The best day at 'work' you'll have!
Stephanie Tyson
Arup
It was a fantastic event, with lots of enthusiastic teamwork, as well as some healthy competition. The day was an ideal
opportunity to connect with colleagues and it was great to see so many companies coming together to celebrate diversity across
the railway.
Natalie Sparrow
Colleague Engagement and Inclusion Manager, Southeastern
Fantastic day last week, the event is getting bigger and better every year. Well done to you and the team.
Maria Clark
Amey
This was our first time putting a team together for the Big Rail Diversity Challenge. We had colleagues from site and office and
although a number of us talk to our site staff via phone or email this was the first chance, we got to meet face to face and bond
which the day really helped us to do and work as a team and support one another.
We all had a fantastic day and can’t wait to do it again! Although inflatable sports are a lot harder that they look!!
Thanks for a great day – so well organised!!
Kimberley McGinty
Skills and Employment Advisor, VGC Group
The Big Rail Diversity Challenge was the one of the best days of my career so far! The teamwork and communication required
meant for a brilliant, constructive day with colleagues, as well as it is being extremely fun and a great networking event with all
of the other companies in the room. It was absolutely incredible to see such diversity at the event and the value added as a
result. A very well run-day and brilliant opportunity which I would encouraging everyone to get involved with!
Fran Palmer
SCS Railways
I would like to say what a fantastic day we at East Midlands Trains had. We made new friends but most of all we bonded as a
team. The event that you put on was fantastic so well planned and organised with the main theme of having fun so well done.
Darren Field-Thomas
East Midlands Trains
What a fabulous event! Such a unique opportunity for teams to have so much fun away from formalised environments.
Everyone is on a level in their sports kit and team shirts, no suits or uniforms. The Nimble team did an incredible job and no
detail was missed. They created an incredibly fun atmosphere on a massive scale. The room was full of laughter and team spirit.
We can’t wait to be there next year- if they will have us!!
Faye Jacques
Fundraising Manager Rail, Benefit Fund
I just wanted to send a mail to tell you what an absolutely fantastic time the Virgin Trains Team had last Friday. The event was
amazing, the staff were great and the organisation was second to none. We will definitely be back next year
Sharon Noble
Lead Finance Business Partner, Virgin Trains East Coast
I just want to say thank you for last Friday. An absolutely brilliant day and we can’t wait to be part of it again next year!
Joanna Hemmings
Communications Manager, Network Certification Body
Railway Children was delighted to be involved with the Big Rail Diversity Challenge. A fantastically well organised event that
generated so much positive energy amongst all the teams. A great team building and networking opportunity for all involved.
Well done Nimble Media and Women in Rail!
Katie Mason
Events Manager, Railway Children
The team and I really enjoyed the Rail Diversity Challenge 2017. It was a great way to meet colleagues working across the
country as well as to meet with customers and suppliers in an informal setting. The team spirit started strong as we split into
two mini groups to design our soapbox racer! The ladies took the front, the gents took the back, and we supped up our kart
ready for the race track. Sadly, we didn’t get across the line first, but we did keep that teamwork strong throughout the day. The
human table football really brought us together, with a 5-aside match. Team members swapped at halftime, but the support and
advice from each half of our spectating team was wonderful. Each goal scored was cheered as if we had been following our
league team.
Liz Lothian
Production Engineer, Knorr-Bremse RailServices (UK) Limited
To be honest, myself and the rest of the team had no idea what we were getting ourselves into when we signed up to the Big
Rail Diversity Challenge, but we had an absolutely amazing time and wouldn’t have missed it for the world. The event itself was
brilliantly managed and ran like absolute clockwork. I can genuinely say, on behalf of myself and the rest of the team, we never
stopped laughing from the start to the finish and the event was THE BEST team building experience(s) we’ve ever had. We were
all set to sign up for next year’s event before we’d even jumped on the train home...... which is a marl of what a great day we’d
had!
Paul Larder, Senior Retail Assurance Manager
Virgin Trains East Coast
I loved the whole day!
A diverse eclectic committed, and energetic bunk of individuals came together to deliver an outstanding result that we were all
very pleased about.
Nick Binks
Business Improvement and Risk Manager, Angel trains
The Big Rail Diversity Challenge took me totally out of my comfort zone and into a zorb, onto a Segway, part of a human table
football game among other things. And you know what? I had a great time, worked in a team with people from my company I
don't normally come across and found some hidden talents... thank you!
