Phil Cornwall: Celebrating Passion in Action
For Phil Cornwall, recipient of the 2025 Passion! Award, collaboration begins with a simple belief: people do their best work when they feel heard, supported, and informed — especially during times of change. It’s this mindset that guided him through the transition of bus contracts in Manchester from another operator to Metroline.
When things are changing, uncertainty can quickly become anxiety. My role was to create a safe space where colleagues felt comfortable raising concerns, knowing someone would listen and act.
A Steady Anchor During Uncertainty
During the mobilisation period, communication with ground staff was limited. Phil became a trusted link between colleagues and management, raising important issues such as pension protection and ensuring they were addressed promptly. His efforts helped to build trust, improve clarity and achieve higher Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) rates across depots.
Phil’s approach to mentorship is practical and personal. He doesn’t see it as formal coaching, but as everyday guidance: explaining a process, calming nerves, or sharing lessons learned from experience.
Sometimes mentoring is just taking a few extra minutes to help someone feel confident. Those small actions add up.
That belief carried through once operations began for Metroline Manchester. Phil took ownership of daily administrative processes, ensuring compliance and operational stability. To help drivers adapt to new systems, he simplified training materials and explained technical details in plain terms. This practical approach improved readiness and reduced errors during the transition.
Small actions can have a big impact. Going the extra mile often starts with empathy — understanding what people need and how I can make things smoother for them. That belief drives me to act whenever I spot a gap in communication or understanding.
Turning Complexity into Clarity
The same philosophy guided his role in introducing digital systems, including automated duty sign-ons and digital compliance checks. Phil focused on making complex changes feel manageable — supporting colleagues step by step as they moved from paper-based to digital workflows.
Drawing from his experience, Phil shares three simple principles that help overcome barriers to collaboration and growth:
Listen actively and act quickly: Being the bridge between teams means hearing concerns early and turning them into solutions before they grow.
Make complex things simple: Translating technical or operational details into plain language helps everyone stay on the same page and reduces tension during change.
Lead by steady example: Staying calm and consistent earns trust — and once people trust you, collaboration becomes natural.
When people see someone taking ownership and keeping communication open, they’re more likely to get involved and move forward together.
Celebrating Passion in Action
Beyond day-to-day operations, Phil represents Metroline Manchester with professionalism and pride. He has supported engagement events with Transport for Greater Manchester and took part in the GM Live Well wellbeing initiative, driving a Metroline bus carrying local stakeholders, including Mayor Andy Burnham.
As the winner of the Passion! Award 2025, Phil and his spouse were flown to Singapore to join colleagues from across the Group at ComfortDelGro’s Global Townhall. The visit included a tour of our new headquarters at Labrador Tower, together with Ravindran Amirthalingam, the Passion! Award 2025 Special Mention recipient.
For Phil, passion means doing things properly, supporting his team, and finding better ways of working. His story reflects what passion looks like in action — staying focused, improving processes and helping people move forward together.