Transport for London has seen six of its current and former staff members recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List for 2023, including:
Howard Smith:
Howard is currently the Director of the Elizabeth Line and has worked for Transport for London for 25 years and has been awarded an OBE for service to the Elizabeth Line and London's transport.
Howard's focus and dedication to the Elizabeth Line has seen its tremendous success with over 155 million journeys made since it opened in 2022.
Howard who is from London and has also seen time working on the Docklands Light Railway and the London Overground as well as the iconic 2012 Games.
Christian Van Der Nest:
Christian is currently Transport for London's Resilience and Partnership Lead and has worked for TfL for over 17 years, and has also been recognised with an OBE for services to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and London's transport.
With incredible commitment, Christian supported the in-depth and vital planning which played an important role in making sure that the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took place successfully.
The event marked one of the biggest and most complex London has ever seen. Christian's knowledge saw him able to collaborate with partner agencies in order to see the efficient operation carried out with any issues rising dealt with swiftly.
Monica Cooney:
Monica is Head of Control Centre Operations with Transport for London and has also worked for TfL for over 17 years and has also been recognised with an MBE for services to the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and London transport.
Overseeing Transport for London's Network Management Control Centre, Monic was key to the huge event which saw her incredible focus and leadership skills come into force effectively and efficiently working with her team and also with several agencies. Monica also made sure that she supported both her team's
and fellow agencies' well-being and morale within the control centre.
Winsome Hull:
Winsome is a Senior Business Strategy Manager at Transport for London and has worked for TfL for 15 years and has also been nominated with a BEM for service to diversity and inclusion alongside transport in London.
Winsome has been a powerhouse in developing improvements in inclusivity in the workplace with determination and courage, using her own experiences to encourage others to discuss theirs, creating greater cultural and racial understanding and empathy.
Winsome's work on the ‘Inspire a Fairer Future' programme saw a series of listening sessions where people told their stories within Transport for London, she also contributed to Transport for London's Anti-Racism Leadership Charter, which she has seen embedded in the organisation.
Sharon Young:
Sharon previously worked as a Principal Project Engineer for Transport for London for almost 20 years and has been recognised with an MBE for her service to the Elizabeth Line and transport in London.
Sharon is a very well-respected woman within the UK transport engineering sector and has played a vital role in Bond Street station's successful completion as part of the Elizabeth Line. Sharon continues to inspire and champion women to join the industry.
Gareth Powell:
Gareth was formerly the Chief Customer and Strategy Officer for Transport for London for almost 20 years and has been recognised for service to transport in London with an OBE.
Gareth played an important role in a broad range of projects including the decarbonisation of London's bus fleet, improvements to road safety, cycling and walking facilities, the transformation of outer London rail networks into the London Overground, deputising for the Commissioner and working with the Government to agree of a sustainable funding settlement after the pandemic.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:
“London's transport workers have given so much to our great city, so I am delighted that Howard, Sharon, Christian, Monica, Winsome and Gareth's enormous contributions have been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours. In a year where the eyes of the world have once more been on London, their expertise and hard work have helped ensure the smooth running of the capital for Londoners and visitors to our city.”
Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, said:
“My congratulations go to Howard, Christian, Monica, Winsome, Sharon and Gareth, who are having their hard work and dedication recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours. Our capital has faced some of its biggest challenges and opportunities over the past few years and it is because of the efforts of colleagues such as those being recognised that we are able to make a difference to those living, working and travelling in London.”
Howard Smith, Director of the Elizabeth line, said:
“I am thrilled to be receiving this honour, and it has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on and open the Elizabeth line, which has transformed the capital. The opening and now everyday operation of the Elizabeth line is a testament to all of the different people who worked and pulled together to make it possible – a true team effort. More than 155 million journeys have already taken place on the line and we look forward to even more people getting on board as they make their way across the capital.”
Christian Van Der Nest, Resilience and Partnership at TfL, said:
“It is an honour to be recognised as part of this list and to have also been part of the team that successfully enabled the smooth-running of such a momentous and poignant event. While the world had its eyes on London, through collaboration and careful planning, we were able to make sure that everybody could focus on the occasion itself.”
Monica Cooney, Head of Control Centre Operations at TfL, said:
“It is hugely touching to have received this recognition for the work undertaken to ensure that the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was able to take place successfully. I am incredibly proud of the team that I worked with as part of this and that together we were able to keep morale strong while dealing with an incredibly complex challenge.”
Winsome Hull, Senior Business Strategy Manager at TfL, said:
“I am delighted to be part of the Birthday Honours list this year. Now more than ever, it is important that we continue to focus on making our organisation, London and society as a whole a more inclusive and kind place for everybody. We need to recognise the brilliant variety of contributions that we can all make to improve London so that it's a better place to live, work and travel in.”
