Published on: Friday, 8 March 2019
Last updated: Wednesday, 13 March 2019
She raises thousands of pounds for charity, genuinely cares for her colleagues and customers and is always putting on events that brighten Norwich rail station for passengers.
Now Nicola Garwood, the station’s Welcome Host, is in the running for an international award.
She will be up against 13,000 other employees worldwide for the title of ‘Employee of the Year’ at the Abellio Achievement Awards in March.
Greater Anglia’s Area Customer Service Manager, James Reeve, commented, “Nicola and her team work tirelessly throughout the year raising awareness and donations for so many charities, while at the same time ensuring that all our customers are well looked after too. She’s one in a million!”
Last year, Nicola led the team at Norwich in raising over £10,000 for charities such as Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, Samaritans, British Heart Foundation and Sarcoma UK.
Her events have also supported Dementia Friends, Mental Health Awareness Week, the National Autistic Society, the Norwich Guide Dog Association, school carol singing concerts, and the station became a Christmas present drop-off point for a local hospital.
She also organised the station’s first ever Christmas Market in December.
Customers regularly comment on Nicola’s positive creative work to decorate the welcome desk, customer services office and station whiteboard and her energy not only keeps morale of the team high at Norwich but also ensures that customers receive the help and information they need for their journeys.
Nicola commented, “I’m over the moon to be nominated for Employee of the Year. I really love my job and the fact that Greater Anglia supports us in doing so much for our communities and the charities that are close the hearts of staff and customers is a big part of that.
“I feel it’s so important to be able to give something back and adds an extra dimension of satisfaction to working at the station.”
Jamie Burles, Managing Director at Greater Anglia, said, “We know that we have colleagues all over the network making a difference and helping our passengers every day.
“Recognising them at a group level through the Abellio Achievement Awards will help to further drive a culture of excellence in everything we do and demonstrates the dedication and commitment of all our staff to provide excellent service and performance to our customers.”