Bridget Jackson
Head of Benefits Realisation, High Speed 2
Thanks so much for the chance to take part in such an amazing day. The wide range of opportunities to stretch our collective brains and to take part in some great physical challenges made for an exceptional day - enjoyable and all in an incredibly worthy cause. Highly recommended.
David Statham
Managing Director, Southeastern
TSP would like to thank you for organising the Big Rail Diversity Challenge. We think it is important to support this message and the events and everyone enjoyed participating. The “Strengthener’s of the Lost Arch” greatly enjoyed the day and learned a great deal about teamwork, driving a virtual Lamborghini and who to rely on if we ever need an emergency shelter! Thank you for your hard work.
Lee Owen
Bridges Team Leader, TSP Projects
The team from Fusion were thrilled to have had the opportunity to take part in such a fantastic concept. It’s refreshing to see events like the Big Rail Diversity Challenge taking place. Proving that you can raise the profile of serious agendas but in an innovative and team-spirited fashion. Our thanks go to Women in Rail for hosting this event on behalf of the industry and Nimble Media Ltd for the seamless organisation.
Nissar Mohammed
Managing Director, Fusion
The Big Rail Diversity Challenge tested everything including; speed, creativity, memory, hand-eye coordination, fitness, concentration, logical reasoning, ingenuity, engineering talent and of course our team working skills as all activities required everyone to take part, occasionally with many of the team blindfolded! The event provides the opportunity to build on working relationships and learn to improve some of our ‘soft skills’. Many of which are translatable to the office environment, for example, communication, planning, adaptability, and reasoning.
Penny Gilg
Graduate Engineer, TSP Projects
On behalf of the YRP team, I wanted to thank you, both of you and the rest of the organising team, for putting together such a brilliant initiative. The team and I had so much fun, engraving fantastic memories (and pictures!) and was an excellent team-building experience. This is without forgetting the purpose of the event - YRP committee members know the values of diverse teams - whether it is gender, age, nationalities, background and even professions!
Sabrina Ihaddaden
Former National Chair, Young Rail Professionals
Aiming to bring together the entire rail industry under one roof is quite an undertaking. Cleverly though, the organiser’s Women in Rail and Nimble Media managed to do this by simply getting the biggest roof they could find... an aircraft hangar in fact! Highlights of the day included the pedal-powered house-kart challenge and the exhausting spider web climb, plus of course bumping into old colleagues from years gone by. In essence, if these hundreds of people represent the rail industry, then it's in fine fettle.
Will Baxter
Managing Director, WillB Brand Consultants
I would like to congratulate Nimble Media and the team on an amazing event, the activities were extremely enjoyable and really well put together. Looking forward to next years already.
Roy Rowlands
Business Development Director Rail Technology Magazine
It was a tough but fun day. I really enjoyed being part of a diverse team and competing in a fun friendly environment. We were able to win some of the challenges due to great teamwork and diverse skillsets!
Ashraf Nsubuga
Systems Engineer, Siemens UK & Young Rail Professionals
This was the first time I had the pleasure of attending this event. I have to say it was the most fun I have had in a very long time. We didn’t stop laughing all day. Would recommend this event to all and I am hoping I can get onto it again next year.
Carla Roberts
Container Control, Pentalver Cannock
Exciting challenges and great fun, can't wait for next year!
Corrine Binks
Mott MacDonald
It was a tremendous experience and a very productive day with many challenges.
Geetha Sathi
Electrical Engineer, Arcadis UK Limited
Absolutely fabulous event and exceeded every expectation that I had. A great chance to meet new people and honestly couldn't have had a better day! Bring on next year!
Grace Hayward
Assistant Project Manager, Colas Rail
Great day enjoyed by all promoting a very worthy cause.
Graham Shaw
Business Development Manager, VolkerRail
A fantastic event that allowed all members of our very mixed ability and age team to shine, bond and have fun whilst supporting a very worthy cause.
James Room
Divisional Manager, Morson International
A fun day out with work colleagues. A good mix of physical and problem-solving activities, with an overall positive message of promoting diversity in the rail industry.
Joe Dodgson
Track Design Engineer, Arup
Fantastic day out, promoting a brilliant cause. Fun, friendly environment which is a very worthwhile visit!
