Business News Gilbert the Bus brought to life
Gilbertstone Primary School in Yardley, Birmingham, now has its very own big red bus, thanks to dozens of enthusiastic volunteers at National Express West Midllands. Workers at the bus operator have refurbished one of their old redundant buses and turned it into a fun school library. The school, which already
features a colourful character called Gilbert the Bus on their website, had always dreamed of having a real-life bus of their own. “We never really thought it would
ever happen,” said head teacher Ceri Crosskey. “Until, that is, we contacted our new friends at National Express West Midlands. They have all worked so hard to make our dreams come true.” The Optare Spectra H43/29F
DAF-bodied double decker (former fleet number 4010), had reached the end of its working life and was destined for the scrapyard. After nearly 20 years’ service, it
had travelled more than a million miles and carried over three million passengers on routes all over Wolverhampton and Birmingham. “We get a lot of strange requests
for bus donations,” said Frank Palmer, National Express’ Paint Unit Supervisor. “But with Gilbert the Bus already in place as the Gilbertstone school mascot, a few of us got together to see how we could help.” Dozens of engineers, service
support and trim shop employees all volunteered their own time to replace panels, change windows, rub down bodywork and repaint the whole bus.
Just the ticket: Bryan Bannister, from National Express, with two of the pupils. Gilbert the Bus is in the background To celebrate the arrival of their
big red bus, complete with big eyes and smiley mouth, Gilbertstone Primary School invited some of the National Express team along to say thank you. There they met up with hundreds of pupils, parents and
friends of the school for a fun-filled event of music, songs and a Gilbert the Bus cake. MP Jess Phillips (Labour, Birmingham Yardley) was also on hand to cut the official opening ribbon, saying: “It’s great to see a
local business like National Express working in partnership with Gilbertstone School in this way. I know that this is just one of many wonderful community activities that the company does to help local people.”
Russell adds global role to duties
Russell Jeans (pictured) has been appointed chief operating officer of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC). His extensive brief will now be widened to include responsibility for the Chambers’ new International Hub, which has been launched to bring together all global operations. Chief executive Paul Faulkner
said: “Russell’s wide experience and expertise within the Chamber will now be extended to take in international operations at this important time for global trade as we approach Brexit. “Russell has led the membership team in a phenomenal period of growth as we have developed and enhanced our membership offer backed by refreshed branding and marketing operations.
“His role will now embrace our
extensive international services, in which we lead the way in offering specialist world-wide trade advice to businesses of all sizes and types. “The division also includes our
outstanding translations and export documentation departments as well as providing access to overseas contacts.”
Mr Jeans will continue his brief
for membership services and he added: “I’m delighted to take on this new area of responsibility. The Chamber’s growth recently has been phenomenal and it’s important that we co-ordinate our broad portfolio of services. “I look forward to fulfilling that
role with our talented international team through business visits, trade fairs and training events as well as imparting extensive knowledge of overseas markets.” He also spearheaded the
integration of Chambers in southern Staffordshire into Greater Birmingham Chambers and has been responsible for securing for the Chambers and its partners the highly successful Greater Birmingham Local
Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), Growth Hub. The programme has already
delivered business assistance and advice for over 600 SMEs in its first year. Financial director Mike Hibbert
will continue his role of overseeing contracts relating to the Chamber’s work with the Department of International Trade (DIT) through the West Midlands Chambers LLP. The DIT are responsible for
promoting British trade across the world and fund a team of international trade advisers based at Chamber House.
To find out more about international services call 0121 450 4205 or visit www.
greaterbirminghamchambers.com
November 2016 CHAMBERLINK7
Picture: Marc Kirsten
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68