Phil Medlicott, managing director of Stagecoach Yorkshire, retired in February. Half of his long and varied career was spent with no fewer than six Stagecoach operating companies.
Phil started out in 1983 as a cash clerk with Crosville Motor Services, based at its Rock Ferry depot. After six months he moved into the commercial office, assisting with the preparation of schedules for Heswall and West Kirby depots. He also became the local NALGO representative.
In 1985, Phil obtained his bus driving licence at Chester and spent some time as a driver, where he could earn more money. He was soon promoted to Inspector at Runcorn, but kept his hand in driving, including on the Busway. Further promotion at Runcorn saw him progress through the roles of depot inspector and assistant operations manager to operations manager. During his time at Crosville, he saw the split of the company, deregulation and the subsequent sale of the English part of the business first to ATL and then to Drawlane, who broke the company up and put Runcorn under North Western control. Phil’s next move was to Kentish Bus, taking up the position of general manager at Northfleet and Gravesend, subsequently moving to Londonlinks and a similar position at Walworth depot.
A coaching interlude followed, initially with Baker’s at Weston-super-Mare, then to Limebourne and Scancoaches where he started as their commercial and marketing manager before taking up the position of general manager. This is where he met Helen, who he subsequently married. Both ran buses as well as coaches. Scancoaches ceased trading, but Phil and Helen went with the books to Stort Valley Coaches at Stansted.<…
