Sue Percy, Chief Executive of CIHT welcomed members and guests to the 69th Annual Luncheon in the Institution’s history. She drew on the encouraging signs in the industry in delivering increased Diversity & Inclusion and called for further engagement. She announced the launch of a new Professional Development Framework designed to support members’ knowledge and skills development while working towards professional qualifications.

Sue said: ”While CIHT continues to gain recognition for leading the way in promoting the Diversity & Inclusion agenda we must and can do more. In 2019 CIHT will be focusing on taking this agenda forward further and faster.”

Matthew Lugg OBE, President, CIHT 2018/2019 spoke of the role of the Institution as the leading voice for highways and transportation and as a collaborative and inclusive organisation that is attracting new members and addressed his Presidential theme: ‘Delivering Services for People’.

Matthew said: “We need to recognise the importance of consultation, engagement, communication and listening to help deliver better outcomes. I hope members can support this as this links with the work of our Learned Society and Technical Strategy Board.”

At an earlier reception, Mathew awarded the CIHT Institution Award to Dr Andrew Murray FCIHT, Deputy Secretary, Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland. This award was in recognition of excellence in the transportation profession and for his ongoing contribution to policy formulation, technology and management in highways and transportation.

The CIHT president welcomed guest speaker Baroness Newlove, the Warrington based community reform campaigner appointed as the Victims’ Commissioner in 2012. Baroness Newlove spoke passionately about the vital work undertaken by CIHT’s chosen charity partner for the event, OnSide Youth Zones.

The charity’s key aims are to empower and motivate young people from less advantaged backgrounds. OnSide Youth Zones start with the principle that every young person is different with different strengths, aspirations and needs. Baroness Newlove called on CIHT members and guests to support the charity in helping to provide young people with access to life changing opportunities including the engaging in the highways industry-wide Collaborative Learning Circle (CLC) which supports the charity.

The collection at this year’s luncheon was split between the OnSide Youth Zone charity and the CIHT Foundation. This year’s guests generously donated over £15,000.

The most popular event in the CIHT annual calendar, members and guests will be pleased to know the firmed up date for CIHT’s 70th Annual Luncheon is Friday 13 December 2019.