Arise, Sir Brian

’Course, we’d all heard of this man Brian Souter, this interloper. He’d established himself as something of a maverick on Anglo-Scottish express routes. When we learned that he’d successfully purchased Hampshire Bus (with Pilgrim Coaches) from the National Bus Company, we were a little deprecating, a little condemnatory, even a little shocked. Surely, this man was just a flash in the pan. And purchasing first Hampshire Bus and then Cumberland Motor Services. Was he insane? Two NBC basket cases almost in one go.

And when he soon came south and we saw him for the first time, he with his stitched shoes, bright trousers and, what, no neck tie, should we, dare we, take him seriously?

Now, here is this upstart, this outsider, with a knighthood. He joins the not-so-serried ranks of the few betitled Men of the Industry, the rare, the exceptional, The Grandees. People like Sir J Frederick Heaton, Lord Ashfield, Scotland’s own Sir William J Thompson and, erm, Sir Moir.

So, what was her majesty thinking of? Can’t she remember the apple carts this Souter has overturned? Immediate asset stripping in Southampton to fund further purchases; Lancaster City Transport; sundry scuffles with the competition authorities; more recently Preston; and the infamous Darlington situation.

Or may be her majesty realised that having given Moir his knighthood, there were others more deserving. Me, for one. Not that I’m bitter, or anything : ) That aside, in Souter, we have a highwayman (geddit?) turned orthodox, establishment figure. He came good. He certainly put oomph back into Hampshire Bus, proving early sceptics wrong. He may be magnanimous to accept this honour on behalf of those at Stagecoach who’ve supported him. But, when it comes down to it, Souter has shown premier leadership and not inconsiderable talent, judgement & shrewdness. He’s not afraid to cut his losses where things don’t work out. He seems to know when it’s right to step in. He will speak his mind. He expects 110 per cent of his managers but he gives 110 per cent, too.

We at Omnibuses congratulate him on his achievement. Oh, and who says a chartered accountant can’t run a bus company? And, we do wonder what he will be wearing for the big day...