Stagecoach celebrates International Women’s Day 2026: Launching new mentoring scheme to drive gender balance
- Stagecoach honours five female icons with a combined 179 years of service
- While women represent only 10% of the broader bus and coach industry (WiBC), Stagecoach is leading the way with a significantly higher female workforce
- The Women@Stagecoach network continues to drive policy changes, including enhanced menopause, maternity and paternity support
Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, is proud to announce its support for International Women’s Day 2026 on 8 March.
Under this year’s global theme, ‘Give to Gain’, the Company is reaffirming its commitment to closing the gender gap in the transport sector with plans to launch a new mentoring scheme for its Women@Stagecoach network.
The bus industry continues to face a significant gender imbalance, with women currently making up only around 10% of the workforce. Stagecoach is determined to change this narrative, ensuring its teams reflect the diverse communities they serve by focusing on attracting and retaining more female talent.
Sarah Blake, Chief People Officer at Stagecoach, said:
“International Women’s Day is a vital moment for us to celebrate the incredible women who keep our business moving, while inspiring others to reach their full potential. At Stagecoach, we want our workforce to truly reflect the communities we serve. By launching our new mentoring scheme, we are providing a platform for colleagues across the business – both men and women – to ‘Give to Gain’, sharing their expertise to help our female talent build successful, long-term careers in transport.”
As part of the celebration, Stagecoach is honouring the ‘trailblazers’ who have spent nearly their entire working lives within the business. These women prove the transport industry offers not just jobs, but lifelong careers.
- Dawn Miller (Walkergate): 37.7 years
- June Mearns (Blairegowrie): 37.6 years
- Joanne Hughes (Gilmoss): 37 years
- Susan Bates (Skegness): 36 years
- Heather Doig (Glenrothes): 34.4 years
To inspire the next generation, Stagecoach is launching a formal mentoring scheme. The Company is calling on mentors from across the business – both male and female – to volunteer their time to help female mentees build the skills, confidence, and experience needed to thrive.
Tracie Clugston, National Secretary for Unite in Stagecoach and bus driver, and Sally Lakin, Senior Industrial Relations Partner, serve as Co-Leads of the Women@Stagecoach network.
Established in 2021, the Women@Stagecoach network is open to all women and allies. Working alongside the National Women’s Forum, the group has successfully introduced menopause guidelines and strengthened maternity and paternity policies.