David Phillips, operations director at First Aberdeen, has been appointed chair of the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce transport sector network.
The network brings together transport providers and partnership organisations from across the North-east to discuss infrastructure and strategic challenges and improvements in the region.
Mr Phillips, who has been an active member of the group since it started in 2015, replaces outgoing chair Carol Benzies.
He joined transport giant FirstGroup as a graduate recruit in 2002, working his way through a number of roles, including managing director in Aberdeen. His past roles with FirstGroup include spells in Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Glasgow where he was a general manager responsible for four bus depots.
Chamber network manager John Shaw, said: “We welcome David to the position of chair. The transport sector plays a catalytic role in leading the economic and social transformation of successful city regions. This group, which is made up of representatives from a diverse cross-section of the sector, is vital in helping raise awareness of the strategic transport developments across the North-east and helping feed into the Chamber’s policy work at a local and national level.
Mr Phillips said: “I joined the bus industry in 2002 and, having been involved with the transport sector group since my appointment in 2015, I am extremely proud to now take up this new role. I recognise the excellent job undertaken previously by Carol Benzie and I hope to continue from where she left off.
“The transport infrastructure in the city is at a critical stage with the opening of AWPR but there now exists an opportunity to really take advantage of the opportunities presented to us. The new cruise ship terminal, Haudigan/Berryden corridor changes, roads hierarchy report, city centre masterplan and impending low emission zone are all happening right now so it’s important that member partners in the transport sector work together and influence the future landscape of the city.
“I want to encourage all transport related members of the chamber to be actively engaged in this group where we discuss and invite topical and relevant people to our meetings. Sandra MacDonald vice chair of the Nestrans Board and transport lead in Aberdeen city council is our first confirmed speaker at our next event on May 23, 2019 so please come along we’d love to see you there.”
