Stagecoach has appointed Lee Wasnidge as Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester. He will take over the role from outgoing Elisabeth Tasker from 4 January 2021.
As MD for Stagecoach Manchester, Mr Wasnidge takes the reigns at the group’s largest operating company. He will be responsible for a fleet of more than 750 buses across Greater Manchester. This includes 2,300 employees and approximately 106 million bus journeys every year.
Formerly Customer Service and Security Director for Manchester Airports Group, Mr Wasnidge has worked senior roles in Northern Rail and Transdev, as well as numerous businesses including Asda, Iceland, Pets at Home and PepsiCo.
He says partnerships will be crucially important as the operator moves into the “post-COVID-19 world” to ensure that the public transport sector “supports the country’s green recovery”. He says he looks forward to connecting with Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to build new relationships.
“We’re delighted that Lee will be joining Stagecoach Manchester in January,” says UK Managing Director for Stagecoach Carla Stockton-Jones. “Our bus services play a major role in connecting communities across Greater Manchester and as we start to rebuild from the impact of coronavirus COVID-19, our priority is to work with stakeholders to deliver the best and most sustainable bus network for the region in the longer term.”
Adds Mr Wasnidge: “Greater Manchester is a hugely important region and there are some massive opportunities to help the region grow. Our bus services play an extremely important role in Greater Manchester, the powerhouse of the north, and are vital to supporting the local economy and communities as we recover from coronavirus COVID-19.”
Ms Stockton-Jones meanwhile had paid tribute to outgoing Ms Tasker, commending her contribution to the business and local community over the last 20 years.
“Under Elisabeth’s leadership, major investment has been made to improve services for customers, with new buses and new services including the recent introduction of region’s first ever double decker electric buses,” says Ms Stockton-Jones. “She has been a great asset to Greater Manchester and I’m sure everybody will join me in wishing her well.”
