A former executive of one of the world’s largest chauffeuring businesses is to take over as managing director of First West of England, the company running most of Bath’s buses.
Doug Claringbold will succeed James Freeman, who retires on March 31 after six years in the role.
Doug, pictured, has spent more than 20 years working in the chauffeuring industry – initially as COO of Tristar Worldwide Chauffeur Services, where he developed an international affiliate network with businesses such as Emirates, Saga, UK-based embassies and premium customers generating £6m-plus.
For three-and-a-half years until last November he was global services director of Middlesex-based Addison Lee, which had acquired Tristar and has around 4,000 vehicles and annual revenues of more than £380m.
While at Tristar he created operational hubs in the US and Hong Kong to support growth in its global business while also expanding its UK operations by developing operating units in Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow.
First West of England described him as an experienced commercial and operational leader within the ground transport sectors, adding he is “passionate about the customer and colleague experiences and he has a wealth of experience in building strong and sustainable relationships with partners and stakeholders”.
He will start his induction with First Bus next month and throughout March, working alongside James Freeman to ensure a smooth transition in readiness for him to take over on April 1.
As the region’s main bus operator, First West of England – a subsidiary of international transport operator FirstGroup – operates across Bath, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and parts of Somerset and Wiltshire.
It employs more than 1,000 drivers and around 300 other staff operating a fleet of 600-plus buses operating on 100 routes covering a total of 25m miles. 
Under the leadership of James Freeman, pictured, – and before the coronavirus pandemic – passenger numbers rose steadily to 67m passengers at a time when they were falling in many other parts of the UK.
Doug said: “During these very difficult times the professionalism of those working within the First West of England team was evident when I visited Bristol last year and sampled our customer proposition.
“I look forward to working with everyone to realise every opportunity that the recovery will bring, further supporting our communities, delivering exceptional service and building on James Freeman’s legacy.”
First Bus divisional director Dave Alexander added: “James leaves First West of England with our very best wishes for a long and happy retirement and sincere thanks for his leadership of the business during the last six years.”
James Freeman started his 46-year career on the buses as a conductor, going on to hold leadership positions with Reading Buses and Stagecoach, where he was chief executive officer and a managing director respectively. 
A self-confessed bus enthusiast who often spends his holidays travelling on them, he has overseen a major transformation of First West of England, including launching one of the UK’s largest fleets of biomethane buses, pictured, and the roll-out of Bristol’s £230m rapid transit Metrobus system.
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit services, passenger numbers had grown annually by between 6-10% during his tenure.
