NRA Outstanding Contribution to Society winner 2024: Carmichael UK

Carmicahel UK won the Outstanding Contribution to Society award in the National Rail Awards 2024.

Chiltern Railways (Community Rail Projects) and Siemens Mobility (Goole Rail Village) were both Highly Commended.

Specialist recruitment agency Carmichael UK was unanimously voted this year’s winner of Outstanding Contribution to Society because of founder Michael’s “intrinsic desire to give back to an industry that had given him a home, career and community and to replicate it for others”.

Formed more than 25 years ago to link candidates to civil engineering and construction careers with top-tier contractors in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, Carmichael UK prides itself on the diversity of its recruits.

Recent initiatives have included working with ex-offenders and prisoners awaiting release at HMP Springhill to take up work placements.

For the last two years the company has also embarked on a monthly engagement programme with the Muslim community, meeting with community leaders and making presentations at mosques.

The impact of CUK has been directly felt on several major rail projects including HS2 after it was chosen as one of six companies to create and operate a labour desk for the EKFB joint venture.

CUK currently employs 185 people with the main civils contractor, sourced through its inclusive recruitment strategy.

The company said it is committed to transferring this success to other largescale rail projects including the TransPennine Upgrade.

The judges concluded: “As a company they have made efforts to work with such a diversity of people. From attending mosques after critiquing themselves for having practically no Islamic candidates, to working closely with prisons to help bring ex-offenders into work, as well as a strong track record in supporting women in construction.

“CUK’s entry centred on their mantra of putting people first and they really do. It has everything you would want to see from a real environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework.”

Go to our results story for a list of all the winners at the 2024 National Rail Awards, together with more pictures from the event at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel, Park Lane, London on 12th September.