People

People

We’re one of the fastest growing businesses within our highly competitive sector. And we believe our success is down to the dedication and hard work of our people.

We feel that our vast workforce of 1,100 people should be supported and rewarded well. After all, it is happy team members that form the foundation of a successful company, allowing it to thrive.

Ethos

We pride ourselves on our team ethic and sense of community. It’s this ethos that helps us really enjoy working and growing together.

Our Directors

  • John Smith

    Chief Executive Officer

    Our CEO, John Smith founded GB Railfreight in 1999, with the aim of undertaking more open access work on our rail system. He has worked in the industry for 44 years, joining British Rail in 1977 and later Anglia Railways, where he became Deputy Managing Director. He is a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

  • Karl Goulding-Davis

    Finance Director

    Karl joined GB Railfreight in 2002 and has previously worked for KPMG, Fred Olsen Limited and Anglia Railways. Karl was integral to the founding of both GBRf and Hull Trains Services Ltd. During his time at GBRf he has secured funds for major investments and been instrumental in the acquisition of the Eurotunnel proposition in 2010, EQT in 2016 and Infracapital in 2019.

  • Tim Hartley

    Business Development Director

    With 20 years experience in the rail sector, Tim has advised on the appointments of many of the most senior leaders in the UK rail industry, including the CEOs of Crossrail and HS2. Having served as a board director and trustee of the charity Railway Children for over 10 years, he is also a judge for the Rail Business Awards and a mentor for the Women in Rail programme.

  • David Golding

    Asset Director

    David served in the British Army for 23 years as an engineering officer. In 2008, he managed the military logistics supply chain, equipment support and engineering organisation during operations in Basra. Since then, he’s worked with British Sugar, Silver Spoon and Go-Ahead Group. David’s contributions within GBRf include growing our business and providing carbon-efficient logistics solutions.

  • Liam Day

    Commercial Director

    Liam began his career in Network Rail’s graduate management training programme. Joining GBRf in 2014 as Head of Estates, he then transitioned to the positions of Business Manager and, later, General Manager, looking after GBRf’s client relationships and contractual arrangements with bulk customers.

  • Ian Langton

    Production Director

    Ian leads the day-to-day delivery of GBRf’s services. Joining the business in April 2012, he has over 27 years experience in the rail freight sector. Prior to this, Ian spent 22 years working with DB Schenker and its predecessors, EWS, Transrail, and British Rail. In his last two years there, he held the position of Operations Manager for the Netherlands.

Our Owners

Infracapital invests in, builds and manages a diverse range of infrastructure to meet the changing needs of society and support long-term economic growth.

Their approach creates value for investors, as they target investments with the scope for sustainable growth.

Their portfolio companies work closely with the communities where they are based, to the benefit of all stakeholders. Infracapital is well positioned to deliver the significant investment required to help build the future. The team of experienced specialists has worked with more than 60 companies around Europe and has raised over £6.8 billion of client capital across six funds.

Find out more
Well-being

A team that plays together,stays together.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: In 2021, we launched our first EDI policy; an initiative encouraging diverse thinking which aims to empower all staff to achieve their potential. The rail freight industry has traditionally been male-dominated. We are actively working to break down the barriers for women to join our industry and excel.

Charity Work

Supporting Alzheimer's Society

GBRf staff are keen to play their part in supporting charitable work. In 2023, we are working with Alzheimer's Society, a charity that works towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Training

We offer structured and on-the-job training to help you develop key knowledge and skills to build your career.

Training
Careers

GB Railfreight has a lot of different career paths, for every kind of person.

Whether you’re ready to jump right into the world of work as soon as you’re out of the school gate, or want to study more first. 
Or maybe you want to do both? Whether you want to be outside and up front driving a locomotive, or backstage making it all happen, GB Railfreight provides the opportunity.

Vacancies

Share our values of Support, Trust & Empowerment, Professionalism, Communication & Enjoyment? We’d love to hear from you.

If you would like to know more about our roles or our apprenticeship scheme then please enquire using the link below.

If you have any questions, please e-mail the recruitment team at recruitment@gbrailfreight.com or fill out our Recruitment Enquiry form.

Testimonials

  • “I have seen GBRf grow in size, yet still retain its key ethics. They employ the best staff and we are all valued and treated well. This motivates you to work hard and help contribute towards the success of the company.”

    Kevin Crane

    Performance Team

  • “At GBRf, every day is different! I thrive on the variety of routes and traction. I feel part of the GBRf family, well supported and rewarded both from a professional and a personal point of view.”

    Marcus Betts

    Southampton Team

  • “This business has helped define who I am as a person today. It’s brought out the best in me, thanks to the support, encouragement and investment I have been given.”

    Gemma Platt

    HR Business Partner