Role: Sector Director (Bus Operations)

Career Area: Transport Strategy and Planning

Location: Leeds

My role at SYSTRA

I really enjoy my role at SYSTRA, which is extremely interesting and varied. I often work on projects as a ‘project director’ or ‘subject matter expert’ and provide a high level of quality control.

Along with others I’m also responsible for winning work for the Bus team and enjoy writing bids – especially when they win!

I also get great pleasure from supporting and mentoring more junior team members. I’m really proud and humbled by the talented Bus team we have assembled and the growth we have achieved together.

My career journey

I initially worked in the theatre after leaving university. My career pivoted and I joined the bus industry in 1994. I then spent 20 years working for one of the UK’s leading bus operators, Arriva, in a number of roles including National Marketing Manager, Commercial Director, Operations Director and as a subsidiary Managing Director.

During my time with Arriva, I was involved in many exciting and memorable projects, including setting up a new business to deliver non-emergency patient transport. I also lead the company’s response to the inquiry held into the UK bus industry by the Competition and Markets Authority. I then spent several years working for a variety of other bus operating companies, before working as an independent consultant, which included a spell spent in Dubai.

I joined SYSTRA in 2019 after working on a project for the company as an independent consultant. I have enjoyed using my industry experience to help deliver commissions for a wide range of clients ever since.

We asked Brian…
When did you realise this was the career path for you?

I sort of fell into public transport; but I was soon hooked. The great thing about working for a bus operating company is you get to learn and do so many things. You’re not just responsible for developing networks and delivering an excellent service for your customers, you need to know about HR, deal with finances, understand health and safety regulations, negotiate with trade unions and have excellent stakeholder management skills.

It’s really rewarding that I can bring that knowledge and those skills into consulting to deliver reports that don’t just sit on a shelf – they make a real difference to our clients.

Have you got any words of wisdom for someone starting out in a similar role?

Get involved in lots of different projects to gain a wide breadth of experience and become a well-rounded professional. Don’t be afraid of a challenge, but also don’t forget there is so much experience and support within the industry – if you do get stuck there will be someone out there who can help and advise.

How does SYSTRA stand out from the rest as a great place to work?

For me it’s the positivity of the people who work for SYSTRA. This was very noticeable when I first joined in 2019. There are just so many people who are excited about their work and want to make a difference – the buzz around the offices I visited was very noticeable. Plus, the coffee machines and clean cups are a world away from those I normally found in bus depots.

With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table?

With my background in the bus industry I believe I can help ensure the recommendations we make to our clients are achievable in the real world. I want to make sure that what we deliver is innovative and impressive, but ultimately, even if it’s a challenge, I want to produce recommendations that can be delivered and will make a genuine positive impact.

Where is the place that has inspired you the most?

I love walking and, in the past, I’ve been lucky enough to go skiing a few times. I’m always inspired when I’m high up on a hill or mountainside, enjoying a flask of coffee and a sandwich, just taking in awe-inspiring natural beauty.

What does true sustainability really mean to you?

I think I’m quite practical about this. It’s always been my aim to provide people with great bus services and the information they need to use them. This means they don’t automatically jump in a car to make a journey, but actually think about the best way to get from A to B.

The car has its place, but sometimes it just makes more sense to walk, catch a bus or use a train. If we could just get everyone to make a few more journeys by public transport each week and leave the car at home, not only would we live in a greener environment, but I think we would all be happier and healthier people.

What would a green future look like?

A greener future would be one where we developed towns and cities where people needed to travel less to reach places for work, education, health, shopping and recreation. There would be viable options to make journeys on foot, by bike or public transport. What was noticeable during Covid-19 pandemic, for example, was the lack of cars on the roads and how we started to value our own local areas more.

How do you look after your wellbeing outside of work?

I started doing ‘parkrun’ a few years ago and now I really love it – though ‘run’ may be an over-exaggeration considering the finish times I achieve. But that has led me to go to the gym more. I also support Rotherham United and go to most games, and enjoy hiking and sailing.

If you could spend your lunchbreak with someone you really admire, who would you choose?

I think it would be Aneurin Bevan who spearheaded the introduction of the NHS. I have always admired people who come from humble backgrounds and overcome adversity to achieve greatness.

If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life?

I think it would be Aneurin Bevan who spearheaded the introduction of the NHS. I have always admired people who come from humble backgrounds and overcome adversity to achieve greatness.

> View all

learn more about life at systra