Oxford Bus and sister companies reward staff excellence in Really Amazing Awards night

Staff scooped the coveted awards in nine categories, rewarding long service and exceptional performance by teams and individuals in the Oxford Bus Company and sister companies. Colleagues directly nominated the winners, bar the Long Service Awards winners, and these were narrowed down to a shortlist of three in each category in advance of the evening.

It was a bumper night celebrating staff success, as Oxford Bus Company combined 2020 and 2021 into one big awards night, after last year’s event did not take place due to the pandemic.

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said: “It was wonderful to be able to get together in person again and recognise and celebrate the people who have done really amazing work to ensure we consistently deliver a first-class service to our passengers. We also recognised our colleagues who have given a significant number of years’ service to the company. It has been an incredibly challenging period for the bus and coach industry and so the awards and the evening felt even more special this year.”

The Long Service Award 2020 and 2021 celebrated a combined 370 years of service by 12 colleagues. Mark Bowyer was rewarded for a remarkable 45 years’ service and Roger Pudwell 40 years’ service.

Andy Seeney, Facilities Manager at Oxford Bus Company was awarded the Covid champion award. Customer hero went to City Sightseeing Oxford guide Chris Cochran for consistently going above and beyond for customers. Daniel Paton was awarded Engineer of the Year and Oxford Bus 

Company accounts assistant Gordon Boland received the Lifetime Star award.

Jose Rubio-Reyes received the Rising Star award for consistently pushing himself outside his comfort zone and learning new skills. Chris Reeves received Manager of the Year and Thames Travel’s Mark Adams won Unsung hero. Star of the year for 2020 was awarded to Licinio Rocha and Arkadiusz Malek scooped the 2021 gong, each getting £500 too. 

The night was hosted by Oxford Bus Company Managing Director Phil Southall and Finance and Commercial Director Luke Marion with comedian Kev Orkian providing the entertainment. Go-Ahead Group CEO Christian Schreyer attended the event and gave a welcome speech.  Mr Southall said: “This was our fourth Really Amazing Awards ceremony and having navigated a pandemic everyone at our group of companies should be very proud of their achievements. We have so many great people doing amazing work daily and it’s important that we recognise and reward people who perform to the best of their abilities.”