26156_p20-21.qxp:Layout 3 12/9/08 13:10 Page 20 Directors’ Report: Corporate Governance Board of Directors Sir Patrick Brown Chairman Patrick joined the Board in 1999 as a Non-Executive Director, becoming Non-Executive Chairman in 2002. He is a Non-Executive Director of Northumbrian Water Group plc. He spent 10 years in industry and management consultancy before joining the Civil Service. From 1991 to 1997, he was Permanent Secretary of the Department of Transport (DoT). Involved in privatisation in the DoT during the 1980s, he then moved to the Department of the Environment (DoE) to manage the privatisation of the water industry in England and Wales. From 1990 to 1991 he was second Permanent Secretary in the DoE before returning to the DoT. Keith Ludeman Group Chief Executive Keith joined Go-Ahead in 1996, following the sale of London General to the Group. Prior to this he held senior management positions in several bus companies, mainly at Managing Director level, in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and London. He has also worked overseas and as a transport consultant. He was appointed Chief Executive of the Group ‘s London bus division in 1997 and then moved over to head the rail division in 1999. He has been a main Board adviser since 1998, a Director since September 2004, and was appointed as Group Chief Executive in July 2006. A postgraduate transport planner, he is a fellow of the Institute of Logistics and Transport, and a fellow of the Institute of Railway Operators. He was also Chairman of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) until 2005. Nicholas Swift Group Finance Director Nick joined the Board on17 July 2007. Prior to Go-Ahead, he worked as Group Finance Manager at Hanson plc where he was responsible for investor relations and had also been Head of Tax and Treasury and Group Financial Controller. He joined Hanson plc in 2000 following its acquisition of Pioneer International where he held a number of senior corporate and operational finance roles including European Finance Director. He has prior experience of the transport industry having been Group Financial Reporting Manager at Air New Zealand which he joined from Touche Ross. He is a Chartered Accountant. Christopher Collins Non-Executive Director Christopher is a Non-Executive Director and joined the Board in September 1999. He is Non-Executive Chairman of Old Mutual plc and Forth Ports plc. He was Chairman of Hanson plc until 2005, having previously been Executive Vice-Chairman from 1995 to 1997 and Corporate Development Director from 1991 to 1995. He is a Chartered Accountant. Rupert Pennant-Rea Non-Executive Director Rupert is a Non-Executive Director and joined the Board in October 2002. He has been Editor of The Economist and Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. He is Chairman of Henderson Group plc and PGI Group plc, and a Director of Gold Fields Ltd and First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Carolyn Sephton Group Company Secretary Carolyn joined Go-Ahead in 2001 and was appointed Company Secretary in July 2006. Prior to this she was Assistant Company Secretary for the Group with responsibility for pensions and a wide range of company secretariat functions including legislative compliance, corporate governance and codes of conduct specific to the Group ‘s business activities. Prior to working for Go-Ahead, Carolyn spent 12 years with Northern Electric. She is a Chartered Secretary. 20 The Go-Ahead Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2008.