As the deadline for LiPTA nominations approaches, Chris Cheek reports on the verdict of industry experts on the importance of leadership in passenger transport
Ever since we launched the new Leadership in Passenger Transport Awards (LiPTA) at the end of February, we’ve been delighted with the reaction and the interest being shown by people from across the industry.
As we count down to the closing date for nominations on April 17, we’ve been fascinated to see some of the many comments that the new scheme has stimulated about the nature and importance of good leadership – not least from regular Passenger Transport columnist Alex Warner. His column in the March 13 issue (“Leaders – the great and the gruesome”) certainly stirred up reactions and got people thinking about the sort of qualities that we should be looking for in our leaders – and also the characteristics we should be seeking to avoid.
Jane Cole OBE, the retiring MD at Blackpool Transport, who joined LiPTA as Chair last month, is in no doubt about all this. Her career has encompassed many years of front line management at BR and Virgin Trains as well as running Blackpool’s bus and tram services. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen the importance of strong and effective leadership at all levels,” she said, adding that it is so often taken for granted and too often goes without reward. “In bus, coach, rail and light rail services, we rely on the skills, talent and commitment of our staff and especially our leaders at all levels.”
To Anna-Jane Hunter, consultant and former manager with FirstGroup and Network Rail, leadership is important to ensure that, as an industry, we deliver our goals. She characterises these as safety, reliability, and customer trust. “It’s essential for guiding teams to deliver consistent, efficient services in a fast-moving and high-stakes environment,” she told us.
Another long-standing industry expert, Karl Watts, Managing Director at Railmotive and the founder, co-owner and former CEO of Rail Operations Group, sees leadership as “the catalyst of transport efficiency”. He argues that it is the foundation and structure which ensures that, not only do the wheels turn, but they are turning in a direction which satisfies the needs of the economy, local authorities and, of course, the end users. “It is also leadership which recognises achievement and ensures it is recognised accordingly,” he added.
Jackie Townsend emphasises the customer angle. Drawing on her time at Virgin Trains, First Capital Connect and First Tram Operations, she said, “As leaders we need to be able to ensure that we take our people with us on the journey of ensuring that our customers have the best experience possible each time they travel.” She argues that leaders need to have a vision of what they are are wanting to deliver and courage to take risks to deliver their plans.
Jackie adds another important quality – integrity, arguing that it is so important in how the industry deals with colleagues and customers. “It is a strength, not a weakness,” she said, echoing Alex Warner’s call for leaders to exhibit “role-model behaviour”.
Another angle is offered from the public authority side, emphasising the importance of leadership at a time of reform and change – and echoing Jackie Townsend’s concern about delivering for the customer.
Chris Parkinson, Bus Partnership Manager at Transport for the West Midlands, says, “Good leadership in passenger transport matters now more than ever: as the industry stands in an exciting place of rapid innovation, sustainability and shifting passenger expectations, having bold and inspirational leaders to steer the industry and turn complexity into opportunity by guiding colleagues to achieve and deliver the best for our passengers.”
LiPTA is being organised by Transport Events Group (TEG), the not-for-profit business that organises the UK Bus Awards. Chair Giles Fearnley, who himself knows a bit about leadership in bus, rail and light rail businesses, is clear about the reason for launching the new scheme. “At TEG, we’re passionate about recognising and rewarding excellence and good practice, in order to help passenger transport providers to deliver brilliant service to their customers.”
What emerges from this discussion is a clear consensus that there’s a vital need to recruit, develop, and reward exceptional individuals to lead our industry – ensuring that our transport systems continue to develop and improve, delivering for our customers and stakeholders.
Our experience over 30 years of running national awards schemes shows that there are huge benefits for companies who nominate their top performers for industry awards. Not only is it a great way of saying “thanks and well done”, it can also inspire the nominees to new heights, showing that recognition fuels motivation and innovation.
Nominate your staff, and help us to fulfil Alex Warner’s prophecy: let’s really make LiPTA “the truest judge of character in transport.”
Also published in Passenger Transport magazine.
Comments are closed