Alex Hornby leaves buses for Northern rail

Alex Hornby is switching from a career in the bus industry to trains.

Rail operator Northern has appointed Alex as its new commercial and customer director.

From today (18 November 2024), Alex will lead the train operator’s sales, marketing, commercial development and customer experience functions.

He left his role as Group Managing Director at McGill’s Buses earlier this year. He has held a number of senior roles in the bus industry, including that of managing director and then chief executive of Transdev Blazefield between 2015 and 2023. He was also commercial director of trentbarton from 2010 to 2015.

Hornby, who was born in Liverpool and now lives in Harrogate, studied transport management at Aston University in Birmingham.

“This is an incredible role and I’m excited to get started” – Alex Hornby

Alex Hornby said: “This is an incredible role and I’m excited to get started.

“With the support of colleagues across the network and the potential for growth in the region, I know we have the ability to power economic growth.

“We can also be a valued asset to our customers, supporting their communities and helping to generate prosperity across the North of England.”

“His experience in public transport, mostly in the commercial bus sector, will be a great addition to our director group” – Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern

Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “Alex has a brilliant track record of creating customer-centric services and products that grow demand.

“His experience in public transport, mostly in the commercial bus sector, will be a great addition to our director group and we’re thrilled to have him onboard.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.