Volvo Buses
UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND
Having worked for the company for 25 years, Mike’s most recent role was at a strategic level at Volvo Bus Corporation’s Europe division, having successfully headed up the UK operation for ten years between 1997 and 2007.
Mike first joined the bus industry as a graduate trainee with Leyland in 1977, moving to Volvo as Bus Sales Manager in 1986, prior to the acquisition of Leyland Bus by Volvo Bus Corporation. He then spent four years as General Manager of the Volvo Bus operation in Hong Kong, before returning to the UK in 1997 to succeed Sandy Glennie as Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK, a position he held for 10 years.
2007 saw Mike taking up the newly created role of Vice President responsible for Coach at VBC’s Gothenburg headquarters, with Steve Dewhurst taking over the reins as MD of the UK operation.
Announcing his retirement, Mike Ball said, “Working for a highly professional global company like Volvo has been a fantastic experience. During my time in the business it has been a real privilege to meet, work with and, more often than not, forge long standing friendships with colleagues, customers and suppliers from all around the world. I had always planned to retire early and now is an excellent time for me to step off the bus, as it were.”
Commenting on the announcement, Volvo Buses UK MD Steve Dewhurst said, “Mike has given outstanding service to the business and his experience and professionalism will be greatly missed. He has been part of the Volvo ‘fixtures and fittings’ for four decades and has been instrumental in our success here in the UK. I am sure that everyone, not only from the Volvo family, but from the wider industry will wish him well in his retirement.”
ENDS
6 January 2012
Caption for image: Mike Ball to retire from Volvo