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News Category: Corporate

New appointments to the Go-Ahead Group Board

19 November 2024

New appointments to the Go-Ahead Group Board

The Go-Ahead Group, the UK’s leading international bus and rail public transport operator, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Flood as an independent non-executive director, further strengthening its leadership team and enhancing governance.

Sharon joined the Board in October as non-executive director and chair of the audit committee, bringing a wealth of expertise in finance, strategy, and consumer-focused businesses, alongside deep industry knowledge. Her skills and experience will reinforce Go-Ahead’s governance framework. Sharon’s distinguished career includes executive and non-executive roles, and she currently serves on the boards of Getlink SA, where she chairs safety and security, CityFibre Ltd where she chairs audit and Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC. She has also been a non-executive director at Network Rail, where she served as chair of the audit committee/treasury and chair of environmental sustainability.

Additionally, Mackayla Hanney, Chief Commercial Officer at Kinetic, was appointed to the Board earlier this year as director representing Kinetic, a major shareholder of the Go-Ahead Group. Mackayla has led significant growth initiatives at Kinetic, including the acquisition of Go-Ahead and New Zealand’s Go Bus. She brings valuable commercial expertise and a proven track-record in strategic M&A, tender processes, and stakeholder engagement, which supports Go-Ahead’s growth aspirations in the UK and internationally.

With the recent appointments of Sharon and Mackayla, together with Louise Cheeseman, the Board of Go-Ahead has reached 40% female representation, further enriching its sector expertise while enhancing its commitment to diverse, robust governance.

“”
We are delighted to welcome Sharon and Mackayla to their new roles on the Board of the Go-Ahead Group. Their extensive knowledge and experience will be invaluable for us as they will play a vital role in supporting our management team to deliver its strategic plan of growth, achieving our ambitious decarbonisation and equality targets, and most importantly, delivering on our mission of connecting people and communities around the world.”

Miguel Parras

Group CEO, Go-Ahead

Go East Anglia appoint Rupert Cox as Managing Director

16 August 2024

Go East Anglia appoint Rupert Cox as Managing Director

  • New MD will head up leading bus operator in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk
  • Appointment made following interim period as MD
  • Experience of Rupert Cox will strengthen Go-Ahead’s leadership

The Go-Ahead Group today announces that Rupert Cox has been appointed as the Managing Director of Go East Anglia, effective from 1st September, following a successful period as interim MD, a position he started in June 2024.

Rupert first joined Go-Ahead in March 2024, working on business development projects and stepped into the interim role following Gavin Smith’s move to head up Go-Ahead’s Fastrack network operations in Kent.

Rupert’s industry experience spans two decades with all his career spent at Stagecoach where he began as graduate trainee manager before continuing to build his career through several commercial and operational roles. He then became Managing Director for the company covering the West of England and his last role was as Regional Director covering the South and Midlands in England.

Martin Dean, Managing Director of UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead Group said “We’re delighted to appoint Rupert permanently as the Managing Director of Go East Anglia. He is an experienced and knowledgeable industry leader, with a track-record of delivering for customers, and his extensive career in bus will undoubtedly benefit our business.”

Rupert Cox, Interim Managing Director of Go East Anglia said “I am excited to have been appointed as the Managing Director of Go East Anglia. I’m looking forward to working in partnership with our transport authorities to grow our network across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk and deliver services that benefit our customers and the communities that we serve”.

Go East Anglia is part of the Go-Ahead Group, and manages two operators, Konectbus and Hedingham and Chambers.

Go East Anglia Managing Director to take on new role leading Go-Ahead’s Fastrack operations in Kent

14 June 2024

Go East Anglia Managing Director to take on new role leading Go-Ahead’s Fastrack operations in Kent

  • Experienced bus industry leader Gavin Smith to head up the team responsible for the Fastrack contract in Kent
  • Rupert Cox, currently working in business development at Go East Anglia appointed as MD on an interim basis
  • The Fastrack contract will run for 15-years with Go-Ahead operating routes from November 2024

The Go-Ahead Group today announces that Gavin Smith, Managing Director of Go East Anglia will transition to a new role within the Go-Ahead Group, effective from 17 June. Gavin will head up the team delivering the Fastrack network in Kent, a 15-year contract worth £110 million which Go-Ahead will operate from November 2024.

Gavin has worked in the public transport industry for over 20 years, starting his career as a bus driver in London before progressing into management roles and later leading the development and mobilisation of Go-Ahead’s River Road depot. He worked as Operations Director of Go-Ahead Singapore and then as Project Director in Australia before becoming Managing Director of Go East Anglia, a role he has held since July 2022.

