Lifetime Achievement award for Stagecoach’s Robert Andrew at the Scottish Transport Awards

Stagecoach Director, Robert Andrew, has been given a special lifetime achievement award recognising his outstanding contribution to transport in Scotland.

The award, which was presented virtually as part of the 2020 Scottish Transport Awards, recognised Robert’s 35-year career in the bus industry. During his career, Robert has progressed from junior roles within the nationalised Scottish Bus Group to become Stagecoach’s longest serving Regional Director. Having joined the Group in 1992, Robert went on to become Managing Director of both Fife and Bluebird operations in 2000 before becoming Regional Director for Scotland in 2006, then spending periods covering firstly Northern England and then Southern England before returning to Scotland in 2016. From 2017 until 2019 Robert jointly led Stagecoach's UK Bus Division, before reverting to an enhanced Scottish Regional Director position adding megabus and the Welsh operations in early 2019.

Robert took planned retirement in the summer to spend more time with his family, however he agreed to continue using his experience to work with Stagecoach on a part-time basis as Director for the joint venture Scottish Citylink, which includes Scottish and cross-border megabus operations.

Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive of Stagecoach, said: “We are all delighted with the news that Robert has received this special award, recognising the vast contribution he has made to Scottish transport. With 35 years’ experience in the industry, Robert has become a very popular and well-loved member of the Stagecoach team, but is also a highly respected transport professional with stakeholders in Scotland and across the rest of the country.

“We are pleased Robert is taking some well-deserved time to spend with his family but we are happy to still have the benefit of his valuable expertise in helping to lead the Citylink business. “

Robert Andrew added: “I feel very privileged to have been presented with this award, which was a complete surprise! This is a great industry to work in and I’ve made many friends within Stagecoach and across the wider bus network.

“These are obviously different and challenging times for everyone but I’ve been proud to work for an industry that always pulls together and supports each other. This award is not only for me, but for all my colleagues and everybody who plays such a vital role in keeping Scotland’s transport network running.”

Stagecoach won two other awards at the Scottish Transport Awards. Stagecoach East Scotland was named Public Transport Operator of the Year for the second year running and Citylink won ‘Best Bus Service’ for service 900 from Glasgow to Edinburgh. Stevie Ross, Bus Station Controller for Stagecoach Highlands was also highly commended for front-line employee.

ENDS