All aboard: Meet the new voices bringing TPE journeys to life
Customers travelling with TransPennine Express (TPE) are set to hear a new sound on board, as three colleagues’ step into the spotlight as the voices behind journeys across the network.
Following an internal competition open to colleagues across the business, conductors Daniel Burn (York), Grant Rodden (Glasgow) and Sophie Howse (Cleethorpes) have been chosen as the new ‘Voices of TPE’.
Reflecting the regions and communities TPE serves, the trio bring together accents from across the North of England and Scotland.
In 2025, they recorded hundreds of announcements, from station stops to essential safety messages, adding a more personal touch to every journey.
Daniel recorded an impressive 477 station names, while Grant recorded 199, with each one captured twice to ensure smooth, seamless onboard announcements.
Their recordings will also help future-proof the system for any stations TPE may serve in years to come. Sophie recorded all key safety and security messages customers hear on board.
Grant said: “I was absolutely thrilled and honestly a bit shocked to be picked.
“It’s brilliant to have a Glaswegian voice representing services up the west coast into Scotland. It makes it feel that bit more real for the places we serve.”
Daniel added: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out, it’s one of those things you joke about but never think will actually happen. Telling my family and friends was a great moment.
“As a musician, I’ve always loved working with sound, but this is something completely different. Knowing people will hear your voice every day as they travel is really special.”
Sophie said: “Recording the safety and security announcements was something I felt really proud to be part of.
“These are the messages that really matter on board, so it’s special knowing I’ll be helping keep customers informed and safe on their journeys.”
Andrew McClements, Customer Experience & Transformation Director at TPE, said: “We’re always looking for ways to make our services feel more personal and reflective of the communities we serve.
“Having colleagues from across our network as the voices of our onboard announcements brings authenticity to every journey, while also ensuring our customers continue to receive clear, consistent and reliable information throughout their travels.”
From the first announcement to the final stop, these new voices are set to become a familiar and reassuring part of the TPE journey.