22/06/2005
Stagecoach Group plc is pleased to announce the strengthening of its senior management team with the appointment of Ian Dobbs as Chief Executive of the Group’s Rail Division.
Ian Dobbs (50), who has 28 years’ experience in the rail industry in the UK and overseas, is a former Divisional Director of British Rail. More recently he was Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria Public Transport Corporation in Australia, where he was responsible for the rail, tram and bus services.
Currently a railway management consultant and advisor to Government and the private sector, based in Melbourne, Australia, he will join the Group in July 2005.
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, the Stagecoach shareholding in Virgin Rail Group, which operates the CrossCountry and West Coast franchises, and Sheffield Supertram.
He will initially report to Graham Eccles, Stagecoach Group Executive Director Rail, who has indicated that he intends to retire and step down from the Board in April 2006.
Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Brian Souter said: “We are delighted Ian is joining the Group at what is an exciting time when we have a number of significant opportunities to grow our rail portfolio.
“Ian has wide rail and light rail operational experience both in the UK and overseas. His high-level management and competitive rail franchising experience will help further improve our current operational performance and significantly strengthen the development of our current and future rail bids.
“Graham Eccles is one of the UK’s foremost and most respected railwaymen, who has grown our rail business and played a major role in improving the country’s rail network. We are delighted Graham will be with us for the rest of this busy year. I am confident Ian Dobbs will drive forward Stagecoach’s reputation as a first-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 most dynamic players in the rail industry, with an excellent reputation for delivering quality rail services. I am delighted to be joining the Group and I am looking forward to the challenge of developing further Stagecoach’s rail portfolio.”
Stagecoach Group has a significant share of the UK passenger rail market and is currently shortlisted for the Greater Western and Thameslink/Great Northern franchises. 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 Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680
Notes to Editors Ian Dobbs joined British Rail from University as a management trainee in 1977 and had a 16-year career with the business. Following a series of operational and commercial roles throughout the UK rail system, Ian progressed to become one of BR’s most senior Area Managers. He was subsequently appointed by Sir Robert Reid, the then Chairman of British Rail, to become Divisional Director, Great Eastern, where he was responsible for Liverpool Street station and its train services, one of Britain’s busiest railways.
In 1993, Ian was recruited by the Victoria State Government in Australia to reform and manage the State’s transport network. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria Public Transport Corporation with responsibility for the train, tram and bus network and he successfully managed the transition to privatisation.
For the past six years, Ian has worked as a railway management consultant and advisor 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 turn around poorly performing railway franchises and concessions, including spells as an interim CEO.
Ian, who is from Nottingham, is married with a teenage son and daughter.
