Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has appointed David Astill as its new Managing Director. He will take over from Mark Fowles, who is due to retire in April 2021.
David has 32 years of experience in the bus sector and is currently Commercial and Operations Director at NCT. He joined the operator in 2007 following a tenure as Commercial Manager for FirstGroup in the Staffordshire, Cheshire and Merseyside region, having also held roles with First as Area Manager and General Manager, and as Managing Director of Pennine Blue in Manchester.
“I feel privileged and excited to take on the leadership of NCT at this very challenging time for public transport,” David says. “I am certain with my strong management team we can work together to take NCT forward to continue to deliver an excellent bus network for Nottingham residents as they have come to rely on and expect. I am determined to steer the company back to the successful and well-regarded position it held prior to the pandemic.”
David adds that he is proud to be the first person to head the organisation, which comprises a fleet of 300 buses, who was born and raised in Nottingham.
Councillor Graham Chapman, NCT Chairman, says David will make an excellent new MD. “He has wide experience of the bus industry generally, and really detailed knowledge of the company,” Graham says. “We believe he has the determination and enthusiasm to ensure NCT continues to be the best company in the UK. In the immediate months post-COVID, NCT will need to adapt and I have every confidence that David and his senior management team are more than capable of responding to what will be some serious challenges”
