Chris Hanson has joined Stagecoach West as operations director to drive service delivery across the bus operator's local network. Chris brings with him a wealth of experience in the bus industry and a solid record of leading operational excellence in the West of England.

Chris comes to Stagecoach West from First Cymru Buses Ltd, based in Swansea, Wales where he held the position of General Manager. Here Chris demonstrated the broad skill and dedication that has defined his career, contributing significantly to the company's success during his time in post.

Rachel Geliamassi, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: "Chris' deep understanding of the bus industry, his passion for service excellence and his people-first approach make him an excellent fit for Stagecoach West.

"He is eager to bring his skills and experience to our team and help us to provide top-notch services to our customers in the West of England. We welcome Chris onboard and wish him every success as he embarks on this new journey with Stagecoach West."

Chris began his journey as a bus driver before moving into leadership roles. His career at First Bus saw him make a significant impact at different levels. He spent over nine years at First West of England, where he held the positions of Head of Operations and Operations Director, always leaving a great mark of his leadership and management ability.

Chris Hanson, operations director, of Stagecoach West said: "I am excited to be joining the fantastic team at Stagecoach West. I am looking forward to getting to know the team, our stakeholders and customers in the coming weeks and months; working to make our services across the West of England even better for our communities."

Stagecoach West operates across the West covering Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, and Wiltshire. Employing 1500 people they transport 40 million passengers every year across a fleet of 570 buses and coaches.

Stagecoach is Britain's biggest bus and coach operator. The company's vision is to help cut congestion, improve safety on the roads, and protect the environment and air quality.