Fran is a Level 6 degree apprentice at Alstom, working towards a BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Supply Chain at Sheffield Hallam, which is the home of the National Centre of Excellence for Degree Apprenticeships (NCEDA).
Despite being the youngest entrant in the category, the judges commented on both the breadth and depth of Fran’s work, along with her willingness to adapt, learn and inspire. Fran works across multiple facets of the rail company’s supply chain including logistics, customer service, improving working practices, and driving efficiencies. During her time at Alstom, she has developed a new operational strategy that led to the company investing £3 million to improve delivery performance. She has also been a passionate STEM ambassador, and is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within the rail sector.
Fran said about receiving her award: “I am truly honoured, and it is a fantastic recognition of the achievements I have made since I joined this amazing industry. Dealing with different challenges and stakeholders, my personal and professional development with Alstom throughout my apprenticeship has been vast. I look forward to continuing to shape my career in rail and push for further positive changes across equality, diversity and inclusion within the industry.”
Dan Lally, Group Director of Business, Enterprise, Skills and Employability at Sheffield Hallam, said: “Everyone at Hallam is tremendously proud to see Fran win this award, which is another feather in the cap and adds to an incredibly successful year for our apprenticeship staff and students. As the home of NCEDA, we train the best and the brightest apprentices in the country. Through courses like this one, and by working with employer partners like Alstom, we are bringing through the next generation of leaders. Fran’s achievement proves that apprenticeships offer opportunities for people in all manner of critical industries.”
Alison Knight, Head of Talent at Alstom, said: “Fran’s thirst for knowledge, passion for rail, ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex challenges, and dedication to creating positive change is truly inspiring. She has already achieved much more than is expected from an apprentice and is a great role model to those around her and to future cohorts of trainees.”
Now in its 26th year, the Rail Business Awards recognises and rewards excellence in every aspect of the UK rail industry. The ceremony took place on Thursday 22 February at Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
NCEDA currently supports close to 3,000 degree apprentices studying across 40 disciplines and subjects, more than any other provider in the UK. In the past year it has achieved key milestones including working with its 700th employer partner and facilitating higher and degree apprenticeship (HDAs) courses worth a total of £61.1 million.
