Former Prospect Coaches leader Ros Hadley has become the first coach industry member to be honoured with a blue plaque by Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC). It was unveiled in front of guests at the West Midlands operator’s Lye depot on 25 February.
Mrs Hadley died in 2024 having given 50 years of service to the family-owned business and the wider coach sector. Prospect continues to go from strength to strength in the charge of her son Nathan Hadley as Managing Director and daughter in law Claire Hadley-King.
Both were on hand for the blue plaque reveal along with incoming WiBC Chair Laura Hadzik, who notes how Mrs Hadley gave confidence to many women to join the coach industry and carve out successful careers.
Multiple friends, fellow operators, suppliers and trade body representatives were also present for the ceremony. Tributes were paid to Mrs Hadley’s leadership, with Ms Hadzik noting how she spent five decades “showing, not telling, what excellence looks like.”
Mr Hadley adds how his mother had an unending passion for coaching and that her strength in leadership is shared by many other women in the sector. Prospect has an almost 50/50 gender split across senior positions within its business.
“The hardest part is attracting women into the coach industry – which is male dominated – in the first place. But once they are here, they can excel,” he says. “There are a lot of strong women already in coaching, and we need more.”
On hand was Prospect’s Irizar i8 integral that serves as the West Bromwich Albion FC team coach. Delivered in 2025, its internal fit-out was designed by Mrs Hadley-King in conjunction with the club and includes what she terms “vegan leather” on the seats.
Its occupation is fitting, as Mrs Hadley was a Baggies fan, and her name is represented on the coach’s cherished registration mark. The i8 integral is also known as Ros.
In an indication of the growth under Mrs Hadley’s leadership and beyond, Prospect works with around 25 sports teams. Its presence on educational transport remains as strong as ever, and Mr Hadley explains how its FlixBus arm – which began in 2025 – is advancing quickly.
That operates from a separate base in Birmingham. It commenced with 10 coaches and a plan to grow to 20 in mid-2026 and 30 in mid-2027. In reality, the coming June will see the total reach 32 vehicles and around 150 staff.
Also paying tribute to Mrs Hadley’s legacy in coaching was Confederation of Passenger Transport Regional Manager Karen Tiley. A longstanding close friend, she describes Mrs Hadley as “one of the most passionate women in the industry” and shared some words sent by Traffic Commissioners Sarah Bell and Richard Turfitt.
While unable to attend the event, the two regulators write how Mrs Hadley “could light up any room” and always led from the front and by example. She is profoundly missed by Ms Bell and Mr Turfitt, they continue.
Ms Hadzik adds that Mrs Hadley “led not with ego but with integrity” and credits the former Prospect Coaches chief as a contributor to her own legal career in the industry, with the Lye site hosting her first visit to a coach depot many years ago. A particular point of pride to Mrs Hadley was the fleet’s 100% pass rate at first presentation for MoT.
“Standards mattered to Ros,” continues Ms Hadzik. “Doing things properly mattered. She helped to pave the way for women in the coach sector – not by seeking recognition, but by earning respect.”
Women in Bus and Coach plans further blue plaque placements to mark women trailblazers in the coach industry alongside that work in bus. The advocacy group is keen to receive suggestions and nominations of suitable recipients in the coach sector with an aspiration that more plaques will be unveiled in 2026.
