The Coach Travel Group Strengthens Leadership Team with the Appointment of Elaine Williams

The Coach Travel Group is pleased to welcome Elaine Williams as Group Head of Operational Performance, a key appointment that reflects our ongoing investment in operational excellence, efficiency, and future growth. 

Elaine brings a wealth of experience in coach and transport operations, spanning more than three decades. Her new role will see her overseeing and enhancing operational performance across the group, as well as working on key projects to support the business’s future expansion across the UK. 

Bringing Industry Expertise to The Coach Travel Group 

With an extensive career in the transport sector, Elaine is no stranger to the challenges and opportunities of coach travel operations. She will be based at Johnsons Coaches in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, where she will also support the local depot as Head of Operations, alongside her group-wide responsibilities. 

“It’s so exciting to be part of a new group where there will be plenty of opportunities to learn best practices and harness the operational knowledge from our local operators,” Elaine said. 

“Ultimately, I will be responsible for overseeing and enhancing operational performance across the group, as well as collaborating on projects to drive future growth. I intend to bring the best of everything I have learnt in my career to help drive us forward in the months and years ahead.” 

A Career Built on Passion for Transport  

Elaine’s journey in the transport industry began while studying transport management at Northumbria University, where she also worked in the booking office at Voyager Coaches in Chester-le-Street. 

She gained hands-on experience during a placement at Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, before securing a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in both road passenger and road haulage—qualifications that she continues to use today. 

Her career highlights include: 

• Operations Manager at Southern Vectis, leading the Leisure and Retail division, including the Vicki Osborne Holiday brand. 

• National Express, where she spent many years in operational leadership roles, first on scheduled coach services, then in the bus division. 

• Head of Operations South at ArrowXL, overseeing a two-man delivery specialist, where she applied her road haulage CPC in a new sector. 

While she enjoyed learning about warehousing and logistics, the lure of coach travel proved too strong. 

“Recently, I have particularly enjoyed learning about the warehousing side of the transport sector, but the lure of coach travel was too strong,” Elaine said. “More than 30 years later, I have returned to my roots with The Coach Travel Group and Johnsons Coaches.” 

 Welcoming Elaine to the Team 

Tom Stables, CEO of The Coach Travel Group, said: “Elaine is a great addition to our team, and I know everyone is delighted to have her on board. She has a rare blend of experience and enthusiasm that will give us a different dimension as we move forward as a business." 

“Elaine’s knowledge, leadership, and passion for the industry will play a vital role in shaping the future of The Coach Travel Group, as we continue to drive operational excellence and innovation in the coach travel sector.” 

Welcome to the team, Elaine!