A FORMER Musselburgh MSP has been appointed chair of bus company Lothian.

Susan Deacon CBE, a former head girl of Musselburgh Grammar School, takes up the position following the approval of the City of Edinburgh’s Transport and Environment Committee last Thursday.

She succeeds Jim McFarlane, who is standing down after nine years in the role.

The appointment is for an initial period of two years.

To aid the transition process, Mr McFarlane and senior independent director Steve Cassidy will remain as non-executive directors of the company until new board members are appointed later in the year.

Ms Deacon, who lives in East Lothian, has been a non-executive director of Lothian since 2015.

She said: “It is a real privilege to take on the role of chair of Lothian.

“The company has a rich history going back more than 100 years and has delivered unparalleled excellence in the provision of high-quality public transport to the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“I am deeply indebted to my predecessor, Jim McFarlane, for his successful stewardship of Lothian over many years – he leaves a very strong foundation on which to build.

“I look forward to working with colleagues across bus and tram to ensure the delivery of an inclusive, sustainable and fully integrated public transport network for Scotland’s Capital and the surrounding region in the years to come.”

'Deeply committed to success'

Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council leader, said: “I am delighted that Susan Deacon is taking on the role of Lothian chair. She is deeply committed to the success of Lothian and has a long and successful track record of contribution to the city.

“I’m also confident that the wider changes to the board will ensure the company continues to grow and develop, while playing a full and active part in our plans to integrate bus and tram operations for the benefit of Edinburgh’s travelling public.

“Finally, I want also to pay tribute to outgoing chair Jim McFarlane for his immense contribution to Lothian and to the city over many years. I’ll be recognising this formally as a congratulatory motion at the next meeting of the council.

“I’d also like to thank Steve Cassidy, who will be standing down as a non-executive director later this year.”

Ms Deacon, former Labour MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh from 1999 to 2007, served as health minister at the Scottish Parliament. She has more than 35 years’ experience in organisational change, policy development and corporate governance in leadership roles spanning the private, public and third sectors, as well as academia and national politics.

She has served on the boards of many businesses and charities, including in the arts, energy, housing and health. She is currently: chair of the Edinburgh Festivals Forum; chair of Home in Scotland; a trustee of the British Gas Energy Trust; and a professorial fellow and senior adviser with the University of Edinburgh.

She is a former chair of the Scottish Police Authority and of the Institute of Directors in Scotland, and was awarded a CBE for services to business, education and public service in 2017.

The transport and environment committee also approved the reappointment of Mark Yexley, Anthony Rose and Iain Reid as non-executive directors for a further period of 18 months.

A recruitment process is under way to appoint up to three new non-executive directors who will join the Lothian Board later this year.

A company spokesperson said that the “refreshed and strengthened” Lothian Board would lead the “award-winning” public transport operator through the next phase of its development following its successful post-Covid recovery. It would oversee the transition to integrated governance and operations of Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams in accordance with previous decisions taken by the City of Edinburgh Council, they added.