I was surprised to read today that the Managing Director of National Express Bus Division Peter Coates is retiring on May 1st
Peter was a great colleague and a very good Managing Director for NX West Midlands when I worked with him both at NX and with WMT.
He is well respected in the bus industry, a quiet man but one who had a lovely temperament. I obviously wish him well in his retirement. He was always a great man to work for. He engendered loyalty and he was always a delight to work for.
Its very much an end of an era at National Express.
Paul Thomas is to step up into the role of MD at NX West Midlands, I wish Paul Thomas well in his new role and promotion. Paul is a former TWM man and knows the bus business very well here and elsewhere in the UK.
All change on the buses will have some wondering what will happen going into the future!
For me I have nothing but good wishes to offer Peter. I thank him greatly for being a real champion of the bus industry locally, but more than that just for being a decent chap. Always fair, and always willing to have a chat with anyone, who had the benefit of working for him. No matter what role that was!
Happy Retirement Peter!
Here is what the official new release is stating tonight….
Peter Coates
The Managing Director of National Express’ UK bus division, Peter Coates, is retiring after 20 distinguished years with the transport company. Peter initially joined National Express from accountants Ernst & Young. He went on to become Finance Director of UK Bus in 1999, and then Managing Director in 2011. National Express Group Chief Executive, Dean Finch said:
“Peter has led National Express’ UK Bus business with distinction, combining a passion for the bus business with a forensic understanding of its operations.
“He has also been a much appreciated colleague and friend. It has been a pleasure to work with Peter – everyone at National Express wishes him all the best for the future.” Peter steps down as Managing Director for UK Bus on 1st May 2017. He will work on strategic projects for the Group until his retirement next year. Chief Operating Officer Paul Thomas has been promoted to Managing Director of UK Bus. Paul has worked for National Express in various engineering and management roles for a total of 15 years. He also worked as Managing Director of First Bus Scotland East, before re-joining National Express in 2014.
In light of Peter Coates’ retirement and National Express’ recent sale of their UK train operator c2c, Tom Stables will become Managing Director UK and Germany, with the divisional managing directors in the UK bus and coach divisions and German rail business all reporting into him.
