<p>Porterbrook has announced the appointment of Mark Knowles as Head of Site for the Long Marston rail facility. </p>
<p>Mark brings to this new role a wide range of first-hand operational and engineering experience.</p>
<p>Previous senior roles include Managing Director of Arriva Train Care and Interim Engineering Director at Knorr-Bremse Rail Services. Mark has also supported a range of rail related businesses in a consultancy role. </p>
<p>As well as supporting initial mobilisation at the Long Marston site, he will also take on long-term development and operational management of the Warwickshire facility.</p>
<p>Jason Groombridge, Director of Engineering Services, commented: “We are delighted to have attracted such a high calibre candidate. Mark brings deep knowledge of the rail industry and shares our passion and vision for the Long Marston facility”.</p>
<p>Mark Knowles, Head of Site, said: “I am really proud to have been appointed by Porterbrook to oversee the transformation of this historic location to meet the needs of the future railway. I look forward to working with colleagues across our company and industry to make this a reality”.</p>
<p>Mark will be reporting to Neil Foster, Fleet Services Director.</p>
<p>Porterbrook takes over the Long Marston facility at the end of June 2021, under a 15-year lease with site owner St. Modwen. The extensive rail-connected rail facility covers 135 acres and consists of 12 miles of storage sidings, a two-mile test-track loop, a short length of electrified line and a number of rail served light maintenance structures.</p>