Nexus appoints new directors

Apr 16 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

TWO new directors have been appointed to the region’s public transport operator Nexus.

Philip Ashmore, former human resources director at the Nissan car plant in Sunderland, and Professor Kel Fidler, Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University, will bring a wealth of valuable experience to the boardroom at Nexus.

Mr Ashmore and Prof Fidler join as Nexus presses ahead with its £600m bid to reinvigorate the 28 year-old Metro network.

Director General of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “I am delighted with these two appointments because they bring with them a great deal of expertise which will be invaluable to Nexus. This is an exciting time for Nexus as we press ahead with our £600m Metro Reinvigoration bid and both Mr Ashmore’s and Prof Fidler’s knowledge will only benefit the organisation as it continues to move forward.”

Mr Ashmore has spent more than 35 years in human resources in a number of different industries, including engineering, aluminium and roadstone. He has sat on a number of HR advisory bodies and is a member of the National Pay Review Body for the NHS. He was awarded the OBE in 2003. He is married and lives at Hepscott near Morpeth.

Prof Fidler, who has been Vice Chancellor and chief executive of Northumbria University since 2001, has a strong background in engineering.

He completed his degree in engineering at Durham University’s King’s College and his PhD at Newcastle University.

He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Fellow Royal Academy of Engineering.

Prof Fidler is also the Chairman of the UK Engineering Council, a member of the National Engineering Technology Board, a member of the regional Science and Industry Council and is a board member on the NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI).

Prof Fidler is married and lives just outside Allendale in Northumberland.