A capacity crowd of 900 coach and bus industry guests witnessed the naming of winners in 16 categories at the 2025 routeone Awards presentation evening on 13 November at The Vox at Resorts World Birmingham.
It marked a return to the venue after a successful move in 2024. This year’s ceremony saw the best operators and people in coach and bus take their place in the spotlight.
Excellence in leadership, engineering, operations and service was centre stage. Comedian and presenter Ben Hanlin joined routeone Editor Tim Deakin on the stage, with handover of the 16 trophies representing the culmination of a judging process that began early in 2025 and which drew a record number of nominations and entries.
The eight judges for 2025 were highly experienced industry figures Joan Aitken OBE, David Cattermole, Richard Delahoy, Nigel Eggleton, Mark Fowles OBE, Gary Nolan, Graham Russell, and Norman Thomas.
With completion of the 2025 process, Mr Cattermole and Mr Fowles leave the panel. Their contribution to the rigorous and fair judging process has been immeasurable and routeone thanks them for their contribution and wishes them all the best for the future.
Opening the presentations was the Special Award. Made posthumously, it went to Andrew Wickham, late Managing Director of Go South Coast.
Mr Wickham died in May at the age of 58 and the decision to pay tribute to his industry legacy was unanimous across all eight judges. The Special Award was collected on behalf of Mr Wickham’s family by Go-Ahead Group Managing Director – UK Bus Martin Dean.
routeone Awards 2025: the winners’ list
Special Award, partnered by Ticketer: Andrew Wickham, late Managing Director, Go South Coast.
Rising Star, partnered by PPG: Andrew Wilson, Translink.
Manager of the Year Small/Medium Operator (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by IntSol Recruitment: Shirley Martin, Cymru Coaches.
Manager of the Year Large Operator (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Freeway Fleet Systems: Richard Wade, Go South Coast – Morebus.
Outstanding Customer Experience, partnered by Arthur Spriggs Busworld Tewkesbury: Uno Buses.
Engineer of the Year Small/Medium Operator (up to 150 vehicles), partnered by Pelican Bus and Coach: Karl Hutchison, Warrington’s Own Buses.
Engineer of the Year Large Operator (over 150 vehicles), partnered by Knorr-Bremse Systems for Commercial Vehicles: Martyn Walsh, Go North West.
Coach Tourism Programme of the Year, partnered by GTG Engineering Services: Johnsons Coaches.
Best Use of Technology – Coach Operator, partnered by JMW: Llew Jones.
Best Use of Technology – Bus Operator, partnered by Backhouse Jones: Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus.
Sustainability Award, partnered by Zenobē: Warrington’s Own Buses.
Small Coach Operator of the Year (up to 15 coaches), partnered by eCoachManager: Masons Minibus and Coach Hire.
Medium Coach Operator of the Year (16-40 coaches), partnered by Daimler Buses UK: Henshaw’s Executive Travel.
Small/Medium Bus Operator of the Year (up to 150 buses), partnered by Asset Alliance Group: Stephensons of Essex.
Large Coach Operator of the Year (over 40 coaches), partnered by Volvo Bus UK and Ireland: Belle Vue (Manchester).
Large Bus Operator of the Year (over 150 buses), partnered by C9 Recruitment: Go South Coast.
Following the presentations, guests were able to take in live music from the Cat Davis Trio for post-event entertainment. A band was introduced for 2025 after feedback and allowed those present to maximise the networking and socialising opportunities of the evening.
Speaking about the naming of the winners, Event Director Helen Conway says: “We were delighted to welcome a full house of guests to the 2025 routeone Awards and to recognise the coach and bus industry’s brightest and best.
“The evening again demonstrated the depth of talent within the sector and why it has such promise for the future. My sincere thanks go to our judging panel for upholding the Awards’ integrity year after year.
“Seeing such a breadth of exceptional winners was heart-warming, and the reaction to them being named was remarkable – proof of why the routeone Awards remain a highlight in the industry calendar.
“We also extend our thanks to every guest, Award Partner, Event Partner and Event Supporter for their backing. Without that, the routeone Awards would not be possible.”
Next year’s presentation evening will return to The Vox at Resorts World Birmingham on Wednesday 4 November 2026, when the routeone Awards will once more sit alongside the coach and bus industry’s premier trade show Euro Bus Expo. It will be held at the NEC Birmingham on 3-5 November 2026.
