Christopher Garnett

As Chief Executive of GNER, Christopher Garnett was recognised as one of the outstanding figures in the transport industry.

He was twice awarded the accolade Rail Business Manager of the Year at the HSBC Rail Business Awards, the last time in 2006. The awards recognize excellence in business, technology and engineering, safety and security, stations and trains, as well as rewarding individual creativity.

Christopher Garnett left GNER in 2006, having been the longest-serving Chief Executive of any train operating company.

His transport career started in 1986 when he was Continental Director of Sealink for two years, after Sea Containers Ltd. purchased it from British Rail.

Following the takeover of Sealink by Stena AB of Sweden, he joined Eurotunnel as Commercial Director responsible for planning and launching the car and freight services through the tunnel.

Christopher Garnett re-joined Sea Containers Ltd in 1995 and led the successful bid for InterCity East Coast franchise becoming its Chief Executive in April 1996. For the last three years he has been working on the GNER franchise extension. GNER is widely recognized as one of the best performing franchises in the British rail network.

Christopher Garnett speaks on creating a customer culture within an organisation, change and crisis management.