What does it take to support the people who keep the railway moving, and how can we make sure everyone feels they belong? As a Driver Manager for Metro South, I work closely with train drivers at Selhurst and Norwood, helping them carry out their safety-critical duties while supporting their welfare and development.
Away from the day-to-day role, I’m also involved in Southern Railway’s Race and Ethnicity Network (REN), bringing colleagues together to celebrate different cultures and champion inclusion. From the career milestones that brought me to the railway to the local Peckham restaurant with a special connection to REN, these are some of the experiences that have shaped my journey.
Supporting the people behind the train service
No two days are quite the same in my role as Driver Manager. A key part of my role is making sure drivers have the support they need, whether that relates to their welfare, attendance, development or competence.
I keep in regular contact with drivers and aim to meet with them routinely. We also hold monthly engagement meetings, which give us an opportunity to share updates, listen to feedback and discuss matters that are important to the team.
For me, the role is about balancing safety with understanding the person behind the job. Being approachable and building trust are essential, so drivers feel comfortable raising concerns and asking for help. It’s this people-focused side of the work that I find particularly rewarding.
Celebrating career milestones
One of my most memorable moments was finding out that I’d secured a role as Customer Experience Manager at Gatwick Airport railway station. I’d been out of work for around a year after being made redundant, and finding the right opportunity had been challenging. Receiving that news marked a real turning point and gave me the opportunity to start a new chapter.
Another milestone I’m particularly proud of is completing my Level 5 Operational Manager apprenticeship with distinction. It took around 18 months of hard work alongside my role, so achieving that was a significant personal and professional accomplishment.
Both experiences stand out as important moments in my career, and they’ve contributed to my journey in the rail industry.
Making a difference through our Race and Ethnicity Network
I first got involved with the Race and Ethnicity Network because I believe everyone should feel respected, included and able to be themselves at work. REN gives colleagues a space to share experiences, celebrate different backgrounds, and raise awareness across the business. For me, it’s also about turning conversations into meaningful action.
One initiative I’ve enjoyed helping organise is our Black History Month blood drive. It highlights the importance of blood donation, particularly within ethnic minority communities, while encouraging colleagues from across the network to get involved.
REN means a lot to me because it brings people together and gives us a space to make a positive difference, both for our colleagues and for the wider community. It’s about creating opportunities to learn from one another and making sure that inclusion remains part of how we work together.
My rail travel recommendations
If I were to recommend somewhere to visit on the Southern network, I’d choose Peckham, particularly The Flygerians. We held an event there, which was a memorable opportunity to celebrate culture, bring people together, and highlight a local business. The Flygerians has a special connection to our network’s activities, making it somewhere I’d highly recommend visiting.
Keeping the spirit of Black History Month alive
As we celebrate Black History Month, I’d encourage colleagues to take the opportunity to learn, listen and recognise the contributions of Black people, both across the railway and in the wider community.
Black History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate heritage and achievements, but inclusion is something we can all support throughout the year. We can do that by listening to one another, valuing different experiences, and making sure everyone feels they belong.
At Southern, we work together to keep people and places connected. It’s important that every colleague feels respected, included and able to contribute. Small actions can make a real difference to the culture we create together, helping make Southern a place where everyone feels welcome and valued.