READING Buses’ CEO joked that his head would be too swollen to get out the door after he was given a touching send-off by transport leaders.

Members of the borough council’s traffic management sub-committee paid tribute to James Freeman, who steps down from the firm after seven years at the helm on Tuesday, September 30.

During a meeting last Thursday, former Reading Transport chairman Cllr Tony Jones said Mr Freeman had done an “outstanding job” leading the company and would be a hard act to follow.

He added: “Not only has he continued and built upon what I thought was a strong platform, he has built the company into what I think is one of the best in Britain.

“That reputation has not come easily. Never are these achievements down to one person but often come down to a leader with a clear strategy, and James has certainly provided that and will be a hard act to follow.” Mr Freeman will be taking up the role of managing director with First Bristol and West of England while current business director of Yorkshire Tiger Buses Martijn Gilbert will be taking over at Reading Buses.

Mr Freeman paid tribute to transport leaders, his staff and the public for making his time in the town so successful.

He said: “I am just jolly glad there are double doors here because with my swollen head I am unlikely to get out of the building.

“These seven years in Reading have been a tremendous privilege. It has been a delight to work with the team at Reading Buses.

“The greatest thing of all is the people of Reading. Everyone that we serve. Without our customers we are useless and hopeless and nothing, and without our staff we are also nothing.” Sub-committee chairman Cllr Tony Page praised Mr Freeman for facing both the hard times and good times with good humour, and said his presentation before the committee last year was the most entertaining he could remember.

He added: “I would like to place our thanks on record to James Freeman who has been with the company for seven years and has played his part — and no small part — in building up the company’s role.”