✦ LEEDS 2027 | HEADLINE SPONSOR: TRANSPENNINE ROUTE UPGRADE ✦
A Night for the People Shaping Rail's Future
About the Evening
An Unforgettable Night for Rail's Rising Stars
For the first time, the YRP Annual Dinner & Awards is coming to Leeds. On 25 March 2027, over 400 rail industry professionals will gather at the Royal Armouries for our flagship black-tie celebration, recognising outstanding talent from across the UK and Ireland. Bringing the Dinner to the North is particularly significant as the region benefits from the biggest railway investment in a generation, led by our Headline Sponsor, the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).
“TRU is transforming the railway across 70 miles between York and Manchester and the legacy we leave is about people as well as infrastructure. With over 480 apprentices already and more to come, we’re creating opportunities for people to develop their skills, build rewarding careers and help shape the future of rail. That’s why we’re proud to be headline sponsor of the YRP Awards 2027 and to celebrate the talent, ambition and commitment of young professionals across our industry.” - James Richardson, Managing Director, Transpennine Route Upgrade
Award Categories
Nominations for the 2027 YRP Annual Dinner & Awards are now open. Help us recognise the people, teams and organisations making a difference across rail by submitting your nomination before midnight on 31 December 2026.
Apprentice of the Year
Celebrates an apprentice currently undertaking an apprenticeship or who completed one within the last 12 months, recognising exceptional talent and commitment.
Distinguished Service Award
Recognises an individual whose commitment, leadership and contribution have made a significant and lasting difference to the rail industry.
Employer of the Year
Recognises an organisation demonstrating an outstanding commitment to creating opportunities and supporting the development of early-career rail professionals.
Employer of the Year (SME)
Celebrates a small or medium-sized enterprise demonstrating an outstanding commitment to supporting and developing early-career rail professionals.
Innovation of the Year
Celebrates an innovative idea or solution developed by young rail professionals that addresses an industry challenge or improves how the railway operates.
Mentor of the Year
Recognises an individual who has made a meaningful difference to others' professional development through mentoring and guidance.
Operational Excellence Award
Recognises a team or organisation demonstrating exceptional operational performance through safe, reliable and effective delivery.
Young Rail Personality of the Year
Celebrates an individual in the first 10 years of their rail career who has made an outstanding contribution through their enthusiasm, character and influence.
Young Rail Professional of the Year
Recognises an individual in the first 15 years of their rail career who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.
Young Rail Professional's Volunteer of the Year
Celebrates an individual whose exceptional volunteering commitment has made a meaningful contribution to YRP and its members.
Tables & Tickets
Tickets Coming Soon
Tickets for the 2027 YRP Annual Dinner & Awards are not yet on sale. Individual tickets and tables will be available, bringing together young professionals, industry leaders and organisations from across rail for YRP's biggest celebration of the year.
Individual Ticket
TBC
- ✓Full evening access
- ✓Dinner & drinks reception
- ✓Awards ceremony
- ✓Dancing & entertainment
Table of 10
TBC
- ✓Everything in Individual
- ✓Dedicated table for 10
- ✓Prime seating
- ✓Table signage
Corporate Table
TBC
- ✓Everything in Table of 10
- ✓Logo in programme
- ✓Recognition in awards slides
- ✓Sponsor networking
Need a bespoke package? Contact us for corporate group bookings. annual.dinner@youngrailpro.com
Sponsorship Opportunities
Join our Headline Sponsor, the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), in supporting the 2027 YRP Annual Dinner & Awards. Sponsor an individual award to showcase your organisation's commitment to developing rail talent and gain visibility among more than 400 industry professionals.
Headline Sponsor | Transpennine Route Upgrade
- ✓Exclusive 10-minute welcome address
- ✓Two VIP tables of 10 included
- ✓Prominent branding across event materials
- ✓Dedicated industry media and digital promotion
- ✓Awards judging and senior industry networking opportunities
Individual Award Sponsor | Available
- ✓Exclusive sponsorship of a named award
- ✓Present the award on stage
- ✓Branding on event screens, website and programme
- ✓Recognition in award-related social media coverage
- ✓Professional photography with the award winner
Frequently Asked Questions
The dress code is Black Tie. Guests are encouraged to wear formal evening attire, including dinner suits, evening gowns or equivalent formal clothing.
Yes, we can accommodate dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergies. Please provide your requirements when booking or email annual.dinner@youngrailpro.com at least two weeks before the event.
Tables are allocated according to booking requirements and availability. Corporate tables and group bookings will be seated together where booked as a complete table. For specific seating requests, please contact the organising team.
Nominations for the 2027 YRP Annual Dinner & Awards are now open and close at midnight on 31 December 2026. You can nominate yourself, a colleague, team or organisation across our award categories, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is our confirmed Headline Sponsor for 2027. Opportunities remain available to sponsor individual award categories, providing organisations with an opportunity to support the recognition of outstanding railway talent. Please contact annual.dinner@youngrailpro.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
The Royal Armouries is located at Leeds Dock, close to Leeds city centre. Parking is available in the surrounding area, including the nearby Leeds Dock multistorey car park. We recommend checking parking availability and charges before travelling.
Early bird table sales will open soon, with further details on pricing and booking arrangements to be announced through YRP's website and communications channels.
Individual ticket availability and booking arrangements will be confirmed when sales open. Please check the event website for updates.
The Royal Armouries offers accessible facilities for visitors. If you have specific accessibility or assistance requirements, please contact annual.dinner@youngrailpro.com so the organising team can discuss arrangements with the venue.
Following the nomination deadline on 31 December 2026, eligible nominations will progress through the judging process. Finalists will be announced ahead of the Annual Dinner, with winners revealed during the ceremony on 25 March 2027.