New boss announced for NCT

Following an extensive selection process of both internal and external applicants, David Astill, currently Commercial & Operations Director at Nottingham City Transport (NCT), has been appointed MD in anticipation of Mark Fowles retirement in April 2021.

David boasts 32 years’ managerial experience in the commercial bus sector. He joined NCT in 2007 from FirstGroup, where he had latterly been Commercial Manager for the Staffordshire, Cheshire and Merseyside region. Prior to that David had held posts with First as an Area Manager and General Manager. Early in his career David had a two-year spell as Managing Director of Pennine Blue based in Manchester.

David Astill said: “I feel privileged and excited to take on the leadership of NCT at this very challenging time for public transport. I am certain with my strong management team we can work together to take NCT forward to continue to deliver an excellent bus network for Nottingham residents as they have come to rely on and expect.

“I am determined to steer the company back to the successful and well regarded position it held prior to the pandemic.

“I am particularly proud to be the first person to head-up the organisation who was born and grew-up in the city we serve.”

NCT Chairman, Cllr Graham Chapman, said: “In the immediate months post-Covid NCT will need to adapt and I have every confidence that David and his senior management team are more than capable of responding to what will be some serious challenges.”

David Astill assumes this role at the beginning of the new financial year in April 2021.