Lothian People Awards 2025 - Finalists Survey

Voting open until Friday 17 October!

Simply vote for your winner in each of the categories below.

Extra Mile, Rising Star, Manager of the Year, Team of the Year, Outstanding Contribution and Apprentice Awards will be chosen by the Director team.

Winners will be announced at the Lothian People Awards on Friday 14 November.

1.Customer Experience Award

This award is open to any individual that truly goes above and beyond what is expected of them, demonstrating helpfulness, willingness and dependability when dealing with internal and external customers.

Raymond Buchanan - Lothian Central Driver - After 21 years of dedicated service, and more recently as part of the Airlink team, Raymond continues to embody loyalty, positivity and excellence. Known for his can-do attitude and ever-present smile, he brings energy and heart to everything he does. His unwavering commitment to customer care sets a gold standard, as he consistently goes above and beyond to support those who travel with us. Whether overcoming challenges or sharing in successes, Raymond is someone colleagues and customers alike can always rely on. We are proud and fortunate to have him as part of our team.

Cary Mercer - East Coast Buses Driver- Cary has received 14 commendations, a clear reflection of his professionalism and the high regard in which he is held by customers. He is always helpful, polite, and dedicated to providing excellent service. Cary consistently goes the extra mile for both colleagues and customers, making him a valued and highly respected member of the team.

Robert Sherman - Lothian Country Driver - Robert is a consistently high performer who has already received five commendations this year. Known for his friendly and polite manner, he always goes the extra mile to ensure the best experience for his passengers. Robert’s genuine kindness and professionalism make him a credit to the team and a valued representative of the company.

Driving Champion

Our drivers are the face of our business. Successfully balancing customer service with safety and performance they have the power to transform an everyday journey into an outstanding one for our customers. The winner will be a real team player who has high standards of customer service (evidenced by customer commendations) and demonstrates great driving skills with a real can-do attitude. An individual from each part of the group will be chosen as a winner.

2.Driving Champion - Eve Coaches

Willie Edmond - Willie has been a big help to the management team this year, always willing to step in when needed. Whether it’s covering shifts at short notice, taking on extra work, or helping us out during busy periods, he’s someone we know we can rely on. That kind of flexibility makes a real difference behind the scenes and helps keep everything running smoothly.

Ryan Fletcher - Ryan is very much one of those unsung heroes who quietly gets on with the job and does it to a high standard every time. He’s not one to make a fuss or look for recognition, but he can always be counted on to do what’s needed, and to do it well. He takes pride in his work, keeps a professional attitude, and holds himself to consistently high standards whether it's on the road, dealing with passengers, or handling the day-to-day routine. His steady, reliable approach has been a real asset to the team this year.

3.Driving Champion - Lothian Motorcoaches

Mark Charles - Mark is consistently reliable, professional, and well regarded by both colleagues and customers. He is frequently requested for tours, which is a clear reflection of the trust and confidence others place in his ability to deliver a safe and enjoyable service. Mark is known for his pleasant manner and steady approach, always ensuring passengers feel at ease and journeys run smoothly. While he may not receive the same volume of written commendations, the high level of repeat requests speaks volumes about the quality of his service. His reliability, professionalism, and commitment to representing the business positively make him a deserving nominee for this award.

Paul Hodgkinson - Paul consistently demonstrates outstanding customer service while maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism behind the wheel. He regularly receives positive feedback from customers for his helpful, approachable, and courteous manner, often going out of his way to ensure passengers have an excellent journey experience. Paul is a true team player who can always be relied upon to support his colleagues, showing great flexibility and a positive can-do attitude. His driving skill, and dedication make the very best qualities of a Lothian driver and make him an excellent candidate for this award.

4.Driving Champion - Edinburgh Bus Tours

John Cairns - John is truly a jack of all trades and an invaluable member of the EBT team. Whether selling tickets, leading as a brilliant tour driver, or stepping in to support the Supervisory team, he approaches every task with skill and dedication. John’s ability to build a warm rapport with both colleagues and visitors sets him apart, making him a trusted teammate and a favourite among our visitors. His versatility and positive spirit make a lasting impact every day.

Allan Hope - Allan consistently goes above and beyond in his contributions to EBT. His wealth of experience and expertise make him a trusted and reliable resource, while his professionalism—balanced with a cheeky sense of humour—creates a positive and supportive environment for those around him. Whether he is mentoring new team members, lending his skills to special projects, or stepping in wherever needed, Allan is someone the team can always count on. His dedication and impact are truly commendable.

