RHA Coaches announces Richard Bamber as Forum Chairperson

RHA Coaches has announced Richard Bamber of Runcorn-based operator Anthony's Travel as the first chairperson of its Coach Forum.

Bamber was a co-founding member of RHA Coaches and also sits on the RHA’s Northern Regional Council.

In addition to this role, Alistair Bayliss of Kent-based Bayliss Executive Travel and Morag Milligan of Milligans Coaches, have been elected as joint vice-chairs to the forum.

The initial term will see the chair and vice chairs serve until 2024 – aligning with other RHA Board and Regional Council elections – before further elections will see a maximum term of three years.

Critical tool

Speaking about the elections, RHA Membership Director, Phil Snowden, said: “The Coach Forum has been created by the members and exists for the members to help and support them with all matters operational across the coach sector.

“I welcome the election of Richard, Alistair and Morag into the chair and vice-chair roles and believe the forum will be a critical tool for our coach members going forward.”

You can find out more about RHA Coaches membership here.

Every voice matters

Speaking about the appointment, Richard Bamber said: “I am delighted to be selected as Chairman for the RHA Coaches Forum.

“The coach industry historically has been unheralded and often forgotten; the past three years have been some of the most challenging the industry has ever faced and we lacked a strong voice to ensure our message was heard and, importantly, the industry well represented.

“With our ever growing coach membership and enhanced range of services, we are in a great position to drive change and face whatever challenges lay ahead.

“Every voice matters. Whether you operate one coach, or one hundred coaches, your opinion and your input counts.
Our coach forum of coach operators through the UK provides an excellent foundation for opinion, discussion and to shape policy of our organisation.”

Environment

Richard also highlighted the importance of decarbonisation to RHA Coaches and its members, which fits with the RHA’s environment campaign.

He said: “The path we take on the journey to decarbonisation will shape the future of coach companies for many years to come. The technology used in the haulage sector will undoubtedly be used in the much smaller coach industry -therefore we have a perfect synergy to ensure our future is best represented.”

You can read more about our environment campaign here.

Facilities

Richard has also been a vocal supporter of our facilities campaign, highlighting the need for more driver facilities at Wembley Stadium and across the country.

He said: “In the short term, we don’t think its too much to ask for some portaloos and a fast-food butty van – and, in the longer term a driver’s room, proper convenience facilities and food outlets should be put in place when coach parking is being planned.”

You can read more about our facilities campaign here.