sponsored by

This category is designed to recognise young managers involved in coaching and coach tourism with a proven record of commitment and success.

Winner, Gold Award, Charlie Hatcher - National Express

Since joining the coach industry in 2013 as a graduate trainee, Charlie Hatcher has had a meteoric rise to success and is now an integral part of National Express' senior management team. Aged at just 23, he is now responsible for overseeing the company's operations at Victoria - Europe's busiest coach station, a team of 47 staff and a budget of around a million pounds.

Charlie's achievements in acheiving the promotion and responsibility he has after such a short time in the industry quite clearly mark him out as an outstanding talent for the future, and the judges had no hestitation in making the Gold Award in this case.

Winner, Silver Award, Kevin Walker - York Pullman Bus Company

Kevin Walker started working in what was then the company's haulage office at age 16. At that time, there was a small coach operation of five vehicles, but this was the area that intersted Kevin the most, and aged 18, he passed his PCV test immediately followed by the National/International CPC. He has since progressed within York Pullman to become Operations Manager.

Kevin's career shows that there is still room for talented youngsters to rise through the ranks by hard work and the application of considerable skills. The judges were really impressed by Kevin's work both in reaching his current position and also in overseeing the impressive expansion at York Pullman: it represents a track record of achievement to be really proud of.

Who could be nominated?

People aged 30 or less who exercise management responsibility in:

• the provision of coach services including charter, tours, contracts or scheduled services
• services sold mainly or solely to coach operators
• lead an organisation or major business unit in a professional capacity
• own and operate their own business employing more than five people

and by whom?

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