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This category is presented every year to one or more individuals known for their hard-work, loyalty and devotion to duty.

In many cases, the ‘unsung heroes’ are the ones who keep the wheels turning against all the odds; no transport operator can do without such people – even though they often slave away for years with no recognition save their own satisfaction in a service delivered and a job well done. In other cases, the heroes are people who help the wider industry through their work for supporting companies and organisations.

Winner, Gold Award: Faye and Jodie Waring - Anthony's Travel

Sisters Jodie and Faye Waring are described as "the beating heart of Anthony's Travel" by their employer. Between them they cover a wide range of administrative and operational tasks from handling bookings to allocating drivers and staff training, all whilst maintaing a sense of humour. "Quite simply, Jodie and Faye are Awsome."

Quite simply, Faye and Jodie personify what this award is all about: the people who keep businesses going by their tireless efforts, good humour and the application of outstanding skills. The judges were delighted to be able to recognise their efforts this year.

Winner, Silver Award, Mark Durrant - Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel

Johnsons Coaches' Mark Durrant is described by his employer as "a total star"! He is customer focussed and genuinely empathetic to their needs in his role as the company's Private Hire Manager. "If we could clone him, we would be ecstatic," Johnsons add.

The judges were really impressed by Mark's combination of skills and achievements: combining an eye for detail with inter-personal and customer skills is a rare combination indeed and eminently worthy of recognition.

Who could be nominated?

Any person working for a coach operator continuously for the last 12 months, who can show service in a management and/or supervisory role of more than five years.

… and by whom?

Employers and other people active in the coaching industry were asked to nominate people within their own organisation or with another operator who, in their view, qualified for this recognition.