5.Driving Champion - East Coast Buses

Graham Lunn - Graham demonstrates exemplary driving standards, consistently upholding safety, reliability, and professionalism on every journey. Alongside his driving skills, he is known for his supportive attitude, always ready to assist colleagues and provide excellent service to customers. His combination of professionalism and helpfulness makes him a valued member of the team.

Liam Mulgrew - Liam is recognised for his consistent professionalism and commitment to the highest standards of safety and service. His positive approach extends beyond the driver’s seat, as he is always willing to help both colleagues and customers. Liam’s dedication and supportive nature make him a real asset to the team.

6.Driving Champion - Lothian Country

Martin Turnbull - Martin, a Lead Driver at Lothian Country, has built an outstanding record in supporting new starters. Over the past year, only one of his trainees has been involved in a blameworthy accident, a reflection of the care, guidance, and ownership he takes with every individual he supports. Martin goes above and beyond by keeping in touch with his trainees both inside the garage and outside of work, ensuring they feel supported throughout their early careers. His attitude is exemplary, and he willingly adjusts his own shifts when needed, particularly to carry out Early Interventions with drivers in their first six months of service. Martin’s dedication and commitment to helping others succeed make him an invaluable member of the team.

David Turner - David has maintained an impeccable record during his career at Lothian Country, with no accidents or complaints on file. He is always willing to step in and help, covering shifts at short notice and handling every request with a positive, can-do approach. His reliability, professionalism, and supportive attitude make him a trusted and highly valued colleague.

7.Driving Champion - Lothian Buses

Colin Henry (Longstone) - Colin has been with Lothian for 17 years and holds one of the strongest employment records in Longstone Garage. With an excellent accident and passenger safety record, he is highly respected for his professionalism. However, what truly sets Colin apart is his outstanding customer service. The many commendations he has received all highlight the same qualities his friendliness, helpfulness, and willingness to go above and beyond for passengers. Whether assisting someone in need or taking the time to provide travel advice to potential customers and visitors to the city, Colin always makes people feel supported and welcome. In a city with so many tourists, Colin’s dedication, kindness, and professionalism make him not only a credit to Lothian, but also to himself.

Mark Martin (Marine) - Since joining the team, Mark has demonstrated what it truly means to be a professional and customer-focused driver. In only 12 months, he has received an incredible 21 commendations from passengers—each one highlighting his kindness, friendliness, courtesy, and consistently excellent customer service. Mark’s driving standards are equally commendable. Aside from one minor incident, his driving reports reflect a safe, competent, and conscientious approach to the road. He sets a high bar for professionalism and care in every journey. One passenger’s commendation perfectly captures the essence of Mark’s daily impact: “I got on a bus today at Gordon Terrace, bus number 12 toward Portobello at around 16:32, and I would just like to pass on my compliments about this bus driver. He was so kind and welcoming and genuinely cheerful. It really brightened my (stressful!) afternoon, and small human moments like this are very much appreciated—not only by me but by many others.” Mark’s ability to combine safe driving with genuine human connection makes him a true ambassador for Lothian and a deserving Driving Champion.

Chris Taylor (Central) - In just 2 and a half years, Chris has made an outstanding impact on our team. He approaches every task with a calm, can-do attitude that inspires confidence and fosters collaboration. Always ready to lend a hand, Chris consistently supports colleagues with generosity and kindness. His commitment to respect, integrity, and professionalism sets a powerful example, helping to shape and elevate the culture of our team. Chris may be a relatively new member of the team, but his contribution has been remarkable, and we feel fortunate to have him with us.

8.Engineer of the Year

This award recognises a member of the engineering workforce who has achieved exceptional performance in their role. They work behind the scenes, as a key member of a high performing team ensuring vehicles are fit for operational service daily. With the ability to work well under pressure, their diagnostic skill set and attention to detail is always accurate, ensuring that maintenance is carried out to a high standard and in line with the company’s health and safety procedures.

Gregg Gifford (Marine) - Since joining the company in September 2023, Gregg has quickly established himself as one of the most dependable and skilled technicians on the garage floor. His versatility and confidence in tackling any task have made him an invaluable member of the team. Recently, Gregg proudly represented Lothian at the prestigious Skills Challenge in Wolverhampton, where he showcased his exceptional talent and performed brilliantly. His dedication, skill, and professionalism set a high standard for others to follow.

Kenny Graham (Longstone) - Kenny has been a dedicated member of the company for many years, approaching the ups and downs of the job with steady determination and a positive attitude. He is known for his reliable work ethic and his mindset of “I’m here to do a job, let’s get it done.” Beyond his own contribution, Kenny is a natural mentor, sharing his knowledge and skills with others and instilling the importance of excellent housekeeping standards. His professionalism, consistency, and willingness to support and guide his colleagues make him truly deserving of recognition.

