{"id":454565,"date":"2026-06-15T18:45:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T08:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railuk.com\/?p=194787"},"modified":"2026-06-15T18:45:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T08:45:42","slug":"network-rail-colleagues-honoured-in-the-kings-birthday-honours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=454565","title":{"rendered":"Network Rail colleagues honoured in The King\u2019s Birthday Honours"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Two Network Rail colleagues \u2013 Esther Lagden and Tyron Woodford \u2013 have been awarded British Empire Medals (BEM) in The King\u2019s Birthday Honours 2026, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to their communities.<\/p>\n

Esther Lagden has been recognised for her dedicated voluntary service supporting young people, while Tyron Woodford has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to inclusion, public service, and community support.<\/p>\n

Esther, a programme manager in Network Rail\u2019s Eastern Capital Delivery team, has transformed the York St John Ambulance Cadet unit over the past four years. Under her leadership, scores of young people have developed confidence, leadership qualities, and life saving skills. Her cadets have delivered hundreds of hours of first aid across York \u2013 including supporting high-profile events such as the Remembrance Parade and York Races \u2013 while also engaging with hundreds of local residents to raise awareness of CPR.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cI am incredibly honoured to receive this award, which was totally unexpected. My work at Network Rail on major projects and programmes has shown me how vital public safety is, and being able to share that experience through rail safety education with our Cadets and Badgers has been a real privilege. <\/p>\n

\u201cWatching young people grow in confidence and learn skills that truly make a difference is incredibly motivating. I would like to recognise the exceptional commitment of my Network Rail colleagues, fellow volunteers and our Cadets, who day in, day out do incredible things to support our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tyron Woodford, a planning assistant on Network Rail\u2019s Western route, has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to inclusion, public service, and community support. As a founding member of Network Rail\u2019s disability confidence staff network CanDo, Tyron has played a leading role in promoting inclusion across the organisation. Outside work, he has also demonstrated remarkable dedication to helping others by making more than 350 blood donations since 2012, volunteering with his local police force, and raising thousands of pounds for charities such as the National Autistic Society.<\/p>\n

Tyron said: \u201cI was surprised and overwhelmed when I received news of this honour. I really enjoy helping others both in and out of work, and I\u2019m grateful to have had the opportunity to give something back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeremy Westlake, CEO of Network Rail, commented: \u201cEsther and Tyron exemplify the very best of Network Rail.<\/p>\n

“Their commitment to public service goes far beyond their day jobs, making a real, lasting difference. From supporting young people to championing inclusion and participation, their contributions to the community reflect the values we stand for as an organisation.<\/p>\n

“We are incredibly proud to see them recognised in The King\u2019s Birthday Honours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Image credit: Network Rail<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Two Network Rail colleagues \u2013 Esther Lagden and Tyron Woodford \u2013 have been awarded British Empire Medals (BEM) in The King\u2019s Birthday Honours 2026, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to their communities. Esther Lagden has been recognised for her dedicated voluntary service supporting young people, while Tyron Woodford has been honoured for his outstanding [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16940,16017,8221,47,85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-454565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diversity-inclusion","category-industry-news","category-people","category-rail-news","category-uk"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t