Two Transport for London (TfL) members of staff receive British Empire Medals (BEM) for services to helping communities while working at TfL.
Claire Alleguen, from Brighton, East Sussex, has worked at TfL for roughly 20 years and throughout that time has been committed to making TfL a great place to work for all. In 2023 she proudly took the role of chair of TfL’s LGBTQ+ colleague network group, OUTBound, which works to ensure colleagues and customers, regardless of their gender or sexuality, are represented.
This voluntary role, which she does in addition to her daily work as a Local Engagement Manager, working with boroughs and groups on local improvement and more, has seen her foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace and lead on significant events such as LGBTQ+ History Month and Trans Awareness Week.
Claire has led TfL’s participation in Pride in London, elevating grassroots LGBTQ+ visibility and in 2024, organised a landmark event celebrating the naming of the Mildmay line, to honour the hospital’s legacy in HIV/AIDS care. A cause close to her heart, as she has helped to raise significant funds for the Mildmay Hospital through commemorative campaigns.
Claire’s leadership has influenced policy internally and externally, responding to industry reports and shaping TfL’s period-product policy to support staff of all genders. She has built strong partnerships with industry stakeholders and championed intersectional collaboration across TfL’s Colleague Network Groups. Widely recognised as an inspiring advocate, she has transformed OUTbound into a dynamic platform for change, improving conditions for both staff and customers.
Outside of her TfL work, Claire has successfully helped foster a community amongst LGBTQ+ runners in Brighton and Hove as the chair of the Brighton & Hove FrontRunners over a number of years, including the pandemic. In 2022, she founded the Brighton and Hove Rainbow Run, now an official part of the city’s Pride Programme, endorsed by England Athletics and raising thousands for LGBTQ+ charities. As Chair and Race Director, she helped to triple participation over three years.
Evren Altinok, originally from Islington, now in Enfield, north London, has received a BEM in honour of his outstanding leadership, innovation, and altruism through using decommissioned TfL tech to support those in need in this digital age. In response to the digital divide exposed during the pandemic, Evren identified that children in disadvantaged areas lacked access to essential learning tools as the world moved to video calls and online learning.
Acting in his own time, Evren implemented TfL’s Devices for Schools programme, a voluntary scheme to repurpose decommissioned IT equipment for educational use. By taking decommissioned TfL laptops and more, he worked with TfL’s senior leaders, showing how the initiative aligned with TfL’s sustainability goals. He signed up volunteers, personally delivered devices, and dedicated thousands of hours to the cause. More than 4,000 devices have now been donated to 90 schools, including 1,400 devices to the Mayor of London’s Get Online London scheme.
Evren’s work has enhanced digital access for thousands of students, eased financial pressures on schools, and strengthened TfL’s community presence. Alongside the social benefits, the environmental benefits are significant. As most emissions for devices are incurred upfront during their manufacture, approximately 40 per cent of the 2,800 donated laptops (1,120) have enabled schools to avoid purchasing new devices, helping avoid circa 336 tonnes of CO2e production (300 kg per device). Further environmental benefits have been realised through the reuse of 1,200 phones and tablets.
Outside of London, Evren’s worked with charity Tech for All Foundation, donating laptops and PCs to villages in The Gambia, meaning that people are learning how to use new technology, opening up their opportunities for education and employment. One of the schools training Gambian police officers, immigration officers and fire service officers has taught them digital skills to help them do their work more effectively. In some villages, Gambian medical staff now no longer have to rely on manual deliveries of paperwork to register births, but can do it all digitally, speeding up the process to mere minutes rather than days or weeks.
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “Both Claire and Evren have done amazing work to support communities and under-represented groups, both here in London and further afield. Their dedication to helping others is a fantastic example of what can be achieved, to make life better for thousands of people. I am proud to see them both recognised for their tireless work, making London a more sustainable and inclusive city.”
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, said: “London is for everyone, so I’m really proud to see Claire and Evren recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for their hard work at TfL to build fairer, more inclusive communities. Both recipients have shown outstanding commitment to supporting others and creating opportunities where they’re needed most, and their work has made a lasting impact on many lives. Huge congratulations to Claire and Evren on this fantastic achievement.”
