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Oct02
Celebrating our Winners from the Women in Bus and Coach Awards 2025
At the Women in Bus and Coach Summit 2025, we had the honour of presenting our annual Awards, recognising the outstanding women and allies making a difference in the bus, coach and community transport sector. Now in their second year, the Awards highlight not only individual achievements but also the progress being made towards building a more inclusive, supportive and innovative industry. With hundreds of nominations received, our judges were struck by the depth of talent, leadership and passion on display. Choosing the winners was no easy task, and we extend our congratulations to all those recognised. Join us in ...
Oct01
Photos from the Women in Bus and Coach Summit 2025
We’ve captured some of the moments from the Women in Bus and Coach Summit 2025, held in Birmingham on 30th September. Browse our photo gallery, you might just find a photo of yourself!
Oct01
Women in Bus and Coach Celebrates Third Annual Summit in Birmingham
Women in Bus and Coach held its third annual summit at lead sponsor BT’s state of the art event facility in Snowhill Birmingham yesterday (30th September), bringing together industry leaders, stakeholders, frontline operators and advocates to celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach and community transport sector Expertly compered by renowned transport announcement voiceover artist Emma Hignett, whose distinctive work can be heard across Transport for London, the Elizabeth Line, Go North East and many others, the summit was delivered with warmth and professionalism, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience for all attendees. The ...
Sep23
Spotlight on Sarah Courtney, SQAT Supplier Quality Assurance Technician
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. Today we focus on and find out about: Sarah Courtney SQAT Supplier Quality Assurance Technician Wrightbus Was engineering something you always wanted to do? How did this career come to mind? I started off as a Bench Joiner when I came into bus and coach ...
Sep11
Go-Ahead Women – Driving Inclusion, Empowering Futures
Hello, I’m Carolyn Ferguson, Company Secretary at Go-Ahead. I’m incredibly proud to be an executive sponsor of Go-Ahead’s very first nationwide programme launched last year – Go-Ahead Women. We recognise that to be truly customer centric, our teams need to reflect the communities we serve. Given 50% of the population in the UK is female, then we should also have a workforce that is 50% female, and this is something Go-Ahead Women aims to achieve by 2035. To do this we need to meaningfully increase the number of women we recruit by showing them why being a bus driver can ...
Sep10
Spotlight On Suzy Kettle, Driver, Dial-a-Ride Woodford TfL
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. Today we focus on and find out about: Suzy Kettle Driver Dial-a-Ride, Woodford Transport for London Tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming a bus driver Hi my name is Suzy kettle, I am a single mum of two children aged 13-15 ...
Sep03
Spotlight on Avtar Kaur, Bus Driver, First Bus London
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. Today we focus on and find out about: Avtar Kaur Bus Driver First Bus London Tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming a bus driver My journey in the industry started with a visit to the job centre 26 years ago. There ...
Aug26
MCV – Built to Move the World — Designed to Break Barriers
From its roots in Egypt to roads across the globe, MCV has grown into a trusted name in global bus manufacturing, renowned not only for engineering excellence but also for advancing meaningful change in the industry. Anchored in values of quality, customer focus, innovation, integrity and safety, MCV is challenging the norms of an industry long labelled as “manpower-driven”. At MCV, talent has no gender. That belief fuels real change through targeted recruitment, mentorship, skills training and leadership advocacy. On the factory floor and beyond, inclusion is more than a policy, it’s a performance driver. Women at MCV are contributing ...
Aug22
Behind the Scenes of the Women in Bus and Coach Awards: What the Nominations Told Us
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 ...
Aug20
Allyship Initiative: Sam Wharfe, Executive Chairman,C9 Recruitment
Our Allyship initiative recognises individuals who have been allies in supporting and encouraging Women across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. Individuals who have contributed significantly to the professional growth and empowerment of women, whether through mentorship, advocacy, or creating opportunities for women to thrive, these allies have played a crucial role in promoting gender equality and diversity in our sector. This initiative aims to encourage everyone to be allies, with the individuals featured sharing insights into their own professional career background, their ally approach, as well as providing suggestions and advice on how we all can be allies. ...