Gavin will be replaced on an interim basis by Rupert Cox, a highly experienced bus industry professional, formerly a Regional Director for Stagecoach UK Bus, Rupert has worked with Go East Anglia since 1st March this year on business development projects.

Commenting on his move to the new role, Gavin Smith, said “I’m excited to be taking on the job leading the Fastrack network in Kent. Under the new contract, Go-Ahead will continue its decarbonisation journey, transitioning from a diesel to an all-electric fleet to serve our customers and we will welcome over 100 new colleagues to the business”.

He added “Go-Ahead’s investment in people and development has enabled me to build a varied career in the decade that I have been at the company, and I look forward to more success as we mobilise the Fastrack contract in the months to come”.

Martin Dean, Managing Director of UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead Group said “We’re excited to appoint an experienced leader in Gavin to the role as we move towards the mobilisation of the contract. Gavin’s expertise and focus on delivering high quality services will be crucial as we take on the responsibility for more than 2.5 million people who travel across the Fastrack network annually. We’re also delighted that Rupert, a knowledgeable industry leader, has agreed to take on the role overseeing our East Anglian business, building on his extensive career in bus”.

The Go-Ahead Group to acquire Eastbourne Sightseeing

08 February 2024

The Go-Ahead Group to acquire Eastbourne Sightseeing

  • Open-top bus operator to become part of Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses
  • Deal adds to Go-Ahead’s UK-wide portfolio of scenic bus tours
  • Tourist bus route connects with GTR’s Southern Railway services to London

The Go-Ahead Group has agreed a deal to acquire Eastbourne Sightseeing, an operator of scenic bus tours of Eastbourne, Beachy Head, Birling Gap and surrounding areas.

Following the transaction, the business will become part of Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses division, expanding the group’s presence in the East Sussex area.

Eastbourne Sightseeing owns nine open-top vehicles, used seasonally to provide popular tours along the seafront, around Eastbourne’s streets and into the South Downs National Park. The business is based at a depot in Ringmer, near Lewes.

The open-top bus tours call at Eastbourne station, which is served by Southern Rail – part of Go-Ahead’s GTR rail network. This will allow customers to catch a train from London to Eastbourne and connect to open-top buses to the South Downs directly using Go-Ahead services.

Brighton & Hove Buses will retain the Eastbourne Sightseeing brand and use its website and marketing expertise to build demand for the tour in the future. Go-Ahead will explore partnership marketing opportunities between Eastbourne Sightseeing and Southern Rail.

Go-Ahead already operates 15 open top bus tours around the UK – including city routes such as Oxford’s City Sightseeing and Newcastle’s Toon Tour; seaside trips including the Clacton Breezer, Scarborough Beachcomber, Bridlington Beachcomber and Needles Breezer, and rural tours such as the New Forest Tours. The open top bus market in Britain is worth an estimated £150 million in revenue annually industry wide.

“”
Eastbourne Sightseeing is a thriving operator offering terrific tours in one of the most scenic parts of the south coast. We intend to build on its success, invest in the business and look at opportunities for expansion

Ed Wills, Managing Director, Brighton & Hove Buses

Go-Ahead has already bought three regional bus companies in 14 months – Dartline in Devon, Southdown in West Sussex and Pulham & Sons in the Cotswolds.

“”
Go-Ahead is an ambitious company with an eye for expansion in the regional bus industry. We aim to invest in communities across the UK and to grow the popularity of bus travel. I’m delighted to welcome Eastbourne Sightseeing into the Go-Ahead Group.

Matt Carney, CEO of The Go-Ahead Group’s bus division

“”
I’m delighted to see the Eastbourne Sightseeing service join Brighton & Hove Buses and the wider Go-Ahead family. We’re incredibly proud of the success of this open top route over the last few years and I have every confidence that the team at Brighton & Hove will continue building and developing the service for the future

David Mulpeter, Managing Director of Seven Sisters Bus & Coach, owner of Eastbourne Sightseeing

Go-Ahead completes sale of German rail operations to ÖBB

01 February 2024

Go-Ahead completes sale of German rail operations to ÖBB

  • Sale of the business follows approval from the European Commission
  • Following completion of the transaction, Go-Ahead no longer operates any rail services in Germany
  • The Go-Ahead Group wishes OBB, the Germany management team and employees well for future operations

The Go-Ahead Group has today completed the sale of its German rail business to ÖBB, the Austrian national rail operator.

After five years of operations, including three rail contracts in Baden-Wurttemberg and two in Bavaria, the sale represents a full exit for Go-Ahead from the German rail market.

We are proud of Go-Ahead’s contribution to Germany rail over this period, having delivered positive outcomes for passengers – including a fleet of new trains, high customer service and increased capacity.

