On the 17^th of June, CIHT was delighted to welcome Antonia Williams, Director General for the Road Transport Group - Department for Transport (DfT), to the CIHT Awards 2026.

Antonia delivered an insightful address on the Department for Transport’s key priorities and highlighted the vital role that the Road Transport Group plays in supporting the Government’s ambitions to improve connectivity and strengthen transport networks across the UK.

Antonia presented 3 Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) awards including:

• Emerging Professional of the Year – Eliza Hylands, BSIP Project Manager, Portsmouth City Council
• Bus Person of the Year – Isabel McAllister, Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer, First Bus
• Bus Initiative of the Year Award – Thomas Pocklington Trust, Bus Driver Vision Awareness – Helping Blind and Partially Sighted Passengers

CIHT extends its sincere thanks to Antonia for her contribution to this year’s awards and looks forward to continuing to work closely with her, the Department for Transport, and partners across government to help ensure that the UK’s transport network is sustainable, resilient, and fit for the future.

Antonia Williams pictured with Kate Carpenter (CIHT Vice - President) and Mitesh Solanki (CIHT President 25/26).