TransPennine Express wins Diversity & Inclusion in Rail award

TPE captured the award after being recognised for its data-led and evidence-based approach to diversity and inclusion at the 25^th Rail Business Awards.

The Rail Business Award judges said that TPE was able to demonstrate a full understanding of the issues, as well as recognising that the same solution does not work in all situations.

Harriet Harbidge, Diversity and Inclusion Manager for TransPennine Express said: “I’m delighted we have won the Diversity & Inclusion Award at the prestigious rail business awards.

“This is a great achievement that recognises the hard work we have put into making TPE an even more diverse and inclusive organisation.

“As an inclusive employer, we have increased our headcount of all under-represented groups and have introduced new and effective programmes to give colleagues from diverse backgrounds a stronger career path in rail.

“At TPE we value individuals’ contributions, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion, or belief. I’m very proud to see this work recognised by our industry.”

TPE established clear benchmarks for all its work locations by conducting a geo-demographic review of the populations that surround these locations to help them target ethnically diverse or socially disadvantaged areas.

To date, 27 per cent of TPE’s new hires were women, 31 per cent of internal promotions were women, and LGBT+ candidates accounted for 14 percent of all its applicants, which is more than representative compared to the latest ONS data, which estimates 3.4 per cent of the population aged 16+years identifies as LGBT+.

Building on this, TPE introduced an inclusion session as part of its induction programme for all new starters. This includes a pack of resource links covering inclusive language, industry networks such as Women in Rail, Muslims in Rail, Young Rail Professionals and Archway LGBT+ and allies’ network and how to access bite-sized learning for all, plus details of its career development programmes aimed at improving female or ethnically diverse colleague representation within management grades.

The Diversity & Inclusion Award recognises work carried out to develop a strong and successful inclusion programme in UK rail, that reaches out to the local communities to ensure local people are given access to – and the opportunity to benefit from – a career in rail.

The 25^th anniversary of the Rail Business Awards was marked with a gala evening hosted by comedian Zoe Lyons at London’s Hilton on Park Lane on February 23.