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Tuesday 30 Dec 2025

King honours Network Rail employees in New Year list

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National

Two current Network Rail employees and one former employee have been named in the King's 2026 New Year's Honours List.

Manjinder (Manny) Kang, a Community Safety Manager and Sonia Hazel, an Assurance & Controls Manager for the HS2 project, have both been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). Rob McIntosh, former Regional Managing Director of both Eastern and North West and Central, has been awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Manny Kang  joined the railway family 25 years ago and has been recognised for his dedication to educating children about railway safety and the dangers of trespassing. Manny’s unique style of presentation, which is built on his faith and often delivered in several languages,  aims to foster inclusion and build trust among the thousands of children of all backgrounds that he speaks to each year.  

Outside of his work, Manny has raised over £300,000 for dementia sufferers and their families across the country, an achievement that earned him a Pride of Britain award in 2025. Through his efforts, more people now understand this life-changing syndrome which, within the UK, affects someone new every three minutes. A devoted fan of Wolves football team, Manny’s feats inspired the Dementia UK charity to launch its Fans vs Dementia challenge, inviting football fans to take on their own football-based walk or cycle ride.

Manny said: “It's a surprise and deeply humbling. Keeping children safe is a role for all of us. I'm grateful I have a chance to connect with so many through my role at work. I hope receiving this honour will inspire others to do the same.

“Dementia is a huge growing concern, and I will keep helping where I can. I would like to thank my family and friends, Dementia UK, the fans of Wolves FC, but most importantly my faith. Sikhi gives me the strongest possible foundation. When we come together, anything is possible”

 

Sonia Hazel is a highly regarded safety and inclusion advocate, serving as a Health First Aider, workplace mediator, Samaritans volunteer, and deputy Chair of the Ethnicity and Race in Rail group and receives an honour for her passion for safety and creating psychologically safe spaces for black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues. Sonia developed the Tea Break initiative, which provides a secure environment for black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues across the rail industry to discuss issues impacting them. She has worked with Race Equality Matters to develop the programme so that other organisations across the UK can implement the initiative within their own workplaces.

Sonia said: “I’m still a bit stunned to be honest, the safety person in me thought it was a hoax initially. I am incredibly lucky to be recognised when there are so many colleagues across the industry making the world a better place.  I just wanted to support colleagues to be themselves authentically at work. 

“I have been fortunate to be championed for most of my railway career but that’s not the same for everyone, so it’s good to be able to give back. I’ve learnt so much over the years from amazing railway EDI colleagues that have supported me in making my visions a reality therefore enabling a better place for our industry. I feel very emotional knowing that I make a difference to people’s lives and this honour is very humbling.” 

 

Rob McIntosh, a respected rail leader, has been awarded an OBE for services to the railway in the north of England, having dedicated his career to delivering fundamental improvements to Great Britain’s railways, unlocking social mobility and creating opportunities for local economic growth.

Under Rob’s leadership, major projects such as the Borders Railway and multi-billion-pound upgrades of the East Coast and Midland Main Lines were completed, and the Transpennine Route Upgrade was set up. He also transformed rail project delivery by leading the adoption of the Swift Pragmatic Efficient Enhancement Delivery (SPEED) approach, delivering billions pounds of savings.

Rob is dedicated to supporting personal development, and, as a member of the Employment Advisory Board, contributed to many strategies, particularly those focused on the rehabilitation of female prisoners following their release.

Rob said: “I am really very humbled to be recognised in this way. I have had the privilege to work alongside some fantastic people in my career without whom I would never have achieved these things.”

Jeremy Westlake, chief executive of Network Rail said: “It’s inspiring to see colleagues recognised for the impact they’ve made – not just on our railway, but in communities across the country. Manny and Sonia show what happens when passion meets purpose: keeping people safe, creating spaces where everyone feels they belong, and going the extra mile to make a difference. Rob’s leadership has delivered projects that transform journeys and open up opportunities for millions.

“These honours remind us that our work matters – and that together, we can achieve extraordinary things."

The Royal Honour nominations mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK, celebrating those who go above and beyond and make a lasting impact on their communities and/or industries.