22nd Jun 2005 07:00
Stagecoach Group PLC22 June 2005 22 June 2005 STAGECOACH GROUP SENIOR APPOINTMENT/DIRECTOR RETIREMENT Stagecoach Group plc is pleased to announce the strengthening of its seniormanagement team with the appointment of Ian Dobbs as Chief Executive of theGroup's Rail Division. Ian Dobbs (50), who has 28 years' experience in the rail industry in the UK andoverseas, is a former Divisional Director of British Rail. More recently he wasChief Executive Officer of the Victoria Public Transport Corporation inAustralia, where he was responsible for the rail, tram and bus services. Currently a railway management consultant and advisor to Government and theprivate sector, based in Melbourne, Australia, he will join the Group in July2005. Ian will have operational responsibility for all of the Group's rail interests,including South West Trains - the UK's biggest rail franchise - Island Line, theStagecoach shareholding in Virgin Rail Group, which operates the CrossCountryand West Coast franchises, and Sheffield Supertram. He will initially report to Graham Eccles, Stagecoach Group Executive DirectorRail, who has indicated that he intends to retire and step down from the Boardin April 2006. Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian Souter said: "We are delighted Ian isjoining the Group at what is an exciting time when we have a number ofsignificant opportunities to grow our rail portfolio. "Ian has wide rail and light rail operational experience both in the UK andoverseas. His high-level management and competitive rail franchising experiencewill help further improve our current operational performance and significantlystrengthen the development of our current and future rail bids. "Graham Eccles is one of the UK's foremost and most respected railwaymen, whohas grown our rail business and played a major role in improving the country'srail network. We are delighted Graham will be with us for the rest of this busyyear. I am confident Ian Dobbs will drive forward Stagecoach's reputation as afirst-class rail operator delivering high-quality services to passengers,value-for-money to taxpayers and the right return to shareholders." Commenting on his appointment, Ian Dobbs said: "Stagecoach is one of the mostdynamic players in the rail industry, with an excellent reputation fordelivering quality rail services. I am delighted to be joining the Group and Iam looking forward to the challenge of developing further Stagecoach's railportfolio." Stagecoach Group has a significant share of the UK passenger rail market and iscurrently shortlisted for the Greater Western and Thameslink/Great Northernfranchises. The Group is also working with its partners, Danish State Railways,to win the new Integrated Kent franchise. ENDS For further information, please contact:Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach GroupTel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680 Notes to Editors Ian Dobbs joined British Rail from University as a management trainee in 1977and had a 16-year career with the business. Following a series of operationaland commercial roles throughout the UK rail system, Ian progressed to become oneof BR's most senior Area Managers. He was subsequently appointed by Sir RobertReid, the then Chairman of British Rail, to become Divisional Director, GreatEastern, where he was responsible for Liverpool Street station and its trainservices, one of Britain's busiest railways. In 1993, Ian was recruited by the Victoria State Government in Australia toreform and manage the State's transport network. He was appointed ChiefExecutive Officer of the Victoria Public Transport Corporation withresponsibility for the train, tram and bus network and he successfully managedthe transition to privatisation. For the past six years, Ian has worked as a railway management consultant andadvisor in Australia, New Zealand and around the Pacific Rim. During this time,he has been engaged by banks and financial institutions to advise on and turnaround poorly performing railway franchises and concessions, including spells asan interim CEO. Ian, who is from Nottingham, is married with a teenage son and daughter. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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