Staff from across Oxford Bus Group were recognised for outstanding service and achievement during a celebratory evening at Oxford University Museum of Natural History, as the company staged its eighth annual Really Amazing Awards.
The awards brought together colleagues from Oxford Bus Company, Carousel Buses, Pulhams, Thames Travel and City Sightseeing Oxford for an evening recognising exceptional performance, long service and customer care.
Entertainment on the night came from Ivo Graham, whose appearances on television programmes including Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, Pointless, QI and Taskmaster have made him a familiar face to audiences.
A major moment of the evening saw eight employees honoured for a combined 235 years of service. Among them, mechanic day shift engineer Craig Evans and facilities manager Andy Seeney each marked 40 years with Oxford Bus Company.
The top individual award of the evening, the Gold Award in the Star of the Year category, went to airline driver Barry Duke, who has recently been seconded to Thames Travel as Operations and Control Co-Ordinator.
Silver went to tour guide Lesley Sammons, recognised for helping City Sightseeing Oxford secure Worldwide Operator of the Year, while Pulhams touring coach driver Justin Howell received Bronze.
Oxford Bus Company’s CCTV team – Steve Williams, Kyle Norburn, Sam De Gouveia and Paul Versey – collected the A-Team Award for improving how CCTV footage is captured and delivered.
A new Depot of the Year category was won by Carousel’s High Wycombe depot following improvements to facilities and service expansion.
Other winners included Alex Knox as Manager of the Year, Lorna Earp as Unsung Hero, Paul Versey as Rising Star, Kenny Hawkins as Engineer of the Year and Sam Edmondson for Above and Beyond.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Group, said:
“It was wonderful to spend the evening together and celebrate the people who have delivered really amazing work across the business.
“We also recognised our colleagues who have given a significant number of years’ service to the company. They should all be proud of their achievements and role in providing an excellent service to our valued passengers.”
