Mark Gardner has been appointed as the new Head of Operational Standards at Northern.

Having been covering the post interim basis, Mark from Leeds in West Yorkshire has now taken up the role permanently.

His role will be to lead Northern’s operational safety team, ensuring the consistent application and continuous improvement of operational safety standards across the business.

Mark has great experience within the rail industry, prior to this role he was Northern’s health and safety business partner for operations, worked for the former franchise holder Arriva Rail North from 2017 to 2019 as both a driver standards manager and depot lead driver team manager and from 2009 to 2017 Mark was a train driver and driver team manager for Northern.

Mark Gardner said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role and look forward to working with the wider safety team to ensure the ongoing safety of our customers and colleagues.”

Mike Roe, Northern’s Safety and Environmnet Director said: “This role is all about ensuring a proactive safety culture exists across the business – at each and every station, depot and office that our more than 7,000 colleagues call home.

“Mark has proved an invaluable member of the safety team, having both the knowledge and practical experience that this role requires to ensure the business consistently delivers high standards of operational safety.

“I’m delighted to have him ‘on-board’ on a permanent basis.”