A leading figure in railway security has been awarded an MBE in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list, recognising her pioneering work to make the UK rail network a safer, more welcoming place for customers and rail staff.
Paula Durrans, Great Western Railway’s former Head of Security said she was delighted and humbled to receive the honour.
Throughout her career, Paula has shaped the world of railway security, founding the Football Rail Taskforce at a time when travelling football fans were a challenge for customers, the sport and the railway.
Paula said: “I’m humbled and shocked, but delighted and deeply honoured to be recognised like this. The rail industry – at train companies, Network Rail and the British Transport Police – is full of fantastic people who want to make a difference for customers and colleagues.
“I have had a fantastic career on the railway and I’m delighted we’ve been able to make such a difference together.”
Paula began her career as a stewardess for British Rail before becoming one of the first women to be accepted onto the company’s management trainee scheme and embarking on a number of railway operational roles.
For the past 16 years, she has led and managed security for GWR for the nation’s most high-profile events, including leading on royal occasions at Windsor, such as the Platinum Jubilee, funerals of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, and the coronation of HM King Charles III.
Paula successfully managed all the GWR security aspects for the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, liaising with security teams for world leaders. She retired earlier this year.
British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan OBE said she is an inspirational role model to many aspiring members of underrepresented women working in the industry.
“Paula is an inspirational role model to many aspiring members of underrepresented females operating on the network. She has always demonstrated a drive to challenge the status quo if it means a safer network for passengers and staff.
“The years of public service she has given to British railways means that she is a wealth of operational knowledge. Paula has been a driving force behind the football task force. I personally have sought her counsel in relation to what has worked, and more importantly what has not worked, in terms of policing the challenges of football related travel on the network.”
Image credit: GWR
