Jenny MacLeod - Operations Director, Bristol
"When I graduated from Birmingham University with a geography
degree, I really had no idea what I was going to do
other than the fact that I knew I wanted to work with people.
The bus industry had never crossed my mind but when the opportunity
arose I grabbed it.
The training programme, especially the first nine months is quite intense although thoroughly enjoyable.
Having only ever travelled on a bus as a passenger before, seeing exactly who and what it takes to run a service is a real eye opener! This initial placement really is excellent grounding for a future management career.
At the end of my training period I was appointed as Operations Manager at Weston super Mare and Wells, a post I held for almost 4 years.
I said I wanted to work with people. I certainly did that! With over 200 staff and many thousands of passengers travelling every day, all who are individual, there's never a dull moment!! I was able to use the skills that I had learned during my training to build and develop a strong team.
Four years ago, I moved to Bristol,
first of all as Operations and Service Delivery Manager and shortly afterwards I was appointed to my current role of Operations Director.
Throughout the Graduate programme I was well supported and encouraged to think about my development and where I wanted my career to take me.
The training and learning doesn't end after 18 months. There is ongoing support and further development opportunities continue to arise. In this industry, you never really stop learning.
I'm now in my 10th year with the Group and still really enjoy the work.
Every day is different and brings a new challenge. Whilst my job focus is now on more strategic issues, the people I work with and the customers I work for are still very much at the forefront.
Ben Gilligan - Operations Director, Aberdeen
"I joined the Bus Graduate Training Scheme in September 2002
after doing a History degree at the University of York.
I spent my first 9-month placement at Eastern Counties and did all the
Head Office functions and then spent some time at Norwich, Great Yarmouth
and King's Lynn depots learning about operations. I was then posted
to South Yorkshire for 6 months. I worked in their Commercial Department
for about 3 months before filling, on a temporary basis, the position
of Assistant Manager Operations in Sheffield for a further 3 months.
After that, I went to Colchester to be the Acting Operations Manager
for 4 months and was then offered my first permanent job in Huddersfield.
I really enjoy the Operations side of the job because it is different
every day, and you spend most of your time dealing with people whether
it be drivers, the trade union or local stakeholders. You also have
a real opportunity to manage your own budget through driver costs and
working with Schedules to ensure that we are operating in the most efficient
way. This gives you a real understanding of the job and how everything
fits together.
I am now Operations Director in Aberdeen.
This has so far proved to be a fantastic opportunity to use my operational experience in a more strategic role, setting the budget for the next financial year, contributing to the wider work of the Board and also developing and leading my team to try and resolve many of the day-to-day issues that are part and parcel of working for a bus company."