Stagecoach has announced a new director to lead its Business Change programme within its UK Bus division.
Current Virgin Trains East Coast People Director, Clare Burles, will take on the role of UK Bus Business Change Director from June 1. She will lead a Business Change team which the company said will ‘aim to ensure Stagecoach is fit for the future across all parts of its UK Bus business.’
This includes aspects relating to people, commercial, technology, communications and safety.
As previously stated in last week’s CBW, current Stagecoach London Engineering Director Darren Roe and current Stagecoach East Midlands Managing Director Michelle Hargreaves will also take up lead roles within the Business Change team.
Darren will be the programme lead for safety and engineering, whilst Michelle will lead on people, wellbeing, and employee engagement.
Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director for England and Wales, Mark Threapleton, said: “I am delighted to welcome Clare to the UK Bus team and look forward to working with her on this exciting programme we are undertaking to ensure our business is fit for the future and that we can continue to deliver further improvements for our customers.
“Clare’s experience within the rail industry will be hugely beneficial as we drive forward this initiative and look to build on what we have achieved so far.”
Clare Burles started her railway career working for intercity train operator Midland Mainline and then moved into East Midlands Trains where she became HR Director in 2011. In 2015, Clare was appointed People Director at Virgin Trains East Coast.
Clare Burles said: “At a time when the world, and transport industry, is changing at a fast pace, it’s vital that we are equipped to take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves in the future, and to continue achieving the high standards of service that our customers rightly expect.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the rail industry, and will miss the fantastic people I have worked with over the past few years at Virgin Trains. However, I am also excited about this fresh challenge and, along with my new team, I look forward to helping deliver this important project.”
