Chartered Status has been awarded to the Institution of Highways & Transportation, the professional body for those working in the highways and transportation sector.

This award signifies a landmark event in IHT’s history and is official recognition of the important role that highways and transportation plays in today’s society. It is an acknowledgement that that it is in the public’s interest to have IHT as an approved body to lead the highways and transportation industry.

IHT has been awarded a Royal Charter as recognition of its pre-eminence in the highways and transportation sector. The award is as a result of:

• IHT being the leading institution in the award of transport related qualifications,
• the premier institution in the provision of professional and technical transport guidance, 
• and that IHT’s members are carrying out work of national and international importance, to the highest professional and ethical standards,  all for public benefit

As a result of this recognition, the Institution of Highways and Transportation has been renamed the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).

The Royal Charter was presented to the Institution on 7 December 2009.

As a result of this, IHT is in the process of changing its name to the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation or CIHT. This change was announced at the Annual Luncheon by Chris Jackson, IHT President.. This initial launch will be followed by a programmed switchover which will see the Institution re-launched as the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation from the 4 January 2010.

The New Year will see www.iht.org become www.ciht.org.uk, a new logo has been produced and all Corporate Literature will change over to reflect the new status.


Why did the Institution want or need a Royal Charter?
Becoming incorporated by Royal Charter is recognition that the institution is of such national importance that it deserves to be regulated in this way.  It will demonstrate publicly, around the world, that our members are doing work of national and international importance, to the highest professional and ethical standards and for public benefit.  Becoming a Chartered Body will enhance our reputation and our credibility.

The majority of the other Engineering Professions are already Chartered, and many organisations has assumed that the Institution was as well.  After nearly 80 years of existence, the Institution found itself in a position to apply to become chartered, alongside other nationally valued professional bodies.

This success is the culmination of a journey started way back in 1930, when a group of people first set up the Institution of Highway Engineers in recognition that roads (and by implication other forms of transport) play a key role in the economic, social and physical wellbeing of society. It is only through the actions of members that the Institution has been awarded this prestigious status.


What will it mean for Members?
The Institution has officially become a Chartered Institution – The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.  It will be the organisation that is Chartered, not the individual.  But by that change of name, the Institution’s post nominals will also change:  Fellows will become FCIHT – Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation; Members will become MCIHT – Member of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.   Associates, ACIHT.  The CEng post nominal, which is granted by the Engineering Council (UK) will not be affected.  Our members will gain in status by association with us as a Chartered body.


Are there any Legal Implications?
Yes – although they will not generally affect the operation of your branch.  CIHT will not be a limited company and becomes ‘Incorporated by Royal Charter’. Our VAT number will probably change at some point in the coming year as a result. The obligations to provide financial information in a properly audited form will remain as before. We will provide guidance to Treasurers as it becomes available.


For more information on what is planned for the forthcoming year or any more details on what it means for a branch or an individual please contact Brian Murrell on:

t: 020 7336 1559 
e: Brian.Murrell@ciht.org.uk