Latest news with #JamesEasdale
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Billionaire brothers say Scottish bus firm ‘in good shape'
However, McGill's Buses, the firm owned by former Rangers directors Sandy and James Easdale, raised concerns over plans to introduce a new bus franchising model. While the aim is to improve services, the firm said larger companies could win routes with "slick" bids without necessarily offering a better service. The firm has just released its latest accounts. (Image: McGill's) It comes after we exclusively reported the company's latest annual results, which showed turnover increased from £57.6 million to £91.2m. Operating profit rose from £720,000 to £1.88m. Ralph Roberts, McGill's chairman, told this column: "The publication this week of McGill's 2023 accounts told a story of a business that had weathered the Covid pandemic and through tight fiscal controls was in good shape. "Fast forwarding to 2025 the story is much the same – fiscal control, investment, consistency of service delivery and the Easdale brothers' belief that buses have a critical role to play in our economy. "That is only part of the story though." He said the firm responded to 2021 calls for firms to opt for zero emission vehicles at a time "when the path out of Covid was unclear". Mr Roberts said: "The McGill's fleet was relatively young and there was no need to heavily invest but we knew that we had to lead by example and decarbonise if we were ever going to convince people that travelling by bus was a righteous choice. Financially, it was a tightrope. "The government gave grant funding for a small percentage of the capital amount, intended to narrow the gap between the price of a new diesel bus and a new EV bus. There were still a lot of unknowns though and it was a huge leap of faith." READ MORE: "All of this came at significant investment from Sandy and James. Under normal circumstances, that is a good news story. "Owners believing in their business, putting their hand deep into their pockets during troubled times and hopefully reaping the rewards for years to come with a strong business to pass onto future generations. "After all of the investment to build a very strong and stable business, the owners of McGill's now face the very real prospect of large multi-nationals coming in with slick seasoned bid teams and winning all the contracts." Transport Scotland, the government agency, said: 'Secondary legislation to enable bus franchising came into force on December 4, 2023. 'This enables local transport authorities to begin developing their preferred options for improving their local bus services. "Since then, we have laid all the regulations required to bring the franchising powers into full effect. This enables local transport authorities to develop local services franchises, where they consider it appropriate, to improve bus services in their local areas."
The Herald Scotland
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Billionaire brothers' bus company profits more than double
Greenock-based McGill's Bus Service June results published at Companies House cover a 'wide and diverse portfolio'. The firm, owned by former Rangers directors Sandy and James Easdale, said: 'McGill's Bus Group is Britain's largest independently owned bus company and a pioneer in fleet decarbonisation, with over 110 zero emission electric buses. James and Sandy Easdale. (Image: Jeff Holmes/JSHPIX) 'Our wide and diverse portfolio includes local, city, rural and interurban quality bus services across Scotland under the McGill's, Midland Bluebird, Xplore Dundee and BrightBus brands, as well as open-top hop on and hop off tours, airport connections, expansive coach touring and private hire. 'We are also a key strategic partner to global intercity coach brand Flixbus across the UK.' The new results cover the period from January 2, 2023 to December 31, 2023. It said turnover increased from £57.6 million to £91.2m 'due to the full year impact of the business in Stirlingshire and the Lothians acquired through the acquisitions from First Group Plc'. READ MORE: McGill's also said: 'These businesses have added substantially to group revenue, fleet size and headcount and following a period of integration will contribute to future profitability. 'Operating profit increased from £720,000 to £1.88m.' However, the firm also said: "Business recovery continued to be impacted by a slower than expected recovery from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic while passenger volumes continued to be impacted by consequent changing customer travel patterns and recreational activity.' It continued: 'The group prides itself on high-level customer service and invests heavily in new vehicles, people, skills and development. We have in-house driver training academies in Johnstone, [[Dundee]] and Falkirk and we work with the Prince's Trust on the 'Get Into Bus Engineering' scheme, to allow younger workers an opportunity to become engineers with McGill's. 'In 2022, McGill's Bus Group was named Public Transport Operator of the Year at the Scottish [[Transport]] Awards and was first runner-up in 2023. The company was awarded one Gold and three Silver accolades at UK Bus Awards in 2023.'
