John Smith, Chief Executive Officer of GB Railfreight (GBRf), has been made an OBE in the King's New Year Honours List for services to the rail freight industry.
John is among the list of people who the King has honoured for the role he has played throughout a lifetime dedicated to the railway. John has driven the growth of GBRf, one of the country’s leading rail freight providers, since it was formed in 1999. The business has played a critical role in supporting the UK’s supply chains and driving employment opportunities across the country.
In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of GB Railfreight, John is a trustee of the Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust and has been at the forefront of GBRf raising over £1m for charitable causes including Alzheimer’s Society, Prostate Cancer UK, Headway and current partner, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
John began his career in the railway in 1977 as a 16-year-old Technician Apprentice at British Rail before working at the carriage works in York. He went on to work in management roles at Anglia Railways, where he became Deputy Managing Director, before forming GBRf in 1999. He is a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
On hearing of his award, John said:
“I am hugely surprised, honoured and thrilled to be recognised in the New Year Honours. It’s something I could never have considered when I began my career on the railway. This award is a recognition of the efforts of everyone who has worked at GB Railfreight over the last 25 years to whom I am hugely grateful.”
