Jose Ignacio Garat has been appointed as group chief executive of National Express Group effective Nov. 1, 2020.
Chris Davies will step down as interim Group Chief Executive from this date but remain as Group Finance Director.
Ignacio most recently served as senior vice president for Southern Europe, France and Benelux operations for FedEx. In his senior leadership positions in TNT and then FedEx, among several other senior positions, Ignacio Garat led the transformation of a multi-billion-dollar business with operations in 22 countries and 22,000 staff, positioning it for strong international growth. Ignacio Garat has demonstrated strong operational and strategic leadership, with a particular emphasis on safety and using technology to drive service excellence and efficiency.
“I am delighted to welcome Ignacio to National Express Group. Ignacio has the extensive international operational and strategic experience to lead National Express Group through the challenges presented by the pandemic, as well as the significant future opportunities that exist,” said Sir John Armitt, National Express Group chairman. “Ignacio’s track-record of focusing on safety, operational excellence and strong financial performance aligns closely with National Express Group’s priorities. On behalf of the whole board, I look forward to working with Ignacio in the months and years to come and thank Chris Davies for his steady hand during his time as interim group chief executive.”
Ignacio Garat added, “I have watched National Express Group’s growth in recent years to become the leader in its sector, so it is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead the company as it navigates the pandemic and positions itself for future growth. National Express has an international portfolio of market-leading businesses and a strong reputation for service and safety excellence. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to drive further improvement and deliver for both the communities we serve and our investors.”
