Go-Ahead poaches new chief executive from TfL

The chief executive of the rail and bus giant Go-Ahead, Keith Ludeman, is to be replaced by Transport for London's divisional head David Brown.

Mr Brown, who will take over in July, is the head of surface transport for TfL. He is the latest veteran of the London transport sector to move to the top job in the private sector, following the appointment of London Undergound's former managing director, Tim O'Toole, to run FirstGroup and ex-Tube Lines chief exeuctive Dean Finch's move to National Express.

Mr Ludeman is retiring after a 40-year career in transport which culminated in five years as the Go-Ahead chiefexecutive. He joined the company in 1996 when Go-Ahead bought London General, which he had led through a £28m management buyout 18 months earlier.

Go-Ahead's chairman Sir Patrick Brown said: "[Mr Ludeman's] extensive knowledge of the transport industry, and his hands-on leadership style and breadth of vision, have enabled the Company to weather recent economic turbulence, and to emerge strongly positioned for future growth."