Back seat driver: New Lothian Buses boss to be based in London

Published on Wednesday 2 March 2011 17:52

THE new chairman of Lothian Buses is set to be a high-profile former easyJet boss who will be required to attend just seven meetings a year - and be based in London.

Chris Walton, who was finance director of the low-cost carrier for six years, is expected to be formally appointed at a council meeting next week on a salary of 21,000.

Council chiefs insist Mr Walton is the right man to take the publicly-owned bus firm forward.

The 53-year-old, who has dual Australian and British citizenship, steps into the role after the dramatic departure of former chairman David Mackay, who chaired Lothian Buses, tram firm TIE and Transport Edinburgh Limited (TEL).

Mr Mackay, who picked up more than 90,000 for the combined post, quit after describing the tram project as "hell on wheels".

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, the city's transport convener, said he had no concerns about Mr Walton being based in London.

"The important thing is that he is available when needed," he said.

"He is not the operational manager of Lothian Buses, he is not there to be looking over the shoulder of Ian Craig - he is there to be chairing the company and to be available to provide support and guidance to the management team and the board."

The council confirmed he would be required to attend just seven meetings in Edinburgh every year.

Mr Walton had six years at easyJet, during which time he successfully navigated the company through its flotation but faced high-profile criticism in his final year after a double profits warning.

He has also held senior executive positions with both Qantas and Air New Zealand and is currently non-executive chairman of Goldenport Holdings, a shipping business.

Mr Walton said "I look forward to joining one of the icons of Edinburgh. Lothian Buses has a justly deserved reputation which extends well beyond Scotland."There are fears that the future of Lothian Buses could be jeopardised by the tram project, which is expected to be subsidised by the city's buses in its first few years of operation.

Yesterday the Scottish Parliament's audit committee heard that it was still unclear whether the trams would be included in the concessionary travel scheme, which allows pensioners to travel free of charge.

Should the trams not be included in the scheme, the project's business case would be severely undermined.

Mr Walton's initial appointment is for three years, but it is still not known whether the trams will be running by then.

Ian Craig, managing director of Lothian Buses, said: "Chris is an outstanding individual who will bring to the board a wealth of experience."

Council Leader Jenny Dawe added: "Chris will provide excellent stewardship for our award-winning bus company and I look forward to working with him over the coming years."

She added: "We remain absolutely committed to delivering on our vision for a clean, green and efficient transport system for Edinburgh."