Mobico Group CEO Ignacio Garat left that position on 30 April, with Phil White taking up the role of Chair of the National Express parent the following day.
Mr Garat joined in 2020. He will remain with Mobico for three months in an advisory role to support a smooth transition as a search for his successor begins. On 29 April, the group reported a loss of ÂŁ794 million for the year to 31 December 2024.
In addition to serving as Chair from 1 May, Mr White has assumed the role of Executive Chair on an interim basis. As Chair, he succeeds Helen Weir, who has departed the Mobico board for personal reasons.
He brings over 40 years’ experience in the transport sector and was CEO of National Express Group between 1997 and 2006. During that period, he grew the business internationally and oversaw the acquisition of Alsa, which is active in territories including Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
Mr White has also held board-level positions with Yorkshire Rider (forerunner of First Bus interests in North and West Yorkshire), Travel West Midlands (now National Express West Midlands), Stagecoach, Shearings, and railway rolling stock company Porterbrook.
He currently serves as Senior Independent Director at specialist equipment company VP Group but will stand down from that position on 30 June.
Two days before taking up the Chair role, Mr White noted that Mobico’s focus is now “on building a business that is fit for the future.”
He adds: “Working alongside the board and leadership team, my priorities as Executive Chair will be to accelerate the pace of operational and financial improvements, appoint a CEO for Mobico’s next chapter, and ensure that the value inherent in the group’s portfolio is better reflected.”
Mr Garat’s time at the helm of Mobico saw senior leadership changes at National Express operations in the UK and Germany, adjustment of the National Express Transport Solutions arm, and commencement of the sale of the National Express School business in North America. That is to be purchased by Arriva Group owner I-Squared Capital later in 2025.
Speaking about the end of his time as CEO, Mr Garat says: “The last two years have not been without their challenges as we have had to respond and adapt to a series of market headwinds.
“However, I am proud of the role our 51,500 employees carry out each and every day to help support our customers and the communities they serve. It has been a privilege to work alongside the team.”
