Following news of his death, Wrightbus founder Sir William Wright was this week hailed as ‘a man who left his mark, not just locally but globally’

 
Wrightbus staff formed a Guard of Honour in tribute to founder Sir William Wright

 
Tributes were made this week to Sir William Wright, founder of Ballymena-based Wrightbus, who has died at the age of 94.

Wrightbus boss Jo Bamford today praised Wright’s legacy, saying he created the platform for a business which is now a world leader in zero-emission technologies.

Bamford purchased the Wrightbus business in 2019 and paid tribute to the vision of Wright, who founded the firm with his father Robert Wright after World War Two.

The business initially built bodies for goods vehicles and operated from his father’s tin shed behind their house at Warden Street in Ballymena, County Antrim. Today Wrightbus employs more than 1,000 people at its factory in the same town after Bamford rescued the company from administration in 2019.

“Sir William and his father were pioneers, of that there is no doubt,” said Bamford. “The Wrightbus name is synonymous with everything they stood for and those values – problem-solving, hard work and never giving up – course through the business I run today.

Sir William was fiercely loyal to this community and the fact his name is still held in such regard is testament to his relentless dedication

“Sir William was fiercely loyal to this community and the fact his name is still held in such regard is testament to his relentless dedication.”

Throughout his career, Wright was an inspirational leader who believed passionately in the future of the bus industry. He was an innovator and under his leadership the business spent heavily on research and development. Wrightbus pioneered aluminium bus framing in the UK in 1976, the first low floor bus in 1992, first British designed and built EV bus in 1999 and finally ensured the future of the business by leading the design of the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell double decker in 2015.

Wright stepped down as chairman in 2001 but continued to play an ambassadorial role with key customers. Even in his late-80s he turned up for work every day in his beloved electric car. He was knighted in 2018 for services to both the bus industry and the UK economy.

Wright was greatly admired by those who worked with him. Commenting this week, Ian Downie, head of Yutong Bus UK at Pelican Bus and Coach, said: “It is with great sadness to hear that William Wright has passed away. I worked for many years with William whilst I was at Volvo Bus, and had the great privilege of working with him at Wrightbus. I spent many an hour discussing the merits of diesel, electric and hydrogen buses in his office in the depths of Ballymena!

His energy, knowledge, humour and charisma was always evident. He was a legend in the industry

“His energy, knowledge, humour and charisma was always evident. He was a legend in the industry.”

Leon Daniels knew Wright for many years and worked closely with him on the New Bus for London project when he was managing director of surface transport at Transport for London.

“He was a giant and a most incredible pioneer,” said Daniels. “I was privileged to know him.

“Throughout our long professional life he only ever called me ‘boy’. As in ‘Hey boy, come and look at this!’ Not even a £200m order for buses and the presence of the First Minister and [North Antrim MP] Ian Paisley made him change this normal form of address!!”

Everywhere there is engineering or manufacturing or sales of buses his genius will be remembered

In his own tribute to Wright, Paisley said: “Sir William was a giant character. He was one of the last true captains of industry and commerce and a man who has left his mark, not just locally but globally. Everywhere there is engineering or manufacturing or sales of buses his genius will be remembered.”

As well as his role with Wrightbus, Wright also served his local community as a councillor and campaigner.

Jo Bamford added: “Everyone here at Wrightbus should never forget how this business started and the sacrifices which were made to ensure it goes from strength to strength in the future.

“Sir William is an indelible part of this fantastic story.”

 
This story appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

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