Young Bus Managers Network has relaunched with the new name of Young Bus Professionals. The change of monicker, expanded reach of the organisation and refreshed identity are intended to ensure the Network changes with the times.

The organisation has brought together hundreds of bus industry colleagues to help support the early part of their careers and personal development over nearly 20 years but has largely focussed on the operational and commercial aspect of the private sector. The aim of the newly-branded Young Bus Professionals is to encourage more attendees from the public sector; namely the many local authorities and regional transport organisations – as well as the overarching bodies from across the UK and consultancies that support them, in addition to bus operators.

Next conference

The next conference will be held in Glasgow and will include speakers from both the public and private sector.

Bookings for the Glasgow conference, based at The Glynhill on 21-22 March 2024, are now open at the organisation’s new website with early bird discounts available until 1 March.

Confirmed speakers so far are Andrew Jarvis, COO of FirstBus; Fiona Doherty, MD of Stagecoach West Scotland; Peter Shelley, who led the successful BSIP bid at Portsmouth City Council; Sharon Kindleysides who is currently leading the Bus Centre of Excellence; Simone Smith, MD of Scottish Citylink & Megabus; and Ralph Roberts. The event will also include a visit to McGill’s electric bus depot at Johnstone.

“…our rebrand comes at a very deliberate time to ensure we welcome new members to join us at our conferences from across the public sector and consultancies alongside our many regular faces from bus operators” – Group Managing Director at McGill’s Bus Group, Alex Hornby

Group Managing Director at McGill’s Bus Group, Alex Hornby, a founding member and Young Bus Professionals co-patron, said: “As times change, so must we, and our rebrand comes at a very deliberate time to ensure we welcome new members to join us at our conferences from across the public sector and consultancies alongside our many regular faces from bus operators.

“The industry’s future will rely on such partnerships across these important tiers of our profession going forward and we will reflect the evolving model, enabling educative debate, learning and best practice exchange.

“Our Young Bus Professionals conferences will be the place where all emerging talent across our great industry can meet, interact and learn, just as the Young Bus Managers Network events have achieved for so many bus industry leaders over nearly two decades.”