Go North East (GNE) MD Kevin Carr will retire in June, by when he will have turned 60, after 43 years with the region’s largest bus operator.
His successor will be announced “in the coming months.”
As chair of the North-East Bus Operators’ Association, he has also played a key role in helping to shape transport policy.
He joined what was then National Bus Company’s Northern General subsidiary as an apprentice engineer in 1975 and worked his way through the business, that today runs 680 coaches and buses and employs 2,100 people with a £100m turnover.
Northern General was subject to a management buyout in 1987, forming the basis of today’s Go-Ahead Group
Go Ahead CEO David Brown says: “With his expert understanding of transport and standing in the North-East business community, Kevin has been a strong leader for Go North East. He leaves behind him a fantastic legacy, great culture and strong management team which will continue its successful work in the North East.”
Mr Carr says: “It is with great sadness that I leave Go North East, but I feel it is time for someone else to lead.
“I am privileged to have seen the business change and grow into the well-established and much-loved company it is today.
“It really is the team who make Go North East what it is – which is evidenced by the number of awards the company has won and the consistently high customer satisfaction scores achieved every year.”
