Sarah Boyd named Lothian Managing Director

Sarah Boyd has been named Managing Director of Edinburgh municipal operator Lothian. She steps up from the role of Operations Director and succeeds Nigel Serafini, who has retired after 21 years’ service to the business. 

Ms Boyd is Lothian’s first female MD and her appointment represents “a shift in direction” as the operator continues to rebuild post-pandemic, it says in a statement. She expects to “promote a fair, people-focused and inclusive workplace culture across the business.” 

Having gained a BSc in mathematics and finance at Heriot Watt university, Ms Boyd joined the transport industry in 2002 via the Stagecoach graduate entry scheme. That saw her serve in various positions within the group before joining Lothian in 2013, first as Head of Operations before becoming Operations Director in 2017. 

Speaking about her elevation to head the operator, Ms Boyd says: “I am delighted to take on the role of Lothian MD. I would like to thank Nigel Serafini for his efforts over the last two and a half years as Lothian navigated the challenges brought about as the result of the global pandemic. 

“I am proud to be in a position to lead this award-winning business. My key objective is to steer the company into economic stability so that we can continue to enhance Lothian’s reputation as an industry leader. We fully support the Scottish Government’s targets for net zero emissions by 2045 and are committed to embracing technology to meet those goals.”

Lothian Chair Jim McFarlane has also thanked Mr Serafini for his efforts and welcomed Sarah Boyd to her new position. “With a strong record as Lothian’s Operations Director, I am sure she will be at the forefront of Lothian’s resurgence as the industry leader we know it to be,” says Mr McFarlane. 

“Sarah’s appointment as our first ever female Managing Director promotes our key values of inclusivity and represents a fresh, vibrant new era at Lothian.”

Mr Serafini, formerly Lothian’s Commercial Director, took up the MD position in March 2020, initially on an interim basis following the departure of Richard Hall.