News > Phil Baker retires after 37 years at the top

Published 01 February 2014

Managing Director, Phil Baker, hangs up his driving gloves after nearly 4 decades at the forefront of the family business.

Bakers Coaches of Biddulph, Stoke on Trent was founded by Phil’s father, James Baker in 1936 and from humble beginnings as a garage and chauffer business it has progressed under Phil’s watch full eye and determination to one for the top 40 coach companies in UK.  Today’s operations include 23 private hire coaches, 29 local buses and a robust program of Holidays and Awaydays.

Phil, who recently turned 61, has taken the decision to retire after selling the business last May, he comments ‘I feel it is time to allow the new shareholders and management team to take the company to the next stage.  It has been a lifetime of commitment which I have thoroughly enjoyed – meeting and serving my customers from hugely diverse backgrounds and from many countries from around the world.’

Phil retired on Friday 31^st January 2014 leaving behind a Senior Management Team consisting of Andy Fish, Operations Manager and Stephanie Dean, Sales and Marketing Manager.  Both have worked alongside Phil for many years and comment ‘it is a privilege to be able to represent the Bakers name and safeguard its reputation as we enter a new era for the company.  We are both committed to maintaining the high standards of customer service set by Phil and relish the challenge laid down by the new shareholders’. 

With 78 years of history behind the company, this new chapter is set to be equally as exciting...