Who’s Who

After beginning my career as an electronic engineer, I found myself drawn into the remarkable world of ballistics—a field where precision, safety, and innovation are non-negotiable. Those early years took me around the globe, installing specialist equipment and training teams in environments where the smallest detail mattered.

In 1999 I became Managing Director, guiding new product development and representing the company internationally. A year later, we took on a rather extraordinary asset: a ballistic test range housed in the 1862 Devizes railway tunnel. There, beneath Victorian brickwork, we tested materials designed to protect people in the most extreme circumstances. It was a unique blend of heritage engineering and modern science, and it taught me a deep respect for the standards that keep organisations safe, reliable, and trusted.

Both companies operated to ISO9001, earned Investors in People Silver accreditation, and our laboratory achieved ISO17025 status. Those frameworks weren’t just certificates on a wall—they shaped my belief that quality, professionalism, and a well-supported team are the foundations of any successful organisation.

Outside of work, I sing in a choir, which enables me to practice my lifelong love of music.

I also have a long-standing fascination with family history—there’s something compelling about tracing the stories that brought us to where we are today.

However, my greatest joy comes from spending time with my family.

Neil was appointed as a Director in 2022 although also served in this role between 2010 and 2020 and has previously served as an officer of the BRPS. Neil became our Interim Chairman from June 2024.

Neil has been volunteering at the Bluebell Railway since the age of 14 and undertaken many roles in the Operations and Commercial departments, he is currently a Duty Operations Manager, Guard, Shunter and Signalman.

Away from the Bluebell Railway Neil is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and has a career working in the public transport industry for both bus operators and the local authority.

Michael joined the railway in August 2024 and is committed to collaborating with the dedicated staff and volunteers at the railway, aiming to contribute to the business’s continued success, ensuring that the heritage railway experience can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Michael brings 30 years of experience in the passenger transport industry and currently serves as a Director for a local bus company. In his leisure time, Michael enjoys exploring various modes of public transport, with a particular fondness for trains and ferries.

I spent nearly 40 years in the airport business, with almost 20 years in BAA culminating at senior management level at Heathrow. I had many varied roles but for much of my time in BAA I concentrated on jet fuel infrastructure projects which included major contract negotiations and the development of new jet fuel related facilities at Heathrow Terminal 5.

In 2008 I set up my own airport consultancy business and worked at a number of high-profile airports in the Middle East, focusing on the development of jet fuel infrastructure.

Following partial retirement in 2019, I became a volunteer project manager, initially in the Carriage & Wagon department before moving to Infrastructure to oversee the power upgrade project at Horsted Keynes.

Now fully retired, I have the time to take on new challenges.

Outside the railway, I enjoy skiing and continental touring cycling.

Tim has a background in the construction industry, specialising in electrical installation. Having been part of a family business (for which he is now running) within this sector, Tim has over 30 years of experience, and he also provides valuable service to various aspects and needs across the railway.

Tim has been volunteering at The Bluebell Railway in the locomotive department since 2010 and has progressed through the grade at the railway to Locomotive Inspector. He is also the Locomotive Department Chief Roster Clerk at Sheffield Park.

I have been a member and regular visitor to the Bluebell Railway since 1965 when I started volunteering in the station buffet and polishing the carriages. I am a chartered accountant with a background in dealing with trusts and charities.

In 2014 I was appointed the administrator of the Trust which supports the railway and in 2019 I became chairman.

I joined the railway in 1970 and volunteered in the fledgling Carriage and Wagon Department through my teens. Leaving the area to attend university, I then had a career as a university research scientist and teacher, specialising in viruses, before retiring as Professor in 2021.

I returned to active volunteering in C&W in 2018, where I am now part of the team restoring the Maunsell Restaurant Car. I am also publicity officer for the SR Coach Group.

I was a Trustee from June 2023 – June 2026, acting as Vice Chair from June 2025; I became Chairman in June 2026.

Graham qualified as a chartered accountant in 1976 and has been in public practice for more than 40 years, mostly in East Grinstead.

