Northern has appointed its interim head of operational standards Mark Gardner to the role on a permanent basis.

The post is responsible for developing, implementing and reviewing all Northern‘s operational safety processes and procedures.

Gardner will lead Northern’s operational safety team, which ensures that standards are applied consistently and improved continuously. In the role, Gardner will work closely with Network Rail‘s safety staff, and with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the Railway Safety and Standards Board.

Gardner, from Leeds in West Yorkshire, has more recently been covering the post on an interim basis but has now taken on the permanent role.

Before this role, Gardner was Northern’s health and safety business partner for operations. Before that, he worked as a driver standards manager and depot lead driver team manager for the former franchise holder Arriva Rail North, from 2017 to 2019. Before that, he was a train driver and driver team manager for Northern from 2009 to 2017.

Commenting on his appointment, 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.”

Gardner will report to Northern’s safety and environment director, Mike Roe, who 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.”