Wrightbus sales team clocks up more than 200 years of service as key promotions announced

John McLeister, front left, and Phil Owen, with members of the sales team.

Wrightbus has made a confident start to 2026 by strengthening its senior sales and leadership structure, with the company’s sales organisation alone now representing more than 200 years of combined service at the Ballymena-based manufacturer.

The zero-emission bus builder says the appointments underline both continuity and deep-rooted expertise within the business, at a time when competition from overseas manufacturers is intensifying and demand for cleaner transport solutions continues to grow.

At the centre of the changes is the appointment of John McLeister as Managing Director of Sales for the UK and Ireland.

Mr McLeister joined Wrightbus at the age of 16 as an apprentice and is marking 36 years with the company, a journey that reflects the firm’s long-standing emphasis on developing talent from within.

He said:

“A standout feature of this sales team is the depth of experience within Wrightbus - not just across the wider bus industry but, crucially, more than 200 years years spent working here in Ballymena.

“I’m extremely proud to lead this group of people who have stood front and centre through both the most challenging periods and the most transformative years in Wrightbus history.”

Mr McLeister’s appointment is part of a wider reshaping of the UK and Ireland sales operation.

Phil Owen, who joined Wrightbus in 2023 following a 28-year career with Volvo, has been promoted to Sales Director.

Additional senior roles across the UK include Gary Kernohan as Group Commercial Director, Chris Martin as Head of Business Development UK, Dave Porter as Head of Coach Sales, alongside Steve Jackson, Mick Campbell, Hazel Marshall and Mark Baker, with Ciaran McCarthy taking up a key role in Ireland.

Speaking about his priorities in the new role, Mr McLeister highlighted the importance of collaboration and British manufacturing strength, saying:

“My job is to strengthen the partnerships we have - not only with customers but across the wider bus industry. Competition from abroad is increasing, and we must keep promoting the message that UK-built buses deliver enormous value, not only for operators but for local economies.

“This team has been, and continues to be, the voice of the customer, ensuring that frontline experience directly influences engineering, manufacturing and after-sales strategies.”

While best known as a market leader in zero-emission bus manufacturing, Wrightbus also plays a wider role through its position within the HydraB Group, which provides depot charging infrastructure, alternative energy solutions and financing options for operators.

Reflecting an ongoing focus on quality and lifecycle support, Lee Fox has been appointed Managing Director of Refurbishment, while Mark Gilfeather becomes Service Director for Regional Operations.

At the company’s Ballymena headquarters, David Murdoch has taken up the role of Group Quality Director.

The changes come shortly after the arrival of new CEO Axel J. Maschka, who took up the post on December 1. He said the promotions were a deliberate move to build on Wrightbus’ recent growth and prepare the business for its next phase.

“Wrightbus has grown significantly in recent years. While we take pride in how far we’ve come, we must now shift up another gear if we are serious about scaling further,” he said.

“The experience inside this organisation, especially among teams who have stayed loyal through thick and thin, is one of our greatest strengths. Our commitment to learning, improving and pushing for excellence across the entire group has never been stronger.”

The latest restructure follows a series of high-profile leadership appointments in 2025, including Christian Reynolds as Chief Operating Officer and Paul Thomas as Chief Technology Officer, signalling continued investment in both people and product as Wrightbus looks to maintain its position at the forefront of the UK’s zero-emission transport sector.