Our People

Russell Revill
Managing Director

Employee Profile - Russell Revill

I started in the bus industry as a conductor based at Metro Bradford and was teamed up with a driver who was very good at offering advice; “I know you say you have only come here to work as a stop gap, but it gets in your blood!” Here I am 28 years since I first started in the industry, 26 years with Transdev Blazefield and I have progressed through the ranks to Managing Director (Operations).

Having been the Trade Union Branch Secretary for a few years I felt as if I wanted to learn more and I could see areas of the bus industry that could be significantly improved. Gradually I progressed through the roles of Inspector, Revenue Protection Officer, Training Instructor and Group Training Manager covering operations in Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and London.

I have always been someone keen on standards and having an urge to see the job done right. Over the years and with the help and direction of others I felt that we had achieved some good things. Drivers are being trained to pass their Institute of Advanced Motorists driving test which had never been done before and something that gave drivers proof that they have achieved that professional status.

I was fortunate to be promoted to Operations Manager at Burnley & Pendle when Blazefield acquired four depots in Lancashire from Stagecoach in 2001. In the following two years I became General Manager of all four depots at Burnley, Blackburn, Bolton and Clitheroe and later Operations Director (Lancashire).

In January 2006 Blazefield was acquired by Transdev and when the position of Managing Director (Lancashire) was advertised under the new management structure, I applied and was successful. This gave me the opportunity to finish the work I had started and I am very pleased to say that the relationship between staff, trade unions and the management team is excellent which I believe is essential for developing the business.

At present I am Managing Director (Operations) for the Transdev Blazefield Group. Every day offers a challenge and I can honestly say I enjoy this element. It builds on your experience and helps develop the business further. One golden rule for me is I always put myself in the employee’s position when considering changes or events.

Benoit Barraud
Management Trainee

Employee Profile - Benoit Barraud

I first joined the bus industry when, as part of my business school studies, I joined as an intern with Transdev Australia in August 2005. The placement was in Sydney where I joined the Finance department for 6 months.

At the end of that internship, I took another placement in the UK finance department, initially for a one year period. After 8 months, I was offered a permanent contract and I stayed with this department for 2 more years, studying for CIMA professional studies at the same time.

I was successful in the selection process for the Management Trainee scheme and started the program in August 2008. The scheme lasts for 2 years and involves working in all the different departments of the UK businesses to get a good understanding of the business.

I enjoy most the variety of people that work for Transdev. They all are dedicated to their work and I love being able to talk to all the different employees, from the drivers to the CEO.

Nelio Rebelo-Goncalves
London Bus Driver

Employee Profile - Nelio Rebelo-Goncalves

When I came to England from Portugal in 1990 I worked in restaurants for several years until a friend who worked at Tolworth Garage asked me if I had ever thought of going on the buses. I started in 2000 and was quite nervous at first but the training was good and I soon got used to it. I remember my GDT (Garage Driver Trainer) saying, “You have to be comfortable with the bus and don’t rush about.” That is what I still try to do.

I started out on the 371 from Richmond to Kingston and drove that Route for four years but now I work on the K5 between Morden and Kingston. I have quite a lot of older people on my bus who like to go shopping in Kingston. The same people get on the bus every day, they love the route. I don’t know what they’d do if it ever stopped. They are my favourites. I slow the bus down and come close to the kerb to make it easier for them to board. I know I have to take extra time with them and allow them to sit down before I drive. I also have two customers in wheelchairs and I check my ramps every day so I know they will be operational for them.

Not all the school kids show their passes but I don’t get angry with them - I wouldn’t want them to get off my bus and for something to happen to them. Some of my colleagues get annoyed but I say, you worry too much, don’t take it so seriously – if you get annoyed you’ll get stressed and it is very important as a bus driver to keep calm.

I am most proud of being awarded Top London Bus Driver in 2008 – even though I wasn’t able to pick up my award because of the birth of my son, Romeo, on the same day as the Award Ceremony.

Anthea Antonio
NET Engineering Manager

Employee Profile - Anthea Antonio

After graduation from college, I worked in railway infrastructure maintenance, starting as a management trainee graduate in the signalling and telecoms department. I held a number of roles in the signalling department before progressing to managing the infrastructure over a large area including Doncaster suburban lines and the east coast main line from north of Doncaster to just south of Grantham.

I joined Nottingham Tram Consortium (a 50:50 joint venture between Transdev and NCT) in May 2002 as Infrastructure Manager, progressing to Engineering Manager.

My role is to ensure that we implement the highest standard of maintenance to ensure that both infrastructure and trams operate safely and reliably. I manage a small dedicated team of technicians and engineers and a vehicle maintenance sub-contractor. It is an extremely interesting and varied job. I have to know a bit about everything from tramstop edging stones and anti graffiti paint to the most cost effective way to buy electricity. 

I like working in a small engineering department in a relatively small transport network. Recently we have had lots of success working with the Nantes tramway maintenance engineers and Transamo in pursuing best practice maintenance. This has been an eye opener and a source of great ideas.
I am proud that I have moved the organization on from essentially inspecting a new tramway to managing a mature asset. I am delighted with how the team have grabbed opportunities to gain new skills and put them into practice. The team is open to advice and good at putting it into practice. We deliver.