Matthew Parsons
Rushden,Northamptonshire
Summary
17 years experience on the railway. I consider myself an Accomplished professional with a strong knowledge in data analysis using Power BI and Excel. Since joining the Railway I have completed my L12, A1, V1, Taps and IOSH qualifications. My Strengths include exceptional interpersonal communication, effective leadership, and conflict resolution skills. Proven track record in team planning, resource management, and operational training delivery. Adept at project management, consistently meeting goals while efficiently multitasking. Proficient in Microsoft Office and course design, with notable achievements in staff training and development. My Career goal: to utilise my skills in training and operations to drive organisational success.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Lead Operations Training Manager
GTR – Hornsey training academy
London
01.2021 - 10.2024
- Training Lead for all future projects, including ECDP, 700 P.I.S. System upgrade, 387 DMI refit, and new 379 traction.
- Utilising various reporting tools (Power BI, Excel, PowerPoint), accountable for creation of the overall training plan, ensuring it is continuously updated to reflect the most accurate plan, to ensure training targets are met, whilst limiting effects on driver resource.
- Manage the Training Development team, who are responsible for the creation of all new training content. Ensuring all processes are followed correctly. including attaining safety validation, initial creation of the RBTNA, consultation with stakeholders and peers, and negotiation with trade union colleagues.
- Responsible for creating the content for safety training days (STUDS), and ensuring they are delivered to all drivers within required timeframes.
- Responsible for operational competency of OTM's, and also responsible for operational competency of route school managers.
- Work closely with operations management team (Lead CDMs) to develop and train existing and new CDMs, as well as carry out assessments on Drivers when required.
- Work closely with safety and standards team to ensure we are always compliant with standards.
- Currently developing DI standard, recently submitted updated version of the 12.2 Train Driver training standard.
- Responsible for all training infrastructure on TLGN, including risk assessments and audits.
- Responsible for any new training facilities on TLGN, including new sites at Cricklewood, Peterborough, Welwyn, and Hitchin. Including their design and budgets. Liaise directly with projects team, and manage negotiations with the union.
- Oversee all Training Needs Analysis (TNA) for drivers returning from long-term sickness and operational incidents, and, working collaboratively with the route team, develop bespoke training plans dependent on driver's knowledge and capabilities.
- Construct personal training plans (PTPs) for all OTM's and Development Managers. carry out regular QA's and arrange additional training sessions, ensuring continuous development.
- Utilised simulators extensively as part of both rules and traction training, not only for trainees, but also mainline drivers.
- Solely responsible for all ETCS training on the TLGN route, including the TL Core and NCL ETCS. Currently working with the ERTMS project team on developing the training pack for Tranche 2 of the East Coast mainline ETCS project.
Operations Training Manager
GTR
Hornsey, London
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Responsibilities included delivering all Training academy courses including rules, Core traction, Conversion courses, ETCS, NCL Rules, LRA and ORA courses to trainees and qualified drivers
- Creation of PTPs for drivers returning from long-term sick leave or operational incidents.
- Re-training of drivers following long-term sickness.
- I utilised simulators extensively as part of both rules and traction training, not only for trainees but also mainline drivers.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
Deputy Route Operations Assurance Manager
GTR
London
01.2019 - 01.2020
- My responsibilities included ensuring the operational competence of all CDMs across both the GN and TL routes.
- I had responsibility for ensuring assessments across the network remained within the set parameters, and did not go overdue.
- I was an initial member of the senior team working on the safety plan (Osip) for the GN and TL routes.
- I was a member of the working group responsible for railway standards, including any potential revisions or reissues.
- I liaised with fleet on behalf of operations relating to all traction projects
- I carried out risk assessments relating to depot work practices.
- I was an initial member of the senior team working on the safety plan (Osip) for the GN and TL routes.
Operations Manager
GTR
London
01.2017 - 01.2019
- I worked as an Operations Manager for Great Northern (Inners).
- I was directly responsible for all the inner depots of the Great Northern route (Hitchin, Welwyn Garden City, Hornsey, and Kings Cross).
- My responsibilities included opening the new drivers depots at Welwyn and Hornsey, and overseeing the introduction of the new 717 traction on the route, which have all been completed on time, and most importantly, under budget.
- A key responsibility was ensuring that CMS assessments were kept up to date and managed to ensure we maintained a manageable level, and a zero red assessment allowance.
- My team included all Competency Development and Local Operations Managers based at the depots, and I was directly responsible for maintaining their operational competence and carrying out their work-based reviews.
- I was responsible for my team's development and succession planning.
- In my role as Operations Manager, I was responsible for MFA stage two and Safety performance reviews (SPRs) in relation to drivers' sickness, operational incidents, and disciplinary procedures.
- Part of my duties was to liaise and attend meetings with the union (Aslef) regarding matters including local Depot issues, grievances, training, health and safety, rosters, and any other issues that may arise.
- I worked closely with our Performance Attribution Managers to reduce the delay minutes and ensure drivers are reporting not only within agreed timescales, but accurate and relevant information.
- I worked closely with the senior management team, including the Head of Operations, Route Operations Assurance Managers, and Area Operations Manager, regarding all issues affecting the route, including training, operational, union, and performance.
Competency Development Manager
GTR Thameslink
London
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Responsibilities include carrying out all CMS assessments on drivers, including ride-outs (PRC/PRA), downloads (OTDRs), interim traction assessments, and rules summaries, up to and including full ICA assessments on trainee drivers.
