A THURROCK business chief has won widespread praise in the transport and engineering industry for the way he and his colleagues have been running the family transport firm which not only runs service in Thurrock but builds and supplies buses and coaches.

Together with his brother Steve, under the watchful eye of their father and company founder Peter, Ross Newman runs Purfleet-based Ensign Buses.

A sign outside Ensignbus' premises makes a bold statement: Omnibus Suppliers to the World. But it's a true one; Ensignbus has exported vehicles globally, complementing its domestic sales activity and a successful local service operation across most of Thurrock.

Last week Thurrock Nub News featured some of the efforts the company has gone to, not only to sustain its business locally in the face of coronavirus, but to protect staff and passengers.

Now transport enthusiast, blogger and critic 'Steve W' has told how he was 'moved to tears' when he received a letter from Ross outlioning the compnay's recent actions.

Steve has got permission from Ross to publish the letter, which you can read on his site here

Steve says: "Last night I received a message from Ross Newman, Director of just about everything at Ensignbus right now. He showed me a letter that had been sent to all the staff at Ensign. Regular readers will know the high esteem I hold Ensign in. If there's one thing I am proud this blog has achieved it's getting to know and be welcomed by these guys. The letter moved me to tears.

"I asked Ross if I could publish the letter as with all the negative news about the way companies like Virgin, Wetherspoons and Sports Direct have treated their staff I thought it was important that as much of the world see how it should be done, and that there are companies who do treat their staff with compassion and huge respect.

"I'm happy to say Ross has agreed to let me publish the letter. This is how it's done. Thank you."