Mike Whitehead, founder and Managing Director of coach industry supplier Distinctive Systems, died, on 11 February. He was 74.
Mr Whitehead was the architect of the supplier’s well-known Coach Manager product, which was born from his longstanding interest in computing and is today utilised by thousands of coach operators in multiple countries.
Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business that included a strong focus on computing during 1974, Mr Whitehead took an immediate interest when the first personal computers debuted later in that decade.
His job at the time allowed him to spend a lot of time exploring that technology and how it could be used to build useful real-world applications.
In 1980 he joined his family’s long-established coach business and quickly identified that big efficiencies could be gained by computerising its private hire and contract bookings.
Upon that realisation, Mr Whitehead purchased a computer and for over a year spent his evenings and weekends at the family dining table writing software. Initially he had no thoughts of turning that work into a separate business, but after discussing it with other coach operators, it became apparent that many were interested in the project.
As development of the software continued, Mr Whitehead began to believe it was a product that would support a new venture. That led to formation of Distinctive Systems, and he travelled the country demonstrating Coach Manager to operators
Later he installed both hardware and software for customers, trained them how to use the product, and supported them via telephone. Mr Whitehead’s father ran the business’s accounts and handled enquiries. In the first year, it sold 23 systems.
During 1995, Distinctive Systems moved to purpose-built offices and continued expansion, including growth into Australia and the United States. Today the core products include Coach Manager, Tour Booking System and Vehicle Maintenance System, collectively serving over 2,600 coach operators.
In 2022, Distinctive Systems celebrated its 40th birthday with a staff party, which served as a good opportunity for all involved to reflect on what had been achieved.
In a statement, the business notes that Mr Whitehead built a successful team, including via the recruitment of people with coach industry experience. Some of those have worked for the supplier for over 35 years and they sit alongside development and IT staff. All are credited with having made the supplier the success it is today.
Mr Whitehead is survived by his wife Jackie and their sons Alex and Chris, who will continue to run Distinctive Systems.
