Experienced industry hand Phil Smith has been appointed Coaching Manager by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
He will take up the post on 10 May and be responsible for providing CPT members with operational support and for engaging with stakeholders, including key local authorities (LAs), Transport for London and coach tourism partners. He will also be responsible for CPT’s CoachMarque scheme.
Mr Smith has a long history in the industry. He began his career in the coach sector with National Travel East and later worked with operators from Plymouth to Cumbria. He also spent six years in Scotland and in his later career he gained experience of lobbying LA and government stakeholders.
Says Mr Smith: “I am delighted to join CPT during what is a challenging time for the coach industry following the pandemic. Coaches have a vitally important role to play in tackling congestion, improving air quality and helping the country’s economy to recover from the pandemic. I am very much looking forward to supporting CPT members as they look to bounce back from COVID-19.”
Adds CPT Operations Director Keith McNally: “I am pleased that Phil Smith has agreed to join the CPT team. Phil started his career in the coach sector, and he has had extensive involvement with coach operations since then.
“In more recent times, his experience managing medium-sized bus operations has given him valuable expertise in stakeholder engagement, which will be vital as he supports the coach sector in its recovery from the pandemic.”
