National Express CEO to leave early to take up Persimmon post

The group chief executive of Birmingham-based bus operator National Express is to leave earlier than planned to take up the top job at Persimmon.

National Express Group said this morning it has agreed with Dean Finch that his last day at the company will be August 31.

It added that its group chief financial officer Chris Davies will take over as interim group CEO until a permanent appointment is made.

National Express said: “The search for a new group chief executive officer is progressing well, with both internal and external candidates under consideration.”

In a separate announcement, Persimmon said: “Persimmon now expects that Dean will be able to take up his post as Persimmon CEO earlier than originally envisaged and anticipates confirming his start date shortly.”

Finch, 53, was originally expected to join the Persimmon board and take up the CEO post at the end of the year.

He has been the CEO of National Express since 2010. Prior to that he was group chief executive of Tube Lines and group finance director and group chief operating officer at First Group, where he also held a number of other senior roles.