LONG SERVICE AWARDS 2024

On Thursday 8 February, ARL came together to celebrate the Long Service Awards 2024 at The Marriott, Regent’s Park.

There are 259 colleagues who have reached a milestone this year, clocking up a total of 3575 years between them. Of those celebrating more than 20 years of service, fifty-seven were invited to celebrate with each other, totaling 1375 years of service.

Jeffrey Bond, station supervisor, celebrates 50 years’ service alongside colleagues from across the business, in roles including drivers, revenue protection inspectors, station clerks and more.

Toni-Anne Davis had the opportunity to speak to colleagues who were awarded on the night.

“It doesn’t feel like it has been 20 years - I can still remember my first day! Training with Silverlink and meeting some of my colleagues for the first time. My first encounter with Julie Fernandes, revenue protection inspector, was the day I collected my Silverlink uniform. She came on the train and sternly asked me for my ticket, I looked down at my two bags hoping she’d recognise I work here. She didn’t so I took out my temporary card and her demeanor cooled, and a bright smile filled her face.” - Denise Anderson, customer host mentor, 20 years

“A poignant memory that does stay in my mind is meeting the mother of a 21-year-old lad that lost his life here. The mother came to the station on Sunday and my customer service ambassador informed me that she was here, and he didn’t know what to do. I went up on the platform and just listened to her talk about him. It was so sad but also such a privilege to just be there for her. Lynn comes to the station every year with a sunflower, so I know she’s ok. Maybe not something everybody would want to remember, but I always look forward to seeing her.” - Pamela Murphy, customer service ambassador, 20 years

“Clynton was coming to work early in the morning to open Norwood Junction station at 05:00. There was no bus or train at that time, so he was riding his bicycle, and someone pushed him from the bicycle and took it. He was shocked, but he didn’t want to be late for work, so he was running to be at work on time. The guy thought he was chasing him, so he left the bicycle and ran away, Clynton took his bicycle and rode to work on time. He said it was like a movie!” – Peter Kodua, service delivery manager, 20 years.

“When I started, there were only three brown drivers, including myself. It has been incredible to now see how diverse the mess rooms have become over the last 25 years. I have made lifelong friends; we have travelled together with our partners and children.

“One memorable coach trip was an occasion when a few drivers were no longer able to attend. Usually, we’d all receive vouchers to buy souvenirs to mark the occasion. With all the missing drivers, another driver and I were able to split all the vouchers amongst ourselves, totalling £250.

“We had a whole coach to ourselves - the public must’ve thought we were super rich to book an entire coach for two families.” - Mohammed Z Ali, driver, 25 years.

“I have known and worked with Tony on and off for over 20 years. Over the last 12 years, I have been one of his supervisors then one of his managers.

“I have always known Tony to be a friendly, popular individual amongst his colleagues, who is always ready to help when needed, or this very reason Tony got the nickname of the ‘Martini Man’, as the strapline to the advert went ‘Any Time, Any Place, anywhere.” – Ian Goakes, train presentation standards compliance manager.

The evening was full of joyous roars of celebration as each name was called. Hilarious photos and dedicated testimonies from line managers and colleagues were shared as each name was announced. The room gave a standing ovation to our final honoree of the evening, Jeffrey Bond, station supervisor, who celebrated a mammoth 50 years of service.

Thank you, Chris Heathfield, HR advisor, and the HR team for organising another amazing night of celebration.