13/10/2006

Sarah Longair, recently appointed Operations Director at Stagecoach West Scotland, has received the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Young Manager of the Year award.

A former Stagecoach graduate trainee, Sarah (26) was nominated for the award for her achievements in tackling driver cost control, attendance, staff morale and welfare issues, industrial relations and liaison with schools.

Sarah has a BSc (Hons) from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and completed Stagecoach’s two-year graduate training programme, giving her experience of the operations, engineering and commercial aspects of the business.

Now a trained graduate assessor for Stagecoach UK Bus, she is involved in the selection of graduates each year. She is currently undertaking a CILT Level 5 Professional Diploma in Transport and Logistics.

The award is part of CILT’s Annual Awards for Excellence, which are made to individuals and organisations that demonstrate achievement in logistics and transport management.

Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “This award is a reflection of the excellent ability, commitment and determination shown by Sarah in her early management career with Stagecoach.

“She has made a significant contribution to the business in a short period of time and we are delighted she has received independent recognition by winning this award.

“Stagecoach has an ongoing investment in recruiting and developing the transport managers of the future through its highly successful graduate training scheme.”

Sarah, who is also a qualified bus driver, took up her post at Stagecoach West Scotland on 1 September.

She was previously Operations Manager at Stagecoach Manchester’s Princess Road depot, which employs more than 400 drivers operating over 180 vehicles.

Sarah said: "I am delighted to have won this award. To be recognised for such a prestigious award after such a short period of time is something that I am immensely proud of and it is testament to the investment that Stagecoach makes in all of its employees."

The CILT awards are open to organisations of all sizes, including companies, the armed forces, public utilities, charities, health services, local authorities and government agencies.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680