Retiring Stagecoach Managing Director Phil Medlicott gets back to his roots

Retiring Stagecoach Yorkshire Managing Director, Phil Medlicott, got back to his roots this week with a visit to Birkenhead Rock Ferry depot, where he first started his career 39 years ago.

Phil, who will be retiring next month, began his career in the bus industry in 1983 as a cash clerk with Crosville Motor Services at Birkenhead’s Rock Ferry depot. He moved on to become a driver, after taking his test at Chester depot in 1985. 

Stagecoach colleagues gave Phil a tour of the depot and as a surprise had a preserved Crosville Leyland National on hand as well as the old Almex and Setright ticket machines. The bus destination screen contained a special message to commemorate Phil’s retirement.

Matt Davies, Managing Director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, who manages Birkenhead, said: “It was great to be able to give Phil an opportunity to see where he started his career almost 40 years ago. Phil will be missed by us all, and we were happy to give him a great send-off from Birkenhead!”

Phil added: “What a brilliant trip down memory lane! It was great to go back to the place where it all started and relive some of my earlier memories on the buses.

“I’ve had a really enjoyable and rewarding career in the bus industry and most of it has been as part of the Stagecoach family. In all of the roles that I've had, what has stood out for me has been the people I have been fortunate to work with, from our fantastic frontline employees to the great support teams and managers around them. I’ve made many life-long friends along the way, and I’d like to thank everybody for their kind wishes and for all the surprises they had for me at Birkenhead!”

Carla Stockton-Jones, UK Managing Director of Stagecoach, added: “Thanks to all those involved in making this a special day for Phil and thanks again Phil for your many years of leadership in Stagecoach right across the country.”

Phil, aged 59, began his career in the bus industry in 1983 as a cash clerk before becoming a driver and then holding a number of management posts at bus companies in Birkenhead, Runcorn and London. 

He joined Stagecoach in 2000 as Operations Director for the South and then held Managing Director roles for Warwickshire, South East and North East. 

After spending two years as Managing Director with First Manchester, Phil returned to Stagecoach in 2018 to head up its business in the Midlands, before being appointed Managing Director of Stagecoach Yorkshire in February 2020 where he has been responsible for over 1100 employees and almost 350 buses. 

ENDS