Brown steers towards new model for GoAhead activities

David Brown took the top job at GoAhead six months ago. He had a previous spell at the group’s London bus operations and then time with Transport for London as its managing director of surface transport. James Dark spoke to him about how he sees GoAhead evolving and how his own experience is informing his thinking.

David Brown took the top job at GoAhead six months ago. He had a previous spell at the group’s London bus operations and then time with Transport for London as its managing director of surface transport. James Dark spoke to him about how he sees GoAhead evolving and how his own experience is informing his thinking.

When David Brown was announced as Go-Ahead Group’s new chief executive at the end of 2010, the first impression was that the company had appointed another guardian of its rather narrow traditions. However, less than a year into his new job, there are signs that Brown may be prepared to think rather differently to his predecessors.

Since its formation 25 years ago, as a product of the UK bus privatisation process, Go-Ahead has appeared to operate almost as a family concern, run by chief...