Belle Vue Manchester has recruited a manager from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to spearhead a new contracts division.
Mike Mitchell, 48, spent 14 years at TfGM, latterly as its Yellow School Bus Project Manager.
His role at Stockport-based Belle Vue will see him oversee the company’s tendering processes, contract compliance and performance in its core education market, and helping to develop new business opportunities.
Before joining TfGM, Mike worked at FirstGroup, was a constable with Lancashire Police and served in the Army’s Parachute Regiment for 10 years.
Belle Vue Director, Phil Hitchen, said: “This is a significant appointment for the business as we seek to increase our market share in the education sector.
“Having Mike on board will enable us better capitalise on opportunities as they arise. He brings great qualities to Belle Vue, and we could not have wished for a better recruit to this newly-created post.
“He has excellent communication skills, operational expertise and knowledge of tendering and contractual processes.”
Phil said he plans to add further recruits to the new division as Belle Vue looks to double its £3m turnover over the next three years.
Mike, a married father-of-six who lives in Bolton, said: “I am excited by the opportunities available in this new role with Belle Vue. I look forward to helping the company go from strength to strength in terms of customer service levels, reliability and the range of services provided.”
More than 5,000 pupils at around 60 schools across Greater Manchester travel on yellow school buses, which are credited with reducing congestion by taking thousands of car journeys off the roads, as well as helping to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Children using yellow school buses sit in the same seat every day, and vehicles have interior and exterior CCTV video recorders.
