Meet Our Team
The names and faces behind the 225GROUP
Get to know the people behind the 225GROUP. These are the folks who are developing our exciting plans and working to make our ambitions a reality.
Patron
Christopher Garnett OBE
Patron
Christopher has held various senior roles across the railway industry and other sectors. His first job in transport came in 1987 when he joined Sea Containers subsidiary Sealink British Ferries as Regional Manager responsible for services from Dover to Calais and from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.
Christopher became Commercial Director of Eurotunnel in 1990, but returned to Sea Containers four years later and led its successful bid for the InterCity East Coast (ICEC) rail franchise. Christopher was appointed Chief Executive of ICEC operator Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) in April 1996 and over the next ten years oversaw a complete transformation of services with InterCity 225s the backbone of the fleet.
Following his retirement in 2006, Christopher took on several non-executive board appointments, including with Transport for London and the Olympic Delivery Authority. In 2013, he was awarded an OBE for his work on the 2012 Olympics.
Today, Christopher chairs the Isle of Wight Transport Infrastructure Board, which brings together the island’s transport operators. He’s also a non-executive Director of Heathrow Southern Railway, which aims to privately fund a link from Staines and Woking to Heathrow Airport.
Christopher has fond memories of seeing InterCity 225s at London King’s Cross in their dark blue GNER livery, and as Patron brings huge knowledge and experience to the 225GROUP management team.
Directors
Chris Curtis
Director
Chris is passionate about public transport and has extensive commercial, operational and consultancy experience across the bus and rail industries. He began his career with the TAS Partnership in 2001, contributing to the development of transport networks and supporting bids for three rail franchises.
He has since held business development and commercial management positions with Go-Ahead and Arriva, and is now Senior Transport Programme Officer at Northumberland County Council. In these roles, Chris has consistently maintained high standards and is well respected within the transport industry.
Chris has been a regular traveller on the East Coast Mainline (ECML) for over three decades, frequently using InterCity 225 services between London, the North East and Scotland. To Chris, the trains revolutionised ECML travel, particularly during the Great North Eastern Railway era, and he firmly believes they deserve their place in UK railway history.
Chris lives in Stockton-on-Tees and, away from the railway, enjoys travelling to new places and watching football.
Andy Marden
Director
Andy built a career on the railway that spanned nearly 40 years and had significant involvement with the InterCity 225. He began with British Rail in 1986, then held various positions at Unipart Rail before joining Adtranz, subsequently Bombardier, in 1998 where he worked on the ‘Project Delta’ heavy general repair programme for the Class 91 locomotives.
From 2004 until 2017, Andy held several maintenance, procurement and compliance roles with operators of the InterCity East Coast franchise, further strengthening his expertise with the InterCity 225 fleet. He then moved to Northern and, in 2022, became TrainCare Centre Manager at Neville Hill, where he led the award-winning team delivering InterCity 225 maintenance, train presentation and operational support for London North Eastern Railway.
Following retirement, Andy joined the 225GROUP as Director in October 2025 and is responsible for developing the team, facilities and other resources required to support the preservation of InterCity 225 vehicles.
Outside the railway, Andy volunteers in countryside conservation, supports the Team Verrico cancer charity and serves as a school governor. He lives in Doncaster.
Eric Holmes
Director
Eric spent 25 years working in the railway industry. Before privatisation, he gained considerable experience in the supply of spares for the repair and maintenance of locomotives and rolling stock, which included support for the InterCity 225s entering frontline passenger service. He then moved into infrastructure maintenance with Balfour Beatty and Carillion. His final job before taking early retirement was as Head of Procurement at the Forestry Commission based in Edinburgh.
Eric has held senior and director level roles during his career and brings a wealth of procurement and commercial knowledge to the 225GROUP. With work in Scotland and family and friends in England, Eric spent many happy hours travelling up and down the East Coast Mainline on InterCity 225s and developed an affection for their comfort and style. His other passion is rugby union – watching his son play at Newark as well as following Sale Sharks in the English Premiership and Scotland at international level.
Honorary Director
Graeme Wright
Honorary Director
Graeme developed his passion for the railway, and particularly the InterCity 225, while studying at Hull University, regularly travelling between Doncaster, York and Newcastle. Those early journeys sparked a lifelong connection with the East Coast Mainline (ECML).
He began his railway career in 1995 at the London Waterloo Telephone Enquiry Bureau, before joining Great North Eastern Railway in 1997 at its Newcastle telesales centre. He progressed through roles as Welcome Host and Train Dispatcher at Newcastle Central, gaining strong operational experience.
In 2001, Graeme became a Guard, later Customer Operations Leader, working across the full ECML from London to Glasgow and diversionary routes. He continued in this frontline role through successive operators, building a reputation for professionalism and customer focus.
