Rotala 20th Anniversary
20 November 2025
As Rotala steps into a very special milestone in our company’s journey, we are delighted to welcome you to the start of our 20th year anniversary celebrations.
For two decades, our people have been at the heart of everything we do. This anniversary is not just about marking time – it’s about celebrating the dedication, resilience, and spirit that each of our employees bring to our company.
Over the coming weeks, we will be reflecting on where we’ve come from, recognising achievements, celebrating success and looking forward to the exciting future we continue to build.
Day twenty
As we draw the curtains on our Rotala’s 20th Anniversary Roadshow, this is a fitting moment to hear from our Chairman, Bob Dunn, as he reflects on the success of the roadshow, shares his perspective on the achievements and challenges of the past 12 months, and looks ahead to what the future holds for the business.
His insights capture the momentum built through this milestone year, the strength of our people and partnerships, and the clear vision guiding Rotala into its next chapter of growth and opportunity.
Day nineteen
As Rotala’s 20th Anniversary Roadshow draws to a close, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on what has made the past few weeks so special. It has been a real pleasure to visit our depots, meet colleagues face to face, and hear your feedback and questions. Taking the time to connect in person has reminded us just how valuable these conversations are.
Those discussions have been a powerful reminder that Rotala’s success over the past 20 years has been built by its people. Your commitment, professionalism and pride in what you do every day are at the heart of everything we have achieved as a business. As we look ahead to the next chapter, the insights, energy and enthusiasm shared during the roadshow will continue to shape our journey together.
Day eighteen
Our final visit of the 20th anniversary roadshow took us to Preston, a location that perfectly reflects the progress and ambition of the business.
Following a recent £3 million investment, including the introduction of new vehicles, Preston showcased a renewed energy and commitment to excellence.
It was a real pleasure to meet everyone on site, speak with colleagues, and hear first-hand about their experiences and achievements.
Bringing the roadshow visits to a close in Preston felt especially fitting, marking not only two decades of success but also an exciting chapter of continued growth and investment.
Day seventeen
At Rotala, we believe our future is shaped by the talent we nurture today—and our graduates play a vital role in that journey. Ambitious individuals join us with fresh perspectives, strong academic foundations, and a determination to make a meaningful impact across our business.
From engineering and fleet management to operations, commercial roles, and customer-focused teams, our graduates bring curiosity, innovation, and professionalism to everything they do. Working alongside experienced colleagues, they gain real-world experience, develop practical skills, and build the confidence needed to grow into future leaders within the transport industry.
We’re proud to support our graduates as they take on new challenges, contribute to key projects, and help deliver safe, reliable, and efficient services for the communities we serve.
To all our graduates: thank you for your dedication, your ideas, and your commitment to excellence. You are a valued part of the Rotala family, and we look forward to supporting you as your careers continue to grow.
Day sixteen
As we continue on our roadshow today, we’re celebrating Christmas Jumper Day across the entire Rotala Group!
Our teams are getting into the festive spirit while proudly wearing their brightest, silliest, and merriest jumpers — all in support of the charities we’re raising money for this season.
Thank you to everyone taking part and helping us spread joy while making a difference. 🎄✨
Day fifteen
As we continue on our roadshow celebrating two decades of service, Day fifteen highlights one of the most important parts of our journey: giving back to the communities we serve.
As day four and ten mentions, we are proud to announce our commitment to supporting local organisations that make a real difference. Today’s video showcases the charity that our Heathrow depot will be partnering with over the next 12 months.
This initiative reflects our ongoing dedication to strengthening our local communities and investing in the people who rely on us every day. We look forward to working closely with these organisations and supporting their incredible work throughout the year.
Day fourteen -
The Rotala on tour roadshow has seen us visit our Top Contracted Operator Diamond Bus North West depots.
It was a great opportunity to meet and talk to our front-line drivers and Engineering Teams.
Thank you to all those involved.
Day thirteen -
Bob Baker’s career is an inspiring journey from apprentice engineer at 16 to Managing Director of Diamond Bus Midlands and East Midlands. Early hands-on work taught him discipline, while ambition and a strong work ethic helped him progress quickly, supported greatly by mentor Simon who opened doors to new opportunities.
Today, Bob leads from the front — staying actively involved in daily operations, supporting his teams, and striving to be the kind of leader he once looked for. He sees major industry changes in franchising and evolving technology, and while he’s concerned about the future impact on public transport, he remains committed to guiding the business through it.
His biggest reward has been watching people grow within the company. Bob’s advice for newcomers is to stay curious, notice opportunities, learn constantly, and step up. Summing up his career? Not what he ever expected — but incredibly rewarding.
Day twelve -
Rotala Training Academy – Developing Skills, Building Careers
At Rotala, we’re proud to invest in the people who drive our business forward, and our Training Academy sits at the heart of that commitment. With our own in-house dedicated and highly experienced Training Instructors and Examiners, we are equipped to deliver all levels of PCV training and test requirements. This ensures that every trainee driver is supported, guided and in safe hands as they embark on an exciting new career path within the Rotala Group.
We strive to make every trainee driver feel part of the team from day one. That welcoming, hands-on approach is reflected in our impressive pass rates, which consistently stand above industry standards — a true testament to the quality of training, coaching and support delivered by our Academy.
