First TransPennine employee on the right track

An employee at one of the UK's leading train operators is on the right track as far as her career in the industry goes.

Kathryn O'Brien from Chorley who works for First TransPennine Express (FTPE), was recognised at the recent Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) awards.

Customer service director Kathryn scooped the award for 'Services to the Industry in Passenger Transport', impressing judges with her record of improving service, empathising with and involving customers and stakeholders in decision-making, and driving business improvement.

Kathryn, who is also known as the 'Queen of Chorley', has 23 years’ experience working on the railway. She joined FTPE in 2012 and was recently appointed as Customer Service Director. In the last year alone she has met with and briefed over 80 MPs, council and public transport executives informing them of the customer benefits of the new timetable.

On picking up the award, Kathryn said: “I'm absolutely thrilled and humbled to receive this recognition. I have never been nominated for anything before, it’s a real shock. I have been involved in so much in my career and can honestly say I have truly loved every moment working on the railway.

“I have met and worked with some fantastic people and hopefully I have delivered some positive change for rail customers across the north of England.” At the same awards, FTPE was selected as a finalist for the Best Practice Award for Passenger Transport.