Home

Ian Morgan receives OBE at Buckingham Palace

East Midlands bus boss Ian Morgan has been presented with his OBE at Buckingham Palace by HRH Prince Charles.

Ian, who lives in Stretton, was accompanied to the Palace by his wife Sylvia and sons Joe and Tom.

The honour recognises Ian’s service to public transport and the community after 43 years in the industry, including 30 years as a director of Wellglade Group which owns trentbarton, Kinchbus and other bus operators.

Ian, 64, said the investiture at Buckingham Palace was “an amazing experience”. He was thrilled to discover that one of his musical heroes, Van Morrison, was being knighted at the same ceremony and got to chat with the Irish singer.

And Ian, thanks to those receiving honours being seated alphabetically, found himself sat next to and chatting with the Doctor Who and Sherlock TV pioneer Steven Moffat who was also receiving an OBE.

“It was a magnificent occasion,” said Ian, “From stepping through the Palace gates to hearing your name called out to approach the Prince – it was a great experience, one I will never forget.

“The Prince congratulated me and said he had heard news that day of how bus services were under pressure around the country and asked about our experience of that. He said we must talk more another time – so I’m hopeful he will be in touch.”

As well as part of the team which took Trent Buses into a new era, developing it into the award-winning trentbarton, Ian, deputy chairman of Wellglade, is Chairman of the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, a board member of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, and a former President and board member of East Midlands Chamber.

Ian said: “Whilst the honour was a complete and utter surprise, and I did not see it coming at all, I may be the custodian of the medal but it is for everyone past and present at trentbarton. “The people who work at trentbarton have made it the leading bus company in the land and deserve to take as much credit for this award as me. Without trentbarton there would not have been an award for me, that’s for sure.”