He has held numerous offices on the Bluebell Railway starting with the old Extension Committee and Extension Company in 1982, through managing the conversion to a Plc in 1985 as company secretary and director and serving as chairman of Bluebell Railway Plc for 18 years up to 2013.

Graham wrote the original Bluebell Railway Charity Trust deed and served as a Trustee from formation to 2013.

He was chairman of the Northern Extension Project (NEP) leading to the completion of the project and the reconstruction and reopening of the line to East Grinstead in 2013. He now chairs the Western Extension Project (WEP).

An apprentice trained and chartered mechanical engineer, career railwayman, family man with three children and three grandchildren and a volunteer on the Bluebell railway since the early 1970’s.

I have been fascinated by railways for as long as I can remember and, living in London’s East End, I spent my youth trainspotting in London stations and steam sheds.

During my railway career I have held a range of rewarding technical, managerial and leadership positions including Field Trials Technician on British Railways Southern Region, Mechanical Riding Inspector on British Railways Western Region, Depot Manager at Old Oak Common, Fleet Manager London and Southeast for Porterbrook, Depot Manager at Reading and Exeter Depots, Depot Engineering Manager at Bristol SPM and Engineering and Operations Director for Yellow Rail.

Now retired I enjoy driving trains on the Bluebell and supporting the Bluebell’s wonderful Carriage and Wagon department as Director.

I joined the railway in 1970 and volunteered in the fledgling Carriage and Wagon Department through my teens. Leaving the area to attend university, I then had a career as a university research scientist and teacher, specialising in viruses, before retiring as Professor in 2021.

I returned to active volunteering in C&W in 2018, where I am now part of the team restoring the Maunsell Restaurant Car. I am also publicity officer for the SR Coach Group.

I was a Trustee from June 2023 – June 2026, acting as Vice Chair from June 2025; I became Chairman in June 2026.

Neil was appointed as a Director in 2022 although also served in this role between 2010 and 2020 and has previously served as an officer of the BRPS. Neil became our Interim Chairman from June 2024.

Neil has been volunteering at the Bluebell Railway since the age of 14 and undertaken many roles in the Operations and Commercial departments, he is currently a Duty Operations Manager, Guard, Shunter and Signalman.

Away from the Bluebell Railway Neil is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and has a career working in the public transport industry for both bus operators and the local authority.

I have had a connection with the Railway for over 60 years, first visiting in 1965, and my wife (who is also a volunteer) and I have continued to enjoy and support it.

Joining as a volunteer in 2022 I have served as a Leading Porter at Kingscote and East Grinstead, gaining wide experience working with the public, members, staff and fellow volunteers.

In 2022 I also joined the Membership Department as Deputy Assistant Secretary, carrying out member recruitment and renewals. I have helped deliver practical improvements, including a new online application process and expanded payment options, making membership administration more efficient and functional. In 2026, I was appointed Membership Secretary and Trustee when Don Brewer decided to step down.

With a professional background in accounting, auditing and IT consultancy, I bring organisational, financial and problem solving skills. My leisure time includes watching football, music, travel and visiting heritage railways.

I have been a volunteer in the Infrastructure Department since 2009 when we were building the station at East Grinstead and clearing the tip. I have also worked on every track relaying job since then as well as undertaking metalworking projects when required for both Infrastructure and S & T.

Since 2014 I have been a filming liaison Officer working on film shoots both on the railway and off site when Bluebell has been involved with major film productions. I also created and manage the filming website which showcases what Bluebell has to offer the film industry. As a Bluebell accredited photographer my photos have been used at the shop on gift items and postcards as well as in various railway publications

In my working life I was a Technology teacher and examinations officer for more than thirty years in East Sussex schools; during which time I pioneered the use of computers in school workshops for CAD, control technology and micro electronics – while still maintaining traditional craft skills. I also wrote and published software for teaching and learning in my specialist area. I have collaborated with a major UK tool supplier since 1998 and my designs have been patented.

I was elected as a trustee in 2021 and re-elected in 2024.

