Introducing Rachel Rudling

At SilverRail, we’re not just about trains and tech- we’re all about our people. We’re a key player in the rail industry, not only leading the way in transforming the way people move but also placing a strong emphasis on the happiness and the growth of our employees. In a field where innovation is paramount, we stand out not just for our advancements but also for our commitments to building a vibrant and inclusive company culture. We are dedicated to empowering and championing our workforce, employees are not merely contributors but integral members of a tight-knit community.

We're delighted to introduce the outstanding individuals that make up the SilverRail team. Each team member contributes unique skills, dedication, and perspectives, playing a crucial role in the overall success of our organisation. This blog is an introduction to Rachel, the Senior Global HR Manager at SilverRail, who enjoys interrailing in her spare time.

What do you do at SilverRail?

I am the Senior Global HR Manager at SilverRail. My role revolves around ensuring the people-side of SilverRail runs smoothly across all of our offices. The role is extremely varied from managing payroll and benefits, addressing workplace issues, HR strategy and working on improving the HR processes across all functions.

My role gives me the chance to connect and collaborate with employees of all levels at SilverRail. I love being part of solving the day-to-day challenges that every organisation experiences and to be able to see the challenges from the points of view of everyone involved is extremely valuable. It’s a very busy and fast-paced role so when I can, I take full advantage of a quiet day to work by enhancing what HR currently offers. Recently, I have been spending time researching the benefits of releasing short content regularly rather than something that requires attention for a longer period.

What do you like most about working at SilverRail?

The people! Not only are they all incredibly good at their jobs, but they are some of the nicest people I have ever worked with. In the 6 years I have worked here that has never changed.

What are you most excited for in your role at SilverRail this year?

I'm excited to put into practice some of the new approaches I have been working on for the past few months. I will be trialling some short-form content with the aim to aid employees' continuous learning without them having to dedicate a set amount of time each week or month to L&D.

We've also been working on some new progression tools to put the ownership back on the employees for where they want their career to go. We want to give them some great tools to help them map out their future with us. There are so many learning opportunities at SilverRail and we want everyone to have the chance to progress in their career with us.

What is the biggest challenge you see for HR at SilverRail in 2024?

I think there are several challenges facing us this year. We operate a different hybrid working model in each office, and it's a regular discussion with employees, managers, and within HR on what that will continue to look like. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to this, and I am sure it will need tweaking along the way.

There is an ever-changing global workforce, and HR needs to also evolve to ensure what we are offering attracts the top talent to SilverRail. We are constantly researching and developing strategies to approach the changing benefits, working hours, flexibility, and progression opportunities that the market offers. It's incredibly hard as a company to be able to offer everything, and the challenge for us is ensuring that we offer the best options for all employees.

How are you contributing to the values at SilverRail?

This year, I am focusing on the rail incentives we have at SilverRail. We have an incredible Interrail perk that gives our employees the opportunity to travel Europe by train while gathering a range of marketing material, which we use to produce internal magazines, videos, and posters. It's a great way to show off the benefits of train travel by experiencing it ourselves. It's been really enjoyable to work on something a little more creative but still able to contribute to SilverRail's climate efforts.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Travel! It's my one and only hobby. I spend far too much time researching hotels and restaurants. My next adventure will be interrailing this summer. The main part of my trip will be through Switzerland on the GoldenPass. I did a small part of the route last year and I just had to go back and do the rest.