Go-Ahead’s Gavin Smith transitions to deliver Fastrack

Gavin Smith, Managing Director of Go East Anglia, is to transition to a new role within the Go-Ahead Group, effective from Monday (17 June 2024).

Gavin’s new position will see him head up the team delivering the Fastrack network in Kent, a 15-year contract worth £110 million which Go-Ahead will operate from November 2024.

Gavin has worked in the public transport industry for over 20 years, starting his career as a bus driver in London before progressing into management roles and later leading the development and mobilisation of Go-Ahead’s River Road depot. He worked as Operations Director of Go-Ahead Singapore and then as Project Director in Australia before becoming Managing Director of Go East Anglia, a role he has held since July 2022.

Gavin will be replaced on an interim basis by Rupert Cox, formerly a Regional Director for Stagecoach UK Bus. Rupert has worked with Go East Anglia since 1 March this year on business development projects.

“I’m excited to be taking on the job leading the Fastrack network in Kent” – Gavin Smith

Gavin Smith said: “I’m excited to be taking on the job leading the Fastrack network in Kent. Under the new contract, Go-Ahead will continue its decarbonisation journey, transitioning from a diesel to an all-electric fleet to serve our customers and we will welcome over 100 new colleagues to the business.

“Go-Ahead’s investment in people and development has enabled me to build a varied career in the decade that I have been at the company, and I look forward to more success as we mobilise the Fastrack contract in the months to come.”

“Gavin’s expertise and focus on delivering high quality services will be crucial” – Martin Dean, Managing Director of UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead Group

Martin Dean, Managing Director of UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead Group, said: “We’re excited to appoint an experienced leader in Gavin to the role as we move towards the mobilisation of the contract. Gavin’s expertise and focus on delivering high quality services will be crucial as we take on the responsibility for more than 2.5 million people who travel across the Fastrack network annually. We’re also delighted that Rupert, a knowledgeable industry leader, has agreed to take on the role overseeing our East Anglian business, building on his extensive career in bus.”