Shaun Kenny (Central) - Shaun plays a vital role in developing our apprentices, spending significant time with them to share his knowledge and experience. Through his guidance, apprentices gain not only the technical skills they need, but also the confidence to succeed in their roles. His commitment to supporting the next generation of talent is highly valued across the team.

9.Retail Ambassador

We have various frontline colleagues representing the Lothian Group across our retail locations (TravelHubs, Airport, Edinburgh Bus Tours etc). This award recognises the dedication and commitment from this individual, ensuring a first-class retail experience every time by putting the customers’ needs at the forefront of every enquiry.

William Auld (Retail) - William is a committed and knowledgeable member of the team who takes great pride in supporting our customers. Whether answering enquiries by phone, reuniting lost property, advising on travel needs, or recommending products, William is always willing to help. He also enjoys contributing beyond the desk, assisting with events and offering support to customers in the city, particularly during the Festival. His dedication and approachable manner make him an asset to both his team and our customers.

Michael Donnelly (Retail) - Michael is a trusted and dedicated member of Retail’s Airport team, whose polite and friendly manner regularly earns praise from our customers. Nothing is ever too much trouble for him; he always puts the customer first and ensures they receive his full attention. Professional, calm, and approachable even during the busiest times, Michael consistently goes above and beyond to deliver excellent service for all Airlink customers.

Andrew Monaghan (Edinburgh Bus Tours) - Andrew is a proactive and dedicated member of the team who can always be relied upon. As one of the top-performing ticket sellers, he brings energy, enthusiasm, and a competitive spirit that inspires those around him. He embraces challenges with a positive outlook and thrives in friendly competition, all while building strong connections with both colleagues and visitors. Andrew’s commitment and drive make him a valued and highly respected member of the team.

10.Lothian's Hidden Gem

Behind the scenes there are hundreds of individuals who work tirelessly to support their operational and engineering colleagues every day. From our commercial team to our finance team, our IT team to our Communications team, there are people across our whole business in the background working in support functions assisting with the operational daily delivery of service. These individuals sometimes go unnoticed and unrewarded for their contribution to the business.

Alaina Crawford (Recruitment Team) - Alaina from our recruitment team is an invaluable colleague who continually goes above and beyond in her role. Whether offering a warm welcome to potential new employees, supporting colleagues without hesitation, or ensuring every new trainee feels comfortable and at ease, Alaina plays a key role in the smooth and professional running of the recruitment team. She brings a calm, positive presence that makes a genuine difference not only to her immediate team, but also to the many colleagues who interact with the Training Academy at Lothian. Alaina may not seek the spotlight, but those who work alongside her see every day the dedication, kindness, and quiet strength she brings. Her impact is both lasting and deeply appreciated.

Joanne Dean (Engineering Support Team) - Joanne is an invaluable member of the engineering team whose dedication and positivity shine through every day. No matter how much work comes her way, she takes it on with remarkable calm and efficiency, and always with a smile on her face. She consistently puts others before herself, never hesitating to lend a hand or step in to solve problems in the depots. Her willingness to help, her resilience under pressure, and her ability to handle any workload without complaint make Joanne not only vital to her team but also a highly respected and admired colleague.

Graeme Healy (Training Team) - Graeme is an integral part of the training team at Longstone and is well known across the business for his positivity and great sense of humour, which never fails to lift those around him. Alongside his training role, Graeme plays a key part in organising our Driver of the Year event, putting his heart and soul into making it a memorable day for all involved. From overseeing the application process to managing the event itself, he works tirelessly to ensure everything runs smoothly and that the experience is enjoyable and rewarding for everyone. Thanks to Graeme’s dedication, the event continues to showcase the very best of our drivers and celebrates their achievements in style.

Emil Szewczyk (IT Team) - Emil Szewczyk is truly one of Lothian’s Hidden Gems – though he would be just as deserving of recognition in the Extra Mile category. No matter the challenge, Emil approaches every task with positivity and professionalism, consistently finding solutions and supporting those around him. His role spans across every department in the business, and the feedback from colleagues throughout the organisation is consistently glowing. Within his own team, Emil is valued not only for his exceptional contributions, but also for the uplifting impact he has on those he works alongside. His dedication, positivity, and consistently high performance make Emil a stand-out candidate for this award.

Thank you for voting in our Lothian People Awards 2025!