NEWS
The Swiss army knife of transport
Coatham Coaches has become more than just a transport provider- it’ s a cornerstone of community mobility and a champion of workforce development. As the company celebrates more than four decades of service, its commitment to upskilling and empowering its staff has become a defining feature of its success.
Founded in the early 1980s by Michael and Barbara Hodgson, Coatham Coaches began as a modest operation with a single minibus. The company has weathered economic shifts and industry changes, emerging stronger and more resilient with expertise in school, workforce and corporate transport.
Today, it stands as a thriving part of the Coach Travel Group, the largest coach provider in the UK, but still led by Michael’ s son, Mark Hodgson, and supported by a close-knit team of relatives and long-standing employees.
Coatham Coaches has earned a reputation as the“ Swiss army knife” of the transport industry in Teesside. From school runs and corporate shuttles to emergency rail replacements and airport transfers, the company’ s versatility is unmatched. This operational flexibility is mirrored in its workforce strategy: drivers and staff are encouraged to adapt, grow and take on new challenges daily
At the core of Coatham’ s growth is a deep investment in its people. The company provides its staff with opportunities to upskill- whether that means gaining new driving qualifications, learning customer service best practices or understanding the logistics of largescale transport coordination.
MD Mark emphasises the importance of adaptability:“ One day a driver may be taking children to school and their swimming lessons, the next day they may be carrying multinational company CEOs on a site visit to Teesside.”
By supporting upskilling, Coatham Coaches contributes to the broader economic resilience of the Tees Valley region. The company’ s commitment to training and internal promotion helps reduce unemployment, supports local families and ensures a steady pipeline of
Driving progress – Coatham Coaches invests in its people.
skilled transport professionals. In an industry often challenged by high turnover and skill shortages, Coatham’ s model of nurturing talent from within offers a blueprint for sustainable growth.
Mark adds:“ At a group level, we are looking at establishing specialist apprenticeships, the first of their kind in our industry, but locally we are looking to forge stronger links with quality training providers to look for the future passenger logistic workforce.”
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94 | Tees Business