New Managing Director appointed at Go South Coast

Go-Ahead is pleased to confirm the appointment of Ed Wills as Managing Director of Go South Coast, effective 1 January 2026. 

Ed brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership within the Go-Ahead Group. This appointment will see Ed return to Go South Coast where he was Operations Director between 2010 and 2018 and where he began his career as a trainee at Southern Vectis. He has also served as Managing Director at Go-Ahead Ireland and as Managing Director for Bus Commercial Development at Go-Ahead Group. 

Ed will join Go South Coast from Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, where he has been Managing Director since 2021. During that time he has strengthened the reputation of the company, overseen significant growth and driven the highest standards of accessibility – an area they are widely recognised as industry leaders. In addition to leading in accessibility, Brighton & Hove Buses has achieved exceptional customer service with their award-winning express route 1X and the newly launched 3X. They have also introduced the largest fleet of hydrogen buses in the UK. 

Ed succeeds Ben Murray, who has served as Interim Managing Director since the passing of Andrew Wickham MBE in May 2025. Ben will return to his role as Finance Director at Go South Coast when Ed arrives in January. 

Martin Dean, Managing Director, UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead Group, said: “Ed is an outstanding leader with deep operational expertise and a strong commitment to innovation and customer service. His experience across the Group, both in the UK and Ireland, makes him the ideal person to lead Go South Coast into its next chapter. I’d also like to thank Ben for his leadership of Go South Coast over recent months at a difficult time for the company following Andrew’s passing and once again pay tribute to Andrew whose contribution to the industry and the development of Go South Coast was truly remarkable.” 

Ed Wills, incoming Managing Director, Go South Coast, said: “It’s a privilege to return to Go South Coast and lead such a talented team. I look forward to building on Andrew’s legacy and working with our partners to deliver safe, reliable, and accessible services for our stakeholders and customers across the region.”