Engineer/Head of Inspections – Jubilee Line, for Tube Lines Ltd. In 2011 Kwabena became Executive Director of Assenta Property Group, doubling up as Managing Director of Assenta Construction Ltd, which remains is current role. Today, Kwabena works in Ghana where, as PWI Ambassador, he aspires to set up the PWI Ghana Section.

Daoud started his career in rail as a Rail Degree Apprentice (Track & Civil) for Amey through their RDA programme. Amey, working in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU), welcomed 35 Rail Degree Apprentices (RDAs) into its ranks on a five-year BEng Honours programme in 2020 – a brand new opportunity for budding railway engineers - of which Daoud was one. During his first week of study at SHU, he was tutored by Brian Counter, PWI Technical Director, and learnt about Continuous Professional Development for railway engineers. He soon after joined the PWI and immediately became one of our Ambassadors, writing content for our Journal and blog.

Jordan is a part of the recent re-launch of the rail degree programme with Amey rail consulting. He originally began his rail career by gaining site experience assisting survey engineers whilst studying an HNC in construction and the built environment. Jordan has nearly completed his first year studying Railway Engineering degree at Sheffield Hallam University, as well as working on live projects with Amey. Jordan believes that the combination of working and studying will become a preferable option for employers, as once the 5 years is completed not only will have they gained an employee with a relatable degree they will also have an employee with 5 years of industry experience.

Gerry is a railway trainer/assessor with experience in training and assessing various railway learning interventions. As a licensed Network Rail trainer/assessor under the RTAS scheme, and a CITB approved Plant Trainer/Tester and CITB/CTA Track Working Operations Assessor, today Gerry works as Head of Learning & Development at Shannon Rail. "I have always had a passion for railway learning and development and geared my studies and career in this direction, as I feel it is extremely valuable to help railway workers develop skills they can continue to use throughout their lives." Gerry also holds a Level 4 Diploma in Learning and Development, a Level 4 C&G in Incident Accident Investigation (incorporating Root Cause Analysis), a Level 4 C&G Internal Verifier qualification, a C&G D32/D33 Assessor Qualification, and a National Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health. He has previously worked internationally as a Consultant Engineer/Trainer for Ferrocarriles in Colombia.