Avanti West Coast colleague recognised at Heart of Gold awards for work in health and wellbeing
Zoe Flannagan was named Rising Star at the annual awards run by the Railway Benefit Fund charity.
- Avanti West Coast’s Zoe Flannagan recognised at annual Heart of Gold awards
- Run by the Railway Benefit Fund, the Health and Wellbeing Coordinator was recognised in Rising Star category
- She joined the operator in April 2024, having held previous roles as a children’s nurse
Avanti West Coast’s Health and Wellbeing Coordinator has been named Rising Star at this year’s Heart of Gold awards.
Zoe Flannagan, who is originally from Solihull, West Midlands, was recognised at the annual accolades which are run by the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) charity.
She joined the intercity operator in April 2024, boasting an extensive public health focused career. This included over six years as a children’s nurse – specialising in community public health and addressing health inequalities through education and evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of care.
Voted by her railway peers, Zoe has made an immediate impact in the industry, leading initiatives within Avanti West Coast for colleagues including the introduction of more Mental Health Champions and rolling out a roadshow of wellbeing drop-in sessions across the network and offices. These engagements provide employees with a quick health check as well as discussing different support services, such as Cycle to Work schemes, Reflexology providers and the Railway Benefit Fund.
The Heart of Gold Awards celebrate individuals and teams who are making a positive impact on the railway industry every day, with the Rising Star category open to those who have been in rail for less than five years.
Zoe, who said she was surprised to win the award. “I feel extremely privileged to receive the RBF Heart of Gold Award,” she explained. “It’s been a whirlwind since leaving the NHS and joining the railway family last year, but I’ve loved every moment.
“I’m truly passionate about bringing preventive healthcare to the forefront and encouraging healthier, happier lifestyles for our people - who are at the heart of everything we do.”
Jo Kaye, CEO of RBF, commented, “These awards are a recognition chosen by the rail community itself. It is a genuine, peer-to-peer acknowledgement where our front-line colleagues take the opportunity to celebrate and offer a simple 'thank you' to those around them who quietly make an outstanding difference every day”.
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About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward. Avanti West Coast serves key UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow as well as North Wales.
We’re on a mission to be the transport of choice – connecting customers and communities along the West Coast. Our award-winning Pendolino refurbishment programme transformed the UK’s hardest working fleet with all 56 of the iconic trains providing best-in-class comfort.
Our Evero fleet, which offers more seats, improved comfort, and a substantial cut to carbon emissions, was introduced in June 2024 and is the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, serves routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West.
We want to make a positive difference to the people and places we serve – helping to drive economic growth, green travel, and break down barriers. Our efforts to contribute to society and enable people to benefit from the opportunities rail offers through purpose-led initiatives including Feel Good Field Trips and award-winning female driver recruitment campaign has seen us create over £1billion in social value impact.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
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Press Office: 0845 000 3333