Tom Large appointed as Engineering Director for Oxford Bus Group

Oxford Bus Group has added to its senior leadership team to support the continued growth of its fleet and services by appointing Tom Large as Engineering Director. 

Mr. Large joins with more than 15 years of experience in the bus industry, where he has operated in several senior management roles at depots across the UK, including Scotland, Yorkshire and Hampshire. 

His appointment with Oxford Bus Group, owned by Go-Ahead Group, forms part of its expansion following its recent acquisition of Arriva’s Buckinghamshire services and Cotswolds bus and coach operator Pulhams.

Mr Large will be responsible for Oxford Bus Group’s fleet of almost 500 vehicles, which operate as part of Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, City Sightseeing Oxford, Carousel Buses and Pulhams services.

A mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Bath, Mr. Large will be based at Oxford Bus Company’s Cowley depot where he will be the primary point of contact for the group’s team of engineers and support colleagues. 

He said: “I’m really pleased to join Oxford Bus Group during a period of significant growth both operationally and environmentally through our successful electric vehicle rollout. 

“Facilitating the smooth integration of our policies, procedures and working practices as we continue to expand our network will form a key part of my new role across all five of our operators.   

“At the same time, ensuring our engineering capabilities grow in line with our services is a key priority and one I’m looking forward to leading with the support of colleagues.”  

Mr. Large will also oversee the continued operation of Oxford Bus Group’s fleet of electric vehicles following its successful rollout last year. 

Oxford Bus Company’s city fleet of 104 electric double-decker buses is powered by electricity, with the zero-emission fleet covering four million kilometres in 2024—the equivalent of travelling to the moon 11 times.

Plans to roll out more electric vehicles at Pulhams later this year are also in place. 

Mr Large added: “Oxford Bus Group is at the forefront of the localised rollout of electric-powered public transport vehicles. 

“Through our commitment to sustainable travel, we will continue to shape our maintenance policies and procedures to ensure an environmentally-friendly future for the public transport sector.”

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Group, added: “Tom has a proven track record delivering improvements and excellence to engineering and operational departments in public transport. 

“We’re pleased to welcome Tom to our senior leadership team during a time of considerable growth for the group.   

“His leadership will be an invaluable asset to our existing senior management team and colleagues across the group, and we wish Tom every success in his new role.”