Arriva names new chief

ARRIVA, the UK's third largest bus operator, has appointed Bob Davies as its chief executive. Mr Davies, who was chief executive of Eastern Electricity until its recent acquisition by PowerGen, will replace Gordon Hughes, who retires on 30 December.

The appointment of Mr Davies, 50, follows pressure from institutional shareholders that the company should move as quickly as possible to name a replacement for Hodgson, who said in July that he would step down. Arriva, the former Cowie, issued warnings earlier this year that profits would fall short of expectations.

Mr Davies was chief executive of East Midlands Electricity until it was acquired by PowerGen earlier this year. He joined East Midlands in 1994 as group finance director.

Previously, he had spent 15 years at Ford Motor and its credit unit in the UK, Spain and the US.