RIA RISE Awards Guidelines
RIA Dinner & RISE Awards 2026 Entry Toolkit
About the Awards
RIA’s Railway Industry Supplier Excellence (RISE) Awards celebrate the excellence and achievements of the UK rail supply community in a range of categories.
The RIA RISE Awards are the perfect opportunity to:
Celebrate the UK rail supplier community for all their effort and achievement across the year
Gain industry recognition within the community as well as with key stakeholders
Engage with others in the industry to develop your business and share best practices with the best and brightest.
The award ceremony will be held on 25 June 2026, 18:30-01:00 at the Sheraton Grand London, Park Lane, London W1J 7BX. The dress code for this event is Black Tie.
We encourage you all the participate in the awards and come in full glitz and glamour!
Key Dates and Pricing
Early Bird Prices available until 12 December 2025
Members: £100 + VAT per award entry
Non-Members: £175 + VAT per award entry
Standard Pricing:
Members £200 + VAT per award entry
Non-Members: £350 + VAT per award entry
There is no limit to the number of entries; you can make several different entries to each award category.
You can enter 4 awards for the price of 3. This is only applicable to awards that you pay to enter.
Every unique entry you submit will be charged as a separate entry.
The company that submits the entry will be invoiced directly.
Terms and Conditions can be found here
Eligibility and Confidentiality
The RISE Awards are open to all RIA member companies and to non-member companies who are suppliers in the UK rail market or whose projects work with UK Rail Suppliers. If your entry is shortlisted, your company should be prepared to attend the awards ceremony on the evening of 25 June 2026, in person.
The award trophy will state the name of the company that submitted the award entry. Please note if there are multiple companies listed on the entry the additional companies will not appear on the trophy.
RIA may publish your entry’s 200-word summary via various channels including trade press, social media and websites.
Entry Guidelines
Enter via the ‘Enter Here’ page on the RIA website. This will take you to our Awards Platform. You can start your entry here
Please note that your 200-word summary will be published online if shortlisted. Word count for your entry must not exceed 1000.
You are allowed to submit up to 4 supporting documents, maximum 4 pages each, which must not exceed 5MB in size.
Please mark any sensitive information you do not wish to be included in any promotional material.
After submitting your entry, you will receive confirmation via email. If you do not receive this within 24 hours, please contact RISE@riagb.org.uk. An invoice will be sent within two weeks of your entry, directly to the company that submitted the award entry, or you can pay by card once completing your registration.
Categories
Company Awards
Application of Digital Technology Award
This award recognises a company using digital technology to deliver success for their business and their customers within the railway industry.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted.
Starting point / challenges.
Initiative / project.
Outcomes and impact.
Employer of the Year Award
Your entry should explain why your business is an exemplary employer and explain how the company has benefitted staff and customers through its actions.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Starting point / background.
Initiative / project / incentives.
Outcomes and impact.
Evidence to show why you are an exemplary employer.
Environmental, Social Governance (ESG) Award
This award recognises an organisation’s environmental impact and stewardship, how a company manages relations with and creates value for stakeholders, and the leadership, management, practices and policies of shareholder rights.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Starting point / challenges.
Solution / technology / initiative / project.
How does it solve the problem / impact / outcomes – internal and external.
Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award
This award recognises a company that is showing great strides in incorporating and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across their business and the rail industry.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Starting point / challenges.
Solution / initiative / project.
Impact and outcomes – internal and external.
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award recognises and celebrates the organisation and individuals whose work is dedicated to successful innovation within the railway industry.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Starting point / challenges.
Initiative / project.
Outcomes and impact.
Partnership Award
This award recognises the successful partnership between railway suppliers or rail suppliers and clients.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Starting point / challenges.
Initiative / project.
Outcomes and impact.
Please list all suppliers involved.
Safety Award
The Safety Award recognises excellence in health and safety including achievement or contribution to the railway industry.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Problem / challenge / pain point / starting point.
Solution / technology / initiative / project.
Impact and outcomes – internal and external
SME Exporter in Rail Award
This award demonstrates that the nominee has been proficient in exporting their rail product or service to overseas markets.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Challenges / starting point, including figures.
Achievement / impact, including figures, demonstrating growth and improvement.
SME Growth in Rail Award
This category recognises your company’s growth in sales, headcount and profitability.
Submission headings should include:
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Challenges / starting point, including figures.
Achievement / impact, including figures, demonstrating growth and improvement.
Wellbeing Award
This award recognises an organisation that promotes great practices and guidance for positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Starting point / challenges.
Initiative / project.
Outcomes and impact.
Individual Awards
Employee of the Year Award
This Award recognises an employee who goes above and beyond their role, to mark their exceptional work, contribution, behaviour and success.
You should seek permission from your nominee before you submit your nomination. You and your nominee should be prepared to attend the awards ceremony on the evening of 25 June 2026, in person.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Name, company and job title
Professional and personal characteristics and behaviours.
Demonstrable achievements / lasting impact.
Recent contribution / impact on the supply chain / how the nominee has made a difference to the wider industry.
Endorsements from named colleagues – not anonymous – ideally from more than one company.
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star award recognises an emerging leader whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution and responsibility.
Tell the judges about why your nominee deserves recognition as an exemplary future leader from the perspective of the rail supply community. You should seek permission from your nominee before you submit your nomination. You and your nominee should be prepared to attend the awards ceremony on the evening of 25 June 2026, in person.
200-word summary of your entry – this will be published online if you are shortlisted
Name, company and job title
Professional and personal characteristics and behaviours.
Demonstrable achievements / lasting impact.
Recent contribution / impact on the supply chain / how the nominee has made a difference to the wider industry.
Endorsements from named colleagues – not anonymous – ideally from more than one company.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I know if my entry has been shortlisted?
Shortlisted entries will be announced on the RIA website on Tuesday 5 May 2026.
Where and when is the award ceremony held?
The ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Grand London, on Thursday 25 June 2026, from 18:30.
Can my company sponsor an award?
There are a range of sponsor opportunities available, please contact events@riagb.org.uk for details.
Contact RIA Events team
Tel: 020 7201 0777
Email: RISE@riagb.org.uk
For more information on the RIA Dinner & RISE Awards 2026 click here to visit our website.
View FAQ page here.
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