Following approval by councillors, Susan Deacon, CBE, has been appointed Chair of Lothian, the bus operator for an initial two year period.
Ms Deacon was previously the Labour MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, and was Chair of the Scottish Police Authority until 2019.
She succeeds the outgoing Chair Jim McFarlane who, unusually, is remaining on the board as a non-executive director along with senior independent director Steve Cassidy until new board members are appointed. A recruitment process is underway.
The new board will then lead the bus company into the next phase when it joins up with Edinburgh Trams in one integrated public transport company.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I am delighted that Susan Deacon is taking on the role of Lothian Chair. She is deeply committed to the success of Lothian and has a long and successful track record of contribution to the city.
“I’m also confident that the wider changes to the Board will ensure the company continues to grow and develop, while playing a full and active part in our plans to integrate bus and tram operations for the benefit of Edinburgh’s travelling public.
“Finally, I want also to pay tribute to outgoing Chair, Jim McFarlane, for his immense contribution to Lothian and to the city over many years. I’ll be recognising this formally as a congratulatory motion at the next meeting of the Council. I’d also like to thank Steve Cassidy who will be standing down as a Non-Executive Director later this year.”
Susan Deacon, Lothian Chair said: “It is a real privilege to take on the role of Chair of Lothian. The company has a rich history going back more than 100 years and has delivered unparalleled excellence in the provision of high-quality public transport to the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians.
“I am deeply indebted to my predecessor, Jim McFarlane, for his successful stewardship of Lothian over many years – he leaves a very strong foundation on which to build.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across bus and tram to ensure the delivery of an inclusive, sustainable and fully integrated public transport network for Scotland’s capital and the surrounding region in the years to come.”
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