I have been a volunteer since 1996. Much of that time has been spent in the
Carriage and Wagon department, where I have been involved in the restoration of LSWR 1520 and more recently the setting up of the Southern Railway Coach Group. I also sit on the Society’s Rolling Stock Committee. I was the volunteer project manager for the design and construction of the Operation Undercover 3 carriage storage shed, extended platform buildings and the museum at Sheffield Park.

I work as a director for a global property and construction consultancy business, managing major capital projects. During my career I have provided advice to the Heritage Lottery
Fund and other Government agencies on grant funding investment decisions.

Wendy, my wife and I moved to Uckfield in 2020 from Warlingham in Surrey, although I have been a member of The Bluebell Railway for some years as my daughter and family live in Uckfield.

After obtaining a geology degree at Durham, I trained as a chartered accountant with a large London firm and after 12 years as an auditor, ended up as head of an audit department. I transferred to the firm’s training department, not only running courses on both technical, and personal and management skills but also being head of finance and administration of the department. I left in 1999 to become an independent consultant and effectively retired in 2008.

My interests are rugby (not playing), woodwork, amateur drama, Regency dancing, a 1963 MGB and now, with a grandson, once again, model railways!

Jamie is a long-time member of the Preservation Society, and a shareholder in the PLC. He recently retired after over 40 years running his own business. He hopes he can bring that experience to bear as the Society moves towards amalgamation with the PLC.

I have been an active member of the Railway since 2003 and a BRPS Trustee since 2008. My volunteer roles have included Leading Porter, Signalman, TTI, and shop assistant. I am currently the Trustee with the Capital Projects & Funding Portfolio. During my time as PLC Funding Director 2008-17 working with colleagues, £5 million was secured from grants and donations. Another £1.5m has been achieved since 2020.

Outside of the Railway for three years I was fundraising advisor to the Heritage Railway Association. I have been a Director of a volunteer-based limited company and/or a Trustee of a Grant Giving Trust consecutively for nearly 50 years. I have been a volunteer fundraiser for 30 years.

In my working life I was a Chartered Electrical Engineer and Project Manager, where I worked mostly in IT. During my time at the BBC I was part of the team that provided the CEEFAX service and in the 1970s on Election Night replaced the mechanical Swingometer with one generated by computer graphics.

I have worked on the Bluebell Railway for the past seven years as a leading porter, a booking clerk and as the outgoing custodian of the Memorial Garden at Horsted Keynes. As a BRPS Trustee I would like to play a part in helping all members of the Railway to feel that their talents and contributions are valued, that their views are taken seriously and that they share a sense of common purpose in our very special organisation. I enjoy working with different groups and individuals.

I have been a senior leader within secondary education and know about building flourishing communities. I am an effective communicator, possess strong people skills and have experience of detailed financial monitoring and development issues. I see the the longer-term thinking and decision-making transacted at trustees’ meetings essential to the Bluebell’s ongoing success. In this 200th anniversary year of the start of railways in Britain it is of great importance that we further reinforce the viability, character and attractiveness of our Railway. Frequent conversations with our customers and colleagues confirm my feeling of the value attached to the Bluebell by local and wider communities.

I have worked in engineering since leaving school, finishing an Apprenticeship with what was South Central at Selhurst Depot, maintaining the EMUs and occasionally the DEMUs there.

I then worked in the Loco works at Sheffield Park as a fitter, progressing to leading fitter having been heavily involved in the last restorations of the C and E4.

A brief change of tack saw me as a Security Officer for a few years having relocated to Hampshire but went back to what was then Southern, this time at Stewarts Lane, maintaining EMUs once again, progressing up

I currently work for Belmond as a Travelling Technician on the British Pullman, maintaining the Pullman carriages when they are not being used and providing in service support when they are.

At Bluebell I started in 1994 as a Cleaner in the Loco dept. and progressed, passing out to Drive Steam in 2004. As diesel shunters became a part of Bluebell I was passed to drive them and have continued to be passed out on other diesel traction types as they have arrived. In 2023 I created the 1305 Oxted Thumper Gang to restore the recently acquired Class 207/2 DEMU back to running order.