New Coventry District Manager
wmsnt is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Barnes to run its Ring and Ride operation in Coventry. Mike took up his new post on 3rd August 2009.
Mike has been involved in the Coventry Partnership for the last five years as a member of the Transport Theme Group, first in setting up Swiftlink for Community Transport and then as a strategic partner of Routeforward, both funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) through the Partnership and being involved in several task and finish groups. Prior to that, he spent over 25 years of successful management in a business-to-business environment, predominantly with Multi-National Enterprises, including Texaco, Ford, Iveco-Ford Truck and Daewoo Cars. This included planning and implementing two very successful green field start-ups and substantial service level improvements coupled with tangible cost savings. He is experienced in leading diverse multi-functional teams across Europe and more recently, whilst successfully undertaking a full-time MBA at Oxford Brookes University, helped lead a Public Private Partnership in Oxfordshire.
Des Rogers, Operations Manager for Ring and Ride said: “We are delighted that Mike is joining us to strengthen our partnership working in Coventry, one of our bigger depots, bringing with him extensive experience of working for the voluntary sector in Coventry in both paid and voluntary capacities." Des went on to say: “In addition, Mike's work at the highest strategic level regionally through Regional Action West Midlands (RAWM) demonstrates his commitment to effecting positive change, which is very welcome".
In 2004, Mike was the only voluntary sector member of a Department for Transport working party tasked with improving Accessibility Planning. Between July 2005 and May 2008 Mike was a member of the regional board of GoSkills (the Sector Skills Council for the passenger transport sector), where he also served on the National Occupational Standards Committee. In September 2005 he became a Director and Trustee of Regional Action West Midlands (RAWM) and was subsequently elected Vice-Chair and in March 2008 was elected Chair. In November 2006 Mike was elected to the board of Coventry Voluntary Service Council (CVSC), now Voluntary Action Coventry (VAC). Mike is also a member of the management committee of Valuing Age and Experience in the West Midlands and a member of the Other Stakeholders Group (OSG) of the West Midlands Regional Assembly; he also continues to serve on the Transport Theme Group of Coventry Partnership. As the Chair of RAWM, Mike serves on the West Midlands Economic Inclusion Panel, hosted by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and the Board of the Improvement and Efficiency Partnership West Midlands, also known as the RIEP. In November 2008 Mike was co-opted to the Board of Life Path Trust, a charity supporting individuals with learning disabilities in Coventry.
On being asked about his move to wmsnt, Mike said: “It's an exciting time to be joining wmsnt as it is in the process of modernisation and growth. The UK's ageing demographic means that there'll be a growing need for its services to ensure that an increasing section of society doesn't become marginalised or excluded". Mike went on to say: “my experience of working within Coventry Partnership has been extremely positive and following conversations with both Des and Peter Maggs the Chief Executive of wmsnt, I'm convinced that there are many shared values and a willingness to work together to improve accessible transport in Coventry. I'm really looking forward to building the wmsnt presence in Coventry and will continue to act as an advocate for the City and its people".