Arriva appoints Kevin O’Connor as Managing Director, UK Bus

Passenger transport group Arriva has announced the appointment of Kevin O’Connor as managing director - UK Bus.

Kevin, who will sit on Arriva’s Executive Committee, joins the firm on 2 March from G4S where he held a variety of senior leadership roles between 2001 and 2015, most recently as regional managing director of G4S Cash Solutions UK and Ireland. Prior to joining G4S, Kevin started his career in the retail sector with Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership.

In his new role, Kevin, 38, will be responsible for the development and overall direction of Arriva’s UK regional bus businesses and its London bus operations – working closely with its regional managing directors.

The third largest bus provider in the regional bus market, Arriva’s UK Bus business operates commercial, contracted and tendered services with a fleet of some 5,900 buses and over 16,000 employees across the country.

Arriva is also a major player in the London bus market where it operates 1,200 buses for Transport for London.

David Martin, Chief Executive of Arriva, said: “Kevin has held a variety of senior roles throughout his career and brings considerable commercial, operational and client management experience to Arriva.

“His expertise and track record will be invaluable to us as we look to grow our UK bus business in a variety of regions and also in the London market. Once again I’d like to welcome Kevin to Arriva. He is the perfect appointment to take our UK Bus business to the next level.”

Kevin O’Connor, added: “I am excited to be joining Arriva and more than anything, I look forward to playing my role in developing the quality of our services and what we can offer both existing and potential passengers up and down the country.

“Alongside the team, I am also keen to build upon the strong relationships we already have with regional local authorities, Transport for London and other important partners.”