The day brought together industry leaders and professionals from across the highways and transportation sector for the flagship event.

Entitled ‘From risk to resilience’ the  conference explored how the industry could respond effectively to evolving demands, highlighting the need for sustainability, resilience, and innovation, whilst supporting the transition to a more efficient and low-carbon transport system.

The conference was opened by Mitesh Solanki FCIHT - CIHT President 25/26 & Managing Director of Ringway Highways Services and was followed by a keynote address from Simon Lightwood MP, the Minister for Roads and Buses at the Department for Transport.

Simon Lightwood MP, the Minister for Roads and Buses said:

It’s time for resilience to be built in, not bolted on.

 We can’t avoid these risks to our roads, but we can be ready to meet the challenges.

I'm delighted to be here at the national conference. I'm delighted that it's focusing on resilience and that we share ambitious and ambitions for transport systems to fit for the future.

The [UK] Government is turning ambition into action in partnership with organisations just like [CIHT]… I look forward to our ongoing work together to build a stronger, more resilient road network that serves the people of this country.

The conference moved to presentations and panel discussions focusing on resilience and adaptation including representatives from the Climate Change Committee, Welsh Government, Department for Infrastructure, National Highways, Ringway Mitesh Solanki, Surrey County Council, Leicestershire County Council, Midlands Connect, University of the Built Environment, Carrington West, and Jacobs.

The CIHT National Conference provides a key platform for industry collaboration, insight, and forward-looking discussion on the future of transport.

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT, said:

Our National Conference creates the forum to bring together the people and expertise needed to turn ambition into practical action. At a time when our transport networks face growing pressures—from climate impacts to funding and skills challenges—this conference provided a vital platform to share evidence, challenge thinking and focus on the solutions that will deliver resilient, inclusive and sustainable networks for the future.

CIHT looks forward to building on the momentum generated at the conference, continuing to support the sector through the exchange of ideas, expertise, and professional development.

CIHT would like to take the opportunity to thank the sponsors of the CIHT National Conference 2026 including Ringway, Brightly, Carrington West, Matchtech, Kier and WJ.

CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with the Minister for Roads and Buses, the Department for Transport (DfT), and all stakeholders and CIHT members, in creating and delivering a transport network fit for all our futures.

We will shortly be providing more details of what took place at the event including session highlights, key takeaways and features on some of the keynotes.

For more information please contact e: communications@ciht.org.uk

Full list of panellists from the conference:

·       James Richardson, Director of Analysis at the CCC

·       Adam Simmons, Director of Strategic Planning at National Highways

·       Gareth Day, Head of Operations at the Welsh Government, Welsh Government

·       David Porter Director of Engineering and Chief Highway Engineer, Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland

·       Mitesh Solanki, CIHT President and Managing Director of Ringway Highways Services

·       Amanda Richards, Chair of UK Roads Board and Assistant Director Highways, Asset Management, Surrey County Council

·       Ann Carruthers, Past President, ADEPT and Director of Environment and Transport, Leicestershire County Council

·       Dr Hugh Deeming, research consultant and expert in resilience

·       Professor Phil Blythe CBE, and Director of the DARe Hub

·       Swati Mattal, Roads Pogramme Lead Midlands Connect

·       Juan Canavera, Herrera, Civil Engineer specialised in Resilience and Adaptation of Infrastructure to Climate Change, CIHT Technical Champion in Climate Resilience

·       Professor Samer Bagaeen, University of the Built Environment

·       Hannah Winstanley, General Manager & Country Lead, Brightly Software

·       John Lamb, International as UK PIARC – US, Japan, and others

·       Emily See, President LGTAG, Highway Market Director at Amey and CIHT Technical Champion

·       Andrew Crudgington, CIHT Climate Change Associate

·       Peter Ingram, Kier

·       Blayne Cahill, Director Carrington West

·       Sam Foster, Business Development Director Matchtech

·       Kate Carpenter, Director of Road Safety Jacobs / VP CHIT

Yesterday (18 March) the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) welcomed over 200 delegates to the CIHT National Conference 2026, held in Central London, hearing from leading experts in the sector around resilience.

