Member Article

Next stop retirement for Go North East’s Colin

After nearly two decades in post, Go North East’s finance director Colin McPherson is stepping down – swapping services and statistics for sticky wickets and stumps.

Joining as finance director in 1998, cricket-loving Colin, now 58, has been a strategic influence for the region’s largest bus operator for 19 years. He leaves a significant legacy behind him, including over £50million of investment to the fleet, services and ticketing innovations in the past five years alone. Back in 2014, he was the project sponsor for Gateshead Riverside, ensuring the £8.5million ‘super depot’ was delivered on time and to budget.

Located on the former Dunston power station site, Riverside is based over 5.75 acres and houses a quarter of Go North East’s 2100-strong workforce and a third of its 700 buses.

Colin, from Consett, has a seat on the board and is an integral member of the senior management team and along with the other Go North East directors, directly reports into parent company – transport giant, Go-Ahead Group Plc.

As Kevin Carr, managing director at Go North East explains, Colin has played a pivotal role in shaping Go North East into the company it is today.

“Go North East is unrecognisable now compared to when Colin joined us in 1998,” says Kevin. “The bus industry has changed monumentally over the past two decades and during this time he has helped ensure we had the finance and resource to remain competitive and current, while our turnover has continued to increase.”

Colin comments: “I’ve had a fantastic career and am very proud of everything the company has achieved over the past 19 years. It has been exciting to be part of the senior management team of such a progressive company, that really puts its heart and soul into providing great customer service, all while playing such an important role in the local community.

“Not one day at Go North East has been the same, thanks to the ever-changing face of the sector and the challenges it brings. I’m sad to leave but excited to start a new chapter in my life.”

A self-proclaimed lover of sums, Colin attended Blackfyne Comprehensive School in Consett before reading accountancy at Leeds Polytechnic and qualifying as an accountant in 1985. Prior to joining Go North East, he enjoyed several accountancy positions at other organisations including Phillips Components.

The Consett cricket club player and junior team coach, aims to spend his retirement pursing his passions which include squash, walking, spending time with his family, particularly new granddaughter, six-month-old Sadie and, travelling with wife, Catherine.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Durham .