The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has appointed Kate Carpenter as its President for 2026–27, following her election at the CIHT Annual General Meeting on 24 June 2026. Her Presidential focus is on “How are we making better transport for all?” 

A Fellow of CIHT and Director of Operational Road Safety at Jacobs, Kate brings more than three decades of experience in transport engineering, highway safety and safety governance to the role. Her career has spanned the planning, design and delivery of transport projects, followed by more than 25 years specialising in road safety, casualty reduction, collision prevention, safety audit and network governance.

Throughout her Presidential year, Kate will lead a focus on how transport systems affect different people in different ways, and how the profession can better understand, measure and respond to those impacts. Her theme highlights the need to consider not only transport system performance and safety outcomes, but also who benefits, who is disadvantaged and the wider economic implications of transport decisions.

Kate Carpenter, President, CIHT said:

“Transport affects people differently. Too often, we focus on overall outcomes without fully understanding who benefits, who is disadvantaged, and why. I want my Presidential year to encourage a broader conversation about how we design, manage and assess transport systems so that they work better for everyone.”

“This is not simply an equality issue. It is also an economic issue. When transport does not work for people, it can limit access to employment, education, healthcare and opportunity, creating costs that are felt across society.”

“CIHT has a long history of championing evidence-based policy and professional excellence. During my year as President, I hope we can help bring together evidence, identify knowledge gaps and support better decision-making across the profession.”

A long-standing and active member of CIHT, Kate Carpenter has currently served as a Trustee since 2023. She has been a Council Member across multiple terms since 2005 and has chaired the CIHT Learned Society and Technical Strategy Board, the former Road Safety Panel as well as serving on the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Panel. She has also contributed to several CIHT technical steering groups, including those covering Road Safety Audit, Collision Prevention and Reduction Guidelines and Manual for Streets 2. 

Her wider industry involvement includes membership of the PACTS Road Environment Working Party and the Transport Safety Commission.

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said:

“Kate has made an outstanding contribution to both CIHT and the wider highways and transportation profession over many years. Her extensive technical expertise, particularly in road safety and safety governance, combined with her passion for improving outcomes for all users, will bring great value to the Institution during her Presidential year.

“Her theme encourages us to think more broadly about how transport systems serve different communities and the role our profession can play in creating more inclusive, effective and sustainable networks.”

During her year in office, Kate Carpenter will work with CIHT to explore how transport impacts can be better understood and incorporated within appraisal, policy development, guidance and consultation responses, helping to ensure that the profession continues to place people at the heart of transport decision-making.

Additional notes

• Kate Carpenter was elected CIHT President on 24 June 2026.
• Her Presidential focus is: “How are we making better transport for all?”
• Kate Carpenter is a Fellow of CIHT and Director of Operational Road Safety at Jacobs.
• She has served as a CIHT Trustee, Council Member, Chair of the Learned Society and Technical Strategy Board and Road Safety Panel and member of several technical steering groups.