Greater Manchester rail leader Amanda White has been named a winner at the prestigious First Women Awards.

Amanda, Head of Rail at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), won the Young Achiever Award, which was created to celebrate the success in business of women under 35.

Beginning her career in the rail industry as a graduate electrification engineer, Amanda was appointed Head of Rail at TfGM in 2014 and is now responsible for working with Greater Manchester’s rail operators, overseeing franchises and developing strategies for future rail growth – including working with HS2 and Transport for the North.

Amanda picked up her award on Thursday 11 June at a London ceremony hosted by broadcaster Clare Balding. 

Amanda, who lives in central Manchester, said: 'I was delighted to win this award, and to be in the company of so many successful and inspiring women from many different fields of business.

'I’m particularly proud that I’ve won for my work in the rail industry. Few people get the opportunity to see and understand what it means to work in this fascinating and rewarding sector in which I’ve built my career, and I’m passionate about raising the visibility of rail to future generations.

'I hope that in years to come the First Women Awards will see many more winners from the transport and engineering industries.'

Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive of TfGM, said: 'Amanda brings a great deal of commitment and enthusiasm to her role at TfGM, and we are very proud of her success at the First Women awards.

'Transport and engineering have traditionally been thought of as male-dominated professions, but that’s certainly changing. Amanda’s success in the rail industry – and at such a young age – should send out the message that there are great career opportunities to be had for everyone in transport.'

The First Women Awards are created by Real Business and supported by the CBI. For more information visit www.firstwomen.co.uk/awards