Neil Fowkes has over 30 years of engineering and safety expertise. He specialises in confined space rescue, working at height, and international safety training—including offshore operations.
Meet Neil Fowkes, Assistant Manager, Knottingley Centre
Neil Fowkes, Assistant Manager at MRS Training & Rescue’s Knottingley centre, brings over three decades of engineering and rescue experience to the team.
Neil began his career in 1988 as an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer, working on underground mining equipment at the Allerton Bywater Mines Services Centre. He complemented this hands-on training with studies at Whitwood Technical College, gaining expertise in mechanical principles, CNC machining, CAD design, and pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
In 1990, Neil joined Kellingley Colliery, completing his apprenticeship and progressing to become a Coal Face Mechanic. His passion for safety led him to join the Kellingley Colliery Mines Rescue Team in 1993, where he advanced to Team Captain by 2005. During this time, Neil returned to college to study ONC and HNC in Mining Engineering, further cementing his technical and operational knowledge.
Neil’s mining career included responding to significant incidents at Riccall, Prince of Wales, and Kellingley Collieries. In 2000, he transitioned to management as a TPM Facilitator, focused on improving efficiency and productivity within the industry. From 2007 to 2015, Neil served as a Colliery Safety Officer, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
Following the closure of Kellingley Colliery in 2015, Neil joined MRS Training & Rescue, initially as an Associate before transitioning to a full-time role in 2017. Over the years, he has gained extensive expertise in delivering confined space and work at height training, including GWO qualifications, as well as offering consultancy services to clients across various sectors.
His international experience includes six tours in Ghana, where he trained FPSO vessel crews in health and safety and managed confined space rescue operations.
In 2019, Neil qualified as a Mines Rescue Officer and was later promoted to Assistant Manager at the Knottingley centre. His depth of experience underpins his commitment to delivering exceptional training and rescue services.
"Hi Neil. As you will know, we completed the last session of your Work At Height training this week. I have to say, the feedback that I’ve had about this training has been nothing short of excellent. On behalf of the Network Rail Works Delivery Buildings team, I would like to thank you for the skills and confidence you have given us." - Neil Porter, Project Manager , Works Delivery (Buildings)
Accreditations:
- HNC in Mining Engineering
- IOSH Managing safety
- L8 Leadership and Management
- Mines Rescue Officer
- L5 In Managing Confined Spaces
