Insider profil

Avanti West Coast

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Top Insider Advice

I would encourage anyone who wants to pursue a career as a Train Driver...Go for it. You will not regret it. From the very early shifts to the late ones; every drive brings its own challenges. This is something that still excites me when I get to drive. I have played an active part in answering recruitment questions in the past as well as delivering training to trainee drivers. So the application process will all be worth it once you sit in the driving seat. We’re determined to make a difference. We’ve worked with the LGBTQ+ community and our Inclusion Council to raise the bar. At Avanti West Coast, we’re committed to creating a team that works for all of us. We know it’s not enough to say it – we must live it too. Every single day. That’s why we’ve introduced Live Proud. In a world where anyone can be anything, we all want the opportunity to be ourselves. That’s why we’re encouraging colleagues, customers and communities to share their spark. And when it comes to Pride, we’re proud to stand out. If you have been thinking about applying, come and share your spark and join our amazing community.

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Career path

Driver Manager, Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast

From 04/2021 to 05/2025

Train Driver Instructor

Southeastern Railway

From 09/2014 to 05/2023

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

I really enjoy working with the variety of characters within this industry, especially the stories of the old British Rail days. I thrive on watching new drivers start on day one to seeing them leave the platform for the first time on their first solo drive. I love to talk and I will speak to anyone within the station; staff and customers. I have had the pleasure of attending various rail awards celebrating many success stories in the railway. The railway is like one big family and one I am proud to be part of.

Greatest achievements

I find time every year to raise money for various charities... But I have to do it with a challenge. I have taken part in 7 London Marathons, 4 Half Marathons, along with a sky dive, climbed Mount Fuji, and more recently ran my first Great North Run. I enjoy bringing teams together and have previously arranged charity football matches to bring awareness of mental health and the importance of speaking up. The Alzheimer's Society is close to my heart after my Nana was diagnosed with this 10 years ago. If you have any suggestions for my next challenge feel free to pass them over.

Other Insiders

Bernard K

Top Insider Advice

To allow and develop a potential candidate's career, one must be willing to accept change. Although it is not possible to change careers overnight, it is possible to change direction of a career overnight. For a candidate to ensure effective career changes, following must be adhered to: a) Identify potential strengths and weaknesses: Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can help you identify the areas where you need to improve and the areas where you can excel. b) Set SMART goals: Setting clear goals can help one stay focused and motivated. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. c) Developing your skills: Continuously developing your skills can help you stay competitive in the job market. Consider enrolling to various courses, attending workshops, or reading books to develop your skills. d) Network: Networking is an essential part of building a successful career. Attend organisation events, join professional organizations, and connect with people in your field. e) Be adaptable: The job market is constantly changing, and it’s important to be adaptable. Be open to new opportunities and be willing to learn new skills. f) Be persistent: Building a successful career takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks or rejections. Keep working hard and stay focused on your goal.

Adrian M

Top Insider Advice

My role enables me to champion the voice of the customer and lead the business in the delivery of the customer proposition through a high-profile, visible management style. I work collaboratively with a can-do attitude, always seeking opportunities to enhance the stakeholder experience, promoting the reputation of our Lumo business with our customers, stakeholders & partners, so that our customers can ‘Travel Safe & Well”. Health and Safety play an essential element to every activity and play an integral part of all thought processes. I adhere to strict rules and guidelines, always work with policies and procedures to ensure customers and colleagues travel well fulfilling their expectations. I strive to complete all activities in a timely manner, utilise and develop new skills whilst being punctual and working collaboratively with all colleagues within the team.

Christopher G

Top Insider Advice

Experiencing new things will broaden your horizon and give you things to talk about. This is really useful for life experiences and for discussions at interviews when the time is right to move on. Seek out new opportunities to meet new people and take part in exciting and innovative new projects. Want to try something different from your day job and see if you like it first? Why not do some shadowing or grab the opportunity to go on secondment within the business you're working in? With a secondment this is ideal as it means your original position will be waiting for you if, and when, you decide to return. You never know, a secondment may lead to new doors opening that you never thought about previously!

Discussions with Paul S