We take this opportunity to thank the management team and all of the employees for their dedication and hard work over these 5 years, and wish them and OBB well for the future.

“”
We’re pleased that the sale of our German rail business has been successfully completed. This is a positive outcome both for The Go-Ahead Group and for our German colleagues.

Go-Ahead continues to pursue opportunities for strategic expansion in both bus and rail in selected markets around the world. I’d like to pay tribute to the dedication and professionalism of all our colleagues in Germany over the last five years. We wish them well under the ownership of ÖBB

Miguel Parras, Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group

Trains on the network will continue to use the Go-Ahead name in the short term.

The Go-Ahead Group and ComfortDelGro awarded contract to operate Stockholm’s Metro network

23 January 2024

The Go-Ahead Group and ComfortDelGro awarded contract to operate Stockholm’s Metro network

  • Connecting Stockholm joint venture wins 11-year deal
  • Network carries 350 million passengers annually on 106km of track
  • Contract to begin in May 2025, building on Go-Ahead’s rail operations in the UK and Norway

Connecting Stockholm, a joint venture between The Go-Ahead Group and ComfortDelGro, has been awarded a contract by the Traffic Committee in Region Stockholm to operate and maintain the Stockholm Metro network, known as the Tunnelbana.

The contract will be for a term of 11 years starting from May 2025. Connecting Stockholm will operate and maintain metro services across three lines comprising 100 stations, six depots and 106 kilometres of track.

A locally managed joint venture, Connecting Stockholm is 55% owned by Go-Ahead and 45% owned by ComfortDelGro. The combination brings together the two companies’ complementary strengths in rail, urban transport and infrastructure.

Go-Ahead is the majority owner of Govia Thameslink Railway, the UK’s largest and most complex rail network which accounts for one in five UK passenger journeys by train. Go-Ahead is also the biggest bus operator in London. The group already has a presence in Scandinavia through its Go-Ahead Nordic rail network in Norway, and through Flexbuss, a bus operator in southern Sweden.

Meanwhile, ComfortDelGro’s Singapore-listed subsidiary, SBS Transit, runs the Downtown and North East Lines in Singapore – one of the world’s most reliable and punctual metro rail operations . ComfortDelGro also runs Auckland One Rail in New Zealand.

Under the terms of the contract, Connecting Stockholm will be responsible for customer service, the planning and delivery of rail services, fleet and stations maintenance, as well as depot facilities.

Over the course of the contract, Stockholm’s subway will undergo several major changes – including extensions of the city’s blue line to the municipality Nacka east of Stockholm, and of the green line to Arenastaden, north of Stockholm.

“”
We’re delighted to be offered the opportunity to serve the people of Stockholm. This has been a well-run tender process by the Traffic Committee in Region Stockholm and, together with ComfortDelGro, we look forward to working in partnership with them to deliver our plans over the next 11 years. 

Go-Ahead is a successful British company with huge experience in operating busy, complex urban transport networks. This is an exciting contract, and it underlines our ambition to expand in rail operation.

Patrick Verwer, Rail CEO, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
With our proven record in providing operational excellence and customer centric innovation, ComfortDelGro is delighted to be partnering Go-Ahead to operate and maintain the world-class Stockholm Metro system. Together, we can look forward to providing a safe, reliable and positive commuter experience to the people of Stockholm.

Cheng Siak Kian, ComfortDelGro Managing Director / Group CEO

“”
We are really looking forward to starting and developing our business here in Stockholm and, above all, meeting all the dedicated and competent employees who currently work in the metro and welcoming them to Connecting Stockholm in the near future .

Cheng Siak Kian, ComfortDelGro Managing Director / Group CEO

The Go-Ahead Group agrees sale of its German rail business to Austria’s ÖBB

12 October 2023

The Go-Ahead Group agrees sale of its German rail business to Austria’s ÖBB

Transaction means an exit for Go-Ahead from non-core German rail operations

Austria’s national railway company gains a foothold in regional rail passenger transport in Germany. Go-Ahead Germany employs 1,000 people, operates 144 trains and runs 20 million train kilometres annually.

The Go-Ahead Group has reached an agreement to sell its German rail business, Go-Ahead Verkehrsgesellschaft Deutschland GmbH, to Austria’s ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG.

The transaction is subject to competition approval and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Go-Ahead Germany operates three rail contracts in Baden-Wurttemberg and two in Bavaria. Operations in Baden-Wurttemberg began in June 2019, with Bavaria following in December 2021, and the company has delivered positive outcomes for passengers – including a fleet of new trains, high customer service and increased capacity.

