New job for railway boss Bob MacKenzie

Feb 6 2010 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

VEHICLE-HIRE specialist Northgate has appointed the former boss of North East rail operator GNER as its new chairman.

The Darlington-based stock market- listed company yesterday announced the appointment of Bob MacKenzie as non-executive chairman with immediate effect.

Mr MacKenzie, 57, was most recently chief executive of US firm Sea Containers which went bankrupt in 2006. This role also included the chairmanship of its subsidiary GNER which used to operate the East Coast Main Line franchise.

He was previously chairman of PHS Group, as well as holding senior executive board appointments with National Parking Corporation, BET, Storehouse and Hanson. He has also acted as a senior advisor to private equity funds, Texas Pacific Group and Charterhouse. He qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 1978.

He is also currently chairman of Dometic Holdings AB, a Swedish-based manufacturing company.

Steve Smith, chief executive of Northgate, said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to welcome Bob MacKenzie to Northgate. His extensive experience will prove invaluable in continuing to drive the business forward.”