Meet the women at Stagecoach who keep the wheels turning

In an industry that is typically seen as male dominated, women at Stagecoach South East are helping change the narrative at every level.

 

With over 200 women working for Stagecoach South East, the bus operator has seen a sharp increase in the number of women undertaking roles across the business. From operations to engineering to business management, women are exceeding in every department.

 

These women don’t just keep the wheels turning for the community they serve, they are creating positive change in the bus industry.

 

 

Stagecoach employee of 20 years, Sara Dempsey works as a controller who joined the business because of her love for driving.

 

When she joined the business at 21, she was excited at the prospect of a job as a bus driver being something fun and different for a woman at the time. 

 

“When I started there were very few women working for Stagecoach. I remember a time when an elderly gentleman tried to get on my bus, as soon as he saw a young female driver, he refused to travel with me.”

 

Sara shrugged this off and has since gone on to excel in several roles for the bus operator. Experiencing life in the bus lane as a driver, a customer service clerk in the former travel shop in Canterbury before taking on the role of a relief controller in 2016 and becoming a full-time controller in 2021.

 

“It is very important that more women work for Stagecoach. I believe women can bring something different to the company than men can.”

 

“Now more than ever, it is a time to encourage increased diversity in the workplace and help the industry grow.” – Susan Horn, Head of Business Improvement

Susan Horn, Head of Business Improvement and Maria Fortune, Service Delivery Supervisor 

for Stagecoach South East.

 

Head of Business Improvement, Susan Horn joined Stagecoach in 2020 and hopes to continue with her career in the bus industry for years to come.

 

“I joined the bus industry to try something new after working in the maritime sector for 12 years. My time at Stagecoach has inspired my passion for bus. I am working in an industry that allows people to connect with one another and it’s in the community that I am a part of.”

 

The bus industry is a fast-paced one, where Susan works to influence improvements to public infrastructure across the South East with the Service Delivery Support Team. And a large part of what has motivated Susan’s work since joining the business are the women she works alongside.

 

“I have been inspired by the women working in senior positions within the business and hearing their success stories. I hope I can be a role model to other women joining the industry and help to change the misunderstanding.” 

 

“I don't believe that that any industry should now be male dominated, woman should have the same opportunities and this company has a brilliant career path in different sectors for all.” – Maria Fortune, Service Delivery Supervisor

 

Working alongside Susan, Maria Fortune works as a Service Delivery Supervisor.

 

Working for Stagecoach for the last 10 years, Maria started as a bus driver before being promoted to relief controller, now working in the Service Delivery Support Team. Overseeing the punctuality and reliability of the buses, supporting seven depots and their drivers across the region.

 

“I absolutely love my job, everyday is something new and I am loving seeing so many women now come through.”

 

 

 

Stagecoach has seen progressive change in recent years, with the shift in culture being felt by those on their first day when they step into training and the incredible women working in the Training School are to thank for that.

 

Driving Instructor, Abbey Blake has been working at Stagecoach for over 8 years and plays a crucial part in so many colleagues start to the business. A keen and confident driver, Abbey passed her test, beginning her life in the bus lane and just six months later, she had begun mentoring new colleagues, now working as a Driving Instructor.

 

“It’s such a rewarding role to see them in their depots knowing I’m part of their journey. I watch them pass their tests and develop their own careers. It’s amazing to see how a few weeks with me on my bus can change career paths and potentially lives for the better.”

 

From left to right: Katie Jenkins (Classroom Trainer), Eveline Roberts (Classroom Trainer), Claire

Aunger-Third (Training, Development and Employee Engagement Manager), Abbey Blake

(Driving Instructor) and Anita Ralph (Classroom Trainer).

 

“I fully encourage any woman to pursue a career with Stagecoach, I did with my daughter Hannah, and she is now a relief controller within the company” – Abbey Blake, Relief Driving Instructor

 

Since joining Abbey had the opportunity to drive at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year. She has seen the industry change for the better and actively encourages more women to pursue a career with Stagecoach, including her own daughter who works as a relief controller for the company.

