Keith Ludeman
Encyclopedia
Keith Ludeman was the CEO of the Go-Ahead Group plc and is now a Non-Executive Director.
- the school is now called the Ravens Wood School) on Oakley Road in Keston
, and then undertook a BA
in Geography at Newcastle University. After graduating in 1971 he joined Tynemouth and District Transport as a conductor (badge number AA 52142), for a summer job, but stayed for 15 months before undertaking an MSc
in Transport Engineering and Planning at the University of Salford
, with a thesis entitled: Problems And Planning of Community Railway Stations.
in the planning department, before switching to line management in Lancashire
where he gained his bus driver's licence (badge number N 12281). After eight years he and his wife moved to Hong Kong
where he worked as senior transport officer
, before becoming a consultant in the private sector and then returning to the United Kingdom
selling software for scheduling bus crews.
In 1986 Ludeman became managing director of the council-owned Burnley & Pendle
, but after turning a £1million loss to a £1million profit he returned to London to join London Regional Transport
. Under Margaret Thatcher
's government's privatisation initiative, Ludeman became part of the management team at what became London General
, one of 11 bus companies split from London Transport. After six years, Ludeman led a management buyout of London General for £28million.
When the financial backers of London General wanted to sell, Ludeman as a result joined Newcastle
-based Go-Ahead in 1996. He was appointed Managing Director of the group's London
bus division in 1997, and then moved over to head the rail division in 1999, renaming the South Central franchise (previously run by Connex) back to the pre-grouping name of Southern
. Ludeman had been a main board advisor since 1998, and became a director in September 2004. He was appointed as Chief Executive in July 2006 following the resignation on health grounds of Chris Moyes
.. Keith Ludeman retired from Go-Ahead Group on 1 July 2011.
Ludeman was presented with a Doctorate by University of Salford
in July 2010.
Ludeman is a fellow of the Institute of Logistics and Transport
and of the Institution of Railway Operators. He was Chairman of the Association of Train Operating Companies
(ATOC) until 2005.
Ludeman is a Non-Executive Director of Interserve plc (joined January 2011) and Network Rail
(joined July 2011).
together with a holiday home in Cannes
, were bought from the share sale proceeds of Go-Ahead's purchase of London General Omnibus. He enjoys swimming, sailing
and scuba diving
.
Early life
Ludeman was educated at Bromley Technical High School for Boys (three years below David BowieDavid Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
- the school is now called the Ravens Wood School) on Oakley Road in Keston
Keston
Keston is a part suburban, part rural area of the London Borough of Bromley, England. It lies on the edge of Hayes Common, to the northwest of Greater London's border with Kent.-History:...
, and then undertook a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Geography at Newcastle University. After graduating in 1971 he joined Tynemouth and District Transport as a conductor (badge number AA 52142), for a summer job, but stayed for 15 months before undertaking an MSc
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Transport Engineering and Planning at the University of Salford
University of Salford
The University of Salford is a campus university based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England with approximately 20,000 registered students. The main campus is about west of Manchester city centre, on the A6, opposite the former home of the physicist, James Prescott Joule and the Working Class...
, with a thesis entitled: Problems And Planning of Community Railway Stations.
Career
Ludeman then joined the local transport authority in Greater ManchesterGreater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
in the planning department, before switching to line management in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
where he gained his bus driver's licence (badge number N 12281). After eight years he and his wife moved to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
where he worked as senior transport officer
Transport in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a highly developed and sophisticated transport network, encompassing both public and private transport. Over 90% of the daily journeys are on public transport, making it the highest rate in the world....
, before becoming a consultant in the private sector and then returning to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
selling software for scheduling bus crews.
In 1986 Ludeman became managing director of the council-owned Burnley & Pendle
Burnley & Pendle
Transdev Burnley & Pendle is a bus operator running within the boroughs of Burnley and Pendle, and into the surrounding areas including Accrington, Keighley and the high profile express service to Manchester...
, but after turning a £1million loss to a £1million profit he returned to London to join London Regional Transport
London Regional Transport
London Regional Transport was the organisation responsible for the public transport network in Greater London, UK from 1984-2000. In common with all London transport authorities from 1933 to 2000, the public name and operational brand of the organisation was London Transport.The organisation was...
. Under Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
's government's privatisation initiative, Ludeman became part of the management team at what became London General
London General
London General is a bus company operating in Surrey ang Greater London. It is owned by the Go-Ahead Group and operates most buses under contract to London Buses...
, one of 11 bus companies split from London Transport. After six years, Ludeman led a management buyout of London General for £28million.
When the financial backers of London General wanted to sell, Ludeman as a result joined Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
-based Go-Ahead in 1996. He was appointed Managing Director of the group's London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
bus division in 1997, and then moved over to head the rail division in 1999, renaming the South Central franchise (previously run by Connex) back to the pre-grouping name of Southern
Southern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
. Ludeman had been a main board advisor since 1998, and became a director in September 2004. He was appointed as Chief Executive in July 2006 following the resignation on health grounds of Chris Moyes
Chris Moyes
Chris Moyes OBE was one of the founders of Go Ahead Group, one of the United Kingdom's largest transport businesses.-Career:...
.. Keith Ludeman retired from Go-Ahead Group on 1 July 2011.
Ludeman was presented with a Doctorate by University of Salford
University of Salford
The University of Salford is a campus university based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England with approximately 20,000 registered students. The main campus is about west of Manchester city centre, on the A6, opposite the former home of the physicist, James Prescott Joule and the Working Class...
in July 2010.
Ludeman is a fellow of the Institute of Logistics and Transport
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK - CILT(UK)
- The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK :The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International, formerly The Chartered Institute of Transport, was formed in 1919 and was granted its Royal Charter in 1926....
and of the Institution of Railway Operators. He was Chairman of the Association of Train Operating Companies
Association of Train Operating Companies
The Association of Train Operating Companies is a body which represents 24 train operating companies that provide passenger railway services on the privatised British railway system. It owns the National Rail brand. The Association is an unincorporated association owned by its members...
(ATOC) until 2005.
Ludeman is a Non-Executive Director of Interserve plc (joined January 2011) and Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
(joined July 2011).
Personal life
Married to Diane, the couple have two daughters. The family home in Shere, SurreySurrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
together with a holiday home in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
, were bought from the share sale proceeds of Go-Ahead's purchase of London General Omnibus. He enjoys swimming, sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
and scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
.