Railway Honours
Queen’s Birthday Honours list awards for NR Chief Executive Mark Carne and ORR Director of Railway Safety Ian Prosser.
OUTGOING Network Rail Chief Executive Mark Carne was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s 2018 Birthday Honours on June 8 - but his award drew criticism from some quarters in response to the ongoing timetable problems on Northern and Govia Thameslink Railway.
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP and former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron described Carne’s award as “rewarding failure”, and a “slap in the face” for passengers. The Department for Transport acknowledged that the timing of the announcement was “unfortunate”.
Carne’s citation was for service to the rail industry, and NR Chairman Sir Peter Hendy wrote: “Clearly the timing of this award is difficult given current industry issues and their effects on passengers. But we should take a step back and look at Mark’s whole career, and particularly his record over the past four and a half years, and recognise, as this award does, his tremendous contribution to our railway.
“Mark has successfully transitioned Network Rail into public ownership, delivering the largest investment programme in modern times and successfully devolving the organisation to be responsive to customers. He has made a 21st century digital railway a reality, and his personal commitment to safety has made our railway the safest in Europe.
“His drive and passion have been inspirational, as has his commitment to workforce diversity, dignity and equality. It’s right he is honoured just before he retires from one of the biggest and most challenging jobs in UK industry, and alongside everyone at Network Rail, I congratulate him.”
Mick Whelan, ASLEF General Secretary said: ‘If you don’t take your bonus because the organisation you run serially fails to deliver, then you get rewarded anyway? How else can the announcement regarding Mark Carne’s CBE be regarded? Or is it for what he has tried to do despite the ineptitude of this government?”
Also awarded a CBE was Office of Rail and Road Director of Railway Safety Ian Prosser, for services to railway safety.
A number of railway staff were made members of the Order of the British Empire.
London and Continental Railways Chief Executive David Joy received his OBE for services to urban regeneration; NR Suicide Prevention Programme Manager Ian Stevens for services to vulnerable people; and Transport for London Head of Media Victoria Harrison-Cook for services to diversity in public relations.
British Transport Police Special Chief Officer Dr Benjamin Clifford received a British Empire Medal for services to policing, and Network Rail project manager Scott Heath for services to the LGBT community.
The Queen’s Police Medal was awarded to former British Transport Police Constable James Rentell.