As a shareholder and former employee of FirstGroup, I will watch future developments following the abandoned takeover from Apollo [routeone/News/9 May] with interest.
From my current observations, albeit from a distance, First Bus UK is a brilliantly-run company where quality and service delivery has improved tenfold in the last few years.
However, it does not appear to be focused on achieving much of a profit margin which was always the main objective of the previous chief executive.
Most of my shares were purchased under share option plans as I believed it was morally correct to invest in the company that had employed me for nearly 50 years.
While I was aware that the value of shares can go up and down, I would expect any company that I invest in to at least attempt to make a profit, but that does not seem to be a priority under the current regime.
Kenneth Farrington
