Andrew Dickinson promoted to Marketing Director by Harris Group
Harris Group, parent of the Harris Bus and Coach business that is bringing Higer vehicles to the UK and Ireland, has appointed Andrew Dickinson (pictured) as Marketing Director.
Mr Dickinson joined Harris in 2025 as Head of Marketing. His expanded remit will see him join the senior leadership team as Harris Group continues to pursue new brand partnerships and expand across multiple transport sectors.
He will continue to oversee the business’s marketing strategy across its brands – which beyond Higer include Maxus light commercial vehicles and (in Ireland) Isuzu models – while also taking on a strategic role to support future growth initiatives.
Elevation of Mr Dickinson is a further reshuffle of the Harris senior management team. Denise Harris recently took up the position of Executive Chairperson, while Brian Patterson has been appointed CEO. The changes reflect “both the company’s ambitious growth plans and its commitment to developing the next generation of leadership talent,” Harris Group says.
Mr Dickinson has over two decades’ automotive marketing experience and has worked in multiple segments of the industry to support over 25 manufacturers, including commercial vehicle and premium passenger car brands.
Speaking about his promotion, he says: “Harris Group is a business with huge ambition, incredible momentum, and some of the strongest brands in the industry, so stepping into the role of Marketing Director at this point in the company’s journey is a fantastic opportunity.
“We are building real traction across multiple markets, growing our dealer network, and pushing the profile of the business to new levels. I am excited to work with the team to keep driving that momentum forward and help share the next phase of growth for Harris Group.”
Mr Patterson has congratulated Mr Dickinson on his move, noting: “Andrew has made a significant impact on the business in a short space of time, strengthening the profile of our brands and Harris Group as a whole.
“He brings a clear and strategic focus, strong commercial understanding, and a proven ability to deliver results across multiple areas of the business.”
Harris Bus and Coach UK now has each of the V-10, V-12 and V-14 diesel coaches on the ground here. The Azure battery-electric bus is also part of its range, with further bus models in diesel and battery-electric promised.
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Further NCT battery-electric order will lift zero-emission fleet to 93
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has ordered a further 12 Yutong battery-electric buses from Pelican Bus and Coach. Five will be U11DD double-deck examples and seven are E12 single-deck models, complementing a large number of the latter already in use.
The further order was confirmed at the 2026 ALBUM conference on 12/13 May in Blackpool. It complements an earlier deal for 19 battery-electric double-decks that are in hand, of which 13 will be U11DD models. The other six will be Wrightbus StreetDeck Electroliners.
When all 31 buses on order are in service, they will run alongside an existing pool of 62 Yutong battery-electrics to give the municipal operator a total zero-emission fleet of 93, or one-third of its vehicles.
The earlier 19 double-decks are due to arrive in late 2026. The 12 further buses are expected in April 2027. Both investments are being supported through funding from the Mayor of the East Midlands and the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), awarded by Nottinghamshire County Council.
Pelican says that 40% of the value of the NCT buses will be added through completion at its facilities in Castleford. Head of Yutong UK Ian Downie has thanked the operator for its further business.
Adds NCT Finance Director Rob Hicklin: “We are delighted to announce our order for an additional 12 Yutong electric buses from Pelican Bus and Coach. Since the first single-deck started operating with NCT two years ago, our electric bus fleet has proven to be extremely reliable, clocking up over five million kilometres in service.”
Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward says that EMCCA is “on the case” in helping the region’s bus fleet to move away from diesel.
“These buses bring everything that our residents have told us they need from their journeys, with air-conditioning, extra leg room, and full colour destination displays,” she adds. “And this is vital; the more people that use the bus, the closer we get to building a city that is clean, well connected, and climate resilient.”
Ticketer wins LCRCA ticketing, AVL and real-time info contract
Ticketer has been selected by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) to deliver automatic vehicle location (AVL), real-time information and ticketing technology services to the region’s franchised bus network after success in what the supplier says was “a rigorous procurement and consultation process.”
It will provide the TK300 ticket machine as well as other solutions such as the new Driver Connect on-road communication feature via managed services from Smart Applications Management (SAM).
The first franchised buses in the city region will commence operation this autumn, with completion of the transition away from a deregulated network expected by the end of 2027.
Award of the LCRCA ticketing, AVL and real-time contract builds on what Ticketer says has been its unique and in-depth experience supporting the Bee Network in Greater Manchester since launch. AVL and ticketing services are supplied there.
It adds: “With the company continuing to not just support but help shape the industry as it evolves, regions exploring similar transitions will again look to Ticketer and the Liverpool City Region as examples of how technology and strong partnerships can support the successful delivery of modern, integrated bus networks that are tailored to regional needs.”
Continues Ticketer Chief Operating Officer Adam Toone: “We are incredibly proud to have been appointed as the key technology partner supporting the Liverpool City Region’s move to bus franchising.
“Every area has its own priorities and opportunities when delivering franchising, so we are excited to bring our past experience and knowledge to this partnership with LCRCA, its operator partners and SAM to help define and deliver a modern, reliable and passenger-focused bus network that meets their specific needs.”
LCRCA Head of Franchising Kara Wood notes how the partnership with Ticketer “focuses on the operational delivery of a reliable and punctual bus service to enhance the passenger experience.”