UK: Graham Sutherland has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of FirstGroup with effect from May 16.
He succeeds Matthew Gregory, who stepped down last year following pressure from FirstGroup’s largest shareholder, New York-based hedge fund Coast Capital. Interim Executive Chairman David Martin will resume the role of Non-Executive Chairman from July 1.
‘With its prime positions in bus and rail, strong balance sheet and clear purpose, FirstGroup has many opportunities ahead and I look forward to helping shape its exciting future’, Sutherland said when his appointment was announced on April 20.
He was CEO of telecoms company KCOM Group from 2018 until its sale to a Macquarie-managed infrastructure fund, and held senior executive roles within BT Group over 12 years.
‘He has a strong track record in the delivery of critical services and in creating value for shareholders in rapidly evolving regulatory and technological environments’, said Martin. ‘Graham joins at an exciting and important time for FirstGroup which is now a focused and resilient business with a strong platform from which to develop.’
