A new Chief Executive is to be appointed by Wrightbus after it announced that current postholder Jean-Marc Gales (pictured) will become Deputy Chairman from 1 December.
Mr Gales has been credited for rapid expansion at the manufacturer, work that has seen it enter the battery-electric repower and coach fields under his leadership besides recording a strong uptick in production of new vehicles. As Deputy Chairman, he will focus on strategic global development through sites in Northern Ireland, Germany and Malaysia.
In joining Wrightbus in 2023, Mr Gales brought 30 years’ automotive experience that includes leadership roles at various vehicle manufacturers. At that time, he cited growth and global expansion as his priorities for the Ballymena business.
Under Mr Gales’ charge, the company claims to have become Europe’s fastest-growing bus manufacturer. Since purchase out of administration by Jo Bamford in 2019, Wrightbus has built its employee roster from 49 to over 2,300. Mr Bamford’s other bus-related interests include depot charging solutions, alternative energy supply, and net-zero financing.
Speaking about how the manufacturer has developed, Mr Gales says: “I am incredibly proud of the results we have delivered at Wrightbus over the past two-and-a-half years. In a tough market, we have thrived, created thousands of jobs, bringing new levels of product quality to the bus market, and delighting passengers.
“In order to grow our presence across the globe, we need strategic focus, so I am looking forward to building on this momentum.”
Adds Mr Bamford: “Jean-Marc’s leadership has been transformational for this historic company. The climb out of administration in 2019 was tough, but we are now proud to be market leaders, driving quality and innovation in the bus sector and expanding into new areas.
“Jean-Marc’s relentless focus and passion for continuous improvement, supported by the whole Wrightbus team, has set the standard for our industry to follow. There is no time to stand still, and we are laser focused on the next stage of our growth.”
