Spotlight Series: Meet Gareth Wilcox

For this month’s Spotlight interview, we interviewed Gareth Wilcox, a Depot Manager at East Midlands Railways. Gareth has worked in the rail industry for over 11 years, including in manufacturing. At EMR, he is responsible for operations, maintenance, and production at Etches Park in Derby. Gareth recently won an EMR Excellence Award for focusing on health and wellbeing at depots. He spoke to us about why staff wellbeing is important to him and offers advice for those who want to work in the industry.

Can you tell us about your background? Have you always wanted to work in the transport industry?

I've been in the rail industry for 11 years now. I started working for a railway locomotive manufacturer, Wabtec, in Loughborough as a manager in the fabrication department. I then moved into production and spent 8 years as Head of Production before transferring to LH Electrical in Burton, which was also owned by Wabtec, as Head of Production for a year.

At that point, I was looking for a new challenge, and I was offered a Production Manager role at EMR. I’ve been with EMR for 14 months and have recently been seconded into the Depot Manager role at Etches Park in Derby. I have never worked in a depot, where all the trains are maintained, so it was a significant shift. I found it fascinating working with customers and gaining a better understanding of how the networks function. It's been an exciting journey so far, and I'm studying for this role to deepen my knowledge of policies, procedures, and safety, which are new areas for me.

Working in a train company has been a rewarding experience. The rail industry, and EMR specifically, has opened many opportunities for personal development. EMR is currently supporting me in studying for a degree in Management and Leadership, which has been a fantastic opportunity. I also work closely with the Learning and Development team and mentor apprentices.

Can you describe a day in your role at EMR? What are some of your typical tasks and responsibilities?

As Depot Manager, I oversee operations, maintenance, and production. My days are pretty varied, with multiple shifts and handovers. In the mornings, I have meetings with the Production Manager to review our plans for the day. From there, I focus on site services and operations, as well as the strategic side of things, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

A big part of my job is reviewing fleet control diagrams and ensuring we meet day-to-day delivery and overnight operations targets. Our main goal is to deliver the best possible services for customers. This also involves working closely with the cleaning company to manage cleaning and fuelling, ensuring the trains are clean, tidy, and presentable.

It’s a busy role, but I enjoy it because it keeps me engaged in different aspects of the business.

What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

I really enjoy the people development side of my role. I put a lot of effort into helping individuals improve and grow, whether it’s getting people onto engineering degrees or apprenticeships, or just recognising and nurturing talent within my team.

The excellent train services we deliver wouldn’t happen without my team, so I’m always focused on supporting and helping them develop in their roles. I also take pride in providing a clean, well-maintained service for customers. I want the EMR regional fleet to be a leader among train operating companies, and I work hard to ensure we’re meeting those standards.

You recently won an EMR Excellence Award for focusing on health and well-being at depots. Congratulations! Can you tell us about your work and why these matter to you?

Health and well-being are crucial. Our staff are our number one asset; without their well-being, we wouldn’t have a productive workforce. A big part of my focus has been on fatalities, which, unfortunately, can happen on the railway. Etches Park has a new facility where trains come in after any railway incidents to be cleaned and processed. Part of my role has been improving this process.

Exposure to these traumatic events can be difficult for staff, and previously, aftercare wasn’t a major priority. I worked with operational teams to rewrite the process to make it more efficient and to ensure the staff who process these trains have the support they need afterwards.

We now have a much better system in place, and staff are much more aware of the mental health resources available. It’s been a huge improvement, and I’m really proud of our progress.

What qualities are important for thriving in the rail industry?

I’ve enjoyed my time in the rail industry, and I think the opportunities are limitless if you’re driven and motivated. However, it’s not without its challenges—personally and professionally. The rail industry is constantly evolving, and you’ll face logistical and engineering challenges along the way.

To succeed, you need to be adaptable, proactive, and prepared for these challenges. For those considering a career in this industry, I would say, be ready to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions to problems.

Can you share a piece of advice or a lesson you learned that you carry with you in your career?

One piece of advice I’ve always carried came from a former mentor. They told me, “Go, look, see. Don’t just sit in your office and expect things to happen—get involved and understand the issues.” This advice has stuck with me throughout my career. As a leader, being visible and engaged with your team is essential.

Another key lesson is to challenge the norm constantly. Just because something works doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Always ask "why" and look for better solutions. The transport industry is constantly innovating, and so many great ideas exist. We must embrace and take them on board to ensure we evolve with the times.