John Gosney
Graduate Technical Engineer, Colas Rail UK
I enjoyed the diversity of the tasks and working with people I don't usually work with in the office.
Kathryn Wales
Projects Engineer, Colas Rail
Great event which was well organised with opportunities to network with a diverse range of people.
Naomi Blissett
Apprentice, High Speed 2
A fun packed day with challenges to suit every member of our team. I struck up friendships with new colleagues I hadn't even met yet, and probably wouldn't had it not been for this.
Natalie Adams
Client Account Manager, SNC-Lavalin
The Big Rail Diversity Challenge was an excellent opportunity to meet people from other sectors of the industry in a fun and competitive environment. I'd definitely do it again.
Rishi Parwani
Research Analyst, RSSB
Great inclusive event for all.
Robert Lewis
Project Contracts Manager, Bombardier
A well-organised event full of energy.
Stephanie Bywater
Divisional Director, Jacobs UK Ltd
Loved it!! Laughed all day!
Sue Moore
PA to Directors, Rail Safety Solutions
The day was fantastic, well organised and good fun I would recommend people take part in next year’s event. A really fun day.
Tanja Chevalier
Community Engagement Executive Projects and Events, HS2
We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to you and everyone who organised the fantastic Big Rail Diversity Challenge. We all had a superb experience. The biggest compliment to you and your team I think, was even though I was full of aches and pains on an early shift on the Platform on Friday, when a colleague asked how it went my response was “if I got a call today to do it all again tomorrow, I would be booking my tickets" and I think most of my teammates would say the same. So, a HUGE thank you from everyone, I look forward to next year's event, but think there will be a lot more people volunteering when they hear of our experience. As a 55-year-old male I approached the day with caution, but as it went on, I threw myself into every event with the enthusiasm of a teenager. LOVED IT.
Tony Brindley
Customer Service, MTR Crossrail
A really enjoyable day, full of amazing networking and a brilliant diverse mixture of talent from the Rail industry.
Verity Olive
Project Engineer, Balfour Beatty Rail
It was a fantastic, fun and challenging day. I learnt a lot about myself, what I can achieve with encouragement and sheer determination, even when feeling exhausted.
Vicky Badham-May
Driver, MTR Crossrail
The Big Rail Diversity Challenge is an amazing event & one I have to fight with colleagues to get a place because we all love taking part, I have met some amazing people on every occasion and the event coordinators are amazing people who go out of their way to make sure every issue is sorted with relative fuss. It’s an absolute honour to be a part of something that not only promotes Equality & Diversity but also promotes being fun at work, as sometimes working in such a serious discipline it’s easy to get bogged down by the pressures, this is a way for us to connect as a team & have that fun we sometimes crave.
Vikky Goodwin
Document Controller, Volkerrail
I have worked in the industry for 30+ years and it is definitely the best cross industry event I have been a part of.
Carol Jenkins
PA to Chief Operating Officer, ScotRail
A fantastic, fun-filled day guaranteed to make positive memories with your colleagues that you will treasure forever.
Geoff Lowdell
Skills Analyst, The National Skills Academy for Rail
Thanks to all the team at Nimble Media for their fantastic efforts in pulling together the 2019 Rail Big Diversity Challenge. The day was a huge success and a big push towards the continued improvement of gender diversity in the rail industry.
Helen Hasse
Office Administrator, Risktec Solutions Limited
A fabulous way to promote and celebrate diversity in our industry, met some great people and challenges had some real team building benefits.
James Room
Morson International
Highlight of the year! A fantastic and well organised event, celebrating everything great about the rail industry.
Roisin Naughton
Principal City Planner (Transport Strategy & Planning), Transport for London & Young Rail Professionals
This is the ideal ''day out of the office'' type of event, bringing everyone together to take part in a challenge in which everyone is a winner. We laugh, bond, exercise and increase our network.
Roxana Lupascu
Assistant Project Manager, Colas Rail UK
A big thank you to Vicky, Geena, Harry and all the rest of the team at Nimble Media. A big part of my culture, from New Zealand, is something we call 'Manaakitanga' which is looking after one another. From start to finish, I felt more like I was at home than at work because the Nimble Media team really looked after me. There wasn't a moment where I wondered what I was doing because they had already organised it all brilliantly. I look forward to our event next year!
