Dr Marcellus Baz BEM, founder and CEO of the charity Switch Up, and charity organisation Pulp Friction have unveiled a tram named in their honour, as they are crowned Nottingham Express Transit’s (NET) 2025 community heroes.
Both have been celebrated for their commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of those across Nottingham, through acts of kindness, leading change, activism, or demonstrating an exemplary commitment to the city.
The people of Nottingham were asked to nominate the person or charity they felt had made a positive difference and should be recognised for their work and dedication to the city and its people. The nominees were then shortlisted and put to a panel of judges which included Natalie Fahy, editor of Nottingham Post, Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands combined county authority and Sarah Turner, NET managing director. After much deliberation, the panel selected Dr Marcellus Baz BEM as the community hero and Pulp Friction as the hero organisation, with the tram set to feature both names for the next twelve months.
Dr Marcellus Baz BEM said: “I am humbled to be recognised alongside some of Nottingham’s most inspirational public figures who have done extraordinary work in our city and beyond. To have a tram named in my honour, in the city where I was born, raised, and which I deeply love, is incredibly moving. I would like to dedicate this recognition to my late mum, I hope this would make her proud.
“This honour is not just for me, but for everyone who has been part of the fabric of Switch Up – my dedicated team, our volunteers, local businesses and, most importantly, the young people and families we’ve supported through Switch Up and the Marcellus Baz Foundation.”
Jill Carter MBE, Pulp Friction CEO said: “This is a huge honour for us. The fact that people voted for us is really touching, and that means an awful lot. You often see high profile figures having things named in their honour, so for us, as a small organisation, this is an amazing achievement, and our members are really thrilled.
“Pulp Friction is all about showing that our community shouldn’t be sidelined or forgotten about, making sure that we are seen, visible and to show that we have a contribution to give. Having our name on the tram will really help to highlight that.”
Both Dr Marcellus Baz BEM and Pulp Friction received a raft of nominations. Dr Marcellus Baz was described as a “true Nottingham legend and community leader’” who is a “champion of change, an inspiration to all those he meets and bringing hope to our city.” Pulp Friction was recognised for being a “truly inspirational charity” which “enables people with disabilities to gain employability skills, allowing future employers to focus on their abilities rather than disabilities.”
Dr Marcellus Baz BEM and Pulp Friction will join many other notable Nottingham people who have also had a tram named after them, including actress and Switch Up patron Vicky McClure, cricketer Stuart Broad, football star Mary Earps, and fashion icon Paul Smith.
For more information on NET’s namesake trams, go to https://www.thetram.net/tram-names