About this webinar

Whether you’re early in your career or an experienced professional, many believe CIHT is only for a certain type of specialist — but that’s simply not true. This session will reveal how CIHT supports a wide range of professionals working across transport, infrastructure, planning, highways, and mobility.

We’ll explore the real advantages of membership, including career development, professional recognition, networking, access to technical knowledge, and being part of a respected professional community. You’ll hear directly from current members about how CIHT has helped them progress, connect, and influence change in the sector.

There’ll be time to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and see how CIHT can fit your goals — whatever your background or role.

Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink what CIHT membership means and discover how it can help you go further.

Be informed. Be inspired. Be part of it.

Why attend

•    Uncover some of the myths surrounding being a member of a professional body and CIHT in particular.

•    We will cover costs of membership, who is eligible, what qualifications I need, who else is a member, where it is relevant.

•    Hear from active members about what CIHT means to them and how it has helped them progress in their career and develop their professional network

•    How to start your membership journey and where it could take you in qualifications and networking.

Who is this event for?

Non members mainly based in the UK. Engineers, transport planners and allied professionals

Speakers

Stephen Carmody FCIHT Regional Director, SCP Transport

Steve has been actively involved with CIHT for over 15 years, and a member for 20 years. His roles within CIHT have led him from the Yorkshire and Humber region, where he was chair in 2015 to more central roles on Council, working on the Professional Development Board, audit committee and most recently as chair of the Membership Skills and Strategy Board. These roles have provided him with a valuable insight into the workings of CIHT and the amazing support it provides to the industry and its members.
Steve sees the key personal benefits of being a CIHT member and volunteer in giving back. Steve is committed to representing CIHT members and bringing his extensive experience to support their professional growth. His goal is to assist all members, particularly graduates and apprentices, as they develop in their careers. ‘It is critical as members that we leave a lasting legacy in our industry and leave a better place for future generations, and I am passionate about fostering a collaborative approach to building a stronger future for the industry. CIHT is a great place to be - we need more diversity of thought in a changing world, as transport and highways impacts everyone.’ 

Ed Downer MCIHT Transport and Mobility Associate | Cities, Buro Happold

Ed has been a member of CIHT since starting out as a graduate and has held roles and responsibilities at his local committees for almost 15 years, predominantly focused on giving early-years professionals a greater voice in the industry. 

He has worked across three CIHT regions in the north of England, and was originally part of a group responsible for setting up young professionals committees in both the North East and North West. He was the winner of the CIHT Young Professional of the Year Award in 2016, which gave him the opportunity to participate in CIHT activities at a national level, including CIHT Council, technical boards and advisory panels. He was the inaugural chair of CIHT’s National Young Professionals Network and hosted the first CIHT Emerging Career Professionals Conference in 2018.

Ed views CIHT as an ideal forum to grow both personally and professionally; participating in activities that benefit the wider sector and giving others the opportunity to take part.  He is now a Chartered Transport Planning Professional and Chair of the CIHT Yorkshire and the Humber Region.

Grace Smith MCIHT Associate Director, WSP

Grace Smith is an Associate Director at WSP and is a Chartered Civil Engineer with 24 years of experience delivering a wide range of development and transport schemes. She has an established record in conducting transport studies and assessments for both private and public sector clients. Grace leads WSP Liveable Places at the Newcastle office and is an experienced Project Manager and Project Director on multidisciplinary projects encompassing transport infrastructure, regeneration, masterplanning and energy. Her expertise includes environmental assessments, site appraisals, feasibility studies, design optioneering, preliminary and detailed design to implementation. Her work spans public transportation, active travel, shared spaces, junction modelling and improvement schemes.

She has particular interests in future mobility and the role of transportation in addressing climate change, enhancing wellbeing, and supporting economic regeneration.

Grace holds an MSc in Transport Engineering and Operations from Newcastle University (2000), following a BEng in Civil Engineering. Her career includes significant contributions to highways, transport and regeneration projects at regional, national and international levels. Before joining WSP, she held positions at Wood, Mott MacDonald, Scott Wilson and JMP Consultants.