Home Event Blogs Search Results

PIARC UK Reflects on a Year of Growth and Global Influence

16th Dec 2025

London, December 2025 – PIARC UK has marked a year of significant progress, strengthening its international presence and expanding its domestic network, as highlighted during its Annual General Meeting earlier this month.

Get ahead with CIHT Membership

Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career

Find out more

The meeting showcased a year defined by leadership changes, technical engagement, and global collaboration. Among the most notable developments was the transition in PIARC’s global leadership, with Miguel Caso Florez of Spain elected as Secretary General, succeeding Patrick Mallejacq after a long tenure. The UK played a key role in shaping the election process, reinforcing its influence within the organisation.

Closer to home, the UK navigated changes in its representation at PIARC, following a reshuffle within the Department for Transport. Interim arrangements ensured continuity, with Justin Ward representing the UK at the Council meeting in South Korea, where key votes were cast on membership fees and governance reforms.

Membership engagement increased in 2025, with over 60 UK experts now active across 23 technical committees, supported by a thriving Emerging Professionals (EP) network. Led by Zahraa Kadri and Federico
Perrotta, the EP group grew to 25 members, launched a LinkedIn community, and hosted hybrid knowledge-sharing sessions. “It’s been a fantastic year for collaboration and mentoring opportunities,” Zahraa told members.

International collaboration was another highlight. PIARC UK hosted two technical committees during Highways UK in Birmingham, delivering site visits in Staffordshire and the West Midlands. Feedback from global delegates praised the UK’s organisation, with some calling it “the best technical committee visit experienced.”

Looking ahead, preparations are underway for the Winter Road Congress in Chambéry (March 2026), where the UK will showcase expertise in resilience and decarbonisation. An Equality, Diversity and Inclusion event, chaired by Hugh Gillies, will also feature prominently. Planning for the World Road Congress in Vancouver (2027) will begin next year.

“2025 has been a year of consolidation and ambition,” said Chair David Ogden. “We’ve strengthened our global voice, invested in future talent, and laid the foundations for an even more impactful 2026.”