‘Ops’ managers move on to new challenges
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T WAS all change for the Go-Ahead London operating managers at Merton, New Cross and Northumberland Park on October 20. Merton garage welcomed Glenn Woodman back into the fold following a 10-month stint as operating manager at New Cross. Before that he was an accident prevention manager at Merton. “It’s like coming home,” said Glenn, who has been with the company for 10 years. He originally joined as a driver at Sutton garage. His priority at Merton is to improve attendance. Graham Oliver moved from Northumberland Park to New Cross and was particularly pleased to find a kettle there. “I can make a cup of tea now whenever I want!” he said. He’s been with the company for six years and was an accident Glenn Woodman. prevention manager at New Cross previously, and at Merton before that. “I’m fortunate to be taking over a well-managed garage,” said Graham. “Glenn kept a tight ship.” “I don’t see a big difference between the garages,” he added. “They have all been great places to work where I have made many friends and met some very interesting people.” The final piece of the jigsaw is Mark Cambridge who has moved from Graham Oliver. Merton to Northumberland Park. Mark has been with the company for 15 years, starting out as driver at Camberwell garage. He soon moved to a position as admin assistant then rose through the ranks to operating manager. He is keen to share best practice from both garages. “There’s good stuff I’d like to bring in from my previous garage but I’m also finding some good things at Northumberland Park Mark Cambridge. which I’m learning from,” said Mark.
iBus eye-opener
DRIVERS from four garages have spent time at Bexleyheath’s iBus Hub to get a better understanding of the challenges faced daily by our team of controllers. Drivers from New Cross, Bexleyheath, Belvedere and Peckham were offered an hour’s slot at Bexleyheath’s iBus Hub over four days in November. The visit consisted of 15 minutes with iBus hub performance managers Bradley Faithfull and Angelline Verrillo with drivers learning how the team manages route contracts and performance. They then shadowed a controller and had the opportunity to experience
Andrew has IT all under control MAKING everyone’s life as easy as possible is one of new system manager Andrew Wilkinson’s quests at GoAhead London. Andrew joined the company on November 10, having previously worked as IT manager for CBRE, a property services company. “I was very encouraged by the length of time many people have worked at Go-Ahead London,” said Andrew. “I thought that was a sign that it must be
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a good company to work for.” One of his first priorities is to focus on the equinox system that the engineering departments use to order spare parts. On top of maintaining the existing IT systems, Andrew also looks at ways to future-proof the technology. Outside work, he enjoys Krav Maga, a martial arts-style self-defence system used by the Israeli military. “I took it up when I worked for BlackBerry in Singapore,” Andrew explained.
using the iBus system. “The iBus Hub controls the services from each of the four garages and the idea of throwing our doors open and giving our time to drivers was an exciting opportunity,” said Bradley. “It gave drivers the chance to gain an insight into what we do while engaging and building bridges with our control team. “It’s been a very positive exercise and given our staff a greater understanding of why controllers make the decisions they do and why they sometimes have to make unpopular decisions. Hopefully, the drivers will spread the word with other drivers.”