From trains to trams (and buses)

We receive may Press Releases but I must admit welcomed the one from Blackpool Transport Services received earlier this week regarding the appointment of a new Managing Director. The new post holder is none other than Jane Cole who I had the privilege to work with at Virgin Trains on media. Customer, and key stakeholder relationships as well as on an intensive staff engagement programme. The work with Jane took place across the North West and North Wales and included some extremely early starts as we undertook ‘meet the manager’ sessions and staff forums including some 03:00 alarms calls in Holyhead!
The announcement from Blackpool Transport Services is below:
Exciting journey for new Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Services
An experienced transport manager with strong links to Blackpool has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Blackpool Transport Services.
Jane Cole, who has more than 35 years’ experience working in the rail industry, most recently as a Senior Manager in Customer Service, Operations, Commercial and Marketing at Virgin Trains, will start work on November 3.
Originally from Manchester, Jane’s career began in 1979 when she took her first job as a technical officer in signalling and telecommunications.
Progression in her career brought her to Blackpool – a popular holiday destination for her family – in 1989 when she took a job working at Blackpool North Station.
A management promotion took her to Preston to work for Intercity in 1990 before moving to Virgin Trains in 1996.
A former member of the board of the North West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce as well as Visit Lancashire, Jane is also an active member of the Blackpool Business Leadership Forum.
Jane said: “I am delighted and excited to now be the Managing Director for Blackpool Transport Services.
“With the new tramway, plans to extend it further to create an improved, fully integrated transport network linking to Blackpool North Station and, of course, running bus routes across the whole of the Fylde coast, the challenge is huge.
“These are really exciting times and Blackpool Transport is now ready to be part of the integrated transport revolution which is being strategically planned for the resort.
“I want people to take away a brilliant experience when they travel on our trams and buses.
“I intend to forge close relationships with customers, employees, stakeholders, and train and coach operators who bring people into the resort.
“We are a big part of the customer travel experience and I want people to leave with an amazing impression.”