What is the award for?

This award is designed to recognise and reward young recruits or relatively recent entrants to a career in passenger transport management, but who have been in the industry a sufficient time for them to be able to demonstrate their talents and show signs of fulfilling their promise.

The Winner

• Scott Dunn, Diamond Bus Company

Scott Dunn has arguably achieved more in his brief career than many achieve in a lifetime.  He has taken a business that was failing and turned it around, not once but twice.  First with Dunn Line and then in less than a year, with Diamond, success in both cases against all odds.  A complete, all round professional.

Runner Up

• Martijn Gilbert, Arriva UK Trains 

Martijn joined Arriva UK Trains in April 2008 to set up a completely new department bringing 'in house' the procurement of rail replacement and train crew transport services for Arriva Trains Wales and CrossCountry.  He has delivered on time, establishing a new, highly motivated team which has produced better than expected savings whilst increasing the quality of service for customers.

Highly Commended

• Kim Purcell, Arriva North East

Kim has only been with Arriva North East for a relatively short time; however, her inclusive management style has already led to dramatic improvement in the efficiency of communication in her business.  Kim is lively and enthusiastic in all she does and whilst she has achieved much in the last two years she is more excited about the challenges that await her in coming years within our industry.

• Kerry Whiteside, Arriva plc UK Bus

Kerry is a highly effective "conscience" of the customer within Arriva and, increasingly, the industry at large.  She combines first class technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills, tenacity and drive.  She has an influence on the business far beyond the remit of her role.  Recently promoted to Head of Customer Services, Kerry is well placed to develop a truly world-class customer services function.

The Judges' Verdicts

The judges were very impressed indeed by the quality and range of entries for this year's Young Passenger Transport Professional Award. All the candidates showed a high degree of ability and personal commitment and the judges felt that the future of the industry is likely to be in very safe hands.

The judges were very impressed indeed with Scott Dunn's track record and personal commitment – both to the businesses for which he works, but also to his own personal development, which led him to achieve both a first degree and then an MBA on a part-time basis. His work in turning round the operations that parent company Rotala acquired in 2008 from Go-Ahead Group is very impressive indeed – testified by the fact that his nomination for the award came from Centro, the West Midlands PTE.

Martijn Gilbert's work in setting up and delivering Arriva's procurement and operation of rail replacement and train crew services for the company's two rail franchises showed a high degree of organisational ability, leadership and personal commitment – a major contribution which the judges considered well worthy of recognition.

With a background in market research, Kerry Whiteside joined Arriva in 2003 and now, as Head of Customer Services, acts as the customer champion within the group. Her work on developing and implementing customer and later employee satisfaction research impressed the judges greatly. Her work is represents a major contribution to improving our understanding of customer needs and aspirations.

Kim Purcell only joined the industry in August 2006, but has already demonstrated a high degree of commitment and ability in her work as a graduate trainee, as a deputy depot manager and now as depot manager at Stockton. The judges were particularly impressed by her commitment to team work and employee relations.

Who could be nominated?

This award was open to all managers under the age of 35 who: 

• lead an organisation or major business unit in a professional capacity, or 
• own and operate their own business employing more than five people, or 
• work in a local authority, government department or quasi non-governmental organisation with functional responsibility for more than five staff

... and by whom?

Nominations for this award can come from the nominee’s employer, or another organisation with whom he or she regularly works. In both cases, evidence of the nominee’s consent to their nomination is essential.

Criteria and Entry Requirements

The judges will reach their decision on the quality of the written submissions made by the nominating organisation and by the nominees themselves. Short-listed entrants will be required to make a presentation to the judges and be interviewed by them.

Nominating organisations must be able to demonstrate that the nominees have shown excellence in management and leadership, and that this has been recognised by them.

Nominees must be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to manage complex tasks, people, processes and the environment in which their organisation operates 
• Effective communication skills with both staff and stakeholders 
• A commitment to mentoring or other leadership activities 
• Demonstrable ability to perform to a budget

As part of the entry, entrants will be required to submit a paper of not more than 2,000 words describing their own current functions, achievements and problems. Short-listed finalists will be required to make a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation on the role of their organisation in the community and the wider transport market, and to answer questions from the judging panel (also 15 minutes).

Terms of Entry

In order to qualify, the nominee is required to:

• Have worked in, or with, the industry for a continuous period of more than 12 months prior to nomination
• Possess a clean disciplinary record for at least 12 months prior to the date of nomination
• Have no unspent criminal convictions 
• Countersign the nomination form to signify their agreement to their nomination for the award.