Former apprentice takes charge at bus company (From The Northern Echo)

Former apprentice takes charge at bus company

8:00am Thursday 9th February 2012 in North-East Business News By Andy Richardson

A FORMER apprentice electrician who joined a North-East bus company as a school leaver in the Seventies has become its Managing Director.

Kevin Carr said he was "immensely proud" to have been handed the role at Go North East, which operates services across the region. He joined the Northern General Transport Company in 1975 and has worked his way through the ranks in a variety of roles since then.

He was assistant engineer when the bus industry was deregulated in 1986, a year before the company was acquired by Go-Ahead.

David Brown, Group Chief Executive of Go-Ahead was delighted to have such an experienced man at the helm. He said: "Kevins understanding of running this business is second to none, having worked in a wide variety of roles over the past 37 years. He also has a brilliant grasp of the importance Go North East can play in supporting a thriving local economy and is focused on providing the quality services our passengers have come to expect."

Mr Carr said: "I am to be leading a company I have worked in for over 35 years. I am determined to build on the successes achieved by the business to date and to maintaining our effective partnerships with local authorities which are key to improving services.

Go North East will continue to deliver value for money for local customers at a time when there are huge pressures on household budgets."

Mr Carr, who has a BSc in Management Studies, a B Eng in Engineering and in 1994 achieved a Masters in Business Administration, lives in Morpeth, Northumberland. He is married with one daughter.