About Rivervale Minibus
Rivervale, based in Brighton, are the UK's leading vehicle leasing and maintenance company for personal and business customers. They specialise in new vehicle leasing for cars, vans and minibuses as well as having a fleet-management offering.
Following the sad death of Castle Minibus’ owner Chris Maynard in July 2022, Castle Minibus was purchased by Rivervale in February 2023. This acquisition brings two of the largest minibus providers in the UK together; they will now not only have the vast vehicle numbers and choice of Rivervale but also the safety and education services that Castle were renowned for. After months of planning, from January 2024 Castle Minibus will become Rivervale.
Rivervale have already restored some of Castle Minibus’ services including driver training and have created job opportunities that were lost due to COVID. They are committed to keeping Bicester as the home of their minibus operation, with plans for significant expansion of the minibus side of the business and their Bicester premises in 2024.
Meet The Team
Discover our skilled Minibus Team, experts dedicated to delivering exceptional minibus leasing, service, and comprehensive support for all your transportation needs.
Adam Parsons | Administration Manager
I manage the administration team here at Rivervale. We process orders from credit application through to delivery of the vehicle. We liaise with everyone including the sign writers to try to make the process as smooth as possible. We are always at the end of a phone/email should you need us!
Anne Day | Driver Training
I have worked at Rivervale for just over 8 years predominately looking after the administration and scheduling of our Driver Training offerings – D1, MiDAS, Minibus Management Course, Online Driver Assessment and our minibus walkaround app, STRIDA. If I can be of any help please give me a call and I’ll be happy to help.
Annie Chesney | Credit Control/Accounts
I have worked with Rivervale for almost 5 years. I look after the purchase ledger invoices and payments to customers. I also look after the banking records & statements. I deal with all accounts queries and update all accounts records and assist with the sales ledger and with the collection of outstanding monies owed to the company. I also prepare the accounts for month/year-end and am happy to take calls regarding any financial queries our customers may have.
Becky Laing | Customer Support
I have worked for Castle for over 3 years, I mostly work on the invoicing side of the business chasing payments and dealing with any Customer queries.
Caroline Isley | National Account Manager
I have worked for Rivervale Minibus for the last 3 years but have been in the minibus sector since 2009. I am one of the account mangers for Rivervale and look after customers within their Minibus buying cycle. If you have any minibus related questions please contact me and I will be happy to help.
Dominique Jordan | Minibus Administrator
I assist our valued customers with the ins and outs of things, anything from the different processes to arranging their livery to arranging the collection of their vehicles at the end of their contracts. Working behind the scenes to assist our minibus sales executives, whilst always supporting, updating, and maintaining/providing a high level of customer service to our customers and end users.
Eleanor Fry | Operations Administrator
I have worked with the company for 6 years, providing information and support for our rental and used sales customers with the aim of ensuring that they have everything they need to maintain and run their vehicles safely.
Emeline Thompson | Compliance Co-ordinator
I have worked at Rivervale for just over 4 years now . I deal with all things compliance, from your section 19 permit and licencing queries and how our services can help you get to grips with school minibus operations to your driver training requirements, whether that be practical or online training. I can also help you arrange for your school minibus on-site safety inspections to be put in place, not sure of the frequency required? No problem I can help. If there’s that bit of legislation that you just can’t get your head around, please feel free to give me a call and I will be delighted to assist.
John Peterson | Director of Minibus Services
My job is to oversee everything to do with Rivervale's minibus offering, and ensure the team has all they need to look after our customers. I have been with Rivervale for 3 years and worked at Castle for 17 years previously.
Jordan Kerridge | Minibus Administrator
I have worked at Rivervale for 6 months looking after the vehicle order administration, arranging deliveries and assisting customers before and after delivery of their new minibuses. Please do get in touch if you require any assistance.
Leanne Self | Safety Inspections Manager
I have worked at Rivervale for almost 2 years and have more recently taken on the role of Safety Inspection Manager. Understanding the importance of Safety and Compliance when operating a School minibus, our main aim is to provide customers with the right suppliers for their on-site Safety Inspections and other services. The team and I are here to answer any Minibus Safety Service queries from the Sections 19 Permit application to the confirmation of bookings.
Nick Patel | Used Sales Specialist
I have sold minibuses for the last 8 years with the last 2 years working for Rivervale. I mainly help and assist customers who are looking at purchasing a used vehicle or selling their unwanted vehicle but can also advise on leasing and any other minibus requirements. If there is a vehicle of interest, I will happily send you pictures, videos or we can arrange a visit. If you have any questions then give me a call.
Neil Hobson
I look after the vehicles to ensure when delivered they are all up to spec, safe and roadworthy. My work covers admin, dealing with customer queries and doing my best to resolve any vehicle issues whether that by arranging for a mobile engineer to get there, having the vehicle taken to a main dealer or collecting ourselves to have diagnosed by our trusted mechanics, auto electrician or body shop.
Sally Gittens | Relationship Manager
Having had experience in education and inspection services, I look after our existing Rivervale customers' minibus and transport requirements. Managing our customers vehicle renewal options, to support these long-term relationships that have relied on our minibus safety and compliance, while also advising and developing new customers to the world of minibuses is what I most enjoy.
Sharon Gilpin | Education Manager
I've worked in the school minibus industry for more than 16 years. I assist school's source the best vehicle and best finance package for their needs. I'm at hand for every eventuality you might encounter throughout the life of your minibus.
Sophie Varney | Safety Inspection Administrator
I have vast experience of working with schools and their minibus requirements. My main role is to process new Safety Inspections orders and contact customers when it’s time to renew the contract to continue this service. This involves setting up an initial schedule to put forward to the suppliers to ensure the Safety Inspections are done within the correct time scale and frequency for the Schools to stay compliant.
