NORTHERN has appointed Paul Headon as its new head of service planning.

He will join the organisation on August 29, and will have overall responsibility for the train operator’s timetable of more than 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the north of England.

He has previously served as head of timetable strategy for TransPennine Express.

Mr Headon said: “I’m excited to join Northern and get stuck in with the team to deliver a timetable that works for our customers.

“As the second largest train operator in the UK, Northern has an important role to play in keeping the north of England on the move.”

Rob Warnes, strategic development director at Northern, said: “Timetable planning at this level is nothing short of a work of art – and like actual art, everyone has an opinion.”

Rail timetables change twice a year as part of a national process for all train operators in England.