Kevin Robertshaw, Chief Engineer, VolkerRail Ltd
It’s a rare occasion when I am able to share that something will add value, but this training course is one of them. I am fortunate to have had investigation training with Balfour Beatty, Railtrack, Network Rail, and most recently VolkerRail, which is where I did this specific course.
It is by far the most comprehensive, engaging and thought provoking training I have done. It has made me a better investigator, a better DCP, and given me tools that have proven beneficial in many areas of my work. The way the week builds up each day, pulling together different elements of how incidents should be investigated and packaging them into a systematic process, builds personal capability and confidence to lead or support investigations.
Don’t miss the opportunity folks, this is one week of your career that would be very well spent.
Michael Wortley, Mobile Operations Manager, Network Rail
Rail investigations have always been interesting to me and the rail incident investigation course has allowed me to gain a superb understanding of such a broad topic. Having now completed this course I feel confident to be part of an investigation when required. The week has been a superb journey with like-minded people from throughout the rail industry. All courses should be like this!
Sam Snelson, Engineering Consultant/OTP Engineer, Ex-Test Uk Ltd
If "Carlsberg" did training courses, then this is it!! Thoroughly enjoyed the four days, a well structured course with great training material, staged on-site incident scene, accurate information, fast paced, but with ample reflection time during the days, to help embed the working practices being taught / demonstrated. Couple this with interviews of those involved, who really got into character, and made the interviews as close to real life as possible.
This course is an absolute must for any Infrastructure Manager/ Heritage Railway, TOC (Train Operating Company) along with Principal Contractor's and also OTP owners.
I've personally waited quite a while to do this course, but it was well worth the wait and great value for money.
Good on you Michelle and all those behind the scenes.
Ben Mather, Head of Civil Engineering and Multi-Disciplinary Design, VolkerRail Ltd
Michelle and I first met when jointly investigating a service strike in a London depot. Our investigation interactions became more frequent over the years, and I have always admired and respected the focus she maintained. I was lucky enough to attend one of the investigation courses that Michelle wrote and delivered. It was a highly focussed and effective week, geared specifically towards the investigations the cohort were likely to carry out. I can recommend the course and Michelle’s professionalism and knowledge to anyone who wants to understand incidents on site, and instigate changes to ensure they don’t happen again.
Lorien Clarke MIRO, Operations Standards Manager (Central), MTR Elizabeth Line
Thank you for a wonderful week, it really was a great experience. Whilst I found the course pretty intense at times, the way the course was run made it enjoyable and I learned so much from it. I thoroughly recommend this course for anyone who carries out investigations or for lucky people like myself who have a real interest in the subject as well as carrying out investigations
Stuart Webster-Spriggs, HSQES Director, VolkerRail Ltd
Michelle is the most consummate health and safety professional that I had the pleasure of working with over a number of years. She can visualise solutions in challenging areas and sees that vision through to completion with robust but innovative solutions. Her attention to detail is second to none which makes her one of the UKs most competent and proficient incident investigators.
Russell Jones, Operations Standards Manager (West), MTR Elizabeth Line
The course content was just right to cover the key elements of an investigation. The delivery was excellent and conducive to learning. The interactive bits were also just right and never felt uncomfortable at any point. The delivery was perfectly pitched to cater to all our learning needs.
I particularly enjoyed using the analysis tools which were taught, which is a good way of ensuring nothing is missed out if done correctly. The course was well structured and flowed well.
Toni Hopkinson, Group HSE Manager, PD Ports
I collaborated with Michelle during her time at VolkerRail and found her to be an exceptional and engaging H&S Leader, who has the ability to influence and connect with people at all levels. Michelle was a pleasure to work with and is deeply passionate about Accident Investigation. Helping organisations to sustainably embed learning from robust investigations, to prevent future negative events. I would highly recommend Michelle to any organisation who is looking for support and/or a training programme in this area.
David Hughes, Senior Environment & Sustainability Manager, VolkerRail Ltd
Thank you Michelle, and Mandy Disney for delivering such an engaging course and the support and advice you provided when my brain became over-loaded! I’ve certainly been praising it highly to my colleagues upon returning to work this week. I certainly learnt a lot in such a short period of time and I’m looking forward to embedding and enhancing my newly learnt knowledge and skills in the future.
