Changes at UK Bus Awards

Two changes to the personnel behind the UK Bus Awards have taken place. Tony Depledge OBE has formally taken up his role as the Chairman of the organisation and its parent company, Transport Events Group. Tony succeeded John Owen OBE, who had been chairman since November 2004. John announced his intention to stand down at last November’s presentation ceremony. Tony has worked in public transport for over 40 years, during which time he served as MD of Blackpool Transport (1986-2001), joining Arriva in 2001 as Development Director until 2008, after which he continued in a part time capacity on European policy work. He is a Non-Executive Director of Translink, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and of Transport for Edinburgh and Lothian Buses. He served as President of CPT (2000-01) and as President of the European Union Committee of the international trade association, UITP (2008-2013). He is also Vice-Chairman of the operating company of the Grand Theatre in Blackpool and a trustee of the transport charity, the Rees Jeffrey’s Road Fund.

John has not left the Awards completely, he will be remaining as a member of Management Committee and is to organise the judging for the 2014 awards. He said, ‘I am extremely grateful for all the help and support I have had over those nine years from everybody – my fellow Board Members and the Management Committee, as well as our sponsors, patrons and supporters – and of course all those who work so hard in submitting entries every year. Without you, none of what we achieve could happen. Through the efforts of all of us, I like to think we have raised the status and profile of the Awards considerably in the last nine years, and I am especially proud of how we now recognise and reward a much greater number of people who work “at the sharp end” of our industry.’

At the same time, Director of Communications, Trevor Whelan, has decided to step down from the board for personal reasons. He will, however, remain on the Management Committee and continue to work as part of the communications team for the Awards. John Owens thanked Trevor for his contribution to the work of the Board since 2011, saying, ‘Trevor has worked very hard indeed for the Awards since joining us, and we will miss his input to the board very much: I am delighted therefore that he has agreed to continue to work with us and offer the committee the benefits of his experience – and his sense of humour.’