Ben Colson has stood down as Chair of Bus Users UK. It comes after over five years in the role, during which time the body says Mr Colson has been “pivotal” in its transformation into both a registered charity and the coach and bus industry’s only approved alternative dispute resolution body.
Mr Colson has enjoyed a long career in the bus sector. In 1996 he founded Norfolk Green, which was subsequently sold to Stagecoach. He later received the UK Bus Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to the Bus Industry and was also recognised in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours List with an MBE for his services to the economy and the community of West Norfolk.
Under Mr Colson’s governance, Bus Users UK has become recognised by the government and other bodies as a champion of accessible transport. Before joining the organisation, he had been Chair of the Association of Local Bus Managers and a Trustee of the Community Transport Association.
Speaking about his decision, Mr Colson says: “Working with Bus Users UK has been wonderful and insightful, something it would do us all in the operating community well to experience. The small staff is truly dedicated and it brings home how important it is to put the customer’s needs first at all times.”
Bus Users UK Chief Executive Claire Walters has thanked Ben Colson for his contribution. He has been “an exemplary Chair and is a highly respected colleague and friend,” adds Ms Waters.
“His knowledge and expertise has been invaluable to our organisation and to the wider industry, and we hope he will continue to support our work in the future,” she says.
