After five years leading Keolis Downer in Australia, David Franks will be stepping down as its chief executive officer, moving back to the UK in early January 2023.
During his time at the company, Franks led the growth of the business, adding new operations into the Keolis Downer portfolio with bus operations in Sydney and rail operations in Adelaide. He has also developed an ambitious strategy to be Australia’s leading provider of zero-emissions transport and has built a strong team to ensure the ongoing success of the company.
Franks will still be leading the negotiations with the South Australian Government over the future of the Metropolitan Rail Contract (Adelaide Metro), as well as working with Keolis Group pursuing development opportunities in Stockholm and Dublin.
Current Yarra Trams CEO Julien Dehornoy will replace Franks. After being appointed to the helm in 2020, he led the team operating the world’s largest tram network during the challenging COVID pandemic.
With a strong focus on customer experience, supporting the local economy and sustainability, Dehornoy’s priority will be to grow Keolis Downer’s footprint while bringing innovative service to passengers and supporting the energy transition throughout Australia.
In addition to his extensive operational experience in Australia, he brings 20 years’ experience working in rail and the public transport industry across three continents and the private and public sectors. In the past decade, he has worked as CEO of SNCF America and chief of staff to both the chairman of SNCF and the French transport minister Elisabeth Borne, who is today France’s Prime Minister.
Yarra Trams’ current chief operating officer Carla Purcell has been appointed the new Yarra Trams CEO and will commence in the role in early 2023 after returning from parental leave.
Keolis Group chairwoman and CEO Marie-Ange Debon said under Franks, despite challenges like the health pandemic and the energy crisis, the Australian activities had flourished with the addition of emblematic networks including Adelaide’s commuter rail and a 400-strong bus network in Sydney, many of which will be converted to e-buses.
With more than 5300 employees and a presence in five states, Keolis Downer enables 350 million passenger journeys per year. It also operates and maintains the light rail network on the Gold Coast (G:link), and more than 1300 buses in New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. In Newcastle it runs an integrated transport network, connecting the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie communities with frequent light rail, bus, ferry and On Demand services.
Established in 2009, Keolis Downer is a joint venture between Keolis, a leading public transport operator established in 14 countries, and Downer, the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand.
.png){kind=small}