The sale of Go-Ahead Germany will future-proof the business and create a platform for ÖBB to enter the German regional rail market and grow in the country.

Customers will benefit from the know-how of ÖBB, which operates 4,400 local trains daily in Austria, transporting 210 million passengers annually with high customer satisfaction and punctuality ratings.

“”
We are proud of the rail services we have delivered to passengers in Germany over the last four years in spite of very challenging conditions. We have introduced a fleet of new trains, we have brought in a very motivated team and established one of the biggest driver training schools in Germany.

I am pleased that we are now able to sell the business in good shape to a well respected rail operator with ambitious plans for the German network.

Go-Ahead remains fully committed to rail in the UK, and to expansion in metropolitan rail elsewhere in the world. I would like to thank all our colleagues in Germany and to offer them our very best wishes for the future.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
We welcome this investment by ÖBB, which has a very good reputation in Germany. Our business in Germany will be future-proofed and positioned for growth. With ÖBB as a strong partner, this deal offers excellent prospects for our passengers, clients and employees.

Fabian Amini

Managing Director, Go-Ahead Germany

The Go-Ahead Group announces new leadership

11 October 2023

The Go-Ahead Group announces new leadership

The Board of The Go-Ahead Group (“Go-Ahead”) today announces that Christian Schreyer has agreed with the Board to stand down as Group Chief Executive at the end of October 2023, when he will be succeeded by Miguel Ángel Parras.

Christian, with 30 years’ transport experience, joined Go-Ahead in 2021. He led the business through the move from public to private ownership last October and agreed with the Board that he would continue with the execution of The Next Billion Journeys strategy, establish a new executive leadership team, resolve the issues in International Rail and deliver growth in the bus business through acquisitions and tender wins.

He will be succeeded on November 1st by Miguel Ángel Parras, Chief Investment Officer at Globalvia since 2019. Miguel led the acquisition of Go Ahead for the Globalvia consortium team from the origination of the transaction in early 2022. A Spanish national, Miguel has extensive experience in business development and financing investments in infrastructure and transportation.  Prior to Globalvia, he spent ten years at FCC, a leading infrastructure group.  He began his career in transport engineering and consultancy, with experience at INECO and PROES Consultores.  He holds an MBA from IESE Business School.

The changes will take Go-Ahead to the next stage of its development, following last year’s takeover of the company by Kinetic and Globalvia.  Go-Ahead remains fully focused on delivering outstanding bus and rail services for customers, and in working collaboratively with transport authorities in Britain and overseas.

As part of the Group’s succession plan, Clare Hollingsworth, Non-Executive Chair of Go-Ahead since October 2019, will stand down from the Board at the end of the year, after overseeing the change in ownership and transition in leadership. The Board will announce a successor in due course.

“”
Having created The Next Billion Journeys strategy, built a new executive leadership team, led the business through the Board recommended offer to take the business into private ownership and delivered priority projects, I have agreed with the Board that this is the right time to step down. I am very proud of the resilience shown by the business in adapting to change over the last two years. Successful service businesses are all about people, and Go-Ahead has some of the best in the industry. I wish Miguel and all my colleagues in Go-Ahead all the best for the future.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
The Go-Ahead Group is an exceptional company renowned for its excellence in bus and rail operations. I am thrilled to be entrusted with the role of CEO in such a dynamic business, taking the torch from Christian, a truly impressive professional. Public transport presents exciting prospects for growth, especially as the global landscape shifts towards a more sustainable, low-carbon future. I am delighted to become part of this organisation and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to connect with colleagues across the seven countries in which Go-Ahead operates.

Miguel Ángel Parras

Chief Investment Officer at Globalvia

“”
On behalf of the Board I thank Christian for his significant contribution over the last two years. He provided clear direction and focus to offset the uncertainty that often accompanies a change of ownership, enabling our bus business to deliver significant growth with the acquisitions of Flexbuss, Dartline, Southdown and Pulhams, as well as major tender wins among others in Manchester and a successful mobilisation. He also restructured our rail businesses in Germany and Norway. Christian leaves with the Board’s best wishes.

I also extend a warm welcome to Miguel, whose depth of experience of successfully investing in transportation and infrastructure projects will strengthen the Board’s ability to identify and optimise the choices on offer.

Clare Hollingsworth

Chair of the Board

Leonard Lee appointed Managing Director of Go-Ahead Singapore

03 October 2023

Leonard Lee appointed Managing Director of Go-Ahead Singapore

New leadership at Go-Ahead Singapore, effective this month.

Andy Thompson to return to the UK to take up a new role at The Go-Ahead Group. Go-Ahead Singapore operates 440 buses and employs more than 1,000 people.

