An employee who has risen from bus driver to a top managerial position within Reading Buses in a short timescale has been shortlisted for two prestigious national awards.
Gemma Redson, 38, of Lower Earley, Reading, who joined Reading Buses just eight years ago as a bus driver, is in line for the Rising Star awards at the CILT Awards and the Route One Excellence Awards after gaining various promotions to become Commercial Manager.
The nominations recognised Gemma’s rise within the company and industry. Gemma joined the company eight years ago and, after three years bus driving, took on a temporary role within the commercial department as Green Line mobilisation manager to launch the then new Green Line 702 service to London.
The mobilisation position was quickly replaced with a permanent position of Business Development Manager in recognition of her performance. This role lasted for just under four years during which time she learnt a great deal about the role the commercial team plays within Reading Buses.
It was a position she was able to grow to assist with network planning, data analysis and tender submissions alongside partnership management.
This experience helped her move roles to Commercial Manager, overseeing the whole commercial and planning team in July 2022.
Said Gemma: “I was very honoured to be even thought of to be put forward by the company and was blown away by receiving two shortlistings for these prestigious national awards. I feel very humble to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the amazing people also up for these awards.
“I am really excited about this next chapter in my career with Reading Buses as well as being thrilled about having taken on responsibility for the commercial team. Winning an award would be a wonderful surprise to cap off the first year-and-a-bit in my new role.”
Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer, said Reading Buses were backing Gemma ‘all the way’.
He said today: “Gemma has proven herself more than capable within the commercial team in the last four years and I have no doubt at all that she will continue to succeed.
“I look forward to seeing what Gemma and her team will ultimately achieve and Reading Buses wishes her every success in her nominations for these prestigious national awards.”
The CILT Awards will be announced on September 28 at a ceremony at The Londoner Hotel, Leicester Square.
The Route One awards will be announced at a ceremony at The Hilton Birmingham Metropole on November 8.
The company also had some more good news with a shortlisting for the Passenger Transport Award at the CILT Awards. They will have stiff competition from Lumo Trains and The Elizabeth Line in this category.