The presentation ceremony for the 9th annual UK Coach Awards was held at the Piccadilly Hotel Manchester on Thursday 4 May 2017. The glittering ceremony saw the announcement of the winners of our Awards, covering the whole range of disciplines involved in planning, marketing and operating coach services.

Amongst other prizes, the annual presentation ceremony crowned the two top coach drivers in express and touring work, as well as the UK Coach Operator of the Year (Maynes Coaches) and the Top Express Coach Operation (Express City Connect).

In addition, a special lifetime achievement award for Services to the Coach Industry was presented to Stuart Jones, the indefatigable editor of Bus and Coach Buyer magazine since 1989. 

The evening got to a sparkling start with a drinks reception. Then it was into the International Suite for dinner and then on to the Ceremony itself, hosted by the BBC's Carol Kirkwood - who was given a tremendous reception, reinforcing her status as a huge favourite with UK Coach Awards audiences. 

The evening also featured a quiz and a fund-raising game for our nominated charity Transaid termed the UKCA Wheel of Fortune. This was a great success and raised over £1,500 for the charity.

Networking opportunities abounded at the event, and these continued into the bar after the show - though there was plenty of other post-show activity including a "Magic Selfie Mirror" and a Fun Casino.

You can read about the results of the 2017 competition here.