After leaving the role of Chairman of FirstGroup earlier this year, David Martin has returned to Arriva.

David Martin

David becomes Executive Chairman of the management board of Arriva, effective immediately. Mike Cooper, the current CEO has decided to step down to pursue a portfolio career, including shortly starting work in the charity sector.

This is David’s second tenure at Arriva, originally serving as CEO of the operator for a decade where he oversaw the sale of the company to Deutsche Bahn in 2010. He stood down from that role in 2016.

In this new role as Executive Chairman, David Martin will oversee Arriva’s group strategy including Arriva’s planned €2bn investment programme. David will also oversee the search process for a new CEO. In the interim, David will assume the CEO’s responsibilities until a successor is found.

“I am delighted to be returning to Arriva at such a critical moment in the Group’s journey” – David Martin

David Martin said: “I am delighted to be returning to Arriva at such a critical moment in the Group’s journey. Arriva’s commitment to delivering reliable and sustainable transport is unwavering, now backed by I Squared’s operational and strategic expertise and financial strength. I look forward to contributing to this next phase of growth.”

More appointments

The Arriva board is being strengthened by the appointment of three non-executive Directors: Guillaume Pepy, the former Chairman of SNCF, the French national railway and bus provider; Alexander Doll, the former Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Bahn and former Chairman of DB Schenker, DB Cargo and DB Arriva; and, Simon Glass, who was previously Deputy Group Finance Director at RBS Group and Standard Chartered and currently serves as an Operating Advisor to I Squared and Non-Executive Director at TIP Group and EXA Infrastructure, both I Squared portfolio companies.

Mike Cooper, CEO of Arriva Group, will be stepping down from his role. In the four years as Group CEO, Mike guided the company through the pandemic, furthering the company’s sustainability goals and enhancing operational resilience. He leaves Arriva a financially stronger, more competitive business and successfully closed the sale of Arriva to I Squared.

“I leave the company in a strong financial position from which I Squared and the new board can build” – Mike Cooper 

Mike Cooper said: “I have done what I came back to do – stabilise, turn around and sell Arriva to a credible new owner that will invest in the business and enable it to deliver on its potential. It has been a privilege to lead the Arriva team, and I am proud of what we have achieved together. I leave the company in a strong financial position from which I Squared and the new board can build. I wish them every success.”