Meet the Leeds man crowned UK bus driver of the year at national finals in Blackpool

A Leeds man has been named the UK bus driver of the year.

David Nairn, who works for First Bus in Yorkshire, was crowned UK Bus Driver of the Year at the national finals held in Blackpool over the weekend (Sunday, September 6).

Thousands of bus drivers entered the awards with over 100 put forward by 34 operators to compete for the trophy.

The win ensures the title holder is a First Bus driver for the second consecutive year, after fellow driver Michael Leech from Halifax won in 2025 – the first time this has happened in the competition in 20 years.

David, 31, admits he “cried for the first time in 15 years” when his name was read out. “I turned to people on my table and said: ‘Oh my God, really?’ I couldn’t believe it.

“I’d moved up one place but went into it relaxed, trying not to think about it too much, otherwise there’s always the chance you’ll mess up.”

David joined First Bus in 2021 from working in a shoe shop during an early career in retail and is based at the operator’s Bramley depot, west of Leeds city centre.

He was persuaded to enter by his partner, Hayley, in 2023 and in the five years he has been at First Bus David has reached the finals three times, finishing in fifth place last year and sixth on his debut.

Collecting the trophy he was joined on stage by his ‘lucky mascot’ Daphne, a 20-month-old Cavapoochon wearing a bandanna with her name printed on it.

He and Hayley, who live in the suburbs of Leeds, had been in Blackpool the day before trying to find a hi-viz jacket to fit their tiny dog but had to settle for the special neck scarf. “Daphne definitely brought me some luck this year,” he said.

He was among 10 First Bus drivers from Yorkshire to reach the finals. Drivers were judged in a series of practical manoeuvres along a 3-mile course culminating in a trip down the Promenade at Blackpool, where they were required to pull in at stops within 2-4 inches of the kerb with eagle-eyed assessors marking accuracy.

Unlike previous attempts, David didn’t collect any passengers while on the test route, which is allowed under competition rules. “I’ve had a really full bus in the past two years but not this time,” he said.

David didn’t only win the overall title. He also scooped honours for the highest-placed driver from a depot in England and the best performer for First Bus, walking away with over £4,000 in prize money.