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FirstGroup Plc Development Of FirstGroup In America
Thursday 25 October 2001
FirstGroup today announced a further development of its fast-growing North American businesses with some key top management changes aimed at consolidating its operational focus.
For the first time, the company is to have a permanently US based President to carry forward the progress started by Tony Osbaldiston, the Deputy Chief Executive, who has divided his time between London and the US for the last two years. Tony, who developed the structure and systems that have brought the current growth, will leave FirstGroup at the end of November.
Robbie Duncan, former Director UK Bus and now the Main Board Director leading business change for FirstGroup, is to lead the North American businesses while the new permanent appointment is being made.
These changes mirror the organisation in the UK where this year Dr. Mike Mitchell has become Chief Operating Officer UK and the company has introduced the new posts of Managing Director Rail and Managing Director Bus, held respectively by Dean Finch and David Leeder.
Chief Executive Moir Lockhead said: "I would like to pay tribute to Tony Osbaldiston for all the success he has achieved. We both recognised that at some stage his role would have to be filled by a permanent resident in the USA and that given the growth of the North American operations to their present scale the time is right to make this change".
Tony Osbaldiston commented: "I am delighted by the progress we have made in the last two years and the excellent prospects that lie ahead of FirstGroup and its North American operation. I would like to thank all our valued customers and our management team in North America for making this possible".
On 7 November 2001, FirstGroup will announce its interim results for the six months to 30 September 2001. These will be in line with consensus expectations for this period and, looking ahead, will refer to the continuing progress that the Group is making.