Derby-based coach driver has scooped top honours at our annual awards ceremony featuring snooker legend Steve Davis. The six-time world champion presented the Driver of the Year Award to red arrow driver Carole Hind during a gala dinner for trentbarton staff at the City Ground in Nottingham.
Carole led the field at the firm’s thirteenth annual Really Good Service Awards, which recognise a commitment to customer care across the company.
Jeff Counsell, trentbarton Managing Director, explained: “The awards provide a marvellous opportunity for us to celebrate the teamwork and highest standards of service that’s earned us our reputation as the really good bus company.
“Carole is a very worthy winner of the Driver of the Year title. Working on our flagship red arrow service between Derby and Nottingham, she welcomes all customers with a smile, her friendly and approachable personality really shines through and her driving skills are second to none.”
Along with runners-up for the prestigious title – i4 driver Dean Andrews and Christine Severn, who also works on red arrow – Carole was shortlisted for the award as one of 12 Driver of the Month winners. The monthly recognition is based on scores awarded by mystery shoppers and, as well as topping the table in June 2014, Carole registered consistently high scores throughout the year.
On receiving the award from one of the greatest snooker players of all time, Carole commented: “Winning the title came as a huge surprise, I know how dedicated my fellow drivers are.”
As well as receiving a trophy, she was presented with £1,000 worth of holiday vouchers and will also benefit from an extra day’s holiday every year.
“It feels fantastic to win an award for doing a job I love and just being myself when welcoming customers aboard red arrow,” said Carol who and has worked for trentbarton since 2010.
On the night, other awards were presented to staff from across the trentbarton team, including 19-year-old Harry Burns who works at the firm’s Derby depot and was named as Apprentice of the Year.
Meanwhile Katrina Wallace received the Customer Choice Award after being nominated by regular users of the nines whilst Kevin Hall, who drives on various routes across Derbyshire, received the Colleague Choice Award.
The H1 service, which runs between Derby, Heanor and Alfreton, was named Brand of the Year.
For his efforts to make sure two vulnerable young girls got home safely after missing their stop, Ian Reilly from Ilkeston was named trentbarton’s Hero of the Year. After calling a taxi for them, he even put his hand in his own pocket to help pay for the fare.
Jeff added: “Choosing winners across all the categories was extremely difficult as we have such a wealth of talent across the company, and they are all striving to go the extra mile to look after our customers.”