Mike Edwards, long-serving Managing Director and owner of Edwards Coaches, is set to retire at the end of August.
Mr Edwards joined the business around 1970 and the Llantrisant-based operator celebrates its centenary this year having become one of the largest family coach firms in the country.
His daughter, Jessica Thomas, will take over the role of MD.
Richard Thomas will assume the title of Head of Operations, having previously fulfilled that role only in relation to the business’s National Express work.
Mr Edwards’ great-grandfather, George, founded Edwards Coaches in 1925.
The business is now the largest National Express partner operator, running more than 100 services daily. It has a fleet of more than 250 vehicles and employs more than 500. Its 2025 brochure listed more than 700 tours and it also operates local bus services.
“It’s time for me to enjoy my caravan, boat and Tenerife without me having to worry that I’m needed back in work on Monday,” Mr Edwards says. “We’ve built up a great team who will develop the business further with exciting developments in the pipeline for the short- and longer-term future.
“Jessica is taking the lead as Managing Director and Richard as Head of Operations. I’ll be on hand to give any suggestions and advice, though will take more of a back seat, having built the business to its current standing since the 1970s.
“I look back over my career with pride and have the satisfaction that I have the right people in the right places to move the business forward.”
Significant moves over the years have included relocation to Newtown Industrial Estate in 1984 and to the current site of Parc Busnes Edwards in 2017.
Also in that year, it opened a new depot in Avonmouth for the National Express work, while it also owns a depot in Swansea.
The business enjoyed expansion in 2011 through the acquisition of Diamond Holidays.
In 2013, Mr Edwards purchased Portbyhan Hotel in Looe, Cornwall, after that business had gone into administration.
Edwards Coaches won Large Coach Operator of the Year in the 2024 routeone Awards.
A series of events marking Edwards Coaches’ 100 years included a recent open day on 3 August. Vehicles on display included a recently delivered dual-branded Caetano Levante for National Express contracts and a Maudsley single-deck bus from 1931.
“Our Open Day was a huge success,” says Mr Edwards. “It was great to see familiar faces from the industry, our local community and from our loyal customer base.
“We had a lot of local food and drink companies attend and various forms of entertainment throughout the day. The day started a bit wet, as you’d expect in Wales, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. In the end, over 1,300 people attended, including some special guests.”
