Giles Fearnley to retire

Giles Fearnley, First Bus Managing Director, has decided to retire. He will be succeeded by Janette Bell who joins First Group in October.

Giles has been Managing Director of First Bus since February 2011. Since then, he has led a transformation of our customer offering including greater digitisation as well as investment in fleets and systems. In 2018, we became the first major operator to offer contactless payment on all our buses nationwide.

Janette was previously Chief Executive Officer of P&O Ferries. Having joined them in 2012 as Commercial Director, she was a key part of the executive team that devised and led a significant transformation of the business, including resetting the commercial agenda and delivering a profitable e-commerce strategy. She became CEO in 2018, and under her leadership the company delivered a significant change programme, establishing a new onboard proposition for customers, driving greater efficiencies and placing its first order for new ferries in over a decade.

Giles Fearnley said: “It has been a great privilege to lead First Bus for approaching ten years. With the recent advances we have made in our innovative customer offering; strong partnership working with local authorities and now with our roadmap to a zero-emission fleet in place, it is the right time for me to retire and hand over to Janette who, with the help of our dedicated and hard-working team, will ensure that First Bus maintains its critical role in our communities for years to come.”

FirstGroup Chief Executive, Matthew Gregory, said: “I am delighted Janette Bell is joining us as First Bus Managing Director. She brings vast experience and a strong track record in creating and delivering successful customer and commercial strategies, making her the right person to build on the progress achieved so far as we work towards our ambition to be the partner of choice for innovative, sustainable transport. Vibrant local transport networks are critical to economic growth and I know Janette will ensure our customers receive the best possible service and that our buses continue to play a key role in supporting communities to deliver a connected, healthy and zero-carbon world.

“I’d like to thank Giles Fearnley for his immense contribution to FirstGroup and the wider public transport sector. His leadership during the coronavirus crisis has helped ensure First Bus can continue to provide essential services and emerge from the current situation in the most robust position possible. We have all benefited greatly from his experience and knowledge over time, and he leaves with our warmest wishes for a long and happy retirement.”

Janette will join First Bus on 26 October enabling a handover process to take place between her and Giles, who will leave later in the year.