But our Training Academy goes far beyond driver qualifications alone. It plays a key role in welcoming all new colleagues to Rotala, ensuring every team member, regardless of their role, is introduced to our values, processes and standards from the moment they arrive.
The Rotala Training Academy is more than a learning space — it’s a launchpad for confidence, capability and long-term careers. We're building skilled professionals, nurturing potential and guiding the next generation of transport talent every step of the way.
The Rotala on tour roadshow has seen us visit our depot furthest south at our Heathrow depot.
It was a great opportunity to meet and talk to our front-line drivers and Engineering Teams.
Thank you to all those involved.
Day ten -
As we continue on our roadshow celebrating two decades of service, Day ten highlights one of the most important parts of our journey: giving back to the communities we serve.
As day 4 mentions, we are proud to announce our commitment to supporting local organisations that make a real difference. Today’s video showcases the community groups and charities that our North West depots will be partnering with over the next 12 months.
This initiative reflects our ongoing dedication to strengthening our local communities and investing in the people who rely on us every day. We look forward to working closely with these organisations and supporting their incredible work throughout the year.
Day Nine has seen our final depot visit in our East Midlands region at our Burton depot.
It was a great opportunity to meet and talk to our front-line drivers and Engineering Teams.
Thank you to all those involved.
Day eight - Celebrating Our Apprentices at Rotala
At Rotala, we believe our future is built by the people we invest in today—and our apprentices are a shining example of that commitment. Every year, talented individuals join us with a passion for learning, a drive to develop new skills, and a desire to play a key role in keeping our communities moving.
From engineering and fleet maintenance to operations and customer service, our apprentices bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and dedication to every part of the business. They work alongside experienced mentors, gaining hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications that set them up for long, successful careers in transport.
We’re incredibly proud of the progress they make—whether it’s mastering complex engineering tasks, supporting day-to-day depot operations, or helping deliver safe and reliable journeys for passengers across our networks.
To all our apprentices: thank you for your hard work, your commitment, and the energy you bring to the Rotala family. You are an essential part of our future, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next.
Day Seven has seen our final depot visit in our West Midlands region at our Kidderminster depot.
It was a great opportunity to meet and talk to our front-line drivers and Engineering Teams.
This depot visit was also a special visit as we launched our Roadshow Bus to continue our team around the UK to our other depots. This special livery sports images of vehicles old and new from across the Rotala Group over the past 20 years.
Thank you to all those involved.
Day Six has seen our next visit on our Rotala on Tour at our Redditch depot.
It was a great opportunity to meet and talk to our front-line drivers and Engineering Teams.
Thank you to all those involved.
Day Five -
This year, we proudly welcomed a new company into the Rotala family — Storagely Ltd, our very first venture into the self-storage industry.
Until now, the Rotala Group has had its roots firmly planted in the passenger transport sector, where we’ve built a strong reputation over many years.
However, following our transition from a PLC to a Ltd company, the new Board of Directors has been actively exploring opportunities to diversify our business model and strengthen the Group for the future.
The introduction of Storagely Ltd marks an exciting step forward, opening the door to new markets, new capabilities, and long-term growth. We look forward to developing this business and continuing to build a robust, forward-thinking Rotala Group.
Here’s to new beginnings and continued success in 2025 and beyond!
Day Four –
As we continue celebrating two decades of service, Day Four of Rotala’s 20th Anniversary Roadshow highlights one of the most important parts of our journey: giving back to the communities we serve.
As part of our anniversary tour, we are proud to announce our commitment to supporting local organisations that make a real difference. Today’s video showcases the community groups and charities that our Midlands depots will be partnering with over the next 12 months.
This initiative reflects our ongoing dedication to strengthening our local communities and investing in the people who rely on us every day. We look forward to working closely with these organisations and supporting their incredible work throughout the year.
Day Three:
We feature a truly special employee good-news story — an inspiring look into the journey of one of Diamond Bus North West’s most respected leaders.
We recently sat down with Matt Rawlinson, Managing Director for Diamond Bus North West and Preston Bus. Matt’s story is one of ambition, dedication, and a lifelong passion for the bus industry. Starting his career at just 18 years old, Matt worked his way through a variety of roles, developing a deep understanding of both the operational and people-centered sides of the business.
In this interview, Matt reflects on his early experiences, the lessons that shaped his leadership style, and the values that carried him from entry-level beginnings to the senior role he holds today. His perspective offers a grounded yet forward-looking view of the industry—highlighting the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and staying connected to the communities we serve.
Matt’s journey stands as an example of how commitment and curiosity can pave the way for long-term success, and we’re proud to share his story as part of our Rotala 20th anniversary celebration.
Day Two:
Day 2 has seen the launch of our Rotala on Tour at our Tividale depot.
It was a great opportunity to meet and talk to our front-line drivers and Engineering Teams.
Thank you to all those that got involved.
Coming on Monday……Day 3: Good News Story about Matt Rawlinson, Managing Director, DBNW and Preston.
Day One:
To launch our celebrations, we are pleased to share a welcome video message.
We encourage everyone to take the time to watch the short video, activities, stories and events will follow as we continue marking this milestone over the coming weeks.
Thank you for being part of our past, our present, and our future. Here’s to 20 years – and many more to come.