In 2010, he joined the station management team at London King’s Cross, overseeing dispatcher competence and stakeholder relationships. He later returned to operations as a Train Manager with Virgin Trains East Coast and London North Eastern Railway (LNER), where he was known for outstanding customer service and distinctive announcements. He received the LNER Legends Award for his contribution.
Graeme became a 225GROUP Director in 2021 and is honoured posthumously for his dedication.
Management Team
Dan Wright
Digital Development Manager
Dan serves as Digital Development Manager for the 225GROUP, leading the maintenance and development of the Group’s website, membership systems, online archive and other digital platforms.
The son of Honorary Director Graeme Wright, Dan has shared a passion for the InterCity 225 from a young age. He works for London North Eastern Railway as a Train Service Manager based at York Rail Operating Centre.
Outside of work, Dan is a photographer with a particular focus on railways, events and documentaries, and his work has featured across a range of platforms and publications. He also runs OriginX, combining photography, digital design and creative content.
Based in Northumberland, Dan enjoys photography, travelling and spending time outdoors.
Fraser Pithie
Development Manager
Fraser spent 33 years working in the utility sector, which gave him extensive knowledge and experience of operations, investment, asset management, maintenance and customer service. He began his career in 1979 as a District Inspector for the Severn Trent Water Authority and eventually rose to become Senior Operations Manager at Severn Trent plc. Alongside his professional career, Fraser was heavily involved in local government. He became Britain’s youngest County Councillor when elected to Warwickshire County Council in 1990 and later served as Chair of Warwickshire Police Authority.
After retiring in 2011, Fraser pursued railway journalism and photography, writing for publications including The Railway Magazine, RAIL, Modern Railways and Railnews. His passion for the Class 91 locomotives developed through his photography and led to a major feature being published in The Railway Magazine in 2020. Fraser’s industry knowledge, experience and contacts have been instrumental in the development of the 225GROUP, while his writing and photography regularly feature in LIVEWIRE magazine.
Ian Beardsley
Publications Manager
Ian has spent much of his career with Platform 5 Publishing as a News & Features Writer for Today’s Railways UK magazine, covering subjects across the national rail, light rail and heritage sectors. He also volunteers at Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre, where he has gained more than ten years’ experience in railway preservation, including rolling stock restoration and the organisation of events.
A lifelong railway enthusiast, Ian developed his interest in the InterCity 225 through photography, often of earlier East Coast motive power at work on charter trains. Based in Sheffield near the East Coast Mainline, he is often found lineside with a camera in hand and has fond memories of travelling aboard InterCity 225s during the Great North Eastern Railway era. Ian brings extensive railway industry knowledge to the 225GROUP and, as Editor of LIVEWIRE magazine, aims to put together all the latest news plus interesting features about the InterCity 225. His other interests include model making, walking, cycling and rail travel.
Lindsay Miller
Membership Secretary
Lindsay joined the 225GROUP management team in September 2025 as Membership Secretary, overseeing all aspects of the membership scheme from developing strategy to maintaining the extensive back office and distributing cards.
Lindsay works as a business manager in a large school and has more than 35 years' experience in senior operations and technology roles across the retail, telecommunications, leisure, travel and financial services sectors.
Originally from Kent with Scottish roots, Lindsay has long enjoyed journeys along the East Coast Mainline, and can recall trips by Motorail and with Deltics, High Speed Trains and InterCity 225s. He particularly enjoys the ride through the East Lothian countryside, across the border at Berwick-upon-Tweed and along the Northumberland coastline. Now based in Norfolk, his interests away from the railway include Formula One, football, music and film.
Patrick Jenkins
Curator
Patrick grew up near the East Coast Mainline in Hertfordshire and has had a lifelong interest in railways. He first joined the 225GROUP management team in February 2021 as Operations Assistant before moving into the role of Curator in October 2025. In this position, Patrick leads research into the history of the InterCity 225 and is responsible for developing and maintaining the Group’s knowledge base.
Currently studying for a degree in Transport Management at Aston University, Patrick hopes to pursue a future career within the railway industry. He is also a keen photographer with a strong eye for detail, and his images regularly feature in LIVEWIRE magazine and other 225GROUP promotional material.
Rich Wilcock
Marketing & Communications Manager
Rich grew up next to the Settle to Carlisle line in Cumbria and has had a lifelong interest in trains and the railway network. The InterCity 225 holds a special place in his heart, and he enjoys telling its story to other people who love the Class 91 locomotives and Mark 4 rolling stock.
Over the last 20 years, Rich has built a successful career in journalism, marketing and public relations, and he is proud to have been able to write and talk about railways for most of that time. Since March 2024, he has held the position of Industry Editor for RAIL magazine covering a wide range of railway-related issues.
