Key Directors
John O'Brien
Chairman, Veolia Transport UK
John O’Brien is Chairman of Veolia’s transport businesses in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and a member of Veolia Transport’s worldwide Executive Committee. He joined the Group as Chairman of Connex Transport UK Ltd in 2003 in the week that the Company was notified that it had lost its south eastern rail franchise. He successfully oversaw the orderly handover of the franchise to the SRA which was delivered without any disruption to services.
Previously, he was Commercial Director at Railtrack plc, having headed the in-house team which led the company out of Administration. He was earlier its Director of Property and New Business.
Before that, he was the Government’s Franchising Director (and previously Chief Operating Officer) at OPRAF, where he was responsible for the delivery of the initial franchising of Britain's 25 passenger train companies and their subsequent management, working under the instructions of the Secretary of State for Transport and, subsequently, the Deputy Prime Minister.
He is currently also an adviser to the Arbiter of the London Underground PPP contracts, having previously been a member of the Government's Commission for Integrated Transport.
He is a Chartered Accountant with broad commercial experience, including chairing the International Division of Granada Group plc’s rental business, as well holding chairman/chief executive roles in both the retail and media sectors.
He is also extensively involved in charities, chairing the Board at St Martin-in-the-Field Church in Trafalgar Square and sitting on the Finance Advisory Group at Westminster Abbey. He is Chairman of the Trustees at both Care and Care for the Family. He is married with three adult children, and one foster child.
Vincent Bech
Chief Executive Officer, Veolia Transport UK
Vincent Bech was appointed as CEO of Veolia Transport UK Ltd and COO of Veolia Transport (VT) activities in Benelux and Ireland in March 2009.
Previously Vincent has held several key positions within Veolia Transport. In September 2007 he was appointed Director of International Affaires/Development Director in VT at Corporate level, working on specific transition assignments primarily in Eastern Europe, Russia and the Netherlands. During 2004 he held the position of CEO of the Denmark transport business.
Before joining VT he worked for more than 10 years in two different people intensive international facility service companies, ISS Group and Berendsen Group. He worked at various levels within the organisations achieving the position of CEO for Denmark and Norway in the ISS Group, as well as working on business development and M&A assignments in Germany.
Vincent started his career in the Danish Navy as an Officer and after 8 years furthered his education with a business degree from Copenhagen Business school.
Gary Smith
Chief Financial Officer, Veolia Transport UK
Gary joined Veolia Transport in April 2009 to take over the responsibility for the Central Finance Team and for systems and financial integration of the UK businesses.
Gary has experience of leading Finance & IT functions within several different business sectors, having previously been the Finance & Commercial Director for a Marston’s Beer Company, which included a national distribution network. Before that he spent four years as the Finance Director of Marston’s Pub Company. During these periods, he led a number of company acquisitions and project managed the integration of these companies into the Marston’s Plc network.
Before that, Gary experienced franchising through McDonalds and retail through the EMI music group. He is a qualified ACMA, qualifying in 1994 when he was with the Automobile Association.
Tracie Paul
Human Resources Director, Veolia Transport UK
Tracie joined Veolia Transport in June 2009 as Human Resources Director with responsibility for HR, Payroll and Communications.
Tracie previously worked for Veolia Environment Service (UK) plc (VES). She joined VES as Human Resources Manager with responsibility for the operational HR support provided to the business. During her 8 years with the business her role expanded until late 2007 when she accepted the position of Human Resources Director – Corporate Services.
Prior to joining the Veolia Environment group Tracie had experience in several different industries including, building services, electronic distribution, and automotive manufacturing.
Charles Lewis
Managing Director, Veolia Transport Cymru
In December 2006 Charles Lewis was appointed Deputy Managing Director, taking charge of all Veolia Transport businesses in Wales – his wealth of experience in bus and coach operation alongside a great enthusiasm for transport will ensure the best possible service is delivered.
Charles Lewis started working with South Wales Transport (a subsidiary of the National Bus Company) in 1981 as a Trainee Manager at the age of 20 but quickly progressed to Area Manager covering Llanelli, Gorseinon and Havefordwest areas – in charge of a fleet of more than 150 vehicles and 230 staff.
Charles continued working in that role for SWT (now First Cymru) for several years before deciding to set up his own business in 1990 – Pullman Coaches Limited. The business became successful operating a fleet of 26 luxury, executive coaches and also 20 local bus services in and around the Swansea and Gower area.
In April 2006 Pullman was acquired by Veolia Transport and the operation continued to be managed by Charles Lewis. Charles has been a driving force behind the growth of Veolia Transport in Wales and in October 2006 Pullman acquired the Long’s operation at Abercrave and more recently has since acquired Hawkes Coaches of Swansea.
Eddie Ledwith 
Director of Health and Safety, Veolia Transport UK
Eddie has over 30 years experience working within the private and public sectors of the passenger transport industry and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Previous to working for Veolia Transport, Eddie worked as Director of Safety, Insurance and Property at Metroline plc, a London bus company and a subsidiary of the Singapore based ComfortDelGro Group. Within this role he introduced and developed an accident prevention initiative, which reduced road traffic accident rates by 20% and set up their in-house insurance claims department. Following the deregulation of London Transport, Eddie was also instrumental in privatising Metroline through an employee/management buyout in 1994.
Prior to his management roles, Eddie’s background was in practical engineering and he served a term as an indentured apprentice, to what he calls an elite group of professional craftsmen. Eddie believes this period in his career founded his genuine respect for the people he works with, regardless of their role or responsibilities. He is married and has one son, one daughter and five grandchildren.
Jenny Eades
Legal Advisor and Company Secretary
Jenny Joined Veolia Transport UK Ltd in June 2009 as Legal Advisor and Company Secretary. Jenny is a qualified Solicitor and her role sits within the Corporate function. She provides legal advice to VT’s UK businesses where she addresses areas including commercial contracts, the Company Secretarial function and company law.
Prior to joining VT, she gained a degree in law from Oxford University before moving to a position in a City of London firm. Jenny has 20 years experience in the private practice sector as a Corporate and Commercial Solicitor.
Throughout her carer she has acted on a wide range of acquisitions and mergers in the UK and has offered legal advice on the buying and selling of businesses and commercial contracts for a variety of industries including transport, retail and IT
In addition to her formal commitments, Jenny also provides legal advice on a pro bono basis to several local charities and organisations.
Last updated: 05/11/2009