National Express CEO to stand down--British media

LONDON, June 30 (Reuters) - The chief executive of train and bus operator National Express Group Plc (NEX.L) will announce his resignation on Wednesday, British media said.

The Times newspaper and BBC News said the departure of Richard Bowker, who took on the top job at National Express in 2006, will be confirmed in a trading update on Wednesday morning.

National Express is currently locked in negotiations with the government over its costly East Coast rail franchise and on Monday rebuffed a takeover bid from larger rival FirstGroup Plc.(FGP.L) [ID:nLT646700]

National Express was not immediately available to give acomment. (Reporting by Victoria Bryan and John Bowker; editing by Andre Grenon)