By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Obituary: Mike Whitehead, Distinctive Systems
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > People > Obituary: Mike Whitehead, Distinctive Systems
People

Obituary: Mike Whitehead, Distinctive Systems

routeone Team
routeone Team
Published: February 25, 2025
Share
Mike Whitehead of Distinctive Systems obituary
SHARE

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.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article national express Coach National Express grows in Scotland via Scottish Citylink partnership
Next Article Maynes Coaches coach depot electrification via ScotZEB2 ScotZEB2: Sequel the coach industry was waiting for, says Maynes
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd