Michele Elliot, a driver with First Bus in Aberdeen, was named Woman of the Year at the Women in Bus and Coach Awards, held yesterday in Birmingham.
Ms Elliot was one of six winners at the ceremony, which was staged within the annual Women in Bus and Coach Summit.
The main award was sponsored by MCV, which also provided the prize for the recipient of a week-long trip to Egypt to include a tour of its factory at its international headquarters in Cairo and of the Pyramids.
The second overall winner – following Julie Hartley of Irizar last year – was chosen from among the five category winners.
Ms Elliot was named Best Woman in Bus after beating competition from fellow nominees Fiona Guthrie (First Bus London) and Mollie Pye (Arriva).
Best Woman in Coach was Simone Walsh, Scottish Citylink MD. Also nominated were Rachael Fairhall (Arriva Road Transport Services) and Sally Walder (Roberts Travel Group).
Christina Christie, Community Transport Development Officer for Swansea Council for Voluntary Services, was named winner of the Best Woman in Community Transport award. Gemma Lelliott (Community Transport Association) and Kathleen Lyons (Westway Community Transport) also received a nomination.
The Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill Allyship award went to First Bus Glasgow driver Tony McEwan. Richard Bamber (Anthony’s Travel) and Claire Russell (Eastlink Community Transport) were also nominated for the award which recognises “outstanding allyship to women and, more broadly, to diversity and inclusion in our profession”.
The judges could not separate the three nominees in the fifth category, so the three joint Rising Star winners were Una D’Arcy (Easilink Community Transport), Kymeisha Joseph-Worrell (First Bus London) and Lynsey Milligan (Milligan’s Coach Travel).
More than 200 individuals from across coach, bus and community transport gathered for the second annual summit, which was hosted by BT at Three, Snow Hill, Birmingham.
Women in Bus and Coach Chair Louise Cheeseman gave the opening speech, in which she highlighted the achievements of the organisation’s first two years but also acknowledged there was more work to do.
Although stressing that the industry was being boosted by the entry of more and more women, she said that even more were leaving.
The cause to further the representation of women in the industry needed more volunteers and more supporters, she pointed out. She also said the organisation is looking to create a further region in the Midlands, where yesterday’s event was held.
Also speaking was Kathryn Pulham, former Pulhams Coaches Director and newly announced Chair for 2026 of the Confederation of Passenger Transport.
She recounted her entry to the industry in 2008, where she found working in a male-dominated industry to be a challenge. “Working hard to earn respect” and “standing up for what I believed in” were what helped her to succeed, she said.
As Chair of the coach subgroup, which was set up last November, she said volunteers were particularly needed within the organisation from that sector.
Loveday Ryder, Chief Executive of DVSA, was also among the speakers before being announced as the newest Women in Bus and Coach Ambassador.
Nalisha Fernandes, Finance Business Partner for Bids and Tenders at Metroline, was announced as the next Mentee Director.
Ms Cheeseman says: “This summit is a testament to the incredible women who are transforming the bus, coach and community transport sector every day.
“With the launch of new initiatives, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive future. We’re not just recognising the trailblazers; we’re creating a platform for the next generation of women leaders to thrive in this industry.
“I would especially like to thank our sponsors for their continued support, and in particular BT for so generously hosting us at their Snowhill building in Birmingham. Their commitment helps us to showcase the importance of this work and to continue building momentum.
“This year, we are also delighted to welcome Nalisha Fernandes as our new Mentee Director, further strengthening our mission to empower emerging female leaders.
“On behalf of all the team at Women in Bus and Coach, I would like to extend my congratulations to not only the award winners and shortlisted candidates, but everyone who was nominated.
“There are amazing women across bus, coach and community transport, and we will continue to work to break down barriers, share knowledge, celebrate success and inspire the next generation of female transport leaders, together we are better.”
