As we approach the announcement of winners for the second Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) Awards, we wanted to take a moment to share what we’ve learned throughout the judging process – and why we’re more excited than ever for the Summit on 30th September.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve read through every nomination, shortlisted outstanding individuals, and completed interviews with finalists across the categories. And let us tell you, the stories we’ve heard have been nothing short of inspiring.
A True Cross-Section of the Sector
We received over 70 applications from 37 organisations across the UK. The nominations came from every corner of the bus, coach and community transport industry. We’ve heard about drivers and engineers, trainers, schedulers, depot managers, HR professionals, directors, and frontline customer service teams, all playing vital roles, and all committed to delivering exceptional service, innovation and leadership.
This year’s Awards are a testament to the fact that women are making an impact everywhere, often quietly, often without recognition and it’s time to change that.
Reading the Nominations Was a Privilege
The judging panel (and the whole WiBC team) have been truly moved by the dedication, compassion and courage shared in the nominations. Some entries were deeply inspiring, while others made us beam with pride. Across the board, we saw people going above and beyond to serve their communities, support their teams, and break new ground.
We’ve been particularly impressed by those who are mentoring younger colleagues, advocating for inclusivity, or stepping up as role models in male-dominated environments. Their stories deserve to be heard and celebrated.
One category that truly stood out was our new “Rising Star” award, aimed at younger trailblazers in the industry. The volume and quality of nominations here was exceptional – these emerging leaders are already making significant impacts, and their stories of innovation, determination and fresh thinking have been among the most inspiring we’ve received. It’s clear that the future of our sector is in excellent hands.
Our Judging Process
Each nomination was carefully reviewed against the specific criteria for their award category. From the initial pool of applications, we shortlisted candidates based on how well they demonstrated excellence, innovation, and impact in their roles. Our shortlisted finalists then participated in online discussions with our judging panel – a second stage that gave us deeper insight into their experiences and achievements.
What Happens Next
We’ve now completed all our finalist interviews and have our final shortlist of finalists for each award category. The quality of candidates has made the judges’ final decisions incredibly challenging, but we’re thrilled with the calibre of our finalists.
All our finalists deserve heartfelt recognition for their contributions to our sector and we’ll be inviting these finalists to submit short video introductions, which we’ll share at the Summit. Expect to see these powerful stories across our website and social channels in October.
Join Us to Celebrate
The Awards ceremony will take place as part of the Women in Bus and Coach Summit on 30th September. Whether you’re attending in person or supporting from afar, we hope you’ll help us shine a spotlight on the incredible women and allies transforming our sector.
