Trentbarton and Kinchbus Managing Director Jeff Counsell (pictured, above) has announced that he will retire in February 2023.
He will be succeeded the following month by Tom Morgan (pictured, below). Mr Morgan will step up from his current position as Trentbarton Group Commercial Director to take up the new role of Managing Director (Buses) for all bus operators that are part of parent group Wellglade.
Mr Counsell’s retirement will bring to an end a career of 24 years with his current employer and almost 50 years in the bus industry. It began in the 1970s when he was 15 as an engineering apprentice with Lancashire United Transport and saw him join Trentbarton in 1999 as Engineering Director. From there he moved to Director of Service Delivery and to the MD’s chair in 2009.
In a statement announcing Mr Counsell’s retirement, Wellglade notes that “his role directing both operations and engineering also encompassed the two companies’ relationships with national and local government, an aspect that has been of prime importance during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.”
Adds Wellglade Chairman Brian King: “Jeff has played a key role in keeping Trentbarton and Kinchbus at the forefront of the bus industry. They have won numerous awards from not only the industry but the business community. When he retires in February, he will be able to look back proudly on his career in buses.
“Tom’s new role will cover the commercial, operational and external relations activities of our bus companies. He knows the business and the area well from his current and previous position.”
Reflecting on his long career, Mr Counsell says: “Throughout my years, the industry has seen many opportunities and challenges including deregulation, recessions and the pandemic. But our industry is all about people, and our people at Trentbarton and Kinchbus always pull together.
“It is a great team – from the bottom to the top. Our frontline staff are always impressive. Our drivers, our engineers, everyone – they never flinch from challenges. I am deeply proud of them and will miss being with them.”
Mr Morgan has been with Wellglade since 2009, when he joined to work on the Nottingham Tramlink project. He subsequently became Trentbarton Assistant Operations Manager for Derby and General Manager of Kinchbus.
He adds: “I am very grateful to Jeff for his guidance and faith since bringing me into the business in 2009 and for the chances to progress in my career. I am incredibly excited about what lies ahead.
“The bus industry has gone through a difficult time, but the future is full of opportunities that we are well placed to grasp by listening to our customers, maintaining our high standards, continuing to innovate, embracing new technology and by investing in and empowering our dedicated and passionate team members.”
Wellglade is currently recruiting for the newly created roles of Group CEO and Group Engineering Director.
