As the year draws to a close, we can’t help but reflect on the whirlwind that’s been 2024. From the bustling early months to the achievements that have shaped our journey, it’s been nothing short of remarkable.
Our Communications Manager, Sonja, offers her perspective on the milestones that have made this year unforgettable.
Reflections on a Remarkable Year
Honestly, where did the time go? Blink, and suddenly it’s December! It’s been a whirlwind of moments and memories that we simply couldn’t have imagined when the year began. We’ve laughed, we’ve celebrated, and yes, we’ve spent a lot of time talking about robots (they’ve kind of become our unofficial mascots). But most importantly, we’ve worked together as a team, driven by a shared purpose, to keep Belvoir Rail moving forward. There’s too much to pack into one little article, but I'll give it my best shot with some of our standout moments.
The Glitz, the Glam, and Fitzroy Martin
Let’s start with a well-deserved spotlight on our Production Manager Fitzroy Martin, who was a finalist in the Employee of the Year category at the Railway Industry Association (RIA) RISE Awards. We dressed up and joined Fitz for a glitzy evening in London to celebrate his incredible achievements and immense contribution to our business. I'm sure Fitzroy won't mind us saying that he was genuinely moved by the thoughtful nomination from his colleagues, a testament to the profound impact he’s had on us all. Fitz, we couldn’t be prouder!
VIP visits
Next on our highlight reel is the visit from the Rt Hon Lord Patrick McLoughlin, former Secretary of State for Transport. It’s not every day that a national figure swings by HQ, so we made the most of it.
During his visit, he spent time with the team, engaging in valuable conversations about how innovative technology can help tackle the big challenges facing the rail industry. Sharing our ideas and the work we are doing was a real high point.
A Breakout Year for Robots
Of course I had to mention them… If there’s one thing we’ve talked about endlessly this year (besides coffee and meeting schedules), it’s robots. 2024 has been a breakout year for our trusty quadrupeds, and honestly, they’ve been stealing the show everywhere they go. Our robots have continued to impress the rail sector with their ability to improve safety and productivity, proving just how valuable they are in tackling industry challenges.
But we didn’t stop there. This year, we officially launched NextGen Ri, our new sub-brand designed to take this robotic technology into other industries. It’s been an exciting new chapter for us, expanding what’s possible with this exciting technology. Our four-legged stars have been popping up everywhere, even featuring in the London Lord Mayor’s Parade and on Live TV. It's safe to say, they have been stealing the limelight.
Giving Back to Communities
If there’s one thing we’re as passionate about at Belvoir Rail, it’s giving back to the communities we’re part of. This year, we doubled down on our efforts to make a difference.
We’re proud sponsors of grassroots girls’ football, cheering on the Breaston Park Panthers U10s and the Tower Hill Vixens U13s. These young athletes are smashing it in their seasons, and we’re so proud to have them as part of the extended Belvoir Rail family.
Rail Safe Friendly
We also continued to support the Rail Safe Friendly programme, sponsoring 10 schools and reaching over 7,250 young people with important rail safety education. It’s work that feels personal to us because we live and work in the same communities as these young people. Safety around railways is something we take very seriously because it can save lives. By teaching them how to stay safe around the railway, we’re helping protect them now and in the future.
Primary Engineer
Just recently, we joined the Primary Engineer Rail, something we’re pretty excited about. We’ve provided funding for a regional school to get involved in their rail programme, giving pupils the chance to dive into STEM-based projects. They’ll be rolling up their sleeves to design, build, and test their own rail vehicle models, it’s hands-on, creative, and a lot of fun.
Our engineers get to join in too! They’ll be spending time in classrooms, working alongside the kids and their teachers, sharing knowledge and maybe learning a thing or two themselves. It’s all about inspiring the next generation of engineers and opening the door for more diversity in the field.
Community Spaces
Closer to home, we stepped in to help the local community hall at Langar cum Barnstone get back online after the demolition of their old building left them without internet. Not only did we provide the funding, but we also got stuck in helping them fit the equipment. It was a great chance to give back to our local community, and it’s been brilliant to see the space come back to life. The hall is now being used for all sorts of things, from local classes to hosting the local post office, so it’s safe to say it’s a real hub for the area. And just to make sure we did a good job, we’ve even made use of the facilities ourselves to host a few meetings (we can confirm, the Wi-Fi works perfectly!).
Suporting our Armed Forces
This year, we’ve had the privilege of supporting the British Army REME Corps, donating personalised belts as “Man of the Match” awards for their inter-corps rugby league competition. It’s been brilliant to see how much these awards mean to the team, and we’re proud to cheer on our armed services community. It’s a small way for us to give back to those who give so much. We'll be sharing more on this later next year, but for now, go team REME!
A Year of Events
This year, our calendar was bursting at the seams with exhibitions, events, and speaker slots. We were here, there, and everywhere, from soaking up the sun at Rail Live in Long Marston to the RIA Innovation Conference in Wales, where one of our robot dogs even stole the spotlight on the main stage. Throw in days spent trialling new products on test tracks and welcoming film crews into our workshop, it’s safe to say no two weeks have looked the same for Team Belvoir Rail.
One of the highlights was taking part in roundtable discussions with Clare Ward, now East Midlands’ new Mayor. We got stuck into some important conversations about encouraging young talent into the rail industry, a topic that’s very close to our hearts. She took the time to really listen, and we left feeling inspired by her commitment to working hard alongside us to ensure investment in our local economy and its future workforce.
Another thing we were really excited about this year was our Managing Director stepping up as Vice Chair for the RIA Midlands and Eastern Leadership Group, and our Chief Strategic Officer took on the same role for the RIA SME Group. It’s an incredible chance to get right in the thick of it, working closely with RIA and its members to champion the rail industry and its supply chain. This is the kind of work that drives us, making sure rail gets the spotlight it deserves and pushing for positive change across the board.
Building for the Future
Behind the scenes, we’ve been busy making upgrades to our facilities. We’ve given one of our units a much-needed glow-up with smart new storage, testing spaces, and meeting rooms. It’s great to see the space being put through its paces already, and it’s safe to say it’s now a hub for getting things done. These improvements are all about making sure we’re equipped to deliver even more for our customers, both now and in the future, whatever exciting challenges come our way.
Thank You for 2024
To everyone who’s been part of our journey this year, our customers, partners, community members, and friends, thank you.
2024 has been a year to remember, and we couldn’t have done it without you. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re ready for more memorable moments, another touch of Belvoir Rail magic, and hopefully just as many reasons to celebrate.
Here’s to another fantastic year. See you in 2025!