FirstGroup has appointed Graham Sutherland as its new chief executive.
The Aberdeen transport company was almost a year after its previous chief executive following a “comprehensive search process”.
Sutherland was appointed to the position of chief executive on 16 May and has held numerous leadership roles in the telecommunications sector.
Sutherland becomes the company’s fourth chief executive since Sir Moir Lockhead led a buyout of Grampian Transport, in 1989.
He was chief executive at KCOM Group, a LSE-listed telecommunications company, from 2018 until its sale to a Macquarie-managed infrastructure fund.
He held a number of senior executive roles within BT Group over twelve years, where he was responsible for profitable growth and led the integration of EE's Business unit, creating a division with £4.6bn in annual revenues and 13,000 employees.
David Martin, FirstGroup executive chairman at FirstGroup, said: "I am delighted to welcome Graham to FirstGroup. He has a strong track record in the delivery of critical services and in creating value for shareholders in rapidly evolving regulatory and technological environments.
“Graham joins at an exciting and important time for FirstGroup which is now a focused and resilient business with a strong platform from which to develop.”
Graham Sutherland 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 and I look forward to helping shape its exciting future.”
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