Profile - Leading the charge: How Charlotte Convey helped power Leicester’s electric depot

Now, at 25, she is Operations Manager at First Bus’s Leicester depot, leading a team of more than 200 people and helping run one of the UK’s pioneering electric bus depots.

“I was the youngest graduate on the scheme. It’s been a big learning curve, but a really exciting one.”

Learning on the job

Charlotte joined First Bus through the graduate scheme, gaining hands-on experience across the business while building her understanding of operations.

“I really enjoyed the scheme,” she says. “You get exposure to different parts of the business while still having that support around you. It gives you the confidence to take on responsibility, but you’re not on your own.”

That support has continued throughout her career. “I’ve always been quite ambitious,” she adds. “And my line managers have really supported that. They’ve encouraged me to take on new challenges and helped me develop, which has made a big difference.”

Her first placement was in Leicester, just as the depot began its electrification journey.

“That was my first big project,” she says. “I saw it from the very beginning.”

After a second placement in Portsmouth, also preparing for electrification, she took on a Staff Manager role in Stoke-on-Trent before returning to Leicester as Operations Manager in 2025.

“It’s quite special to come back and see it all the way through,” she says.

Today, her role is varied and fast-paced. “I manage around 220 staff and work closely with our engineering team to make sure we’re delivering the service reliably and meeting customer needs,” she explains. “It’s a really collaborative way of working, operations and engineering are constantly aligned to keep things running smoothly.”

“No two days are the same. It depends what’s happening in the depot and on the road.”

Keeping the wheels turning

Leicester’s electrification began in early 2023, with the first electric vehicle arriving in March and entering service just two months later.

But behind the scenes, the transition was complex. “You’re still running a full diesel operation while building something completely new around it,” Charlotte says. “Keeping the service running was always the priority.”

Careful planning and close coordination made the difference. “We had weekly meetings with the construction team so we knew exactly what was happening and could keep everyone informed,” she explains. “They understood what we needed operationally, which helped everything run smoothly.”

Some moments stood out. “The gantries arriving were incredible,” she says. “They came in on huge lorries, then were lifted into place and joined together. It was something completely new.”

Just as important as the infrastructure was making sure people felt part of the journey.

“Whenever we had stakeholder events, we made sure we did something for the drivers as well,” she says. “It was important that everyone felt involved.”

Bringing people with you

For Charlotte, the success of electrification came down to people. Every driver at Leicester received individual training on the new vehicles, from charging procedures to driving techniques.

“We made sure everyone was comfortable,” she says. “If people needed more support or more time, we gave it to them.”

As the rollout progressed, that became a structured, rolling programme. “We were constantly looking at who needed training each week to make sure we had enough drivers ready for the next phase,” she explains. “That approach has since been used by other depots as well.”

The response from drivers has been overwhelmingly positive. “They love them,” she says. “They’re quieter, smoother and more comfortable to drive, which makes a real difference day to day.”

Because drivers had been involved from the start, they were invested in making the transition work. “They’d seen it being built, they’d been part of the process, so there was real excitement,” she says.

A different kind of depot

Now fully operational, Leicester feels very different. “It’s noticeably quieter,” Charlotte says. “That’s better for the team and for the community around us.”

There are operational differences too. “With electric, you have to think more about things like weather and charging,” she explains. “It’s not quite as simple as diesel, but once you understand it, it becomes part of how you run the depot.”

For passengers, the change is clear. “The buses are smoother and quieter, which improves the passenger experience,” she says. “But it’s not just about the journey. For the city, it’s a big positive; lower emissions, better air quality and a quieter environment for the communities we serve. It also supports what the city is trying to achieve around improving air quality and reducing emissions.”

Because the vehicles are more reliable, the impact goes further. “We’re better able to meet customer needs,” she adds. “And that’s what it’s all about.”

Setting the standard

Leicester was one of the first depots in the UK to fully embrace electrification, and that’s something Charlotte and her team are proud of.

“We were pioneers,” she says. “We set the bar for others, and we’ve been able to support other depots going through the same transition.”

That success has been recognised internally, with Leicester winning Best Medium EV Depot at the First Bus Our Way Awards for two consecutive years, as well as achieving Gold Wrench status twice in a row.

“But for me, it’s also about bringing people with you,” she says. “Making sure the whole team feels part of that success.”

Looking ahead

For Charlotte, the experience has been defining. “I came into this as a graduate, new to the industry,” she says. “It’s taught me so much; about operations, about people, about managing change. Those are things I’ll take through my whole career.”

With new developments already underway, including the introduction of FlixBus coaches at Leicester, the depot continues to evolve.

“It’s an exciting time,” she says.

And for anyone considering a career in the industry, she is a strong advocate for the graduate scheme.

“I’d definitely recommend it,” she says. “You get exposure to so many different areas, operations, commercial, marketing, and it helps you find where you fit. There’s something for everyone.”

For Charlotte, the bigger picture is what matters most. “The bus plays such an important role in people’s daily lives,” she says. “Getting people to work, school, hospital, it really matters. Being part of something that makes that difference every day is what makes the job so rewarding.”