Sol Cooper
Director, TOA Haka Workshops UK Limited
A real pleasure to work with Women in Rail and Nimble Media at the Big Rail Diversity Challenge – a great opportunity to promote our “Look Beyond the Obvious” campaign across the variety of teams who visited our challenge! Brilliantly organised event that has re-emerged from lockdown even stronger and bigger. Well done to all involved and thank you for allowing us to present an award. Roll on next year!
Alison Evans
Superintendent, Disruption, Drones & Trespass Improvement Programme, British Transport Police
We had a brilliant day as always. We didn’t know if some of the activities would be stripped back because of covid restrictions but they weren’t and like you say with the past 12-18 months it was so good to see people face to face. We had a lot of giggles, and we obviously won an award for the first time which we are thrilled with.
Joanna Hemmings
Marketing and Communications Manager, Network Certification Body
I had a great time yesterday with everyone from “Team EDI.” It was wonderful to socialise the night before and make new friends. But what I really have had chance to reflect on is how Siemens really are One Team. Everyone took part and after a long day of fun I’d love to say my thank yous for being able to be a part of it.
Kayleigh Glover
eLearning Apprentice, Siemens
A fabulous day out, important for many, many reasons. It did my mental health wonders, the challenges are fabulous. Thank you for what you do! Please have Soul back with the Hakka too! That is amazing!
Laura Holt
Train Driver, Freightliner
This week I took part in the Big Rail Diversity Challenge 2021 in Newark with the Alstom Spares R Us dream team.
That was such fun and such a good occasion to promote diversity and team spirit at the same time. Also a big opportunity to catch up with colleagues I hadn't seen since the pandemic started.
Diversity is nowadays a key element for success in both business and private lives, inclusiveness is what we need to embrace!
Lorenzo Giuntini
Head of Fleet Materials, Alstom
I thought the level of professionalism that Nimble Media brought to the event was extraordinary, every single member of your team was a real pleasure to deal with, and there were staff everywhere at all times. The event ran smoothly from start to finish, and both the teams from CPMS-Egis absolutely loved the day, the weather was kind which also helped. Thank you so much for everything Nimble did to make the day truly memorable.
Mat Baine
CEO, CPMS Group
Great work by my colleagues from ArupUK taking part in the Big Rail Diversity Challenge today, completing a series of fun, challenging team activities promoting the Women in Rail message "Gender Diversity: Better for People, Better for Business, Better for Rail."
Sally Wells
Associate Director, Arup
It was so incredible to take part in the Big Rail Diversity Challenge on Wednesday as part of Women in Rail’s initiative. This was to show that gender diverse teams raise awareness for Women working across the Rail Industry, and the business benefits attained when companies improve Gender Balance .
Vanessa Stanley MIET
Design Engineer, Siemens
The 2 CPMS-Egis teams had a fabulous time yesterday - we did not win but had loads of fun!
BRDC is the only rail industry event attended by a truly diverse cohort in terms of gender and diversity: hopefully a sight of our future rail workforce.
CPMS Group
This week, Thales were thrilled to enter a team into the Big Rail Diversity Challenge! Run by Women in Rail, the Challenge is a fun-filled event, allowing organisations in rail to demonstrate their commitment to diversity within the industry.
Thales
A huge thank you to Big Rail Diversity Challenge and Women in Rail for hosting what was a fantastic day at our first challenge event this week.
From balloon making to hungry hippos, from quad biking to It’s a Knockout, the whole team pulled together to support this fantastic event.
Vextrix
What a great day celebrating all that is diverse and wonderful about this great industry.
Tim O Sullivan
Managing Director, Danny Sullivan Group
Congratulations to the energetic 'Morgan Sindall Infrastructure Mallard’s' who won the Collaborative Team Award at the Big Rail Diversity Challenge.
Not only was it an enjoyable and entertaining day but a great way to celebrate diversity in the rail industry and support the important message behind the event.
Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
SYSTRA was delighted to take part in Women in Rail's 6th Big Rail Diversity Challenge yesterday! Not only did our team love taking part in the activities and networking throughout the day, but we were also very proud to support the important message behind the event - “Gender Diversity: Better for People, Better for Business, Better for Rail”.
SYSTRA
Team Risktec had a brilliant time at Big Rail Diversity Challenge. Thank you to all the organisers for such a fantastic day.
TUVRisktec
