Key Dates

Entries Open – 5 January 2026

Deadline for entries – 20 February 2026

Shortlist announced – w/c 23 March 2026

Awards ceremony – 17 June 2026

Talk to us

If you have an urgent question about the awards or just want to check eligibility or see what category is best for your project? Contact us via e-mail at awards@ciht.org.uk

Overview

This award acknowledges an individual's exceptional contribution within the bus industry in England whilst early in their career.

Judges will be looking for entries that can demonstrate how the emerging professional has:  

• Managed Change – the individual has worked in a changing landscape within the bus sector and the skills they have applied to achieve this 
• Demonstrated Engagement Contribution – the individual has gone above and beyond what was expected of them in their role on one or more specific projects or initiatives  
• Committed to the Future of the bus sector – an indication of how the individual plans to contribute to the bus sector in the coming years.

How to enter

All entry submissions must be made online via the online entry portal.

Submissions must be made in English only.

Key Dates

Entries Open – 5 January 2026

Deadline for entries – 20 February 2026

Shortlist announced – w/c 23 March 2026

Awards ceremony – 17 June 2026

Eligibility

What we will ask you and the points awarded

Executive summary (100 words) (unmarked)    

Provide us with a brief introduction of your nomination. Tell us how the person you are nominating is a key role model in the bus sector and an example of professionalism. Be clear, concise and tell us why this professional deserves to be celebrated.    

1: Professionalism (250 words maximum) – 10 points  

Describe how you or the nominee consistently demonstrates high professional standards, values, and practices that are a credit to the bus sector.  

Your answer can address the following prompts:  

• Professional Excellence: What specific professional behaviours and values does the nominee exemplify in their daily work? (e.g., reliability, integrity, passenger focus, ethical decision-making)  
• Technical Expertise: How have they applied their knowledge and skills to improve or advance bus services, operations, or policies? Provide a specific example.  
• Continuous Development: How do they stay current with industry developments? (e.g., training completed, qualifications gained, conferences attended, professional memberships)  

2: Innovation (250 words maximum) – 10 points  

Explain how you or the nominee has used innovative thinking, approaches, or technologies to create positive change and deliver improved outcomes.  

Your answer can address the following prompts :  

• The Innovation: What specific innovation, new approach, or technology did the nominee introduce, champion, or significantly improve? What problem was it designed to solve?  
• Implementation: How did they bring this innovation to life? What obstacles did they overcome? Who did they need to convince or collaborate with?  
• Measurable Impact: What were the quantifiable results? (e.g., cost savings, time saved, passenger satisfaction improvements, emissions reductions, service reliability increases)  
• Bus Sector Advancement: How has this innovation challenged traditional ways of working or set new standards for the bus industry? 

3: Role Model (300 words maximum) – 10 points  

Demonstrate how you or the nominee serves as an inspiring role model to peers, colleagues, and the wider bus sector through their actions, attitude, and commitment to developing others.  

Your answer can address the following prompts:  

• Inspiring and Supporting Others: In what specific ways does the nominee inspire, encourage, or support colleagues? Can you provide an example of when they went above and beyond to help someone succeed?  
• Sector Advocacy and Impact: How do they promote the bus industry and contribute to its advancement? (e.g., speaking at events, participating in industry groups, engaging with stakeholders, publicly representing the sector)  
• Attracting and Retaining Talent: Have they played a role in attracting new people to the bus sector or retaining existing talent? 

4: Measurable Success (300 words maximum) – 10 points  

Provide evidence of the nominee's achievements and professional development.  

Your answer can address the following prompts:  

• Quantifiable Achievements: What specific, measurable results have you or the nominee delivered? For example:   
• Service improvements (e.g., punctuality, reliability, customer satisfaction scores)  
• Financial impact (e.g., cost savings, revenue growth, efficiency gains)  
• Operational performance (e.g., reduced complaints, improved safety records, higher staff retention)  
• Passenger benefits (e.g., increased ridership, enhanced accessibility, improved journey times)  
• Environmental impact (e.g., emissions reductions, modal shift achievements)  
• Professional Development: How have you or the nominee grown professionally? (e.g., new qualifications gained, skills developed, responsibilities increased, promotions earned) 

Entry Rules

• You are the owner of all intellectual rights in your entry or have all necessary consents from all other owner(s) of intellectual rights in your entry.
• Entries must be received no later than the published deadline date.
• All submissions must be made online.
• All entries must be supplied and conform to the category rules and submission formats.
• Work entered into more than one category must be treated as a completely separate entry, we encourage you to address the different criteria for each category you are submitting your entry. 
• The judges’ decision is final.
• Due to the number of entries received, we cannot give feedback on individual entries.
• By entering these awards, you give the organisers the right to share, publish and otherwise use the entry in all media and CIHT publications.
• The evidence contained in the submission must be correct and you can provide further details if required.
• The organisers reserve the right to verify that all entries have been produced for a client or for the public where relevant.

Help and Support

Awards enquiries: awards@ciht.org.uk

Award ceremony enquiries: conferences@ciht.org.uk

Sponsorship enquiries: ben.sellers@thinkpublishing.co.uk