RIP Andrew Wickham

My normal weekend post will be put up tomorrow as I have had a relaxing weekend off!

However there is some sad news to post.

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Go South Coast managing director and transport industry champion, Andrew Wickham MBE.

His passing, after a long illness, has been met with deep sorrow among his colleagues, and our thoughts are with his family and wide circle of friends at this very difficult time. Andrew, a devoted family man, dedicated his entire working life to the transport industry - remaining at the Go South Coast helm until the very end.

His outstanding leadership drove forward the entire Go South Coast team - with colleagues at our operators across the region utterly dedicated to Andrew’s vision to improve services and increase the popularity of bus travel. He achieved this and so much more during his tenure - with the number of people travelling by bus along the south coast now amongst the highest in the UK.  Andrew recently received an MBE, presented by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, for services to the bus industry - with his career spanning almost 40 years.

Originally graduating from Aston University in 1987 with a BSc (Hons) in Transport Operation and Planning. He joined Brighton Borough Transport in 1986, whilst at university.Andrew held various roles across the country - including at London General Transport Services, and Plymouth Citybus. In 2011 he was appointed managing director of Go-Ahead Group owned Go South Coast - consisting of Southern Vectis, Morebus, Unibus, Bluestar, Unilink, Salisbury Reds, Swindon’s Bus Company, Damory, Tourist Coaches, Excelsior Coaches, and Hants & Dorset Trim.

Under Andrew’s leadership, Go South Coast received many accolades - including Large Operator of the Year - on numerous occasions. When asked for the secret behind his extraordinarily successful career, he was always humble - repeatedly citing the monumental efforts of his team members.

Andrew, who was also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, leaves an outstanding legacy. The business is in a very strong position, with the successful team, which has worked alongside him for many years, committed to ensuring Go South Coast remains one of the strongest bus operators in the UK now, and for many years to come.

Ben Murray, finance director, is taking the reins as interim managing director at Go South Coast, and will be fully supported by the Go-Ahead Group.

Roger French has posted a warm tribute to him on his Bus and Train User blog which is well worth a read, as are the many comment's that have been left there: https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/05/25/saluting-andrews-amazing-career/

I personally never met him while he was at Plymouth, although he did occasionally email me comments to Plymothian Transit and generally was very encouraging and he did invite to pop in if I was ever up along the South Coast when he moved on. Sadly I never did.

RIP