Stagecoach boss quits

He's exploring new opportunities

The top dog at Stagecoach South West is leaving the company.

Mike Watson has had two stints at the region's managing director. At one stage he left to manage another region, but returned after the sudden departure of his replacement following a series of difficulties at the firm, including a teenage driver overturning a bus on a route he wasn't qualified to be on.

Mr Watson, 48, is known to be an affable and knowledgeable manager, who is himself happy behind the wheel of a double-decker.

He will leave the firm next January 2023 after 11 years in various roles across the wider group.

The past few years have been difficult for the company, its employees and its customers. Passenger journeys slumped as people were instructed to stay at home through the pandemic. That affected revenues. And unions have been unhappy at working through the covid crisis and having their terms and conditions changed.

Mr Watson has been at the helm through all this, responsible for a team of over 1,000 employees, with over 300 vehicles operating across Devon and into Cornwall and Somerset.

He will stay on for the next six months and will work with his replacement to ensure a smooth transition.

He said: “The past few years of the pandemic have been very tough for everyone, and I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with such a committed team of passionate and professional people.

“Delivering high quality public transport is a real partnership, and I would also like to thank our local authority partners and other stakeholders across the region for their support during my time as Managing Director.

“I will be sad to leave my amazing team at Stagecoach, but it’s now time for me to go and explore new opportunities elsewhere."