Aug19
Q&A with Richard Grey on Winning the Allyship Award 2024
As we count down to the 2025 Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) Awards, we caught up with one of last year’s inspiring winners. Richard Grey, Managing Director of Greys Travel Solutions, was awarded the Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill Allyship Award, sponsored by the Go-Ahead Group, in recognition of his ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive workplace. In this Q&A, Richard reflects on what the award meant to him, how allyship has shaped his leadership, and why building inclusive cultures matters more than ever in the coach industry. What has the award meant to you? Winning the ...
Aug15
Allyship Initiative: Rob Vince, Business Development Manager, Stagecoach (South) Limited
Our Allyship initiative recognises individuals who have been allies in supporting and encouraging Women across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. Individuals who have contributed significantly to the professional growth and empowerment of women, whether through mentorship, advocacy, or creating opportunities for women to thrive, these allies have played a crucial role in promoting gender equality and diversity in our sector. This initiative aims to encourage everyone to be allies, with the individuals featured sharing insights into their own professional career background, their ally approach, as well as providing suggestions and advice on how we all can be allies. ...
Jul29
Spotlight on Kerry Turner, Head of Operations, Metroline and Director at Women in Bus and Coach
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. Today we focus on and find out about: Kerry Turner Head of Operations, Metroline Director at Women in Bus and Coach How did you get to where you are today? I’m blessed to have worked in a number of different industries in the public, private ...
Jul23
Spotlight on Abey Marie Rimmer, Performance Supervisor
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. Today we focus on and find out about: Abey Marie Rimmer Performance Supervisor Go North West What is your role? My current role within Go North West is Performance Supervisor, working in their state of the art, Operations Control Centre (OCC) at our Bolton Depot, ...
Jul17
Celebrating Connection in the North: WiBC Northern Region Event Brings Industry Together
On Thursday 10th July, the Women in Bus & Coach (WiBC) Northern Region brought together 25 members of our growing regional community for an inspiring afternoon of networking, shared insight, and connection in Newcastle. Attendees joined us from all corners of the sector, including operators, consultants, supply chain partners, and Transport Focus, reflecting the diverse roles, perspectives and lived experiences that make our industry so vital. The event was a vibrant reminder of the power of regional connection and of the difference we can make when women and allies come together to share, listen, and lead. Our guest speaker, Heather ...
Jul09
Spotlight on Beverley Cooke, Head of Product, Sales & Marketing
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. Today we focus on and find out about: Beverley Cooke Head of Product, Sales & Marketing Alpine Travel Tell us a little bit about your career journey My career began with a passion for marketing and a drive to make an impact in industries that ...
Jul02
Spotlight on Denise Carmichael, Chief Executive Officer
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. Today we focus on and find out about: Denise Carmichael Chief Executive Officer Borders Wheels How did you get to where you are today? From a 25 year career in IT training, I then had 15 Years in Active Travel with Scottish Borders Council. I ...
Jun27
Spotlight on Liz Eades, Workshop Manager
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. In support of International Women in Engineering Day, today we focus on and find out about: Liz Eades Workshop Manager, Dover depot Stagecoach Southeast Was engineering something you always wanted to do? How did this career come to mind? Not until I was about 14 ...
Jun26
Spotlight on Kerry Davey, Engineering Manager
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. In support of International Women in Engineering Day, today we focus on and find out about: Kerry Davey Engineering Manager Thames Valley Buses and Thames Valley Bodyworks How did you get to where you are today? I started work in logistics with trucks and trailers ...
Jun25
Spotlight on Rebecca MacDonald, Apprentice Engineer
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. In support of International Women in Engineering Day, today we focus on and find out about: Rebecca MacDonald Apprentice Engineer Pulhams Coaches Tell us a little bit about your career journey I Started off as a bus driver, when I was 18, with another company. ...
Jun24
Spotlight on Eriko Tanaka, Graduate Engineer
The Women in Bus and Coach “Spotlight On” initiative shines a light on the incredible contributions of women in all roles across the bus, coach, and community transport sector. From professional drivers and engineers to human resources experts and CEO’s, ‘Spotlight On’ will highlight the diverse talents and achievements of women in this dynamic industry. In support of International Women in Engineering Day, today we focus on and find out about: Eriko Tanaka Graduate Engineer Transport for London Was engineering something you always wanted to do? How did this career come to mind? I didn’t always know that I wanted ...
