Kent engineer is UK's first 'Best Woman in Bus'

A transport worker from east Kent has been named the UK’s ‘Best Woman in Bus’.

Liz Eades, workshop manager at Stagecoach’s Dover depot, won the award in recognition of her leadership and innovation, as well as her dedication to advancing inclusion within the bus industry.

The winner was announced at the Women in Bus and Coach Summit, held at Manchester last week. It’s the first time the organisation has made such an award - created to celebrate the achievements and leadership of women in the bus, coach and community transport sectors.

Liz joined Stagecoach in 2011 after having gained qualifications and experience in mechanical engineering with the Armed Forces. She started out as a bus driver, before moving into the company’s engineering department in 2015. By 2021 she had worked her way up to became workshop manager. In this role she has continued to push herself to learn more, establishing a track record for excellence and motivating her colleagues to do the same.

The judging panel were impressed by Liz’s contributions to the industry, applauding her “as an inspiration to colleagues and the wider transport community” who sets “a high standard for inclusivity and excellence.”

Speaking after the event, Liz said “It’s a massive honour to get this award and I still can’t quite believe it.

“There are so many amazing women working in the industry, and I feel very lucky and grateful for all the support and opportunities I’ve had. Women are still under-represented in the bus and coach world, but I come away from this summit feeling like there’s a real sense of unity and progress towards breaking down barriers and creating opportunity.”

Out of hundreds of nominations received from around the UK there were just three finalists shortlisted for Best Woman in Bus; Liz Eades, Leanne Rowland-Bright from First Bus, and Helen Morris from Essex County Council.

Joel Mitchell, managing director of Stagecoach South East said “We’re so proud to count Liz as a colleague - she is someone you want in your team; upbeat, makes time for everyone, and is able to bring out the very best in the people around her.

“We have a lot of brilliant women at Stagecoach South East working hard to deliver a great service for the community, but all of us feel Liz is incredibly deserving of this award.”

The awards ceremony brought together stakeholders, frontline operators and advocates to celebrate the achievements of women in the bus, coach and community transport sectors.

It also saw participation from key industry figures including Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Local Transport; Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; Sarah Boyd, CEO of Lothian Buses; Anne Marie Purcell, Chief Transformation Officer for Transport for Greater Manchester; and Claire Mann, COO of Transport for London.

Liz Eades (centre) receiving the ‘Best Woman in Bus’ award at the Women in Bus and Coach Summit. She is pictured with Libby Pritchard - Backhouse Jones, sponsors of the award (left) and Anne Marie Purcell - Chief Transformation Officer for Transport for Greater Manchester (right).