A new managing director has been appointed to run Brighton and Hove Buses after the previous boss Ed Wills moved back to Bournemouth to take charge of the bus company there.
Transport business Go-Ahead said that Matt Ashton, 40, would become managing director (MD) of Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus from the summer. Metrobus is based in Crawley.
Go-Ahead, which also runs the main train companies serving Brighton and Hove, said that Mr Ashton would take over from interim MD Rupert Cox.
Mr Cox, 46, is expected to continue in his permanent role as commercial director of Go-Ahead’s bus division, having held the fort locally since the start of January.
Mr Ashton comes to Brighton and Hove Buses having been operations director at Go North West where, Go-Ahead said, “he was integral in the company winning Bus Operator of the Year 2025.”
He joined the company from rival bus operator Arriva in 2023 and, before switching to the top bus job in Brighton and Hove, he served as interim MD of East Yorkshire Buses, also part of Go-Ahead.
The company said that, at the East Yorkshire division, Mr Ashton had provided “strong leadership at a time of transition while maintaining a clear focus on reliability and operational performance”.
His move to Brighton and Hove is regarded as a promotion as he takes charge of one of the most profitable parts of Go-Ahead’s bus business.
His predecessor, Mr Wills, 45, took over from Martin Harris as MD of Brighton and Hove Buses when Mr Harris, 68, retired in 2021 after eight years at the helm.
Mr Wills moved to Brighton and Hove from Bournemouth and returned to Go-Ahead South at the start of January.
Before he moved back along the coast, he said: “It has been a privilege to lead Brighton and Hove Buses, Metrobus and Spirit of Sussex.
“Our success has always been rooted in the communities we serve and I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve built and the improvements we’ve delivered together.
“I am most proud of the teams I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside – from our drivers to our engineers and office colleagues.
“I know the company will continue to thrive under new leadership.”
Go-Ahead’s regional bus managing director Martin Dean said: “Strong operational leadership is the cornerstone of delivering high-quality services for the customers and communities we serve and these are two excellent appointments for Go-Ahead.
“Matt Ashton has been an outstanding leader at East Yorkshire and he will do a brilliant job in his new role.
“Matt Kitchin brings over 20 years of experience in the bus industry and a deep understanding of our business from his previous time with Go-Ahead.
“I would also like to thank Rupert Cox for his exceptional work in supporting the team at Brighton and Hove and Metrobus as interim managing director.”
Another new leader for Brighton and Hove buses but the service won’t improve it’s the worst service in europe
Au contraire, it’s one of the best around. I use them most days and find the service excellent and the staff very helpful, courteous and considerate.
more express routes please
Now He’s gone, can we have our red & cream buses back please?
Please il Metrobus mprove the us outer services in Crawley
A bus service into Sainsbury and Range Store would be appreciated as the compass bus only operates into the place on a Monday to Thursday until midday not good for senior residents we no longer have decent shop supermarkets in town centre after Morrisons closed NINE years ago and Mark and Spencer closed 2 years ago the shopping is a struggle in Town centre due to awful shops like mobile phone shops vape shops nail shops
A direct daily bus service into Sainsbury and Range Store which has a Cafe in West Green would be appreciated for the sake of senior residents
A bus service to Haskins Garden Centre from Crawley would be appreciated as there are no decent places in Crawley Town Centre for senior residents to meet with friends most are unable to use the Garden Centres due to unavailability of public transport as the M and S Food Hall Cafe in County oak has closed