07/11/2014 - Stewarts Coaches’ Head of Operations is Judged the Best in the Industry
Helen Jeacock celebrates award
Stewarts Coaches' Head of Operations Helen Jeacock is celebrating this week, having fought off stiff competition at the coach and bus industry's premier awards event to collect the "Manager of the Year" title.
The routeONE Awards is now in its 10th year and is firmly established as the number one event in the coach and bus industry calendar. Helen received her award at a ceremony held on 5 November at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, which was attended by 790 industry guests.
Stewarts Group's CEO and co-owner Andy Cotton is delighted that Helen's talents have been recognised. "Without Helen's valuable input, Stewarts Coaches would not have grown into the successful business it is today. Apart from driving a coach, she is capable of managing anything that this industry can throw at her".
The routeONE judges wholeheartedly support Andy's opinion of his Head of Operations. "Excellence is the by-word and the aim, as always, is to identify and reward the best operators and people in the coach, bus and minibus sectors," said Awards Chairman Mike Morgan. "When Helen came for interview the judges could see exactly why she receives such high praise. She came across as a hugely ambitious and infectious person who is thoroughly deserving of this award."
After collecting the Manager of the Year trophy from celebrities Tim Vine and Steph McGovern, Helen said: "I am incredibly honoured to have been presented with the Manager of the Year Award and couldn't be prouder to work for such a prestigious company."
Originally established in Reading in 1986 as a small taxi and mini-coach business, Stewarts Group now comprises two successful businesses - Woodley-based Stewarts Coaches and Leicester-based Woods Coaches. Stewarts employs more than 100 staff and boasts an extensive fleet of more than 60 vehicles. The company provides transport services to clients in both the public and private sectors, as well as to private individuals.
"Everyone at Stewarts -drivers, vehicle maintenance workers and office staff - understands exactly what we want to achieve and plays an important part in our success" Andy concludes. "We share the same core values and commitment to passenger safety, driver welfare and exceptional standards of service. We're all very proud of what Helen has achieved and we've enjoyed helping her celebrate her new national industry title!"
About the Operator Excellence Awards
The Operator Excellence Awards are run by the leading coach and bus industry publication Route One. Excellence is the by-word and the aim, as always, is to identify and reward the best operators and people in the coach, bus and minibus sectors.
More about the Stewarts Group
The Stewarts Group is jointly owned by Andy Cotton and Chris Howell. The Group comprises Stewarts Coaches of Berkshire and Woods Coaches of Leicestershire.
Stewarts Coaches
Originally established in Reading in 1986 as a small taxi and mini-coach business, Stewarts Coaches provides transport services to clients in both the public and private sectors, as well as to private individuals. The company has 42 vehicles in its fleet at its Berkshire headquarters - from luxurious 16-seat minibuses to full size touring coaches, state-of-the-art buses and a magnificent "team coach", which offers full hospitality facilities. The company works for a large number of high profile corporate clients and also operates the Thames Valley Park shuttle bus service, which serves more than 50,000 passengers per month.