MD of Brighton & Hove Bus Company, Chair of the Business Forum and Local Strategic Partnership and Chair of the Martlets Trustees, Roger French OBE, has won the prestigious Award for Services to the Bus Industry at the national UK Bus Awards.

The award recognised a forty year career in the industry and celebrated Roger’s extraordinary achievements in Brighton & Hove.  The city has the most successful bus service outside London - where transport is subsidised by the Mayor’s Office.

From student bus conductor to bus company management buy-out team member, Roger French’s passion and ground breaking work in the bus industry has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.  A tireless community worker, he is also involved in many aspects of Brighton’s life and he is a dedicated supporter of the city’s Martlets Hospice.  Roger was awarded an OBE for services to public transport in 2005, an Honorary MA by the University of Brighton in 2007 and became Deputy Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex in 2007.

UK Bus Awards Chairman, John Owen said, “It gives me very special pleasure to congratulate Roger for the tremendous contribution he has made during his long career and, on behalf of the whole industry, to thank him for all that the has done to raise the profile of bus travel both locally and nationally”.  In typically modest fashion, Roger French attributed the success of Brighton & Hove buses to his team saying, “The company is successful because of the people who work for it”

The presentation took place at a glittering ceremony at the London Hilton and the guests included 650 industry movers and shakers.  The ceremony was hosted by BBC News Presenter Jane Hill and the Keynote Address was given by Norman Baker MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport; Gillian Merron, Chair, Bus Users UK presented the Awards.