Samantha Butler has been judged a winner due to her passion for driving trains and inspiring the next generation to join the industry.
A proud mother of two and governor at her local school, Butler’s line manager reports that she was promoted to driving instructor last year as a result of her professionalism and commitment to the highest standards.
Butler is universally admired by her colleagues and the management team and is described by London Overground Operations Director Stuart Griffith as: “a star driver with an exuberance that shines through in whatever she does. Her strong desire to make a difference to our industry is truly commendable.”
Butler is also a key member of London Overground’s women’s group that seeks to promote a diverse and inclusive workforce, cementing her reputation as an individual committed to the whole industry and not just her individual role.
She regularly visits schools in her own time to talk to young people about the opportunities available to them in the rail industry regardless of their gender or ethnic background, and recently represented London Overground at a Women in Rail event.
The judges were particularly moved when she described how shocked people sometimes are on the platform when they see ‘a little black woman’ get out of the drivers’ cab, and how much she enjoys challenging their prejudices and perceptions.
In support of Butler’s entry, Griffiths added: “As a Community Ambassador, she plays an active part in rail safety both at work and outside of work by going out to schools to educate children about railway safety. She doesn’t just believe that more can be done to encourage children and young people to consider a career in rail, she actually goes out in her own time and does something about it.”
Judges' comment
“Her commitment and pride in her job were there for the judges to see and she made it very clear that for her this is not just a job but a career.”
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