Longstanding industry figures Chris Owens and Scott Pearson have joined the routeone Awards panel of judges, increasing its size to eight sector leaders from 2026.
Both men have enjoyed successful careers. Mr Owens spent 38 years with family business Alpine Travel of Llandudno before retiring in 2024 after its sale to The Coach Travel Group. Mr Pearson has 25 years’ senior leadership experience, most recently serving for 14 of those as Managing Director of municipal operator Newport Transport.
In taking up positions on the judging panel, they will join established members Joan Aitken, Richard Delahoy, Nigel Eggleton, Gary Nolan, Graham Russell, and Norman Thomas.
Expansion of the number of judges comes after consistent strong entry numbers to the industry’s only dedicated recognition scheme for coach and bus. Submissions to the 2026 routeone Awards are currently open ahead of judges starting their work in early June.
Panel members will first collaborate to arrive at shortlisted finalists before coming together again in September to conduct interviews in people categories and decide on the winners.
Victors’ names will be announced on Wednesday 4 November at the presentation evening. As in the sell-out years of 2024 and 2025, it will be staged at The Vox at Resorts World Birmingham in front of an expected 900 industry guests.
Chris Owens: a career in coaches
Mr Owens joined his father’s coach operation Alpine Travel in 1986, gaining hands-on experience in all areas of the business. Later he took up leadership roles, ultimately becoming Managing Director.
After retirement of his father in 2002, Mr Owens spearheaded the growth of Alpine Travel.
That saw it become the largest independent coach and bus operator in North Wales, with strategic acquisitions coupled to organic expansion. At the point of sale to The Coach Travel Group in 2024, Alpine operated 90 vehicles and had over 120 staff
Among the bodies to benefit from Mr Owens’ time and knowledge have been Coachmarque, the Coach Tourism Association, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) at regional and national level, and the North Wales Coach Operators Association.
He served as CPT President in 2014, has been heavily involved with Transaid charity cycling challenges, and held positions at tourism organisations including Destination Conwy, the Visit Wales Regional Tourism Forum, and Cruise Wales.
Scott Pearson: bus industry trailblazer
Mr Pearson retired from Newport Transport in December 2023, having been credited for a transformation of the operator that saw it become a trailblazer of electric bus operation in Wales.
He has also undertaken extensive representation of the industry in Wales, working closely with the Welsh Government through contribution of evidence to scrutiny committees and advising on transport policy and sustainable operational delivery.
Mr Pearson’s efforts on behalf of the wider sector during COVID period drew particular credit from his peers in Wales and he has been lauded for his integrity, independence, critical thinking and sound judgement.
During his tenure with Newport Transport, Mr Pearson served as Chair of CPT Cymru and founded the Coach and Bus Association Cymru, continuing as Chair of the latter body after retirement. Other senior roles have been in the third sector, including as Chair of Cancer Research Wales.
Before moving south, Mr Pearson was Divisional Traffic Manager with Stagecoach in the Highlands for 10 years. That brought full responsibility for governance, compliance and strategic delivery, and saw him achieve major infrastructure investment and decarbonisation initiatives. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Further judges arrive as routeone Awards gain pace for 2026
routeone Awards organiser Diversified UK and Europe has thanked Mr Owens and Mr Pearson for their decisions to join the panel of judges.
Event Director Helen Conway comments: “We are delighted to welcome Chris and Scott to the routeone Awards judging panel from 2026, where they will sit alongside our six existing members.
“All eight judges bring easily verified skills in and knowledge of the coach and bus industry to the table, and their collective depth of experience will ensure that decisions on the shortlist and the winners are independent, considered, and thorough.
“Both Chris and Scott have many years at the sharp end of running coaches and buses, and we are privileged that they will share that with the routeone Awards.
“Their arrival comes as work towards this year’s presentation evening gathers pace, with entries arriving thick and fast as we prepare to commence the judging process. It is shaping up to be another great year in recognising the brightest and best from across our industry.”
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