New boss of Northern Trains 'honoured' to take over as MD

Tricia Williams will take over as managing director of Northern when Nick Donovan steps down in spring 2024.

Tricia, chief operating officer for the past three years, said: “It’s an absolute honour to be taking on the managing director role.

READ > Wilmslow station built in 1842 gets £1.6m upgrade

"Nick has set the standard, not only for driving this business forward but the standard for truly supportive and inclusive leadership.

"We know we still have big challenges ahead of us.

“Nick will leave us in a strong position, and the team and I are ready to continue the great work he has started.”

Nick joined Northern in March 2020 when the business moved into public ownership under DOHL and will have spent four years in charge of the UK’s second largest train operator.

Northern's current managing director 'privileged' to have led the company (Image: Jonny Walton)

Nick said: "It is a huge privilege to have had the opportunity to lead Northern – a real highlight of my career – and now feels like the right time to hand over to someone else.

"We have a brilliant leadership team in place and I'm so pleased that our current chief operating officer will take over from me in the spring.

"Tricia is a fantastic leader and I know she’ll continue to transform this business, making a positive impact for the customers and communities we serve.”

Under Nick Donovan’s leadership, Northern has gone from strength to strength, including recognition from YouGov as one of the UK’s top ten most improved brands for two years running.

The train operator has picked up accreditations and awards for improvements across the business, including Investors in People Gold, the Institute of Customer Service, digital, innovation, and many more.

Robin Gisby, chief executive of DOHL and chairman of the Northern Trains Board said: “I want to thank Nick for the incredible work he’s done to rebuild trust in Northern and get things back on track.

"We asked him to come for two years and he took very little persuasion to stay for two more.

“I’m delighted that we have a talented successor in Tricia Williams and the board looks forward to giving her every support.”

Northern will shortly begin recruitment for a new chief operating officer to replace Tricia Williams.

Tricia said: “After three great years as chief operating officer, it’s an absolute honour to be taking on the managing director role.

"Nick has set the standard – not only for driving this business forward but the standard for truly supportive and inclusive leadership.

"We know we still have big challenges ahead of us. Nick will leave us in a strong position, and the team and I are ready to continue the great work he has started.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.