Publicly-owned train operators recognised ahead of prestigious Women In Rail Awards

DFTO is the body responsible for train operators in public ownership, which includes LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express and Southeastern.  

Lucy Lightbown, who works in the sustainability team at TransPennine Express and Saarah Iqbal, a conductor at Northern, have both been nominated for 'Female Apprentice of the Year'. 

Meanwhile, Southeastern’s Women in Rail Empowerment (WIRE) group has been nominated in the 'Best Network Group Driving Gender Equity and Intersectionality' category. 

Southeastern and TransPennine Express have been nominated for the flagship ‘Employer of the Year’ award and James Gossage, a train manager at LNER, has been shortlisted for the 'Male Ally of the Year' title. 

Karen Lewis, DFTO Group HR Director, said: “It is a testament to the strength of our people that DFTO train operators are so well represented at the upcoming Women in Rail Awards. 

“It is a remarkable recognition of the individuals, teams and operators  who have made a significant contribution to improving gender balance, equality, diversity and inclusion within the UK railway industry. 

"We know we still have work to do to make the railways truly equal, however, it is important to stop and reflect on the great strides we have made. These awards do just that." 

The nominees will find out if they have picked up their respective awards at a ceremony in London on Thursday, 15 May 2025. 

DFTO was established by the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2018 and is currently responsible for 4,500 services a day and 300 million customer journeys a year with LNER, Northern, Southeastern and TransPennine Express. 

By 2027, all passenger services in England previously operated under contracts with the DfT, will become part of the DFTO group. ​ 

DFTO’s mission is to help create a railway with passengers at its heart by bringing track and train closer together, delivering a safer, more punctual and reliable services for everyone, everywhere.  

For more information about DFTO, visit: gov.uk/government/organisations/dft-operator-limited.