The Managing Director of a major bus company covering Hampshire is leaving after more than 30 years with the business.

Edward Hodgson, Stagecoach South Managing Director, is leaving the company next month after a career which started in 1989.

Stagecoach South operates around 150 bus routes and provides transport links for across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex.

After starting with Stagecoach as a Travel Sales Clerk when he was 17, Edward became Managing Director in 2016 and was responsible for a team of around 1,200 people and a fleet of nearly 500 buses.

Prior to leading Stagecoach’s bus operation in the South, Edward was Managing Director of the company’s megabus.com inter-city coach business for Europe.

Edward, also spent three years in the United States as Director of the megabus.com business in the late 2000s.

He returned to the UK in 2011 after being appointed Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland and in 2014 also took on the role of Managing Director of Scottish Citylink.

Edward said: “I have had a fantastic three decades with Stagecoach and it’s been a privilege to have been involved in so many parts of the business in the UK, mainland Europe and North America.

“I’ve particularly enjoyed my time at Stagecoach South, working with so many great people and delivering fantastic services to our customers.

“The past 18 months during the pandemic have been incredibly challenging for everyone and I’m planning to take some time out before considering the next stage in my career.

“In the meantime, I’d like to wish everyone at Stagecoach well for what I’m sure will be a bright future for the industry.”

Stagecoach has started a recruitment process for a new Managing Director for the South. Meanwhile, the business will be overseen by Rupert Cox, Regional Director South.