 

“I think it's important for women to choose this career path as it is rewarding and it's the best of both worlds, you get to work independently and as part of a team all at once, it’s great to share experiences across the network of drivers.”

 

Abbey’s Training School colleague, Eveline Roberts has been at Stagecoach for the last 7 and a half years and joined the Training School as a Classroom Trainer in 2022.

 

She joined the bus company after seeing a recruitment advert on the back of the bus and she has stayed because of her love for driving and the support of her colleagues who have got her through difficult times in her life.

 

“2022 was a very difficult year for me in many aspects, the main being my 21 year old son being diagnosed and treated for a brain tumour, without my Stagecoach family and their support I don't think I would have coped.”

 

After 7 years on the roads in East Sussex, Eveline saw the opportunity to join the Training School and applied for the role. Her skillset, experience, patience, and reputation as ‘depot mum' made her the perfect person to take on the role of classroom trainer.

 

“The thing I enjoy most about my role is the induction courses. Presenting our courses, I am able to share my knowledge and experience and give them the tools to take their PCV Theory tests at the end of the week. It's a great feeling knowing I was part of their journey.”

 

Eveline has helped drivers overcome obstacles including language barriers and dyslexia, watching them progress through the training and eventually seeing them out on the road.

 

“More women should choose this career path because Stagecoach is a great company to work for with brilliant career opportunities. I love telling people I am a bus driver and the first thing they usually say is do you drive the big double deckers? We drive them all!”

 

“I have had some amazing experiences both on and off the road within the industry from driving, to Classroom Training, Driving Assessor and Management” – Claire Aunger-Third, Training, Development and Employee Engagement Manager

 

New to the South East but with 16 years in the industry, Claire Aunger-Third is the Training, Development and Employee Engagement Manager for Stagecoach South East. Overseeing the training school, staff development and working to ensure colleagues are at the heart of the business.

 

Claire’s role has allowed her to venture into many different areas of the business allowing her to work closely with her colleagues across the seven depot in the South East. As part of her role, she also oversees new colleagues entering the industry through the Training School.

 

“I love that my role is split into three different areas. I get to see colleagues at all levels of development. From passing their exams to seeing them develop within their roles and creating employee family fun days.”

“If you have an interest in working with amazing people, who support and care, where you have so many areas for career development, Stagecoach South East is the place to be!”

 

 

“I absolutely loved being a driver, watching the changing seasons, being part of the world coming to life every day, taking people to where they needed to go” – Louise Sills, Operations Manager

Louise Sills has been working at Stagecoach South East for 19 years. Starting as a bus driver before moving into the control office before stepping into management in 2015. She has worked in Eastbourne, Hastings, Ashford and is currently based at the bus company’s Dover depot.

 

Joining the industry when it was still very male dominated, Louise has seen the industry change for the better but that hasn’t stopped the perceptions people have of a now more inclusive industry which she is working hard to dispel.

 

“The support mechanisms are a lot stronger now than they used to be. Having been a female driver I can still recall the attitudes towards women when I first started, not just as a driver but in supervisory positions - it's an experience I can draw on in my role now.”

 

Louise is incredibly passionate about supporting her team and community in whichever way she can, having served across the South East, she takes her time to support local organisations and her colleagues.

“I completely love my job, it is who I am, not just what I do. I am 'Proud to Serve'; my team, my community and the company which has invested so much in me and my development.”

 

Louise oversaw the introduction of guide dog training at bus depots in the South East. Working with Guide Dogs UK, Louise arranged the visit to the Ashford depot as part of their training helping them become more confident using public transport with their future owners and creating a more inclusive bus service.

 

“I want to see women look at Stagecoach as the career for them - I want women to feel the joy I feel coming to work every day, the freedom, confidence, and happiness that comes from making a difference.”

 

 

Check out more about life in the bus lane and the career opportunities available at Stagecoach South East:https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-east/pick-a-new-career