TOP UK DRIVER – WINNER – Miguel Gonzalez

You get nothing in this life if you don’t ask, and boy did Miguel Gonzalez ask! In 2015 Miguel was working as a delivery driver in Tenerife. After discussing with his family, Miguel sent over 400 e-mails to all the UK coach and bus companies with his CV requesting an opportunity to come and work in the UK. Belle Vue Manchester MD Phil Hitchen picked up on his e-mail and sprung into action and formed a relationship with Miguel on Facebook. Since 2016 Miguel has been living his dream as a coach driver in the UK, with his family by his side. His journey to success has not been an easy ride, but with perseverance, determination and assistance from the Belle Vue team, he knew he would achieve his goal. Miguel has a great rapport with his passengers. Drivers on one school contract carrying 17 and 18 year olds had to be changed several times due to the poor behaviour of the pupils. Within a month of taking on the route, Miguel had them all sitting down, wearing seatbelts and even helping him clear up their rubbish. When Miguel was moved to another route, the pupils petitioned for him to be brought back. Miguel has developed himself into a true professional, and a worthy ambassador for Belle Vue and the coach industry.The judges loved Miguel’s story and commended Belle Vue Manchester on giving him the opportunity, something which he has clearly repaid as a loyal and important member of the company’s driving team. School contracts are the bread and butter for many coach operators, so to find a driver who is able to keep unruly pupils under control assuring a safe and well behaved journey, while also becoming the children’s most popular driver, is quite exceptional. This is just one of the factors that pushed Miguel above the other winners in this category to take the gold position.