The Go-Ahead Group has appointed Leonard Lee to lead its successful bus business in Singapore, with responsibility for overseeing a team of more than 1,000 people.

Leonard became Managing Director on October 2nd, succeeding Andy Thompson who is returning to the UK to take up a new role for Go-Ahead Group.

Previously Engineering Director, Leonard has been with Go-Ahead Singapore since the company began operating buses in the city in 2016. He has overseen multiple innovations including the introduction of industry leading telematics, digitalisation tools and solar panels on buses.

A Singapore citizen, he has a degree in engineering from Nanyang Technological University and an MBA from the University of Manchester. Prior to joining Go-Ahead, he worked for one of the world’s largest container port operators, PSA Corporation.

The change of leadership comes after a period of prolonged success for Go-Ahead Singapore. The company runs 440  buses on 31 routes on the island with a commuter satisfaction score of over 90%.

Go-Ahead’s contract to operate buses was extended by Singapore’s Land Transport Authority last year, and runs until 2026.

“”
Our buses carry thousands of people every day in Singapore, and our colleagues do a great job every day in running essential public transport services.

We’re committed to investing in, and expanding, Go-Ahead Singapore. Leonard is a terrific leader who knows the bus business inside out, and he is the ideal person to take the company to its next stage in development.

Andy Thompson has been an exceptional managing director over the last four years. Under his tenure, we’ve become a well established player in Singapore public transport and I’m pleased that he will be staying with The Go-Ahead Group.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
I am excited and truly honoured to be appointed to this role. I would like to thank Andy for his guidance and tremendous support over the years. Under his leadership, Go-Ahead Singapore has set a high standard, and I look forward to building on this legacy and driving our company’s continued success.

Leonard Lee

Managing Director, Go-Ahead Singapore

Go-Ahead invests £40 million in drivers and buses for Bee Network launch

22 September 2023

Go-Ahead invests £40 million in drivers and buses for Bee Network launch

Go-Ahead bus drivers travel from across the UK to support launch

102 new buses form part of Bee Network fleet in Bolton and Wigan

Bee Network buses will begin carrying passengers at 5am on Sunday

Experienced bus drivers have travelled from across Britain to take part in Sunday’s Bee Network bus launch in Manchester, with vehicles set to be driven by colleagues from as far afield as Cornwall, Brighton, London and East Yorkshire.

Yellow-branded Bee Network buses will begin on Sunday morning on 50 bus routes in and around Bolton and Wigan – the first stage in what will eventually be a fully integrated public transport network across Greater Manchester.

 

Go North West has borrowed 85 drivers from its sister Go-Ahead bus companies across Britain for a three-month period to ensure the Bee Network launch goes smoothly, while new driver are being trained. All have volunteered for the secondment and have undergone extensive route training, an induction to Manchester and familiarisation with vehicles.

Go-Ahead and Transport for Greater Manchester have invested in 102 new buses, of which 50 are zero-emission electric vehicles. These will form part of an overall fleet of 320 vehicles to be mobilised on Sunday, branded in yellow Bee Network colours. The new vehicles will be fully accessible, with passenger information screens, space for two wheelchairs plus CCTV and two-way radios for security.

Sunday’s launch will be the culmination of ten months’ preparation and will involve more than 1,000 people – working out of two depots, operating 50 routes. The first bus out will leave Bolton’s bus depot at 5.07am.

Of a total of 550 drivers involved in Bolton and Wigan Bee Network operations, 70 are new recruits hired as part of Go North West’s “Elite Bus Driver Academy” training program and 85 are secondees from across the UK.

Go-Ahead companies which have loaned drivers include:

  • Go Cornwall Bus
  • Plymouth Citybus
  • Bluestar (Southampton)
  • Morebus (Bournemouth)
  • Southern Vectis (Isle of Wight)
  • Oxford Bus Company
  • Go-Ahead London
  • Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus
  • East Yorkshire Buses
  • Konectbus (Norfolk)
  • Hedingham & Chambers (Essex)
  • Go North East (Tyne & Wear)
“”
This is a big day for transport in Manchester and we’re delighted to have colleagues from across the UK helping us. So if you get on a Bee Network bus this weekend and hear an unfamiliar accent behind the wheel, don’t be surprised.

These drivers will tide us over while we train hundreds of home-grown new drivers in Manchester who are going through our bus driver academy. Everyone behind the wheel of a bus will be extensively route trained and familiar with tickets, vehicles and customer service.

We’re proud to be running 102 brand new buses, and we look forward to delivering exceptional public transport for Manchester.

Nigel Featham

Managing Director, Go North West