Bob Dunn (pictured) has been appointed Chairman of Rotala Group. He succeeds John Gunn, who is to leave the business after 20 years.
Mr Gunn founded Rotala in 2005. The group says that ever since, he “has provided strong guidance and focus, but at the same time fostered and enabled the right culture for the business to prosper.”
With Mr Gunn’s departure, Rotala will become wholly owned by members of the Dunn family. It completed a delisting from the Alternative Investment Marked during early 2024 in a move that was described then as opening the door to operating “in a more agile way.”
Mr Dunn marks 55 years in the coach and bus industry in 2025, having opened his career as a mechanical apprentice with East Midlands bus operator Midland General in 1970.
From there he moved to Skills of Nottingham before spending some time in Kenya with United Transport during 1984. Later he built Nottingham business Dunn-Line into a major force in the coach industry before joining the Rotala board in 2008.
Mr Dunn has played a day-to-day role in the business since then and serves alongside his son Simon, who is Chief Executive of the group.
Speaking about taking over as Chairman, Mr Dunn has thanked Mr Gunn for his work over the 20 years since Rotala’s foundation. “I am following a great man, a true entrepreneur, and a great leader.
“John has continually provided support and inspiration to the board during his tenure. I have learned very much from his wisdom and experience and I will work tirelessly to follow in John’s footsteps in a similar manner.”
Despite his extensive industry career already, Mr Dunn says his ambition “continues to grow” and that his work to support his fellow directors and employees “will be unquestionable.”
He concludes: “Our vision is to continue our journey to grow and prosper. Our aim and our strategy is to continue to build a diversified group that will provide a strong and stable platform for all who work in it over the many generations to come.”
