FirstGroup appoints new CEO

FirstGroup has announced that Graham Sutherland has been appointed as its next Chief Executive Officer following a search process led by the nomination committee of its Board.

Graham will join the Board as an Executive Director and take up the role of Chief Executive Officer with effect from 16 May 2022.

Graham has an established record in strategic development, as well as in delivering enhanced financial and operational performance and engaging a diverse range of stakeholders.

Graham has held a number of senior leadership positions in organisations that provide critical services to consumer, business and public sector customers across the UK. He was Chief Executive Officer of KCOM Group plc, a LSE-listed telecommunications company, from 2018 until its sale to a Macquarie-managed infrastructure fund.

Prior to this, Graham held a number of senior executive roles within BT Group PLC over twelve years. These included as Chief Executive Officer of the BT Business and Public Sector division, where he was responsible for profitable growth and led the integration of EE’s Business unit, creating a division with £4.6bn in annual revenues and 13,000 employees. Graham was also Chief Executive of BT Ireland where he was responsible for all consumer, business and network activities. Prior to that he was Chief Executive of NTL Ireland and has also held senior financial roles including at Bombardier. He is a non-executive director of Savvi, one of Ireland’s largest credit unions.

David Martin, FirstGroup executive chairman said: “I am delighted to welcome Graham to FirstGroup. He has a strong track record in the delivery of critical services and in creating value for shareholders in rapidly evolving regulatory and technological environments. Graham joins at an exciting and important time for FirstGroup which is now a focused and resilient business with a strong platform from which to develop. I am confident that Graham is ideally suited to take the Group forward and I look forward to working with him to maximise the widespread opportunities that exist for growth and sustainable value creation.”

Graham Sutherland said: “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead FirstGroup. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to drive the Group forward and deliver the vital services that are key to achieving society’s sustainability and economic goals. With its prime positions in bus and rail, strong balance sheet and clear purpose, FirstGroup has many opportunities ahead and I look forward to helping shape its exciting future.”

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