July 15 2025
Our latest ‘Two Minutes With’ features Mariusz Gralak, a multi-talented Driver Support Supervisor based at Southall Garage. Eugene Clarke, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, recently met Mariusz to discuss his unique approach to work and leisure.
Mariusz came to London in late 2019 and joined the company in early 2020, having driven buses for a friend’s company in Poland. Despite the challenges presented by coronavirus, he immediately enjoyed being a Route 427 regular and immersed himself into garage life.
Mariusz takes up the story: “I like helping people and being a bus driver is a perfect job to do that. When you work in the industry, you soon understand how many different people and processes come together to enable a bus to enter service. I find it fascinating and I constantly want to learn more about it.”
With an outgoing personality and full of ideas around engagement, Mariusz secured the support of his local managers to survey colleagues. He subsequently did so, both in person and via the company’s internal communications platform, to initially establish their interest in sporting after activity after work. Thanks to his efforts a series of inter-garage football games between locations have become firmly established. Mariusz also produces short films detailing service diversions and he aspires to bring alive other ‘blue sky’ initiatives in the future.
In 2023, Mariusz secured promotion to Driver Support Supervisor, a role in which he onboards and generally assists new colleagues. He does so by:
· Leading inductions.
· Hosting a three-day programme, consisting of classroom work and practical road learning, with a focus on health and safety.
· Conducting driving assessments and probation reviews.
· Acting as a link between drivers, supervisors and managers.
Mariusz said: “My job is to ensure that each driver receives the support they need throughout the all-important early stages of their career. I like the variety because it combines office work with being on the road. It has additionally helped me to develop new skills.”
Away from work, Mariusz is an accomplished musician, with, since 2006, his own band ‘Selfie’ (see links below). A fusion of Polish and disco influences, Selfie write their own music, with Mariusz playing the clarinet, drums, guitar and saxophone (the latter of which he especially enjoys). The band have performed at some of Poland's biggest concerts, appearing in front of thousands, and recorded a live set for television.
When asked to summarise his outlook to work and life, Mariusz reflected: “I know how it feels to be a ‘newbie’ which is why I like assisting people, especially in their first few months. I advise colleagues to be themselves because we are all amazing in our own individual way.”
