Rotala Group Chairman Bob Dunn (pictured, above) and longstanding coach industry figure and UK Coach Operators Association (UKCOA) President Stephen Telling (pictured, below) have been named on the Top 100 Influential People list for 2025.
Both men have enjoyed storied and ongoing careers in the sector, with Mr Dunn recently assuming the Chairman role at Rotala and Mr Telling continuing to contribute to coach industry policy and direction through an over-35-year association with UKCOA and its predecessor the London Tourist Coach Operators Association.
In deciding upon the winners, judges look for people in the UK who excel in areas including business and entrepreneurism, diversity and inclusion, health and social care, and many other fields. A focus is placed on individuals who are both successful and influential.
Mr Dunn began his career as an engineering apprentice with bus operator Midland General in 1970. Achievements since then include a long period in coach operation with Dunn-Line in the East Midlands, which he developed into a major undertaking before sale in 2006.
More recently, he has been prominent in the advancement of Rotala and serves on its board alongside his son and CEO Simon Dunn, and Group Finance Director Kim Taylor.
Mr Telling has spent around five decades in the coach industry, most prominently as founder and Managing Director of operator Tellings Golden Miller.
He led that business through a period of strong growth and twice built large fleets before selling them to Arriva and National Express, respectively.
Support of fellow coach operators continues through Mr Telling’s ongoing involvement with UKCOA as its President. After repositioning to a nationwide approach, the trade body now numbers over 100 members.
Mr Dunn and Mr Telling sit on the Top 100 Influential People list for 2025 along many other leaders in their field.
Among those are former John Lewis Partnership Chair Dame Sharon White; England rugby player and three-time Six Nations winner Maro Itoje; and England footballer and two-time UEFA Woman’s Euros winner Beth Mead.
Find a full list of 2025 winners here.
