Oxford Bus Group celebrated the achievements of its people during a glamourous evening at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
The eighth annual Really Amazing Awards saw colleagues across Oxford Bus Company, Carousel Buses, Pulhams, Thames Travel and City Sightseeing Oxford recognised in style.
On the night, stand-up comedian Ivo Graham, who has appeared on Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, Pointless, QI and Taskmaster, provided plenty of laughs.
The highlight of the evening was recognising a combined long service of 235 years by eight colleagues. Oxford Bus Company Mechanic Day Shift Engineer Craig Evans and Facilities Manager Andy Seeney were both rewarded for 40 years’ service.
Staff scooped the coveted awards in multiple categories, rewarding service and exceptional performance by teams and individuals. Colleagues directly nominated the winners, bar the Long Service Awards winners, and these were narrowed down to a shortlist of three in each category in advance of the evening.
The coveted Gold Award in the Star of the Year category was won by airline driver Barry Duke, who has recently been on secondment at Thames Travel as Operations and Control Co-Ordinator.
The Silver Award was won by tour guide Lesley Sammons, who was instrumental in City Sightseeing Oxford winning ‘Worldwide Operator of the Year’. Pulhams touring coach driver Justin Howell won the Bronze Award.
The ‘A-Team’ Award was scooped by Oxford Bus Company’s CCTV team consisting of Steve Williams, Kyle Norburn, Sam De Gouveia and Paul Versey. The team has improved how CCTV footage is captured and delivered.
A new award category was Depot of the Year, won by Carousel’s High Wycombe depot following the introduction of a new VIP Bus Driver Academy, improved driver rest facilities and office facilities, and a major expansion in services in 2025.
Alex Knox won Manager of the Year Award, for stepping up to Assistant Operations Manager at Oxford Bus Company in 2025. Lorna Earp won the Unsung Hero award for her tireless work keeping buses and coaches clean along with the public areas of Pulhams’ Cheltenham depot.
The Rising Star Award was won by Paul Versey, who retrained as an engineer at Pulhams following spells as a driver at Oxford Bus Company, Assistant Operations Manager at Carousel and a spell working in the CCTV team.
Kenny Hawkins, of Thames Travel, was named Engineer of the Year and Carousel controller Sam Edmondson won the Above and Beyond Award.
Airline driver Gilbert Rae was recognised for 30 years with the business. While Oxford Bus Company driver Andrew Bates, Pulhams engineering manager Russell Barnes, City Sightseeing Oxford ticket seller Tom McDonnell, airline driver John Poolton, and City Sightseeing tour guide Catherine Wolfe-Smith all received 25-year long service awards.
Luke Marion, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Group, said: “It was wonderful to spend the evening together and celebrate the people who have delivered really amazing work across the business.
“We also recognised our colleagues who have given a significant number of years’ service to the company. They should all be proud of their achievements and role in providing an excellent service to our valued passengers.”
