Stagecoach instigates ‘Business
change’ programme: New roles for MDs
Stagecoach has created a Business Change team, to be led by a new yet-to-be-named Director, and run by senior managers to “deliver a business change programme” within UK Bus.
Mark Threapleton: “We are embarking on an exciting and innovative new programme”
As a result a number of senior managers have new roles, while one is leaving, leading to a change in MDs.
Stagecoach says: “The innovative new programme is designed to ensure Stagecoach is fit for the future across all parts of its UK Bus business and includes aspects relating to people, customers, commercial, safety and technology.”
The programme will be led by a newly-appointed Business Change Director. Stagecoach is “currently finalising this appointment and expects to confirm details shortly.”
London Engineering Director Darren Roe and East Midlands MD Michelle Hargreaves move to lead roles in the Business Change team.
Mr Rose will be the programme lead for safety and engineering, while Ms Hargreaves will lead on people, wellbeing, and employee engagement.
The changes prompt ‘backfilling’ with Cumbria and North Lancashire MD Matthew Cranwell becoming East Midlands MD, from July
North Scotland MD Mark Whitelocks becomes Cumbria and North Lancashire MD from mid-June
Stagecoach South Engineering Director Chris Remnant becomes London’s Engineering Director.
Also, after 10 years with the company, Stagecoach Midlands MD Steve Burd, 58, “is to move on from the business” in September.
Stagecoach says it “will announce in due course” newly-appointed MDs for its businesses in the Midlands, North Scotland, South East and Oxfordshire.
Stagecoach UK Bus MD for England and Wales, Mark Threapleton, said: “We are embarking on an exciting and innovative new programme within our UK Bus division to make sure we are fully equipped to take advantage of the opportunities that may present themselves in the future and to continue delivering the best possible services for our customers.
“I would like to congratulate Michelle, Darren, Matthew, Mark and Chris on their appointments. I look forward to working with them all in their new roles.
“I would also like to thank Steve Burd for his dedication and commitment to Stagecoach over the past 10 years during which time he has made a significant contribution to improving bus services within the Midlands area. We wish him every success going forward.”
Michelle Hargreaves started her career with Stagecoach in 1987 as a Cash Clerk, and has become a well respected and influential leader. Prior to being appointed MD of Stagecoach East Midlands in 2013 she was MD of Stagecoach South West.
Steve Burd: Leaving the bsuiness after 10 years
Darren Roe started his career as an apprentice in the bus industry and then moved into the commercial vehicle industry before joining Stagecoach in 2000 – he was appointed Engineering Director at Stagecoach Manchester, a position he held until 2011 when he took on the role of Engineering Director, Stagecoach London.
Matthew Cranwell began his career in Stagecoach South through the company's graduate training programme in 2004. After holding several managerial posts, Matthew joined Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire in 2012 as Operations Director. He then moved to Stagecoach North East as Operations Director in 2013 before being appointed MD, Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire in 2015.
Mark Whitelocks joined Stagecoach through the company’s Graduate Development Programme and has previously held managerial positions at Stagecoach West and Stagecoach South West. In September 2013 he took on the role of Operations Director at Stagecoach East Scotland before being appointed MD, Stagecoach North Scotland in 2016.
Steve Burd has been in the industry since 1980, and held a number of roles, initially with the National Bus Company and subsequently working in South Wales, United Counties, Eastern Counties, Southern National, Eastern National, and Thamesway. From 1992 to 1994, Steve was Operations Director of Stagecoach Cumberland, then Commercial Director of Arriva North East, until he joined Blackpool Transport in 2002. He was appointed MD of Stagecoach Warwickshire (later to become Stagecoach Midlands) in 2008.
Chris Remnant began his career as an apprentice mechanic in 1990 and, after a short break, re-joined the industry in 1995 with Stagecoach Wales as a shift mechanic. He moved to Basingstoke in 2007 to become Engineering Manager at Stagecoach South and in 2011 transferred to Stagecoach London as Workshop Manager at West Ham Depot. In 2013 Chris was promoted to Engineering Manager at Plumstead Garage before taking on the role of Engineering Director at Stagecoach South in 2015.