HCT Group announces new chief financial officer

HCT Group is delighted to welcome Douglas Downie, who will be starting as the Group’s chief financial officer on 1 September 2010. 

Douglas brings over thirty years of top-flight finance experience to the Group, and has spent twenty years in the transport sector.

Douglas joins HCT from FirstGroup, having spent four years serving in the UK Bus division – first as Finance Director, then as IS Director for the division. During his time at First, the UK’s largest bus operator, Douglas was responsible for multi-site operations with a £1.2bn turnover, creating fundamental improvement to the operational and profit performance of the businesses. 

Before this, Douglas was Finance Director of Freightliner Group for nearly ten years.  He worked as a key part of the management team that took Freightliner into the private sector, becoming one of the outstanding successes of rail privatisation.

Speaking about his appointment, Douglas said: “I’m delighted to be joining HCT Group as it combines my experience in the transport industry with my commitment to the Group’s social purpose.    I’m really looking forward to working within a rapidly growing Group with such an exciting business model.”

Dai Powell, chief executive of HCT Group, said: “We are very excited to have attracted Douglas to HCT.  His valuable experience will be a huge asset to us as we look to grow our business over the coming months and years.”