Head of Safety, Security & Sustainability

Overview

First Rail is one of the UK’s most experienced rail operators, carrying more than 345m passengers across franchises (Great Western Railway and Avanti West Coast) and our open access operators (Hull Trains and Lumo). We operate all types of passenger railways – intercity, commuter, regional and sleeper services.

Lumo and Hull Trains are part of FirstGroup, the largest rail operator in the UK and second largest bus operator in the UK outside London. FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and life easier. FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport.

About the job

As the Professional Head of Safety, Security & Sustainability, you will act as our in-house expert, providing strategic guidance and practical support on health, safety, security and environmental sustainability matters. You will lead the identification and management of risks, ensure the right controls are in place, monitor performance trends, and offer assurance to Directors that we are meeting all legislative and certification requirements. The role involves working across three sites in Hull, Newcastle, and Preston, with regular travel between locations, and providing on-call cover to support the business. You will also act as the “Informed Buyer” for specialist audit and consultancy services, ensuring we procure and deploy the right expertise to strengthen our systems and standards. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact by shaping safe, secure, and sustainable operations across a dynamic and growing business area.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead the development and implementation of safety, security, sustainability, and energy management policies and systems.
• Ensure effective governance, risk assessment, and compliance across all operations and sites.
• Investigate incidents, implement corrective actions, and monitor performance trends.
• Provide expert advice and support to colleagues and senior management on safety and environmental matters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulators, industry partners, and trade unions.
• Coordinate emergency planning and safety teams, ensuring statutory requirements and training are met.
• Keep the business up to date with legislation and best practice, reporting key updates to the Executive Team.

You’ll need to have:

• An understanding of environmental / sustainability issues and regulations that affect the rail sector and will challenge our business in the future.
• At least 5 years senior safety management experience in a rail or other highly regulated industry, e.g. air or chemicals.
• Recognised experience of creating, revising, and auditing Management Systems, specifically to ISO 9001, 14001, 50001 and 45000 standards.
• Good communication and motivational skills to engage with all colleagues.
• An energetic and enthusiastic approach to problem solving and team leadership across a broad range of topics.
• Demonstrable experience in driving cultural change in a high hazard environment, highly regulated industry.
• Good analytical skills, with good research abilities and able to read /interpret data.
• Understanding and confidence in the use of spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Word, and other programmes relevant to the role.
• Exceptional organisational and planning skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Able to stay calm under pressure.
• Good interpersonal skills and able to work as part of a team.

As a minimum, you will need to have:

• NVQ Level 4, NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent qualification in Health and Safety is essential with Chartered Membership of IOSH or another relevant body (or be actively working towards) is desirable.
• A recognised environmental, energy management or sustainability qualification (e.g. NEBOSH Environmental Certificate / IEMA Practitioner Member or willingness to pursue this in post.
• Preferably educated to degree level.

You must live within a 60 minute commute of Newcastle upon Tyne, Hull or Preston with regular travel.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.