Ella Wheelhouse’s Journey: Driving Change in a Male-Dominated Industry

At just 18 years old, Ella Wheelhouse embarked on an inspiring career journey with Stagecoach South, joining as a Bus Driver in Worthing in 2023. Since then, her dedication and ambition have taken her across the company’s regions, including Andover and Basingstoke, before securing her current role as Leading Driver in Winchester.

Before stepping into the transport industry, Ella spent over two years working in a supermarket and had begun a university course in Business and Marketing. However, after carefully weighing the costs of student loans and considering her long-term career aspirations, she decided to explore alternative opportunities.

Encouraged by people who spoke highly of Stagecoach, Ella applied for a Bus Driver role while simultaneously undertaking an apprenticeship. Entering a traditionally male-dominated industry, she initially had concerns about how she might be received. However, she quickly discovered that gender was no barrier at Stagecoach South. She is treated with the same respect and given the same opportunities as her colleagues, regardless of background.

Ella’s story is a testament to the fact that anyone with hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude can build a successful career at Stagecoach. Her journey showcases the diverse opportunities available within the company, proving that gender should never be a limitation to success.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Ella and the incredible women across all departments at Stagecoach South. Their contributions help keep our buses running smoothly, efficiently, and safely, ensuring excellent service for our passengers every day.