David Pinder
Darlington,Durham
Summary
An experienced operational leader with a strong passion for people and performance. Currently Regional Head of Drivers at TransPennine Express, I have led large, complex frontline teams across stations and driver operations. I bring an energetic, people-focused style of leadership that aims to inspire, motivate and develop those around me. I am driven by building trust, maintaining high standards and ensuring colleagues have the tools, clarity and support to reach their full potential. I care about making a difference and am always open to new ideas that improve the customer and colleague experience.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Regional Driver Manager, East
Transpennine Express
York
06.2023 - 06.2025
- Leadership of 3 driver depots with line management and competence oversight of 250 drivers, plus driver managers, assessors, instructors and an admin team. I am also responsible for the competence management of 200 Conductors.
- Accountable for colleague safety, performance, development and welfare.
- Member of the senior operations team, with responsibility for strategic direction, industrial relations and team development.
- Overall leadership responsibility for 250 train drivers across three depots.
- Manage a team of 20 managers, including 10 direct reports: Area Operations Development Manager, Driver Operations Manager, six Driver Managers, Operational Training Coordinator, and Admin Assistant.
- Accountable for ensuring sufficient driver resource to deliver the train plan, with a focus on workforce planning and long-term sustainability.
- Ensure full safety compliance across depots, with a focus on high performance, consistency, and risk mitigation.
- Lead on union engagement at local level and Driver Company Council, fostering constructive relationships and ensuring effective issue resolution.
- Drive colleague engagement across the driver population to ensure drivers feel listened to, valued, and appreciated.
- Work collaboratively with key departments including control, rostering and train planning to deliver the operational plan.
- Responsible for compliance management, reporting, and regulatory requirements.
- Provide visible, authentic leadership that supports a culture of trust, continuous improvement and accountability.
- Passionate about developing others, creating clear goals for Driver Managers and supporting their growth and capability.
Station Manager, Reading & North Downs & Deputy Regional Station Manager, East
Great Western Railway
09.2017 - 06.2023
- Leadership of a team of 150 colleagues including safety critical and 11 direct management reports on behalf of Network Rail.
- Responsible for Reading station and all GWR Satellite stations between Reading and Gatwick Airport.
- Our team won major station of the year 2020/2021 at the National rail awards.
- 86 % Your Voice engagement score, up from 64 % in 2016.
- Strong safety audit results.
- 1st place in the Spring 2019 NRPS survey with 94 % customer satisfaction achieved.
- Launching of the Reading Basingstoke Community Rail Partnership.
- Delivery of consistently strong KPI results.
- Deputy Regional Station Manager east, during my time at Reading and Oxford.
- Held the voluntary role of placement Manager east, for the operations and management apprentices.
- Board member for Reading’s economy and destination agency (formerly Reading UK).
Head of Stations & Passenger Experience
Network Rail
02.2022 - 02.2023
- On secondment from GWR, leading a team of 200 colleagues, including safety critical and 11 direct management reports.
- Lead on the planning and delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games special event plans.
- Developed a robust plan for the management of industrial action, including the development of a large contingency resource.
- Considerably reduced colleague absence levels.
- Improved processes for recruitment by moving to volume recruitment.
- Development of a station performance plan.
- Development of set of station KPI’S.
- Recruitment of a new Station Operations Manager and 3 Shift Station Managers.
Station Manager, Oxford & Didcot Parkway
Great Western Railway
09.2016 - 09.2017
- Leadership of a team of 90 colleagues, 5 direct management reports across 2 locations.
- Strong KPI’S delivered.
- 89 % Your Voice engagement score.
- A reduction of absence levels down to just 3 % across the team.
- Consistent delivery of a better than budget result for station delays.
- Consistently strong mystery shopper results through the development of our supervisors and frontline colleagues.
- Delivery of efficiency savings in rosters.
- A 96 % recycling rate for Oxford station.
- Development of community rail partnerships and stakeholder groups.
Station Manager, Maidenhead Area
Great Western Railway
05.2013 - 09.2016
- Leadership of a team of 50 colleagues and 5 direct management reports across 11 locations.
- Placement Manager east, for the operations and management apprentices.
- Delivery of high levels of safety compliance evidenced by top rated safety audits.
- Excellent customer experience results with over 20, 100 % mystery shopper scores achieved.
- Considerable reduction in colleague absence from over 11 % in 2013 to just 2.5 % in 2017.
- Increased weekly Gateline revenue from 27 K per week in 2013 to over 60 K in 2016.
- Strong relationships with stakeholders and railway partnerships, including senior members of the UK Government (Local MP and former Prime Minister of the UK Theresa May).
- Consistent delivery of a better than budget result for station delays.
- 4 years Leadership of the annual area event safety plan for Henley Regatta with no major accidents or incidents.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
University of Exeter
Exeter, Devon 09.2007 - 05.2011
Skills
Exceptional people skills developed through my leadership experience
Strong safety and commercial awareness
Committed to people development and guiding people to achieve their full potential by encouraging them to try new ways of working
A highly motivated individual with good attention to detail
A good team player, able to work with others to produce quality results
A hands-on approach and able to work under pressure without compromising safety or performance
Excellent communication skills, able to adapt my communication style to different situations and different personalities
Considerable experience of working with Unions
Results driven
Affiliations
- - Fitness including the gym, running, swimming, cycling, and skiing - Completed 3 Marathons (London 2010, 2014 and Cologne in 2016) raising over £2000 for charity - Enjoy foreign travel, walking, watching live music, meeting new people, and spending time with family and friends
Voluntary Work
• School Governor, Sharp Lane Primary School, Leeds (Feb 2025 – Present)
• Board Member, Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency (Jan 2020 – June 2023)
Timeline
Regional Driver Manager, East
Transpennine Express
06.2023 - 06.2025
Head of Stations & Passenger Experience
Network Rail
02.2022 - 02.2023
Station Manager, Reading & North Downs & Deputy Regional Station Manager, East
Great Western Railway
09.2017 - 06.2023
Station Manager, Oxford & Didcot Parkway
Great Western Railway
09.2016 - 09.2017
Station Manager, Maidenhead Area
Great Western Railway
05.2013 - 09.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
University of Exeter
09.2007 - 05.2011
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