Seth Harrison, Health and Safety Manager, Balfour Beatty VINCI
I worked with Michelle when she became Investigation lead. Michelle is head and shoulders the best investigator I have ever worked with, this is not something I say lightly as I have worked with some of the best. I worked with Michelle on the development of the IOSH accredited incident investigation course. This course has been recognised as a best-in-class training course, the effort and detail she provided into developing this course was inspirational. Michelle is a pleasure to work with, highly professional and motivates you to be the best you can possibly be.
Kevin Robertshaw, Professional Head of Signalling, VolkerRail Ltd
My recent interaction with Michelle was initially in a group setting and then one to one for feedback and follow up support. Michelle has a rare ability to make a complex subject appear simple and easy to understand. Her ability to bring the best out of individuals within a group setting adds huge value. Michelle is incredibly knowledgeable in her field and well respected by those she has worked with, and those she has worked for. Offering a great mix of guidance, support and constructive challenge where needed, Michelle is very easy to work with and professional in her delivery.
Claire Prudhoe, Senior Project Engineer, Siemens Mobility Limited
Having known and worked with Michelle on several large multi-disciplinary rail projects over the last 15 years, I can fully endorse her as one of the best Health and Safety Managers/Investigators I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Her knowledge and experience of all aspects of the rail industry is exceptional and it gives her the unique ability to break down even the most complex of issues to find the right solution. She is a highly motivated, competent and well respected safety professional that can provide invaluable support, guidance and training to any organisation that she is working with.
Eddie Lenton, Project Manager, VolkerRail Ltd
Having worked with Michelle for many years, she is a proven and knowledgeable Health and Safety Manager/Investigator. Being instrumental in the development of the IOSH accredited Investigation in the Rail Industry course, Michelle provides great in-depth knowledge during delivery of the training which strengthens organisations and the wider rail industry.
Karen White, Wellbeing Advisor, SLC Rail
I have known Michelle for over 15 years and collaborated on several projects. I can highly recommend her; she is extremely proactive, capable, and focused on the detail of what is truly important with regard to safety. Michelle also has an engaging personality which makes her a great person to work with in any regard.
Stuart Spence, Signalling Programme Manager, VolkerRail Ltd
I have nothing other than complete respect for Michelle's approach to safety, professionalism, and limitless knowledge in her field of expertise. Michelle will never shirk a challenge and will always offer help and guidance where she can. Michelle was and remains instrumental in the production and delivery of the IOSH Approved Investigation in the Rail Industry training course, which remains to date one of the most useful and worthwhile training courses I have attended in my career.
Laurence Hale, H&S Manager, Mott MacDonald
Mandy was the Tutor assigned for the L6 Diploma that I attended. I have to say that in 25 years Army service I had not met someone with such depth of knowledge complemented with a good sense of humour. Mandy has the skills that make learning easy. My sincere thanks to Mandy for 5 weeks of very skilled and articulate training. I would endorse Mandy for her teaching skills to anyone. Her knowledge and expertise within the Health & Safety field are second to none.
Emma Glenc, Data and Reporting Strategy Manager, VolkerRail Ltd
Having worked closely with Michelle for a number of years, without hesitation, I would recommend her services to any organisation irrespective of the maturity of their health and safety function. Michelle brings a balance of experience, professionalism, and passion to anything she is asked to deliver. She is able to understand the strategic demands of health and safety management and through her hard work and determination to succeed in all she does means that organisations will be rewarded with more than was expected further supporting their continual improvement.
Paul McBride, LGV Driver, Alpha
Mandy is a truly enthusiastic, dedicated person who I found to be very patient, helpful, and approached her work with a vigour and passion to ensure that all aspects were completely covered. A wonderful person to have had the pleasure of meeting.
Nicky Donaldson, Senior HSSE Manager
Mandy has a wealth of expertise in her field and is an extremely valuable part of the service we provide our academies. Mandy is trusted and respected by all that she works with. Mandy is practical, knowledgeable, and driven, and I would not hesitate in recommending Mandy.
Andrew Smith, Head of Programme Management and Assurance, VolkerRail Ltd
Thank you for an amazing course! I thought Michelle Stephens and Mandy Disney were excellent in delivering what is a challenging topic. I found it all very engaging and easy to follow and it helped that you were both always on hand to answer my endless questions!!