All change as bus chief announces retirement

The boss of a bus operator trentbarton is to retire after almost a quarter of a century with the firm.

Jeff Counsell, who is also managing director of sister firm Kinchbus, will call time on his lengthy career in the transport industry in February.

The following month, trentbarton’s current group commercial director, Tom Morgan, will step up to the newly created role of managing director (buses) for all the bus operators of trentbarton’s parent company Wellglade.

Jeff started as a 15-year-old engineering apprentice at Lancashire United Transport in the 1970s.

He joined trentbarton in 1999 as engineering director and progressed to director of service delivery before becoming managing director in 2009.

His role directing both operations and engineering also encompassed the two companies’ relationships with national and local government, an aspect which has been of prime importance during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Jeff said: “Throughout my years the industry has seen many opportunities and challenges, including deregulation, recessions and the pandemic.

“But our industry is all about people and our people at trentbarton and Kinchbus always pull together.

“It’s a great team – from the bottom to the top. Our frontline staff are always impressive.

“Our drivers, our engineers, everyone, they never flinch from the challenges. I’m deeply proud of them and will miss being with them.”

Brian King, chairman of Wellglade, said: “Jeff has played a key role in keeping trentbarton and Kinchbus at the forefront of the bus industry.

“They have won numerous awards from not only the bus industry but also the business community.

“When he retires next February, he will be able to look back proudly on his career in buses.

“Tom’s new role will cover the commercial, operational and external relations activities of our bus companies.

“He knows the businesses and the area well from his current and previous positions.”

Tom joined Wellglade in 2009 to work on the Nottingham Tramlink project and has subsequently been trentbarton’s assistant operations manager for Derby and the general manager at Kinchbus.

He said: “I’m very grateful to Jeff for his guidance and faith since bringing me into the business in 2009 and for the chances to progress in my career. I’m incredibly excited about what lies ahead.

“The bus industry has gone through a difficult time, but the future is full of opportunities which we are well placed to grasp by listening to our customers, maintaining our high standards, continuing to innovate, embrace new technology and by investing in and empowering our dedicated and passionate team members.”