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This Award is designed to recognise, reward and inspire management talent in the engineering disciplines of the UK coach industry.

Gold Award Winner: Richard Ball, National Express

Richard joined the bus industry as an Apprentice Electrician in the West Midlands 33 years ago, and has risen through the ranks to his current position Head of Engineering with National Express Coach, a position he’s held for nine years. In this role he has been deeply involved in a series of important innovations in vehicle design, such as the front door lift, the wide entrance door and a complete redesign of coach toilets.  “He never says no,” his bosses told us, “he’s always willing to help – and he always plays a straight bat.”

The judges praised a lifetime spent in this industry: Richard's hard work and dedication have led to a series of ground-breaking innovations in vehicle design, passenger environment and safety management over the last decade. His work and his willingness to help have won him huge respect amongst vehicle manufacturers, colleagues in operating companies and staff within his own company. A worthy winner indeed.

Who could be nominated?

This Award is open to all people employed at or above the supervisory grade in the engineering function of coach operating, maintenance or manufacturing companies or organisations for a continuous period of not less than twelve months at 31 December 2013.

… and by whom?

We welcomed nominations from all eligible organisations, both of their own employees and of outstanding engineers with whom they work in partnership or as stakeholders. Self-nomination is NOT appropriate for this category.