26 April 2007
Go-Ahead is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Swift as Group Finance Director. Nick, 42, will take up his role on 17 July 2007, at which time he will join the Board of Go-Ahead.
Most recently, Nick worked as Group Finance Manager at Hanson plc where he was responsible for investor relations and had been Head of Tax and Treasury and a Group Financial Controller. Nick joined Hanson plc in 2000 following its acquisition of Pioneer International where he held a number of senior corporate and operational finance roles including European Finance Director. Nick has prior experience of the transport industry having been Group Financial Reporting Manager at Air New Zealand which he joined from Touche Ross, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
In accordance with paragraph 9.6.13 (1) to (6) of the Listing Rules it is confirmed that there are no additional details to be disclosed in relation to Nick.
Nick replaces Ian Butcher, who announced his retirement as Group Finance Director on 30 March.
For further information, please contact:
The Go-Ahead Group plc
Keith Ludeman, Group Chief Executive: 020 8929 8650
Ian Butcher, Group Finance Director: 0191 232 3123
Weber Shandwick Financial: 020 7067 0700
Richard Hews/Rachel Taylor/Hannah Marwood
Note to Editors:
Bus
The group's bus division operates over 3,600 buses, providing over 505 million passenger journeys and covering around 236 million vehicle kilometres each year. Operations fall into four main geographical areas: deregulated services in north east; deregulated services in West Midlands; deregulated services in south east / southern England; and regulated services for Transport for London in the capital. The newest additions to this division are Dockland Minibuses and Marchwood buses acquired during the half year.
Rail
The group's rail division operates a fleet of 630 trains on which over 280 million passenger journeys are undertaken. Concentrated in the south east of England both our franchises, Southern and Southeastern, operate a mix of suburban commuter and mainline routes throughout south London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The Southeastern franchise will include the operation of new high speed trains on the domestic Channel Tunnel Rail Link into St Pancras from 2009.
Aviation Services
The group's aviation services division undertakes a wide range of support services for national and international airlines. Services provided include cargo handling, passenger check-in, baggage handling, information desks, executive lounges, ground handling and customs clearance. In the last year 45 million passengers were handled as well as over half a million aircraft movements. The division includes Meteor Parking which is the second largest parking company in the UK, managing over 58,000 parking spaces predominantly at BAA airports, with a range of customers, including BAA, local authorities, retail outlets, NHS trusts, hotels and rail stations. Well known brands include 'Pink Elephant', 'Park 1' and 'eparking'.