Stagecoach South East appoints senior team to drive customer improvements

Stagecoach South East has appointed two new members to its senior team, in order to continue improving services for its millions of customers.

Mark Wallis and Grahame Patterson have been appointed to the roles of Engineering Director and Fleet Engineer respectively. The new positions will ensure advances are continuously made in areas that matter most to those using Stagecoach services, such as turning up on time and being clean and presentable.

Mark said: “With 32 years’ worth of experience in the bus industry, I am confident that in my new role, I can help Stagecoach South East make strides in making sure our buses are even more punctual, reliable and clean. I’m very pleased to be joining the team and look forward to working together to help make our customers happy.”

Mark previously worked for bus manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Optare before becoming an Engineering Director for Stagecoach South Wales. Grahame, previously Acting Engineering Director, has worked in various roles within Stagecoach South East for over 25 years and is a highly experienced Transport Manager.

Grahame added: “I’m excited to take up the position of Fleet Engineer – having worked for Stagecoach South East for many years, I am well aware of what we do well but also of what we can do to improve. We believe in acting on feedback and a large part of my new role will be to focus on the issues that people have told us matter to them.”

Commenting on the new roles, Joel Mitchell, Stagecoach South East’s Managing Director, said: “I’d like to welcome Mark and Grahame to their new roles. Our recent survey results told us users rank punctuality and reliability as most important to them. We can always do better, and the new senior positions will drive our efforts for continuous improvement.

“Both Mark and Grahame come to their new roles with a plethora of experience, in fact, 65 years of experience combined. We know our customers expect a reliable and clean bus

network and I have no doubt in my mind that both Mark and Grahame will work tirelessly to deliver that to the people that matter; customers, colleagues and communities.”

In 2018 Stagecoach celebrated 25 years since taking over the East Kent Road Car Company in 1993. Since then it has almost doubled its fleet to 459 buses, with its new vehicles offering the latest cleaner engine technology to provide greener travel. The company employs more than 1,300 people and carries more than 43 million passengers a year.

Mark Wallis (L) and Grahame Patterson of Stagecoach South East have been appointed to continue improving punctuality and reliability.