Expressions of interest for membership of the routeone Awards judging panel are being sought from senior and experienced industry figures who lack connection to potential entrants.
Ongoing success of the coach and bus industry’s premier scheme to recognise and reward excellence and the decision of a pair of longstanding judges to step away after completing their work in 2025 means that two additional panel members are required.
For 2026, those recruits will work alongside Joan Aitken, Richard Delahoy, Nigel Eggleton, Gary Nolan, Graham Russell and Norman Thomas, all of whom are established and expert judges.
Interest is welcomed from potential newcomers who would represent coach and/or bus on the panel. Criteria for selection include:
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- Multi-decade senior experience – ideally director level or equivalent – in the coach and/or bus sectors via the operating or wider supply and stakeholder segments
- No conflict of interest between any current employment or clients and potential entrants (people or operators) to the routeone Awards
- Willingness to work collaboratively with other members of the judging panel
- A high level of discretion and an appreciation of the need to sign a non-disclosure agreement before commencing judging
- Ability to carry out preparatory judging work online and attend two in-person meetings in Birmingham on Wednesday 8 July and Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 September to reach final decisions.
Those interested in joining the judging panel should email routeone Editor Tim Deakin at tdeakin@divcom.co.uk with a brief outline of their career and its achievements. Such submissions will then be taken forward on an individual basis. The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 6 February.