The day brought together industry leaders and professionals from across the highways and transportation sector for the flagship event.

Entitled ‘From risk to resilience’ the  conference explored how the industry could respond effectively to evolving demands, highlighting the need for sustainability, resilience, and innovation, whilst supporting the transition to a more efficient and low-carbon transport system.

The conference was opened by Mitesh Solanki FCIHT - CIHT President 25/26 & Managing Director of Ringway Highways Services and was followed by a keynote address from Simon Lightwood MP, the Minister for Roads and Buses at the Department for Transport.

Simon Lightwood MP, the Minister for Roads and Buses said:

“It’s time for resilience to be built in, not bolted on.

 We can’t avoid these risks to our roads, but we can be ready to meet the challenges.

I'm delighted to be here at the national conference. I'm delighted that it's focusing on resilience and that we share ambitious and ambitions for transport systems to fit for the future.

The [UK] Government is turning ambition into action in partnership with organisations just like [CIHT]… I look forward to our ongoing work together to build a stronger, more resilient road network that serves the people of this country.”

The conference moved to presentations and panel discussions focusing on resilience and adaptation including representatives from the Climate Change Committee, Welsh Government, Department for Infrastructure, National Highways, Ringway Mitesh Solanki, Surrey County Council, Leicestershire County Council, Midlands Connect, University of the Built Environment, Carrington West, and Jacobs.

The CIHT National Conference provides a key platform for industry collaboration, insight, and forward-looking discussion on the future of transport.

                   Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT, said:

“Our National Conference creates the forum to bring together the people and expertise needed to turn ambition into practical action. At a time when our transport networks face growing pressures—from climate impacts to funding and skills challenges—this conference provided a vital platform to share evidence, challenge thinking and focus on the solutions that will deliver resilient, inclusive and sustainable networks for the future.”

CIHT looks forward to building on the momentum generated at the conference, continuing to support the sector through the exchange of ideas, expertise, and professional development.

CIHT would like to take the opportunity to thank the sponsors of the CIHT National Conference 2026 including Ringway, Brightly, Carrington West, Matchtech, Kier and WJ.

CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with the Minister for Roads and Buses, the Department for Transport (DfT), and all stakeholders and CIHT members, in creating and delivering a transport network fit for all our futures.

We will shortly be providing more details of what took place at the event including session highlights, key takeaways and features on some of the keynotes.

For more information please contact e: communications@ciht.org.uk

Full list of panellists from the conference:

·       James Richardson, Director of Analysis at the CCC

·       Adam Simmons, Director of Strategic Planning at National Highways

·       Gareth Day, Head of Operations at the Welsh Government, Welsh Government

·       David Porter Director of Engineering and Chief Highway Engineer, Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland

·       Mitesh Solanki, CIHT President and Managing Director of Ringway Highways Services

·       Amanda Richards, Chair of UK Roads Board and Assistant Director Highways, Asset Management, Surrey County Council

·       Ann Carruthers, Past President, ADEPT and Director of Environment and Transport, Leicestershire County Council

·       Dr Hugh Deeming, research consultant and expert in resilience

·       Professor Phil Blythe CBE, and Director of the DARe Hub

·       Swati Mattal, Roads Pogramme Lead Midlands Connect

·       Juan Canavera, Herrera, Civil Engineer specialised in Resilience and Adaptation of Infrastructure to Climate Change, CIHT Technical Champion in Climate Resilience

·       Professor Samer Bagaeen, University of the Built Environment

·       Hannah Winstanley, General Manager & Country Lead, Brightly Software

·       John Lamb, International as UK PIARC – US, Japan, and others

·       Emily See, President LGTAG, Highway Market Director at Amey and CIHT Technical Champion

·       Andrew Crudgington, CIHT Climate Change Associate

·       Peter Ingram, Kier

·       Blayne Cahill, Director Carrington West

·       Sam Foster, Business Development Director Matchtech

·       Kate Carpenter, Director of Road Safety Jacobs / VP CHIT