Martin Andrew Stanley Ballinger (19 November 1943 – 28 February 2007) was one of the founders of Go-Ahead Group, one of the United Kingdom's largest transport businesses.
Career edit
Born in Peterborough and educated at the Salesian School at Chertsey and Imperial College, London, Martin Ballinger qualified as a management accountant while working at the National Bus Company.[1] He became a General Manager there in 1982.[1] On the privatisation of the National Bus Company in 1987 he founded Go-Ahead Group in a management buyout[2][3] and, as its first Chief Executive, led its initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in 1994,[4] and built it into one of the United Kingdom's largest transport businesses.[5]
Ballinger retired from Go-Ahead Group in May 2004.[6][7][8] In retirement Ballinger became Chairman of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust and Chairman of Northgate.[1]
Ballinger lived at Bolam Hall (the former home of the Beresford family) in Northumberland.[1] He died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne on 28 February 2007 and, following a funeral at St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne, he was buried at Bolam Churchyard in Bolam.[1] Following his death, his successor at the Go-Ahead Group commented on Ballinger's significant contribution to the development of the UK passenger transport industry.[9]
The Ballinger family, led by Martin Ballinger, became one of the wealthiest families in the North East of England.[10] The Ballinger Charitable Trust, founded by Martin and Diane Ballinger, is a major a major vehicle for philanthropy in the North East of England, and remains one of the largest grant-making foundations there.[11][12][13]
Family edit
In 1968, he married Diana Susan Edgoose and together they went on to have a daughter, and then a son.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f Ballinger, Martin Stanley Andrew. Who's Who 2003. ISBN 978-0713662740. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012.
- ^ "Go-Ahead says 'non' to French takeover". Northern Echo. 24 August 2000. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Go-Ahead optimistic for its future in Irish market". Route One. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Man who made Go-Ahead go places steps down". Manchester Evening News. 15 February 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Buses boss steps down". The Chronicle. 26 May 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Go-Ahead at a Crossroads". Buses. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Go Ahead Chief's Defiant Farewell". The Guardian. 27 May 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Transport company chief to retire". The Irish Examiner. 26 May 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Go Ahead pays tribute to founding father Ballinger". Transport Xtra. 9 March 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Diana Ballinger and family". The Sunday Times. The Sunday Times Rich List 2009. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Ballinger, Martin and Ballinger, Diana". Philanthropy North East. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "The Ballinger Charitable Trust". Philanthropy North East. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Creating a Cohesive Society". North East Times Magazine. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2023.