THE UK managing director of Stagecoach Group's bus operations has announced his retirement.
Former bus conductor and driver Les Warneford is stepping down and being replaced by Robert Montgomery, currently service performance director at the bus arm, in May next year.
Mr Warneford, who lives in Derbyshire, was managing director of Grimsby Cleethorpes Transport when it was acquired by Stagecoach in 1993.
He then took on roles in Cumbria and Manchester before becoming regional director for the North West and Midlands in 1998.
The Exeter University graduate came in to his current post in 2000.
Sir Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group chief executive, said: "Les has played a very significant role in Stagecoach's success.
"He has headed a division which has provided consistently strong operational delivery, the best value fares to customers, huge levels of investment and industry-leading financial performance, as well as an exceptional track-record of passenger growth."
Scots born Mr Montgomery, whose first job in the bus industry was as a seasonal conductor in Paisley, becomes deputy managing director of Stagecoach UK Bus from May 1 this year as part of a 12-month handover period.
The Glasgow University graduate is a former managing director of Dublin Bus and director in Scotland with First Group.
Sir Brian added: "Robert has spent a decade with Stagecoach and has overseen the strong growth of our bus companies in the south of England, as well as expanding our megabus budget coach operation in the UK."
The Perth transport giant runs 7700 buses in the UK, carrying around 2.5 million passengers every day.
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