Please introduce yourself
"My name is Jake, I am an Executive Support Officer, and I’ve worked at TfGM for 3 and a half years."
How have you seen things changed and how does your role contribute towards the changes?
"I absolutely love my job. I support members of our leadership team, enabling them to get on and deliver the big stuff.
"For instance, the big two things for us through recent times are bus franchising and rail reform, in which the two directors I support are heavily involved.
"Making their lives easier, getting them into the important meetings, and making sure they’re able to deliver these massive changes is what drives me, and I feel like I’m part of the changes as a result.
"The big obvious change since I started is our shift to delivering the Bee Network.
"I started when the brand and the network were but concepts, and now we are one of the most prevalent transport brands in the country, operating a franchised bus network second only to London, and rapidly working at pace to bring trams and Rail into the fold too.
"It’s immense and incredible to be involved."
How have you felt supported in your role at TfGM?
"A big part of my extra-curriculars at TfGM is leading our Rainbow Network for our LGBTQIA+ colleagues.
"We hold regular social events, act as a sounding board for colleagues delivering projects and events, and link to networks across Greater Manchester. We have really grown as a network, and I’m happy to have led the way for other networks to have formed."
"I make great use of my benefits too – the benefit of having my commute paid for is so helpful, as is being able to use our Bee Network buses for work and leisure."
What is your proudest achievement in your role at TfGM?
"One of my proudest achievements to date is being highly commended as an Unsung Hero at our Going the Extra Mile awards.
"I was nominated by my Rainbow Network co-lead for the work I have done to deliver the network from its inception, and it was a delight to share an afternoon with a group of people who really embody TfGM’s values of Deliver, Adapt and Care."
What piece of advice would you give to people applying for opportunities with TfGM?
"I’d say to keep an open mind and keep applying. There’s absolutely loads to TfGM that goes above and beyond what you might think.
"We have opportunities across any corporate function you can think of, aside from what we do in just delivering the network. My first role at TfGM was something I applied to on a whim, and it was my best career move to date."
What do you love the most about serving our communities in Greater Manchester?
"To me, it’s knowing that TfGM is everywhere. You can walk around pretty much anywhere in Greater Manchester and you’ll find us – buses, trams, trains, cycle hire."
"The Bee Network is everywhere, we’re even on Coronation Street!
"We’re such a rich and diverse region, with a transport network which has developed immensely, and that wouldn’t happen without the excellent people in all areas of the organisation working towards that shared goal."