Louise Cheeseman, founder and Chair of Women in Bus and Coach has been honoured with an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025.
This prestigious honour reflects a lifelong commitment to improving access, equity, and representation within the industry, and championing the role of women across all levels of the bus, coach and community transport sector.
Louise launched Women in Bus and Coach in 2023, during its short history it has become a collaborative and inclusive movement that now spans the UK, supporting hundreds of individuals and organisations. Louise’s work has empowered women to enter, stay, and thrive in transport careers and has encouraged operators to create more welcoming and representative workplaces.
“I’m deeply honoured to receive this award” said Louise “It represents the incredible work being done across the transport sector to build a more inclusive and diverse future. I want to thank the Women in Bus and Coach board, our amazing team, the regional groups, and every single person who has supported the organisation from day one. This recognition belongs to all of us—and I hope it inspires even more people to join us in shaping a fairer, more representative industry.”
“On behalf of the Women in Bus and Coach board, regional groups and team, we are absolutely thrilled and incredibly proud that our chair and founder Louise is receiving this very well-deserved national honour,” said Women in Bus and Coach Director Stephen Lynn. “This award recognises not just Louise’s personal achievement, but the power of collective action to change an industry for the better. It’s a powerful moment for our whole movement and a sign of how far we’ve come”.
