Women in Bus and Coach has unveiled its latest blue plaque at the Stourbridge base of Prospect Coaches to honour the life and legacy of Ros Hadley, former Managing Director of Prospect Coaches and a highly respected figure within the coach industry.
The unveiling celebrates Ros’s extraordinary contribution to the family business and the wider sector. Ros, who sadly passed away in summer 2024 aged 69, marked an exceptional 50 years with Prospect Coaches in 2024, having begun her career on the very day the operator opened its depot in Lye, West Midlands.
Throughout her career, Ros was widely admired for her leadership, commitment and deep knowledge of the industry. Her influence helped shape Prospect Coaches into one of the West Midlands’ most trusted operators, and she was known for championing professionalism and people within the business.
The blue plaque was unveiled at Prospect Coaches’ Stourbridge headquarters, providing a permanent tribute to Ros’s impact and her role in the long-standing success of the company.
Laura Hadzik, incoming Chair of Women in Bus and Coach, said: “Ros is the first woman I recall meeting when I started working with the coach sector almost 20 years ago. Her career is a powerful example of dedication, leadership and longevity in our industry. She helped pave the way for women in the coach sector through her actions, her values and her commitment to excellence and I will personally always be grateful to her for her wisdom, her support and her friendship. It is fitting that her legacy is now permanently recognised at Prospect Coaches, where she gave so much of her working life.”
Louise Cheeseman OBE, current Chair of Women in Bus and Coach, added: “Ros was immensely respected across the coach sector. Her 50 years with Prospect Coaches speaks volumes about her passion and loyalty, but also about the regard in which she was held by colleagues, customers and peers. This blue plaque ensures her contribution will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
Ros’s son, Nathan Hadley, who is now Managing Director of Prospect Coaches, was present at the unveiling. Nathan worked closely with his mother during her tenure, serving as Operations Director alongside her leadership, said: “My mom lived and breathed Prospect Coaches. Working with her was a privilege, and her standards, values and care for the business continue to guide everything we do. This plaque is not only a tribute to her, but to the people and history that have shaped Prospect over the past 70 years.”
Celebrating 70 Years of Prospect Coaches
The unveiling comes during a landmark year for Prospect Coaches, which is celebrating 70 years in business. The company’s origins date back to 1956, when founder Geoff Watts and his wife Ruby purchased Prospect House on Cemetery Road in Stourbridge and opened a general store. The business took its name from Prospect House, a connection that remains central to its identity today.
In 1957, Geoff launched his first transport venture with a London black cab operating from Stourbridge taxi rank, before expanding into minibuses delivering school dinners. The purchase of the company’s first coach in 1964 marked a turning point, followed by steady growth, acquisitions of well-known local operators, and expansion across the West Midlands.
Today, Prospect Coaches is a leading provider of corporate and school coach hire services across Birmingham, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Wolverhampton and the wider region, still operating from its long-established Stourbridge base.
The blue plaque serves as both a personal tribute to Ros Hadley and a celebration of the enduring legacy of Prospect Coaches, a family business built on commitment, community and care for the industry.
To find out more about Women in Bus and Coach Blue Plaques click here.
