First Group

Project Outline

First Group is a FTSE100 company .In 2010 the group had £6.3b revenues and 133,000 employees across the UK and USA. In the UK, FirstGroup is the largest bus operator running 1 in 5 of all local bus services. FirstGroup’s UK bus operations have grown by acquisition and employ over 25,000 people. The UK bus business is structured into a number of geographic operating companies, all of which are configured in a similar way with traffic, operational and engineering functions and each is run by a managing director. Following a reorganisation in 2008, all operating companies reported into the same point and there was a real opportunity to standardise key processes across the operating companies. This would ensure that all units operated at the same level of best-practice and in a more joined-up manner to address business issues.

Maxxim was asked by the UK bus business to help structure a standard set of business processes across the UK operating companies. In addition, Maxxim was asked to manage the initial programme of work
Working jointly with key executives on the UK Bus Board Maxxim developed the overall “FirstWay” programme approach which included appropriate governance, a 90-day project cycle, a gated approval process and benefits tracking. We designed and implemented a project prioritisation process and agreed with the UK Bus Board a list of prioritised projects to operate within the programme. The first two projects were kicked off and successfully managed through the 90 day cycle gaining good engagement from managers throughout the UK. Both projects involved extensive internal consultation and process re-design.

Testimonials

Maxxim were a great support during the project. They provided good external input and challenge and at the same time they rolled their sleeves up alongside us to get the job done.

David Liston – Efficiency Director, First Group