Oral history; interview with Simon Abernethy, 2023
Main details
| Reference number | 2023/372 |
|---|---|
| Interviewee | Simon Abernethy |
| Dates | 01/03/2023 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Topics | |
| Completeness | 60% |
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Physical description
Item content Attribute Value Object title Oral history interview with Simon Abernethy, 2023 -
Interview summary
Track 1 of 1 [00:30:05] Simon Abernethy was born in 1989. He grew up in Enfield and now lives near Brighton. Parents worked as a medical photographer and mother as a civil service typist. Attended school in north London, studied history and had interest in transport history. Joined Transport for London in 2016 as a graduate trainee on management scheme. Worked on energy and carbon strategy, then as Area Manager on Piccadilly Line, then as Suicide Prevention Lead for London Underground. Currently works as Strategy Change and Delivery Manager within Customer Operations. Role involves problem solving. Started in 2020 during COVID pandemic. Describes current team. Talks about current staff uniform at TfL. Wayne Hemingway designed uniform worn by London Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR. Explains other modes' uniform [00:05:00]. Explains new uniform contract in progress. Aim to roll out refreshed Hemingway design across all modes. Mentions element of bespoke identify for different modes. Explains gendered uniforms, male and female fit. Challenges of this. Describes how staff order from both genders. Talks about gendered terminology on ordering forms. Importance of retaining different fits but removing male and female terminology. Mentions consultation with Joe Brown and OUTbound LGBT+ members [00:10:00]. Talks about lack of restriction in how people order uniform. Explains research into menopause friendly uniform and maternity wear. Diverse uniform for all. Mentions Jenney De Sousa at TfL Design. Explains consultation process with trade unions through Uniform Consultative Committee for London Underground. Talks through complexity of trade union infrastructure for London Overground. Informal consultation on Yammer with internal staff [00:15:00]. Describes change in materials used for menopause friendly uniform. Explains how external stakeholder consultation work. Mentions Disability Advisory Group input. Explains why uniform is important to staff. Comfortable, durable. Talks about abaya version of the uniform that has been developed. Bespoke design. Describes conversations about pockets on uniform with trade unions. Talks about conversations around visibility with disabled users. Talks about personalisation of uniform [00:20:00]. Variations of uniform including wearing badges. Explains rules of what badges can be worn. Officially sanctioned Transport for London and trade union badges only. Reflects on changes being made to current uniform. Change from fleece to quilted lining on jackets. Reflects on how successful the Hemingway design has been [00:25:00]. Talks about next rebrand in around 2030. Explains life cycle of uniforms. Talks about design process. Refresh done internally by TfL design team. Talks about working with Joe Brown from OUTbound and Hayley Magorian from women's staff network group. Explains current work on track retrieval device changes. Ends with stating how much Simon enjoys his role. [End of recording 00:30:05] Please note: this is a summary of the full original recording rather than the edited web version -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Interviewer Jen Kavanagh, 01/03/2023Interviewee Simon Abernethy -
Associated companies, people and places
Places Interview location Palestra, 01/03/2023People Attribute Value People Joe Brown - 2023Jennie De Sousa - 2023