Toby J France is Commercial Director – Midlands at Arriva UK Bus, with more than two decades of experience in the bus industry spanning operations, commercial strategy, network development and partnership working.

Toby works closely with Local Transport Authorities and wider stakeholders to develop and deliver bus networks that are attractive, reliable, commercially sustainable and responsive to the communities they serve. His current responsibilities span a region involving 13 Local Transport Authorities, giving him a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing bus partnerships across the Midlands and Home Counties.

Toby has played a prominent role in the development of Enhanced Partnerships, particularly the Leicester Buses Partnership where operators and local government have worked together on network development, ticketing, reliability, investment and decarbonisation.

Toby is a strong advocate for collaboration between operators and Local Transport Authorities, and brings a practical operator perspective to the debate around partnership, franchising, devolution and the future structure of local bus networks. His work across the Midlands provides valuable insight into what makes Enhanced Partnerships work in practice – and the conditions needed for them to deliver better outcomes for passengers, communities and operators.

Toby is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation, and was also recognised at the 2025 UK Bus Awards with a Bronze Award for Manager of the Year.