National Express Group PLC, a leading international transport provider, is pleased to announce that, following a thorough search process which considered both internal and external candidates, the Board has appointed James Stamp as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with immediate effect. James has served in the role of Interim Group CFO and been a member of the Board since 1 November 2022.

James joined the Company in July 2017. Prior to his appointment as Interim Group CFO, James had served as Chief Financial Officer of National Express' UK & Germany Division and as Group Commercial and Strategy Director, where he led work on the Evolve strategy. He is a qualified chartered accountant with over 25 years' experience in finance and consulting having previously been a Partner at KPMG where he led their Transport Practice. 

Ignacio Garat, National Express Group Chief Executive, said: "James' experience with the business, and the breadth of roles he has held within the Company, give him a deep insight into our global operations and Evolve strategy. He brings a highly complementary skillset to the Executive team and will be central to the next phase of National Express' development.  James landed very effectively as Interim Group CFO making an immediate impact which I am delighted is reflected in the Board's swift decision and today's announcement."  

James Stamp said: "National Express has an important role to play in the world, delivering safe, reliable, affordable, clean and high-quality public transport. I am very proud to have been appointed CFO and am excited by the opportunity to continue working with Ignacio, the Executive Team and the Board to deliver our growth ambitions."    

Notes to editors:

1.     The Company appointed Russell Reynolds to assist it with the process for the selection of a permanent Group CFO which considered both internal and external candidates. 

2.     All elements of James Stamp's remuneration package while Group CFO are in line with the approved Directors' Remuneration Policy and will be fully disclosed in the 2022 Directors Remuneration Report.