Nicola Shaw tipped to be new FirstGroup chief

Published on Saturday 27 March 2010 13:32

NICOLA Shaw, who runs FirstGroup's bus division, has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed chief executive Sir Moir Lockhead after the surprise departure of leading candidate Ellis Watson to join entertainment mogul Simon Cowell.

Shaw, formerly of the Strategic Rail Authority and World Bank, is being tipped as Lockhead's eventual replacement when he steps down.

Also in the running is finance director Jeff Carr, who joined the group last September from EasyJet. A spokesman said the firm was also recruiting a replacement for Watson, who will leave his role as the group's marketing and new business director in April.

The group's spokesman insisted Lockhead, who turns 65 next month, is "still the man who is running the business" for the foreseeable future. But FirstGroup chairman Martin Gilbert has been tasked with ensuring a successor is in place by next month.

Watson is leaving to become chief executive of Simon Cowell's media entertainment group Syco. Lockhead's previous number two, Dean Finch, left last year to become chief executive of Tube Lines, the London Underground business.

On Wednesday, FirstGroup will give a trading update to the market. FirstGroup carries about three million bus passengers every day.