Sector Focus
Business Travel Sector Focus The latest news from the sectors that matter to business Bus group chief executive steps down
National Express group chief executive Dean Finch is stepping down from his role at the bus and coach operator. Mr Finch has spent more than 10
years at the wheel of the transport giant. He will be leaving to take up a new role as chief executive at housebuilding firm Persimmon. He will depart towards the end
of the year, or when a successor is appointed. National Express has started
searching for his replacement, and will consider both internal and external candidates. Sir John Armitt, chairman at
National Express, said: “We would like to thank Dean for his enormous contribution to National Express. “During his time as chief
executive he has transformed the business into a leading international transport group, with significant growth potential in all our main markets and a strong and effective management team at all levels. "Recently he has expertly guided
us through the challenge of Covid- 19. Dean has the best wishes of all of us at National Express for his next challenge. In the meantime, the board are pleased that Dean will remain with the business until later in the year or a successor is appointed, to aid a smooth handover.” Mr Finch said: “It has been a
great privilege to be chief executive of National Express. I have developed a great affection
for the company and my outstanding colleagues there. “I believe I will leave National
Express in both a strong position to continue to weather the effects of Covid-19 and well-placed to secure significant growth opportunities once we emerge from this crisis. “I have learned a lot from the
many immensely skilled colleagues in the business and believe they are a very effective team who will continue to grasp these opportunities and maintain National Express’ leadership position.”
• National Express has restarted its coach services, after a three-month suspension due to coronavirus.
A limited daily service is running
to begin with, and safety measures being used include enhanced cleaning. All coaches will be limited to 50
per cent capacity. Temperature screening of travellers will take place, and anyone with a high reading will not be allowed on the vehicle. Travellers will have to wear face coverings during their journey. Chris Hardy, managing director
of National Express, said: "The new timetable will focus on major towns and cities, connecting over 180 locations across the UK and equivalent to around a quarter of the mileage of the pre-Covid national intercity network.”
Stepping down: Dean Finch is leaving National Express after 10 years
Katie earns spot in final
National Express bus engineering development manager Katie McGrath has won a spot at the finals of a national women-in-transport awards. Katie, 26, from Stourbridge, is a finalist in the ‘above and beyond’
category of the 2020 ‘Everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards’. The awards showcase the crucial positions women hold in the industry,
redefining a sector that has long been seen as male-dominated. Katie joined National Express in 2016 on a graduate scheme, after
studying biochemistry at the University of Birmingham. She soon discovered a passion for engineering and then took up her managing role in 2018. Bernie Cassidy, engineering director at National Express, said:
On the buses: Katie McGrath has reached the finals of national transport competition
“Everyone at National Express West Midlands is so proud of Katie and what she’s already achieved. S a great role model for women in engineering - she’s always happy to encourage female STEM students. For International Women’s Day in March 2019, she went to Birmingham’s South and City College to talk about what it’s like to work in the bus industry. The students there found her inspiring and engaging.”
Air France resumes service from Birmingham
Air France has resumed operations from Birmingham Airport. The airline has restarted its daily service from Birmingham to Paris, using an Embraer 190 aircraft. As the peak summer season
approaches, Air France passengers will have the opportunity to connect to up to 150 destinations worldwide via Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Tom Screen, aviation director of Birmingham Airport, said: “Air France has been a partner airline of Birmingham for many years and offers passengers direct access to Paris and onward connections to up to 150 destinations.
customers to wear a mask throughout their journey. Customers will be notified of this via all communication channels before departure and will be asked to ensure they possess one or more masks for their trip. This is in addition to a range of
Take-off: flights from Birmingham to Paris have restarted “We want to reassure customers
that their safety is our number one priority, and as we restart operations we advise all to please
50 CHAMBERLINK August/September 2020
follow the health and safety guidance available on our website.” In line with Government guidelines, Air France requires
health and safety measures implemented by Air France in response to the Covid-19 health crisis, including crew members wearing masks, temperature checks for departing passengers, physical distancing at the airport, boosted daily aircraft cleaning procedures and limited interactions between customers and crew.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
