FirstGroup has named Lena Wilson CBE as Board Chair. She will take up that position on 1 February 2025 and succeed longstanding busman David Martin, who retired on 10 September.
Senior Independent Director Peter Lynas will act as Chair until Ms Wilson joins. She will bring significant director- and Chair-level experience, having held those roles with listed and private companies for over a decade. That includes serving on the boards of Scottish Power Renewables and Intertek Group and as Chair of AGS Airports.
Ms Wilson was also Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise between 2009 and 2017 and before that a senior investment advisor to The World Bank in Washington, DC. She is currently a non-executive director and Remuneration Committee Chair at NatWest Group and Chair of Picton Property Income.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr Lynas says: “We are delighted that Lena will be joining us to chair our board, bringing substantial experience from both the public and private sectors combined with a strong track record as a non-executive director.
“We also thank David Martin for his service to the Group over the last five years.” Mr Martin has been credited for a significant contribution to the overhaul of FirstGroup, with its North American operations disposed of during his tenure.
Lena Wilson adds: “I am very pleased to be joining the board of FirstGroup. I am excited about the opportunities that exist to deliver public transport services for our customers and employees in a sector that is vitally important to the nation’s economy and to continue the good progress that group has made over recent years.”
