Zak Shayler, Graduate Project Manager, Transport for London

I am a Project Management Graduate working at Transport for London (TfL), entering the final stages of a two-year graduate programme. My career at TfL has spanned both rail and surface projects, where I have experienced projects at all stages of the project lifecycle.

I have recently completed a placement working with the Power & Cooling Upgrades Team in London Underground. During this placement I project-managed the successful delivery of a Mid-Tunnel Ventilation Shaft at Waterloo station that had been out of service since 1981. I also worked on an awardwinning project at Forest Road, where we delivered an innovative chilled water cooling system. These projects will cool the running tunnels on the Bakerloo and Northern Lines at Waterloo and the Victoria Line at Forest Road.

Integrating Young Rail Professionals into the judging process for this year’s National Rail Awards is really exciting, and something that I am thrilled to be a part of. To have the opportunity to genuinely add value during the judging process is something I am relishing, with the added bonus of a VIP invitation to the main event itself!

As a young professional I am delighted to have been selected to expand my personal network and accrue knowledge from industry experts, and thank both the YRP and RAIL magazine for the opportunity. I look forward to offering an alternative aspect to the judging process in the coming months.

“To have the opportunity to genuinely add value during the judging process is something I am relishing.”