LONG SERVICE AWARDS 2025

On Thursday, 13 February 2025 employees across ARL came together to celebrate the ARL Long Service Awards 2025 at the Chartered Accountants' Hall, One Moorgate Place.

247 colleagues reached a milestone this year, clocking up 3,300 years between them. Of those celebrating more than twenty years of service, thirty-two attended to celebrate with each other, totaling eight hundred years of service.

William Julien, driver, celebrated 45 years of service with colleagues in different roles across the business, including station account managers, driver managers, customer hosts, and more.

Exchange Extra had the opportunity to attend and speak to colleagues who were awarded on the night.

"Being a driver, you get to be your boss, more or less. I follow the instructions and training and then get to be on my own. It's a lovely job. The best part is that my son has joined me at my depot at New Cross Gate station as a driver. My family is my life, and I can cherish that at my workplace too now."
- William Julien, driver, 45 years

"This job has always been about the people. Working in the railway industry has given me incredible opportunities to learn from and connect with others. I’m constantly inspired by my colleagues and the meaningful work they do. Together, we make a real difference by helping people reach their destinations—whether it’s school, the hospital, or work."
- Kate Marjoribanks, engineering director, 30 years

“I started as a driver before becoming a driver manager in 2019. The relationships I built as a driver have been invaluable as a manager. Maintaining these connections and staying engaged with the drivers has been an incredibly rewarding experience."
- Sunil Sooklall, driver manager, 25 years

"The most memorable experience in my career was hands down when Baroness Susan Kramer came to the opening of the booking office of Willesden Junction. I was thrilled to meet her!"
- Jennifer Reid-Thaw, route support assistant, 25 years

“I began my journey as a commercial guard for five months before becoming a driver. I truly enjoy being a driver and always maintain a positive attitude at work, which helps me tackle any challenges that come my way. My success in this role results from strong personal discipline and commitment."
- Olawale Balogun, driver, 20 years

"There was a fatality incident at Clapham Junction in August 2004. I was working on platforms 11 and 12. A women in her twenties approached me and enquired about the Kingston service. I told her it was the next train on platform 11. While she waited, I noticed she had a Ken Follet novel, The Pillars of the Earth, with her. I had read this book before, so we started chatting about it. After our chat, I went inside the dispatcher cabin to log a dispatched train. A few minutes later, I heard a very loud train horn go off repeatedly. I rushed out and saw that the lady had jumped on the track, and there were shredded pieces of the Ken Follet novel everywhere. This was a shocking experience for me. Later, my manager asked me what we were talking about as the CCTV showed her smiling. I told my manager it was about the novel."
- Oluwatoyin Agboola, customer host GPR, 20 years

The evening was filled with cheers and applause as each honoree was recognized. Laughter echoed through the room as funny photos and heartfelt stories from line managers and colleagues were shared. The night's final honoree, William Julien, received a well-deserved standing ovation for 45 years of service.

Thank you to Chloe Brown, senior HR administrator; Lottie Jansen, HR administrator; and the rest of the HR team for organising this delightful evening celebrating success.