Fiona Kerr, Managing Director of First in Scotland, is to leave her role at the company after less than six months.
The Glasgow Evening Times reported that Fiona had been headhunted by Northampton-based timber and builders’ merchant Travis Perkins and is expected to take over as its head of operations in Scotland from mid-October. She has tendered her resignation at First.
A spokesman for First Group told CBW that there was no set date for Fiona’s departure as this issue went to press.
Fiona joined the operator in November 2010 as its regional finance director for Scotland, having previously worked for PwC and John Menzies as a chartered accountant. Her departure from First means she will also be stepping down from her role as Chairman of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland. She will be replaced by Vice-Chairman Sandra Whitelaw.
Her recent role involved overseeing First’s operations in Glasgow, Aberdeen and the east of Scotland, after spending three years as Managing Director for First Glasgow.
Dave Alexander, Divisional Director for First Bus, said: “Fiona Kerr, Managing Director of First Glasgow and Scotland, has decided to leave First Bus to accept a new career opportunity outside of the industry.
“We will be sad to see her go and wish her every success in her new role.
“We are currently working through arrangements to recruit a new Managing Director. In the meantime, Fiona will continue in her current role.”
A spokesman for CPT Scotland added: “CPT is sorry to see Fiona leave the bus industry.
“During her time as CPT Scotland Chairman, Fiona has been an important figure in the industry’s push towards smart and integrated ticketing and a great advocate for issues such as gender balance in the passenger transport sector.
“We wish her every success in her next role.”
Fiona Kerr was the first female managing director at any of First’s regional bus divisions and spoke about her desire to attract more women into the heavily male-dominated bus industry.
She succeeded in creating a 50-50 gender split in her executive team while in charge of First Glasgow and, in 2015, won the ‘Woman of the Year’ award at the FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards.
