Stagecoach has shuffled some members of its senior leadership in the North West ahead of it taking up three large local service contracts via the second tranche of franchising in Greater Manchester.
As part of that, Lee Wasnidge (pictured, above) – formerly Stagecoach Manchester Managing Director – takes up the new role of Managing Director – Franchising Mobilisation. Mr Wasnidge joined Stagecoach in January 2021 from Manchester Airports Group.
In that position, Mr Wasnidge will lead the mobilisation of Stagecoach’s involvement in tranche two of franchising in Greater Manchester. That will go live on 24 March 2024 from depots in Middleton, Oldham, and Queen’s Road to the north of Manchester city centre. Stagecoach will displace First Manchester in Oldham and Go North West at Queen’s Road.
Mr Wasnidge will also be responsible for “developing the blueprint and collaboration for future franchising,” says Stagecoach Chief Operating Officer Sam Greer. The group currently has a major presence in the Liverpool City Region, where Mayor Steve Rotheram is expected to formally approve introduction of franchising in the near future.
In parallel with Mr Wasnidge’s move, Rob Jones has been appointed Managing Director of the established Manchester South business.
Mr Jones moves from the group’s Cumbria and North Lancashire operating company, which he had led since January 2020. A career busman, he has previously held MD roles at other Stagecoach subsidiaries.
Mr Greer adds that Mr Jones will take on “responsibility for, and applying the focus on, day-to-day operation” at the Manchester South unit.
Tom Waterhouse, who joined Stagecoach via its graduate scheme, has been appointed Interim MD of the Cumbria and North Lancashire business, having been its Operations Director since 2018.
“I would like to thank Lee for his commitment to leading our Manchester operating company over the last three years, both growing it in revenue and becoming an award-winning business, and I look forward to working with Rob and Lee in their new roles,” Mr Greer concludes.
