A dedicated armed forces couple working at Network Rail are on a determined mission to highlight the wealth of employment opportunities available within the rail industry for former service personnel.
Charlotte Greenwood, a reservist, and her husband Garry, who served 11 years in the Army, are both now integral members of the Network Rail team. Notably, around 10% of Network Rail’s workforce boasts a connection to the military.
Based in York, the couple jointly lead Network Rail’s Armed Forces Employee Network for the North & East route. They are passionate about underscoring how readily transferable skills acquired in the armed forces, such as leadership and unwavering discipline, make the rail sector an ideal career path for those transitioning out of service.
Charlotte, who holds the position of associate sponsor at Network Rail, explained: “As a reservist and military spouse, I’ve witnessed the challenges first-hand – but I’ve also experienced just how welcoming and supportive the rail industry can be.”
“It’s vital that we recognise both the significant contributions that service leavers can bring to the table, and the diverse opportunities that we as an industry can offer them. The fact that approximately 10% of our Network Rail colleagues have a military background is something we should be truly proud of.”
“We don’t just talk about inclusion; we actively live and breathe it.”
Charlotte, 32, and Garry, 31, recently hosted their inaugural Insight event in April at the York Rail Operating Centre (ROC), in collaboration with Northern and LNER. The event warmly welcomed service leavers, reservists, veterans, and military families, with around 35 attendees participating in informative workshops and hearing directly from rail colleagues who have successfully transitioned from the forces to careers within the railway.
Garry Greenwood, a technical surveyor at Network Rail, stated: “Our primary mission is to ensure that service leavers and veterans secure employment by the time they leave the armed forces.”
“Their experience and knowledge are incredibly valuable – and the opportunities aren’t solely confined to working directly with trains. They possess strong leadership qualities, a meticulous approach to tasks, and these core values tend to stay with you, making for excellent transferable skills.”
“Both Charlotte and I personally felt the pressure when I was seeking employment after leaving the Army. That’s a key reason why we are so deeply committed to this initiative – to offer hope and ensure that no one is left behind.”
Paddy Hodgson, armed forces group chair at Northern, commented: “When individuals have dedicated many years to military service, it’s crucial to be mindful of the necessary adjustments and to allow time for preparation for such a significant life change when embarking on a new career. I am a strong advocate for supporting military insight events, as they provide an invaluable platform for introducing potential candidates to the industry and for sharing personal experiences of my own journey into rail. Given the abundance of transferable skills and experience that service leavers and veterans possess, the rail industry is brimming with fantastic opportunities for them.”
Keith Herriott, HR operations manager at LNER, added: “We are immensely passionate about supporting individuals with a military connection, both those who are already part of our team and those who are considering joining us. The range of career opportunities on offer is vast, with ex-service personnel making significant contributions across every department of LNER, from director-level positions to frontline roles, cyber security, and even as train drivers.”
Click here to read more about Network Rail’s commitments to people with armed forces connections, and opportunities for ex-service personnel.
