Twice a year we have an evening dinner with the Gold Private Sector partners. It provides the opportunity to share ideas and thinking, as well as the chance to consider key issues facing the profession. This evening we were joined by Paul Campion (Chief Executive of TRL, and before that Chief Executive of the Transport Systems Catapult). As one of the profession’s thought leaders Paul set out his thoughts on the opportunities that exist amongst the challenges we face.

What was encouraging was to hear how our corporate partners are already rising to the challenge of delivering investment in ways that are more efficient and sustainable for the long term. What was even more encouraging was the extent to which there is realisation as to the benefit of speaking with one voice as a profession when it comes to making the case for further change. It was particularly pleasing to hear support for taking a longer term view when identifying future investments (beyond the initial capital cost) and the extent to which there was recognition of looking to capture the social value of investment.

Many of these themes are ones that we know we need to address as a profession and the leadership provided by the organisations in our Partner networks is a key part of the way forward. Indeed some of these themes could form part of a potential highways sector deal if there is willingness across the profession to build on discussions such as these.