New MD will be driving force for bus operator

Trentbarton group commercial director Tom Morgan has stepped up to managing director of the bus company’s parent company Wellglade.

The move follows the retirement of trentbarton and Kinchbus managing director Jeff Counsell after 24 years at the company, and almost half a century in the bus industry.

Wellglade bus operators also include Midland General, Notts & Derby, and TM Travel.

Tom said: “It’s an honour to lead our wonderful teams, fronted by our friendly local drivers. Working across the group benefits all the operators and enables us to take advantage of closer cooperation.

“Trentbarton and Kinchbus will remain a major focus for me, and I will also be supporting the great managers who run all our operators. I want all our teams to be empowered to think of their team as their own business that they can develop and improve, enhancing their key role within the communities they serve.”

Wellglade chairman Brian King added: “Tom has a wide experience of the bus companies in our group, having held various positions over the last few years from operating depots to heading up our commercial and marketing functions.

“Alongside the recent arrival of John Bickerton as group engineering director, the group is now better positioned for our operators to create synergies and seize new opportunities.”

Jeff, who started out as an apprentice at 15 years old, stepped down in February. He said: “Bus operators are nothing without their people and that’s been central to running trentbarton. We look after our people. And I leave very optimistic that public transport has a great future. It may be different, but constant innovation will get us there.”

David Downie

WBR Group makes senior appointments

WBR Group (WBR) has announced two senior appointments to its leadership team.

David Downie joins as managing director of small self-administered scheme pensions (SSAS) and actuarial, and Peter Collier as director of marketing and distribution.

In his role, David will lead the SSAS and actuarial division of the business, while Peter will develop a clear brand identity and proposition for the newly-named WBR Group.

David said: “Having seen the developments WBR Group have made in becoming a well-respected and entrusted provider in the pensions industry, I can say that I am genuinely excited to be joining the team to help drive it further forward.”