Matt Carney (pictured) has been named CEO, Bus by Go-Ahead Group. He will move from the position of Managing Director (Australia) with Kinetic and is to join Go-Ahead later this year.
Appointment of Mr Carney is part of organisational change by Go-Ahead to support its The Next Billion Journeys strategy. The newly created CEO, Bus role will sit alongside a similar CEO, Rail position that is to be filled by Patrick Verwer. He is currently CEO of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the UK’s largest train operating company. GTR parent Govia is a joint venture between Go-Ahead and Keolis.
Go-Ahead says that creation of the two senior roles will “provide extra strategic oversight of the two pillars of the company.” Group Chief Executive Christian Schreyer adds that the business has been moving towards a structure based on two modes “for some time,” describing it as “a logical evolution for Go-Ahead, given the shape and nature of our business.”
Mr Schreyer continues: “Matt and Patrick are both exceptional leaders who bring a great deal of experience. I am confident that the changes we are making will make us even more nimble and dynamic in building our business, in identifying opportunities, and in delivering excellence.”
Kinetic says that Mr Carney has been “instrumental” in driving its success in Australia. A consortium made up of bus operator Kinetic and transport concession manager Globalvia Inversiones purchased Go-Ahead in 2022.
Kinetic Co-CEO Michael Sewards notes that Mr Carney “has been a pivotal figure for Kinetic in recent years, and… will add valuable leadership to our team in the UK and help Go-Ahead to continue realising its global growth and industry leadership ambitions.”
He adds: “We are excited for Matt to share his knowledge and best practices in operational excellence at Go-Ahead, while also championing our core sustainability goals – including the accelerated transition to net zero.”
Mr Carney joined Kinetic in 2019, having previously worked in ground transport and parking roles with Melbourne Airport.
Before that he was employed by Tigerair Australia and the Australian Federal Police.
His successor as head of Kinetic’s operations in Australia is Greg Balkin. Mr Balkin joins from the role of Chief Operating Officer with Kelsian Group. He will takes up the position on 18 September.
Mr Carney will gain responsibility for Go-Ahead’s rapidly developing bus operations. Its Go North West (GNW) business is approaching significant growth via two large bus franchises that it will deliver in Greater Manchester from 24 September, although in March 2024 GNW will cede its current Queen’s Road depot via the second tranche of reregulation. The Go South Coast business has also seen major expansion over the past 12 months.
The group has additionally built its presence in the South Midlands, South East England and Devon via the purchases of Pulhams Coaches, Southdown Buses and Dartline Coaches, respectively.