- I have also carried out risk assessments and training needs analysis on drivers, and in the course of being on call, dealt with a variety of operational incidents.
- I was heavily involved with the training of 387 units when they arrived on GN, including being a member of the working group which devised the training, and undertaking the training itself.
- I undertook operational incident investigations, including creating competency development plans for drivers who were returning from operational incidents or long-term sickness.
- I am a qualified A1 assessor, and I also have the L12 qualification for assessing/coaching in the cab.
Driver Trainer/Higher Grade Duties
GTR Thameslink
Bedford, Bedfordshire
01.2007 - 01.2014
- I carried out route and traction training for trainee drivers, based at Bedford depot.
- Trainees would typically spend 250 hours with me driving over the route and carrying out train preparation, shunting, and all duties relating to train driving.
- Whilst carrying out Higher Grade duties, I ran training days for drivers.
- I also carried out ride-out assessments (PRAs) and OTDRs (Downloads).
- I also carried out route refresher courses, and summary assessments.
Warehouse Office Manager
Woolworths
Bedford, Bedfordshire
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Responsibilities include managing a team of administrators, ensuring they comply with required standards.
- Carrying out biannual assessments to ensure each member of the team reached the required standards.
- Carrying out disciplinary actions when required.
- Return-to-work interviews, and liaising with other department heads.
- Coordinated team meetings for effective communication and project alignment.
- Ensured smooth day-to-day operations with diligent oversight of office tasks.
- Improved office efficiency by streamlining administrative procedures.
QA Engineer
RPC
Rushden, Northamptonshire
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Responsibilities include building and testing new products, and record-keeping of all results.
- Liaising with buyers and suppliers to ensure we achieved all British and European safety standards, where applicable.
- Developed test plans to ensure thorough evaluation of products.
- Enhanced efficiency of the QA team with regular training and development sessions.
- Completed extensive manual testing to identify errors in new products.
- Maintained detailed records of testing processes for future reference and analysis.
- Helped team implement and enforce optimum best practices in quality assurance.
Centre Manager & Resident psychology consultant
Alvonne House
Herne Bay, Kent
01.1993 - 01.2002
- Responsibilities include consultation, counselling, and assessing clients on potentially being allowed into the Care in the Community programme.
- Managing a team of care workers, cooks, and cleaners.
- Liaising with, and updating, social workers on clients' progress.
- Creating Life and Care packages for each individual client's specific needs.
- Managed staff rotas, ensuring full coverage for 24/7 centre running.
- Undertook staff training incorporating medicine control, de-escalating aggressive behaviour, record-keeping, and client care.
- Oversaw all administrative tasks for efficient centre management.
- Conducted regular audits for maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety.
- Handled budgeting responsibilities to ensure financial sustainability of the centre.
- Facilitated communication between staff members encouraging open dialogue about ideas or concerns.
- Performed risk assessments, ensuring safe environment for both staff and visitors.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations creating safer workplace.
Education
MA in Clinical Psychology - Clinical Psychology
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury 09.1989 - 06.1993
A-Levels - Psychology, Sociology, English Language
Broadstairs College
Broadstairs 09.1987 - 06.1989
'O' Levels - English Language, Maths, Biology, Sociology, History, Geography, Drama
Sir William Nottidge School
Whitstable, Kent 09.1982 - 06.1987
Skills
- Data Analysis (Power BI, Excel)
- Safety
- Exceptional interpersonal communication
- Team planning and resource management
- Operational training delivery
- Member CIRO
- Deadline-oriented
- Project management
- Efficient multitasker
- Training and Development
- Conflict resolution
- Effective leader
- Staff training and development
- Compliance knowledge
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Course design
Affiliations
- I enjoy visits to the Theatre in the West End.
- I go to the gym at least four times a week.
- I am a family man at heart and enjoy nothing more than spending quality time with my family.
Timeline
Lead Operations Training Manager
GTR – Hornsey training academy
01.2021 - 10.2024
Operations Training Manager
GTR
01.2020 - 01.2021
Deputy Route Operations Assurance Manager
GTR
01.2019 - 01.2020
Operations Manager
GTR
01.2017 - 01.2019
Competency Development Manager
GTR Thameslink
01.2014 - 01.2017
Driver Trainer/Higher Grade Duties
GTR Thameslink
01.2007 - 01.2014
Warehouse Office Manager
Woolworths
01.2005 - 01.2007
QA Engineer
RPC
01.2002 - 01.2005
Centre Manager & Resident psychology consultant
Alvonne House
01.1993 - 01.2002
MA in Clinical Psychology - Clinical Psychology
Canterbury Christ Church University
09.1989 - 06.1993
A-Levels - Psychology, Sociology, English Language
Broadstairs College
09.1987 - 06.1989
'O' Levels - English Language, Maths, Biology, Sociology, History, Geography, Drama
Sir William Nottidge School
09.1982 - 06.1987
Similar Profiles
Niharika AwasthyNiharika Awasthy
Data Collection Specialist at Rockford Softsol Computer Academy & Training Center Rockfoard AcademyData Collection Specialist at Rockford Softsol Computer Academy & Training Center Rockfoard Academy
Ahmad KabirAhmad Kabir
Senior Accountant at Save Fast Training Academy (Etihad Pioneer training company)Senior Accountant at Save Fast Training Academy (Etihad Pioneer training company)
Simon LagromaSimon Lagroma
EMT Student at Bay Area Training AcademyEMT Student at Bay Area Training Academy