Susan Deacon CBE has been appointed Chair of Lothian Buses by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee. She takes over from Jim McFarlane, who steps down after nine years in that role, and will take up the post for an initial period of two years.
Ms Deacon has been a non-executive director of the municipal operator since 2015. She has over 35 years’ experience in organisational change, policy development and corporate governance in leadership roles across the private, public and third sectors, and has served on the board of many businesses and charities.
To ease the transition, Mr McFarlane, and senior independent director Steve Cassidy, are to remain as non-executive directors for an interim period until new board members are appointed later in the year.
A recruitment process for up to three non-executive directors is now underway, but Iain Reid, Anthony Rose and Mark Yexley have been reappointed as non-executive directors for a further period of 18 months.
On its board changes, Lothian says that they will take the operator through “the next phase of its development following its successful post-COVID recovery” and that members “will oversee the transition to integrated governance and operations of Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams in accordance with previous decisions taken by the City of Edinburgh Council.”
Speaking about her elevation to Chair, Susan Deacon comments: “It is a real privilege to take on the role of Chair of Lothian. The company has a rich history going back more than 100 years and has delivered unparalleled excellence in the provision of high-quality public transport to the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians.
“I am deeply indebted to my predecessor, Jim McFarlane, for his successful stewardship of Lothian over many years – he leaves a very strong foundation on which to build.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across bus and tram to ensure the delivery of an inclusive, sustainable and fully integrated public transport network for Scotland’s capital and the surrounding region in the years to come.”
