Company Announcements

Directorate Changes - Go-Ahead appoints new Chairman

The Go-Ahead Group plc today announces that Andrew Allner will step down as non-executive Chairman and retire from the Board following the conclusion of the Company's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 31 October 2019. 

The Go-Ahead Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Clare Hollingsworth as non-executive Chairman Designate effective from 1 August 2019. Clare will succeed Andrew as non-executive Chairman following the conclusion of the Company's AGM.

Andrew Allner joined Go-Ahead's Board as a non-executive Director in October 2008 and was appointed as Chairman in April 2013. 

Clare has been non-executive Chairman of Eurostar International Ltd since July 2013, having first joined the board as a non-executive director in 2010, and leaves the business at the end of June.  She is also currently a non-executive director of UK Government Investments and Molnlycke AB, and senior independent director at The LTA. She was previously a non-executive director with Savills plc and Assura plc, both property businesses, as well as Virgin Healthcare Holdings Ltd and Ambea AB. Prior to this, Clare was CEO of Spire Healthcare and its predecessor business, BUPA Hospitals, and Managing Director Caledonian Airways.

There are no further details to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13 R (1) - (6).

Andrew Allner said:

"Go-Ahead has a clear purpose and strategy covering the short and longer term, and a real focus on improving the passenger experience and contributing to society.  It has been a privilege to serve as chairman and I leave behind a strong culture and ethos. I wish Go-Ahead and my successor good luck for the future."

Commenting on her appointment, Clare Hollingsworth said:

"I am delighted to be joining this successful transport business. The Go-Ahead Board has evolved a clear strategy based on the core belief that generating value for investors happens when you meet the needs of the customers and communities you serve. The business is well positioned to deliver on its current commitments and look at future opportunities to grow."

David Brown added:

"I would like to thank Andrew for his contribution to the Group, especially bringing the Group's values to life at Board level. I wish him all the best for the future. I am pleased to welcome Clare to the Board and look forward to working with her. She brings a wide range of experience that will be invaluable as we continue to deliver value for all our stakeholders."

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Go-Ahead press office
communications@go-ahead.com
020 7799 8999

Aisling Lawless
PR and Communications Manager

aisling.lawless@go-ahead.com

020 7799 8999

GO-AHEAD
Go-Ahead is a leading public transport operator, providing high quality services in the bus and rail sectors. Employing around 28,500 people across our businesses, over one billion passenger journeys are undertaken on our services each year. We are committed to operating our companies in a safe, socially and environmentally responsible way and are proud to have been the first FTSE250 company to be certified with First Tax Mark accreditation and have been recertified for seven consecutive years. In addition to the travelling public, our customers include the Department for Transport, Transport for London (TfL) and local authorities.

BUS
Go-Ahead is one of the UK's largest bus operators. With a fleet of around 5,000 buses, we carry over two million passengers every day. Our operations are focused on high density commuter markets. We have a strong presence in London, with around 23 per cent market share, where we provide regulated services for TfL. Outside London, we operate services in Oxford, East Anglia, Hull, the South East, Southern and north east England. In September 2016, the Group began operating a bus contract in Singapore, and in September 2018 began operating one of two Irish bus contracts.

RAIL 
The rail operation, Govia, is 65 per cent owned by Go-Ahead and 35 per cent by Keolis. It is the largest rail operation in the UK, responsible for over 30 per cent of all UK passenger rail journeys through its rail franchises: GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway) and Southeastern. 

Disclaimer

Certain statements included in this press release contain forward-looking information concerning the Group's strategy, operations, financial performance or condition, outlook, growth opportunities or circumstances in the sectors or markets in which the Group operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve uncertainty because they depend of future circumstances, and relate to events, not all of which are within the Group's control or can be produced by the Group. Although the Group believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct.  Nothing in this press release should be construed as a profit forecast and no part of these results constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in The Go-Ahead Group plc or any other entity, and must not be relied upon in any way in connection with any investment decision.  Except as required by law, the Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statement.