Heidi joined the Board on 1 January 2020.

Relevant Skills and Experience

Heidi brings considerable relevant strategic and operational experience acquired in her current and previous roles. Her deep understanding of the importance of customer service, delivered in complex, multi-stakeholder environments with a high public profile, is particularly pertinent to the Company at this time, as it focuses on the delivery of its customer-centric strategy.

Previous Experience

Heidi began her career with British Rail in the mid-1980s. She held a number of roles in GNER, before joining Midland Mainline in 1999 as operations director. She was commercial director for Arriva Trains Northern from January 2004, becoming managing director of Northern Rail Limited, the UK’s largest rail franchise.

External Appointments

CEO of Northumbrian Water Limited and Northumbrian Water Group Limited. Vice-Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, member of the board of The Great British Railways Transition Team and Vice-Chair of Newcastle University Council.

Responsibilities

Our Non-Executive Directors, through their diverse experience and skills, scrutinise the performance of management and constructively challenge and help develop our strategy. They uphold high standards of integrity and probity. They form the Audit, Nominations, Remuneration and SES Committees.