D2 Rail’s Junior Project Controls Assistant Louis Szymanski has won the Graduate or Newcomer category at the RailStaff Awards 2022, beating off stiff competition from 14 other finalists.
Comprising 23 categories, the awards (which took place at the NEC, Birmingham, on Thursday 24 November) recognise and celebrate those working in rail. The Graduate and Newcomer category is geared towards individuals who are new to the industry and have gained “early and exceptional professional or civic achievements.”
Louis – who joined D2 in August 2020 – was recognised for his contributions to both its Project Controls Team and the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) West Alliance Planning & Controls Team.
In her nomination statement, Sarah Barnes, Collaboration Manager, Transpennine Route Upgrade West Alliance, D2 Rail, wrote: “Louis has an amazing work ethic, he is confident, professional, and extremely passionate about people and about the projects he works on. He continuously looks at ways he can add value and leads by example by volunteering for numerous working groups that focus on improving equality, diversity, Inclusion, health, and wellbeing in the UK rail industry.”
David Harwood, Functional Lead for Project Controls at D2 Rail, added: “Louis has very quickly grasped the fundamentals of Earned Value Management and enabled a smooth transition of responsibility for the administration of the Alliance Earned Value Management System.”
Other nomination statements referenced Louis’ leadership traits, his emotional intelligence, and his contribution to the development of Transpennine Route Upgrade West Planning & Project Controls’ reporting intranet platform.
Since joining D2, he has completed mental health first aid training, taken a role on the committee of the Early Careers Professionals group, and implemented a challenge statement process, which helps the business to solve problems more efficiently.
Louis joined other nominees (including D2’s Russell James, a finalist in the Recruitment and Talent Acquisition Person or Team of the Year category) at the ski resort-themed event, which was compered by comedian and actor Ed Byrne.
The RailStaff Awards set out to deliver a “bigger and better event than ever” this year, after 2021’s edition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In support of the event D2 sponsored the Rail Manager of the Year Award in which the firm’s CEO David Diesbergen presented the winner.
D2 also helped to bring some fun to the event by sponsoring a photo booth which gave guests some great memories from the event to take home with them.
Following the announcement of Louis’s win, Sarah said: “We couldn’t be prouder of Louis, and are delighted that his diligence, passion, and professionalism have been recognised.”
Photo credit: D2 Rail
