Chris Hooper, of communications company telent, has won this year’s Rail Engineer of the Year Award for his work throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Being able to hear Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s announcements on the Tube during the summer was largely down to Chris and his colleagues’ unstinting efforts.
The Coventry development engineer was responsible for improving customer information for DLR and Greater Anglia, as well as implementing a new voice announcement system for London Underground.
“It’s excellent, great for our team. Obviously everything we do is as a team. And I’d like to say thank you for the support I got from Paul Dobbins who’s my direct manager,” said Chris.
Having been away from home on an almost permanent basis during Olympic period, telent presented Chris and his wife with tickets for the men’s 100m final to thank him for his commitment.
Tom O’Connor, managing director of the Rail Media Group which organises the RailStaff Awards, said: ‘The London Olympics has been nothing but good news for Britain, for all participants and for the rail industry.
“Thousands of spectators and competitors travelled to and from the Games by rail. That they could do so is as much a testament to the hard work of frontline staff as it is to the behind the scenes people like Chris who worked night and day to make the whole event a success.
“Modern communications systems are the life blood of transport and his achievement is hugely important. We wish Chris well in the future and congratulate him on winning this award.”
A former service business of Marconi, telent was formed in 2006.
Employing over 1,500 people, telent helps maintain and support communications on national transport networks. The company rolls out broadband networks that allow rail and metro operators to run their operations more efficiently.
