New leaders join Edinburgh’s publicly owned transport companies

Three of the most senior positions in the Scottish transport sector have been filled, following the recruitment of a Transport for Edinburgh chief executive, a managing director of Lothian Buses and a general manager for Edinburgh Trams.

Former army officer George Lowder MBE has been appointed chief executive of Transport for Edinburgh.

Richard Hall has secured the MD role at Lothian Buses. He is currently the managing director for RATP in London where he has been responsible for leading over 3700 people, across 11 operating sites, operating contracted bus services for Transport for London as well as a developing commercial bus and coach operation launched in 2015.

The general manager position at Edinburgh Trams will be filled by Lea Harrison, a former army corporal who, having joined Greater Manchester Metrolink (Manchester Tram) at the entry level as Tram Driver in 1991, has since since risen to GM over the last 25 years – the first person to do so in recent times in any UK tramway.

All three appointees will be expected to build on the performance of the existing award-winning and highly rated services, whilst also contributing to the Capital’s ambition to have one of the greenest, healthiest and most accessible transport systems in northern Europe by 2030.

Lesley Hinds, Chair of Transport for Edinburgh and Transport Convenor for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We expected that these positions would attract high calibre candidates and we weren’t disappointed. Transport for Edinburgh and the city it serves are major attractions for some of the best in the UK transport profession and I’m delighted that we have secured such exceptional interest.

“Our new senior team will be pivotal in supporting the transport infrastructure we need but also the wider economy. I wish George, Richard and Lea all the very best in their new roles and I look forward to working with them as a team as we continue to push Edinburgh’s integrated transport agenda.”

Jim McFarlane, Chair of Lothian Buses and Transport for Edinburgh board member, said: “Hundreds of thousands of residents, workers and visitors rely on our buses every day and we are proud to provide them with one of the best city operations in the UK. With Edinburgh growing in popularity as a place to live, work and visit, our services are crucial to the smooth running of the city.

“We also have ambitious plans to further improve the quality of our fleet, making our services cleaner and greener. So, we are delighted to be able to appoint Richard, who has vast experience and excellent leadership credentials, to lead the whole Lothian Buses team to further success.”

Charles Monheim, chair of Edinburgh Trams and also a Transport for Edinburgh board member, said: “Lea comes to Edinburgh Trams with a wealth of operational experience in the industry that stretches right back to his days as a tram driver. His work with the Nottingham tram stands him in good stead to come to Edinburgh to build on foundations laid over the last 18 months of service.

“The trams have become an established and valued part of city life and will remain a crucial part of the long-term transport vision for the city. Working with sister company Lothian Buses as part of Transport for Edinburgh, Lea will lead and inspire our team to even more success.”

Each of the positions will report to the Chair of their respective board, with the managing director of Lothian Buses and the general manager of Edinburgh Trams also having ‘dotted line’ accountability to the chief executive of Transport for Edinburgh.

The managing director of Lothian Buses and the general manager of Edinburgh Trams will sit on the respective boards and the chief executive of TfE will attend all three boards.