McGill’s Group has appointed Alex Hornby as its new managing director.
He, 41, moves to the bus firm's Scottish headquarters in Greenock after eight years leading north of England-based operator Transdev Blazefield.
Hornby will report to the board, including chief executive Ralph Roberts and owners Sandy and James Easdale.
The group has grown in the last two years across Scotland’s central belt, with the purchase of Xplore Dundee from National Express in 2021, followed by the acquisition of First Scotland East last year.
It is also growing a strategic partnership with coach operator FlixBus, as its network of intercity routes expands across Scotland and the UK.
Roberts said: “Alex’s drive and passion will significantly strengthen the McGill’s Group leadership team and ensure that we continue to develop the current business as I focus on our exciting growth plans.”
Hornby said: “I am hugely excited at the opportunity to manage a class-leading, successful and ambitious organisation.
“The future for our industry is bright if - across both the operator sector and in government - we all grasp the right opportunities and align ourselves to zero carbon, economic growth and congestion-busting agendas that the bus can help to realise.”
Sandy Easdale added: “We are doing our part to get people out of their cars and back on the buses, but we need government to play their part and get a realistic perspective regarding subsidies; their obsession with trains is madness.
“We are pouring serious investment into substantial infrastructure upgrades at four of our depots to support charging and maintenance of our electric fleet, while a training programme is under way to support vehicle technicians as they maintain the next generation buses.”
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