The Herald Scotland
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Billionaire brothers build new bus empire in Scotland
This week, McGill's Group hailed the seven-figure takeover of a coach company operating for seven decades in central Scotland with the acquisition of Prentice Westwood. The West Lothian-based business comes under the umbrella of the group of companies owned by Sandy and James Easdale. Bus billionaires Sandy and James Easdale. (Image: Jeff Holmes/JSHPIX) The Prentice Westwood employees will become part of the McGill's Group, and the brand will be kept. The brothers, reportedly worth £1.46 billion, have, over the past five years, they say, significantly grown their coach operations. Their company's Fly services connecting Edinburgh Airport with Dundee and Aberdeen 'have proved immensely popular', while its private coach hire business 'continues to thrive across Scotland'. McGill's also launched Loch Lomond Travel, a coach holiday division 'that has seen rapid growth and strong demand among holidaymakers', in 2023. The company is also the operator of the successful FlixBus network in Scotland and across the UK, with the international intercity service 'flourishing since its 2021 launch'. Tony Williamson, chief executive of McGill's Group, said that 'Prentice Westwood has a terrific reputation as a quality transport provider in central Scotland'. READ MORE: 'During our discussions, I was very impressed by their team, ethos and operational standards, all of which made this an easy decision.' The McGill's group of companies' turnover increased from £57.6 million to £91.2m and operating profit increased from £720,000 to £1.88m in its most recent accounts, for the year ended December 31, 2023. Robbie Prentice, owner of Prentice Westwood, said: 'We are incredibly proud of what Prentice Westwood has achieved over the past 70 years as a family enterprise. 'Joining McGill's Group represents a fantastic opportunity to secure the long-term future of the business and for our team to be part of one of the most forward-thinking and ambitious transport operators in the UK. 'The values and vision of McGill's align closely with our own, and I'm eager to see the development of the business in the coming years.' Of course the Easdale family is not the first to build a substantial transport empire in Scotland, with siblings Brian Souter and Ann Gloag founding Stagecoach, originally called Gloagtrotter. The Easdales' business interests also include real estate and housing development. Also this week, a manufacturing business which supplied bus maker Alexander Dennis has collapsed, with administrators declaring the 'withdrawal of this key contract' rendered the company 'unsustainable'. The vast bulk of the staff have been made redundant following the appointment of administrators, business editor Ian McConnell wrote. Callum Carmichael and Michelle Elliot of FRP Advisory, together with Shona Campbell of Henderson Loggie LLP, were appointed as administrators of Greenfold Systems Ltd, a specialist manufacturing business based in Dunfermline. Greenfold Systems had built longstanding relationships across the industry, with a significant proportion of its operations supporting Alexander Dennis Ltd, the administrators noted. Alexander Dennis earlier announced it was entering into a consultation around moving its Falkirk operation south of the Border.
Glasgow Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Billionaire brothers acquire historic Scottish bus company
The company that describes itself as the UK's largest independent transport operator said it has taken over 'one of Scotland's longest-established, family-run coach companies with more than 70 years of experience'. McGill's Group said the acquisition of Prentice Westwood, which also operates bus routes, is part of its continued expansion in the coach travel sector. The seven-figure deal will see the respected West Lothian-based business join the portfolio of McGill's Group companies owned by former Rangers directors, Sandy and James Easdale. Businessmen James and Sandy Easdale. (Image: Jeff Holmes/JSHPIX) Tony Williamson, chief executive of McGill's Group, said the acquisition strengthens the company's offering in central Scotland and brings further expertise into the business. Mr Williamson said: 'Prentice Westwood has a terrific reputation as a quality transport provider in central Scotland, and we are very pleased to welcome them into the McGill's Group. 'During our discussions, I was very impressed by their team, ethos and operational standards - all of which made this an easy decision. 'We believe Prentice Westwood will play a significant role in supporting our continued growth across coach travel in central Scotland and beyond, and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the business.' READ NEXT: Renowned Scottish chef sells historic landmark restaurant READ NEXT: This beloved Glasgow indie retailer is making a comeback All Prentice Westwood employees will become part of the McGill's Group, and it is anticipated the well-known brand will be retained following the completion of the deal. Robbie Prentice, owner of Prentice Westwood, said the move was an exciting next step for the business and its staff. Mr Prentice said: 'We are incredibly proud of what Prentice Westwood has achieved over the past 70 years as a family enterprise. 'Joining McGill's Group represents a fantastic opportunity to secure the long-term future of the business and for our team to be part of one of the most forward-thinking and ambitious transport operators in the UK. 'The values and vision of McGill's align closely with our own, and I'm eager to see the development of the business in the coming years.'
The National
08-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Billionaire Easdale brothers acquire 70-year-old Scottish bus firm
The seven-figure deal will see Prentice Westwood join the portfolio of McGill's Group companies owned by Sandy and James Easdale. Prentice Westwood is based in West Lothian and has been operating for more than 70 years. All Prentice Westwood employees will become part of the McGill's Group, and it is anticipated the brand will be retained following the completion of the deal. READ MORE: New 'golf express' bus route from Scottish airport to St Andrews launches It comes as McGill's has expanded significantly of late, including establishing its FLY services connecting Edinburgh Airport with Dundee and Aberdeen. The company is also the operator of the FlixBus network in Scotland and across the UK. Tony Williamson, CEO of McGill's Group, said the acquisition strengthens the company's offering in central Scotland and brings further expertise into the business. He said: 'Prentice Westwood has a terrific reputation as a quality transport provider in central Scotland, and we are very pleased to welcome them into the McGill's Group. 'During our discussions, I was very impressed by their team, ethos and operational standards – all of which made this an easy decision. 'We believe Prentice Westwood will play a significant role in supporting our continued growth across coach travel in central Scotland and beyond, and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the business.' The Easdale brothers (Image: Contributed) Robbie Prentice, owner of Prentice Westwood, said: 'We are incredibly proud of what Prentice Westwood has achieved over the past 70 years as a family enterprise. 'Joining McGill's Group represents a fantastic opportunity to secure the long-term future of the business and for our team to be part of one of the most forward-thinking and ambitious transport operators in the UK. 'The values and vision of McGill's align closely with our own, and I'm eager to see the development of the business in the coming years.'
