Andy Warrender, previously Coaching Manager at the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT), has left the organisation to join RHA Coaches, where he becomes Operations Manager – Coaches.
His move comes ahead of the April 2021 launch of the RHA’s new arm – RHA Coaches – aimed at UK coach operators, announced six weeks ago.
Prior to his seven years at CPT, Andy was Marketing and Key Account Manager at Plaxton Coaches, where he had worked for 20 years after spending three years as Service Controller at a Cambridgeshire coach operator.
The coach industry has been hit hard by COVID-19 with cancellations, social distancing and reduced demand from events and tourism seeing a considerable drop in operational mileage.
RHA managing director for commercial operations, Richard Smith says: “We’ve been working hard to give coach operators the benefit of our experience as the key representative organisation for commercial vehicles.
“With 90 percent of the UK fleet parked up we know that the sector needs urgent support, operational guidance and customised solutions to support business recovery.
“As the trade association for commercial vehicle operators, we’re committed to driving business on our roads and have a proven track record for delivering policy support to drive change that benefits our members.
“Our team of specialists cover every aspect of the UK commercial vehicle sector and we’re pleased to welcome Andy Warrender to the team as our coach expert,” Richard Smith continued.
“Andy has been involved in passenger transport, predominantly in the coach industry, for more than 30 years, a career which has spanned roles on the road, in operations, bus and coach sales, vehicle manufacturing and marketing – and has represented the industry in dealing with operational and policy matters both domestically and internationally.”
Andy sees his new role as not only ensuring that members are kept abreast of changes in the operational environment and equipped to deal with them, but that “we maintain a finger on the pulse of the industry, allowing members to contribute and ensuring that we are the ‘go to’ place for all stakeholders in the coach industry.”
Concluding, Richard Smith says: “These are difficult times but I’m confident that with the knowledge and expertise Andy brings to our latest initiative the security and success of UK coach operators is assured.”
‘RHA Coach’ will launch in April 2021. To find out more, visit: https://coaches.rha.uk.net/ or email [email protected]
