Rising Star Award Shortlisted
Charlie Rawlings
Atkins

Specialising in risk, safety, and assurance – unusual for someone early into their career, Charlie Rawlings joined Atkins' as a graduate in September 2021. Quickly deployed to the East West Rail Alliance, Charlie was tasked with managing the complex Common Safety Method register with circa 1400 operational hazards to workers, passengers, and the public. Charlie’s inquisitive mind, analytical thinking, being unafraid to challenge and ability to build a rapport with internal and external stakeholders has been fundamental in improving the process, providing clearer visibility for all and enhanced reporting.


Eylul Karakus
Kier Infrastructure 
Eylul launched her career as a Graduate Site Engineer on Europe’s biggest construction site, Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. During her time there, Eylul progressed to Site Engineer level, before transitioning into Kier’s rail business in April 2022 and embracing the role of Section Engineer on the Network Rail’s flagship Oxford railway station project. Her values echo those of Kier and the client Network Rail, with a strong focus on safety, wellbeing, equality and inclusion, making her an ambassador for the client, contractor and the industry as a whole. Last year, Eylul featured heavily in a video commissioned by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association to promote careers in the civil engineering and construction sectors, helping to inspire the next generation of our workforce. Eylul is the textbook definition of a rising star. Her technical ability, combined with her ability to build collaborative relationships across the team – both internally, and with our clients - will see her go far in the rail industry. She is motivated and driven to develop her own career while selflessly helping others who are looking for support too.
 
Jess Ong
WSP

Jess joined WSP in September 2021 as a Rail Systems Engineering Apprentice. Over the past year, she has grown exponentially and made some outstanding achievements, proving herself to be an impressive rising star who represents the very best of engineering. Jess is open and upfront about her autism, building trusted relationships with her team. Determined and ambitious, she persists in the face of setbacks without ever losing her extremely positive outlook both on life and her developing career. This, coupled with her inspiring authenticity, has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers. Jess is efficient, organised and naturally inquisitive, all of which have made her an indispensable member of our team. We expect she will quickly gain further knowledge, enabling her to apply innovative thinking and problem solving to future projects.

Josie Cheeseman
WSP

A driven undergraduate engineer, Josie has consistently exceeded expectations since joining us as an apprentice in 2019, proving herself to be a rising star. Josie has an inquisitive mind, an admirable work ethic, and a formidable passion for engineering that drives her ongoing development and success. In addition to being technically talented, she is also an advocate for greater inclusion and diversity in engineering, dedicating her spare time to initiatives that encourage women and people of colour (POC) into the industry. Her exceptional efforts and enthusiasm deserve recognition.


Kirsty Maule
Gleeds

Kirsty Maule is a Project Manager at Gleeds. Kirsty is an enthusiastic and highly motivated Project Manager with several years of experience in engineering, onsite support & management, and refurbishment and overhaul projects in the UK rail industry. She has worked on a wide range of upgrade projects, leading project teams through the design process to completion.



Steph Cunliffe
Gleeds

Steph Cunliffe is a Quantity Surveyor at Gleeds, a hugely aspiring young professional with superb problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude, Steph has 3 years experience across main contractor & consultancy roles (Nuclear & Rail industry), working with NEC Options A, C, E, Framework, PSC & Supply contracts. Her experience includes managing Subcontracts pre & post contract, procurement & tendering, risk management and assessing/administrating compensation events. Steph recently graduated with a distinction in MSc Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management, and currently working as a consultant on a large scale rail project.


Sven Koster
GoMedia

Sven Koster is Head of New Business Development and Innovation for GoMedia, exploring opportunities for transport authorities and operators to enhance the journeys of their customers. Sven began working in the UK and global public transport industries across multiple transport modes in 2016, and has led many cross-industry projects over the last seven years. Most recently Sven has led efforts to make public transport more accessible to visually- and hearing-impaired passengers through the development and deployment of digital technologies, working alongside the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), charities Hearing Link and Hearing Dogs, Network Rail, the government departments for Transport (DfT), and Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and Innovate UK to name a few.