Appointment of Finance Director

Press Release

24 January 2011

The Go-Ahead Group plc

("Go-Ahead" or the "Group")

Keith Down appointed Go-Ahead Group Finance Director

Keith Down, formally Finance Director of JD Wetherspoon plc, has been appointed as Go-Ahead's new Group Finance Director. He replaces Nick Swift who is leaving to join British Airways as Chief Financial Officer.

Keith Ludeman, Group Chief Executive of Go-Ahead, said:

"Keith Down is an excellent appointment. He brings a wealth of skills and experience combined with a sharp focus on the interests of shareholders. Go-Ahead has a well earned reputation for strong financial reporting and investor relations. Keith's experience in businesses with a strong consumer angle alongside complex logistics will prove invaluable as we continue to develop what is a very robust business in the months and years ahead."

Keith Down said:

"Go-Ahead is one of Britain's busiest and best run transport businesses. It has brought innovation to the industry and consistently delivered for shareholders - even when the wider economy has had a number of economic challenges. I am greatly looking forward to joining Go-Ahead in March."

Keith Down will join Go-Ahead on 7th March 2011.

Ends

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Notes to Editors

ABOUT KEITH DOWN

Keith Down began his career at KPMG before taking on roles at Stocks Lovell Ltd, Mayfair Vending Ltd as Finance Director, and Director of Financial Operations at T&S Stores plc. He has held a number of roles at Tesco, starting as Finance Director for Tesco dot.com and Tesco Telecoms eventually going on to become Commercial Finance Director and Head of Petrol, Energy & Tobacco. In 2008, Keith joined JD Wetherspoon plc as Finance Director and Company Secretary. Keith is married with two children.

about Go-Ahead

Go-Ahead is a leading UK public transport operator, providing high quality services in the bus and rail sectors. Employing around 22,000 people across the country, over one billion passenger journeys are undertaken on our services each year. We are committed to operating our companies in a safe, socially and environmentally responsible way and are proud to have been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard after taking action on climate change. In addition to the travelling public, our customers include the Department for Transport, Transport for London (TfL) and local authorities.

BUS

Go-Ahead is one of the UK's largest bus operators. With a fleet of around 3,800 buses, we carry, on average, around 1.7 million passengers every day. Our operations are focused on high density commuter markets. We have a strong presence in London, with around 21% market share, where we provide regulated services for TfL. We operate deregulated services in the Oxford, the South East, Southern and North East England. We also have a yellow school bus joint venture in North America.

RAIL

The rail operation, Govia, is 65% owned by Go-Ahead and 35% by Keolis. It is the busiest rail operation in the UK, responsible for nearly 30% of all UK passenger rail journeys through its three rail franchises: Southern (which includes the Gatwick Express), Southeastern and London Midland. In December 2009, Southeastern began operating the UK's first high speed domestic rail service between Kent and London, significantly reducing journey times.