FirstGroup director quits for Dutch supermarket

Firstgroup finance director Jeff Carr has announced he is leaving the firm to take up a similar role with a Dutch supermarket chain.

Carr, 49, has served on the board of budget airline EasyJet and held senior financial roles at Associated British Foods and Reckitt Benckiser.

Aberdeen-based FirstGroup said yesterday he would leave on 11 November, to take on the role of chief financial officer of Royal Ahold. Nick Chevis, who has been with the transport firm since 1997, will become acting finance director until a permanent replacement for Carr is appointed.

Chief executive Tim O’Toole said: “I would like to thank Jeff for his significant contribution over the past two years, during which time the group has delivered a robust performance.”

The firm also unveiled First TransPennine boss Vernon Barker as managing director of its UK rail division.