New job

OK now I know the gossip is out there because hits on my blog have picked up a bit in the past few days.

However I am able to confirm that it is announced today that I am leaving First after over 12 years to become Managing Director Surface Transport at Transport for London, succeeding David Brown who is, in turn, becoming the Group Chief Executive of Go-Ahead plc.

I am leaving First having spent over a third of my working life there. Little did I know when Moir Lockhead asked me to stay 6 months, in July 1998, I would still be here over a decade later. I had just sold my bus business, Capital Citybus, to First and everyone rather assumed I would set up again with my close friends and colleagues.

I am rather glad I didn't. I have had a most wonderful time at First looking after all of London and the South East, then as Commercial Director for the whole of UK and more recently as Customer Service and Communications Director.

I have led some great adventures including our acquisitions in Dublin, Chester and Truronian in Cornwall; I have looked after Germany, worked with the USA teams, met some brilliant people and attended some outstanding events. Perhaps the most spectacular was the First reception on board the aircraft carrier USS Midway anchored in San Diego harbour.

No greater moment was when my team won us the spectator transport contract for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Now the frequent excursions to Aberdeen HQ and other places in the UK will conclude - over 10 years of trains, planes and hotels. Fond memories of being marooned in odd places, searching for a mobile phone signal and balancing my laptop on my knee will all join those great people I have worked with in my oft-threatened book. (No - I still don't have time to write it).

There will be those who try to look behind these events to uncover a deeper reason. So for the record I have had nothing but the closest of relationships with Sir Moir Lockhead and more recently Tim O'Toole. I have worked closely with my fellow Directors and it is with some regret that the timing of this vacancy - which was announced last autumn - co-incides with the arrival of Giles Fearnley only a couple of weeks ago. His is an excellent appointment and having known him for over 20 years, I am sorry we will have not worked for longer together.

I am thrilled to take over as MD Surface Transport at TfL. I started my career in what is now the Department of Transport but have spent over 30 years in the private sector. Having learned a considerable amount, largely the hard way, I go back to the public sector to pass it on. I return to my London roots and am looking forward to this new challenge.

Personal friends will know I am entirely ignorant about sport but I am delighted to now lead a great team - the one which will deliver the London Olympics and, at the same time, keep all of London moving, just like it does every day.

Wish me luck!


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