Rich was appointed 225GROUP Marketing & Communications Manager in May 2026. In this role, he is responsible for setting strategy and delivering campaigns that promote the Group and support its aims and objectives.
Away from the railway, Rich enjoys rugby and is a Parish Councillor in his home town of Holmes Chapel.
Tom Whyte
Retail Manager
Tom began his railway journey in 2019 as a volunteer with the youth team at the Tanfield Railway before moving into retail roles across stations on the line between Gateshead and County Durham. In 2024, he joined the Aln Valley Railway, where he became involved in the restoration and overhaul of the railway’s ‘Pacer’ diesel multiple units, developing new technical and practical skills in the process.
Tom believes that the InterCity 225 deserves recognition as the final chapter in the evolution of the East Coast Mainline under British Rail. He joined the 225GROUP management team in January 2026 as Retail Manager, overseeing the development and maintenance of the Group’s shop product range while also supporting marketing and promotional activities. Based in Glasgow with his fiancé, Tom enjoys model railways and photography in his spare time.
Aidan Wilson
Marketing & Communications Assistant
Aidan’s interest in railways began while growing up in South Tyneside, regularly watching trains on the Durham Coast line from a bench at East Boldon station. His passion for the InterCity 225 started in 2007 when he visited Newcastle and saw one of the trains in the striking Great North Eastern Railway livery. He now works part-time for London North Eastern Railway (LNER) as a Performance Station Assistant at Durham, but has also been involved with several strategic projects for the company, including the rollout of the 'Velocity' timetable.
As Marketing & Communications Assistant, Aidan is involved in a wide range of activities from managing announcements to ensuring good public relations and supporting the Group's social media presence. He has also helped to develop a strong relationship with LNER. Outside the 225GROUP, Aidan volunteers on heritage railways and enjoys working on ECML-based model railways.
Gareth Peate
Designer
Gareth is a creative professional with a passion for railways, transport and good graphic design. Originally from North Shropshire, he moved to York in 2016 to take up a design role with Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC). Prior to joining the railway, Gareth spent 18 years working in IT and commuting by train, experiences that fuelled his enthusiasm for rail travel and his passion for good design in public transport.
Over the past decade, Gareth has been fortunate to contribute to several high-profile projects with VTEC and London North Eastern Railway (LNER). These included the launch of the 'Azuma' fleet, the InterCity 125 retirement farewell event and the interior design of the incoming Class 897 'Serenza' trains.
Having received the Hornby InterCity 225 train set for Christmas back in the 1990s, being able to work with the fleet as an adult is definitely a dream fulfilled. One of Gareth's proudest achievements was being able to return the LNER InterCity 225 fleet to its heritage-inspired livery, unveiled in 2022.
Gareth still lives in York and, when he's not working, enjoys collecting LEGO, travelling around the country by train and spending time with friends.
Jen Campbell
Events Assistant
Jen has had an interest in railways since childhood, inspired by her father’s model railway and collection of railway magazines, as well as regular visits to Newcastle station while travelling to see family. Although she had always admired the InterCity 225, her passion for the trains grew through frequent journeys between Newcastle and London after meeting her now wife, who previously lived in Essex. Jen particularly enjoys the distinctive sound of the Class 91 locomotives and even owns several Mark 4 first and standard class seats.
Jen became an Excel member of the 225GROUP when the membership scheme launched in June 2021 and was soon actively involved within the organisation. Having undertaken several different roles across the team, she now serves as Events Assistant, helping to plan, co-ordinate and deliver events for members and supporters.
Jordan Connor
Operations Assistant
Jordan is from Rotherham and developed his interest in railways while spending time at Doncaster station watching the East Coast Mainline fleet of High Speed Trains and InterCity 225s. He joined the 225GROUP in January 2024 and quickly became involved in the management team. As Operations Assistant, Jordan looks after the Group’s InterCity 225 allocations archive, diagrams and fleet lists. He also supports marketing & communications activities, especially on social media.
Jordan works in the public transport industry, bringing valuable operational knowledge and experience to the 225GROUP. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling by both train and air, seeking out opportunities to use InterCity 225s whenever possible. He also volunteers for the National Tramway Museum at Crich.
Marnix van Kampen-Brooks
Image Archivist
As Image Archivist, Marnix helps organise and manage the Group’s extensive and growing collection of InterCity 225 photographs. This role is a perfect match for his lifelong love of railways and photography, with Class 91 locomotives and Mark 4 sets being a clear favourite to spot, ride, shoot and model.
In 2025, Marnix won the Railway Photographic Society (RPS) Special Award in the Young Railway Photographer of the Year competition. Following this success, he joined the RPS and now maintains its website and online portfolios. Having studied Mechanical Engineering at University, Marnix is also a repair charity and railway heritage volunteer, bringing important skills and experience to the 225GROUP.
