Phil White

Executive Chair

Phil White Headshot

APPOINTED

May 2025

COMMITTEES

Experience:

Phil has over 40 years’ experience in the transport sector and has held a range of non-executive roles across different industries. He was previously the CEO of National Express Group plc between 1997 and 2006, during which time he expanded the business internationally and oversaw the transformational acquisition of ALSA. He has also held a variety of board positions across the wider transport industry, including Yorkshire Rider, Travel West Midlands, Stagecoach, Shearings and Porterbrook. Other previous non-executive roles include chairing Unite Group plc, Lookers plc and Kier Group plc.

Phil is a qualified chartered accountant and was awarded a CBE for services to Public Transport in the 2002 Birthday Honours.

Key strengths in support of the Company’s strategy:

  • Provides effective leadership of the Board in its robust review and careful monitoring of the delivery of the Company’s strategy and management of risk
  • Deploys his experience of the transport industry to support and challenge management in its execution of strategy, and offers valuable insights into UK government policy and priorities on public transport and infrastructure
  • Promotes strong corporate governance, including by promoting the Board’s understanding of stakeholders’ views, aiding its assessment of whether the Company is achieving the six desired stakeholder outcomes of the Evolve strategy
  • Provides added strength to oversight of the Company’s financial reporting, risk management and controls, mitigating risks to the delivery of the Company’s strategy

Current external appointments:

  • Senior Independent Director, Vp plc