Stagecoach announces moves within its operational leadership team

Stagecoach has announced a number of moves within its bus businesses in the north of the country, which will see four Managing Directors taking up new roles.  The moves are part of Stagecoach’s ongoing business change programme, which is designed to ensure that the company is fit for the future across its business.

The moves are largely within the Stagecoach North region, which is now being led by Catherine Acton-Brazier as Regional Director North. Catherine joined the company from BT & Openreach in November 2019, overseeing Stagecoach’s businesses in Cumbria & North Lancashire, East Midlands, Manchester, Merseyside & South Lancashire, North East and Yorkshire. Throughout her career, Catherine has led customer service, operations, innovation, service improvement and change.

The following changes will be made with effect from Monday 3 February:

• Matt Davies, Managing Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, will move to become Managing Director for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire.
• Rob Jones, Managing Director for Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, will move to become Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire.
• Mark Whitelocks, Managing Director for Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, will move to become Managing Director for Stagecoach Midlands, which falls under the south region.
• Phil Medlicott, Managing Director for Stagecoach Midlands, will move to become Managing Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire.

Catherine Acton-Brazier, Regional Director North, said:  “Since joining Stagecoach in November, I have been delighted to see the wealth of talent within the business. It’s clear there is a strong focus on delivering the best service for customers, and I want us to continue to be in the best position to embrace all the new opportunities ahead.

“These changes will enable a number of our Managing Directors to gain experience of different areas of our business and provides the opportunity to have a fresh look at our operations in the north to support our strategy for the future.

“I’d like to congratulate Matt, Rob and Phil on their new appointments within my team, and wish Mark all the best as he moves into the south part of our network.”

There are no changes to the Managing Director positions in the other Stagecoach North businesses: Manchester, the North East or East Midlands.   

About the new Managing Directors:

Matt Davies has been Managing Director of Stagecoach Yorkshire since July 2016. He has over 25 years’ experience in the bus industry after beginning his career as a management trainee with Lincolnshire RoadCar in 1995 after completing a Transport Management degree at the University of Northumbria. Matt and his family live in the North West, and he has held senior roles in this region with Stagecoach, Arriva and First Group.

Rob Jones was appointed Managing Director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire in December 2016. Rob began his career in the bus industry almost 30 years ago as a cleaner with a local bus company aged just 15. He gained his PCV licence and since then, has held a number of management positions including Operations Manager for Stagecoach North West during which time he won the Young Manager of the Year Award at the 2008 UK Bus Awards.  He has also worked as Operations Director in West Scotland and Merseyside and South Lancashire, before becoming Managing Director.

Mark Whitelocks has been the Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire since May 2018. Mark joined Stagecoach through the company’s Graduate Development Programme and has previously held managerial positions at Stagecoach West, Stagecoach South West and Stagecoach East Scotland before being appointed Managing Director, Stagecoach North Scotland in 2016, and then moving to Cumbria.  Mark and his family are originally from the Midlands.

Phil Medlicott returned to Stagecoach in June 2018 as Managing Director of the Midlands business.  Phil began his career in the bus industry in 1983, becoming a driver and then holding a series of management posts at bus companies in Birkenhead, Runcorn and London before joining Stagecoach in 2000 as Operations Director for Stagecoach South. He worked as Managing Director of Stagecoach Warwickshire, Stagecoach South East and Stagecoach North East before taking up the role as Managing Director of First Manchester in 2016.

ENDS