REBUILDING relationships that were frayed by industrial action last year will be one of the first tasks of Nottingham Tram Consortium's new general manager.

Neil Wood has joined the city's tram operator following two years as general manager on the Edinburgh Trams team with Transdev.

He said he was willing to listen to staff as he prepared to make changes that would ensure the business was in good shape.

"I have got to run this business and deliver profits that we said we would deliver," he said.

"There will be changes to some of the structures within the organisation.

"But my first goal will be to build relationships, some of which were damaged last year with industrial action and protracted wage negotiations.

"What I have done, in my second week here I had some 'breakfast with the boss' sessions with all the staff, where anyone can come along.

"I provided muffins and a breakfast bar and coffee, and sat and listened to what people had to say to me. I know changes will have to be made, and I am not hiding from them, but I don't know what they will be yet."

Mr Wood, 53, said he did not know yet whether staffing levels would change but he would work with union members on anything that happened. He has already had discussions about introducing a more flexible roster, allowing people to work four-day weeks and earn overtime, which union chiefs asked for.

Mr Wood said he also wanted to maintain the high levels of excellence that the tram was known for in the city.

"Some of the other relationships I have got to build are with the promoter (Nottingham City Council) and with the residents of Nottingham, who have a very high regard for the tram," he said.

"We have got a 94% satisfaction rate, which is incredible. I know if we have another series of strikes this year, and I don't anticipate we will, but you would lose some of the faith the people of Nottingham show in the tram.

"They put up with quite a bit last year but they still showed goodwill towards the tram staff because the staff are great."

Mr Wood said the planned extension of the tram would be a major boost for the city and he hoped to play a part in making it a success.

"My principal role here is to manage this business and put it in a shape that we can go through to NET Phase Two and be successful," he said.

"I didn't come here in a short-term role. I didn't come to be a caretaker. I'm looking forward to Phase Two. I think it will be a great boost to the city.

"The public have already shown how much they love the tram and this will make it accessible to more people.

"It should be reducing congestion and it will reduce carbon emissions."

Mr Wood took over the role of general manager after Helen Goulding left at the start of the year.

He has 30 years' experience in the transport industry, starting with an 18-month contract designing bus networks for a subsidiary of the Scottish Bus Group.

Mr Wood then spent 15 years with various bus companies in Scotland before a year as general manager of operations at National Express, in Birmingham, and eight years as managing director of Scottish City Link, in Glasgow.

Later, he moved to Veolia Transport for two years as an interim manager in Cardiff and Nottingham, and managing director for the north, before joining Transdev to work on the Edinburgh Trams project for the past two years.

jon.robinson@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk