TRANSPORT giant FirstGroup has unveiled a Scottish telecoms veteran as its new chief executive.
The Aberdeen-based company, which owns First Bus and runs the Avanti West Coast rail franchise with Trenitalia, has appointed Graham Sutherland, a former senior executive of BT, to the role.
Inverness-born Mr Sutherland, who joins on May 16, replaces Matthew Gregory, who stepped down in September. David Martin had served as executive chairman while a successor to Mr Gregory was found, and will resume the role of non-executive chairman on July 1.
FirstGroup said Mr Sutherland had been chief executive of KCOM Group, a London-listed telecommunications company, from 2018 until its sale to a Macquarie-managed infrastructure fund.
Before that Mr Sutherland held senior roles with BT, including as chief executive of its business and public sector division, and led the integration of the EE business unit. He was also chief executive of BT Ireland. His other roles have included chief executive of NTL Ireland, and senior positions with Bombardier. Mr Sutherland is a non-executive director of Savvi, one of Ireland’s largest credit unions.
He said: "It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead FirstGroup. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to drive the Group forward and deliver the vital services that are key to achieving society’s sustainability and economic goals. With its prime positions in bus and rail, strong balance sheet and clear purpose, FirstGroup has many opportunities ahead.”
Mr Gregory's tenure ended following an at times bruising battle with US activist investor Coast Capital, which led a campaign for change at the company. His departure was announced shortly after the company completed the sale of the First Student and First Transit businesses in the US. Coast significantly cut its stake last year after a tender offer that followed the sale of the US holdings.
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