Prominent figures to make the 2020 list include former Department for Transport director Graham Pendlebury FCIHT (pictured left), walking charity Living Streets’ chief executive Joe Irvin and Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers UK chair Nike Folayan of WSP (pictured right).

Graham receives a CBE for his public service over many years. He retired as DfT’s local transport director in 2019 after six years in the role with responsibility for local roads funding and maintenance, bus policy and active and accessible travel.

Until recently he was also the UK First Delegate to the World Road Association and chair of the UK Roads Liaison Group.

Joe Irvin is awarded an OBE for services to active travel and to charities. As Living Streets chief executive, he played an important part in a successful campaign which saw the Government launch its first Cycling & Walking Investment Strategy.

“I’m honoured to be awarded an OBE for my work in promoting walking, active travel and wider charity causes,” said Joe. “This is recognition that making our streets safer and more attractive for walking and cycling is vital for our health and our environment.”

Nike Folayan has been recognised with an MBE for services to diversity in engineering as a result of her work with the Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers UK.

She described the award as “unexpected”, and told TP Weekly News: “To receive this recognition really validates the importance of diversity and inclusion in our industry, where there is still lots of work to be done.”

The Association runs several programmes aimed at improving opportunities for people from BME backgrounds within the engineering profession, such as a ‘NextGen’ initiative which encourages young people to consider engineering careers and schemes focusing on retention and progression for those already in the profession.

Further key figures on the New Year Honours list include the Government’s former chief construction adviser Peter Hansford, former Construction Industry Council chairman Professor John Nolan and Royal Academy of Engineering chief executive Dr Hayaatun Sillem, who all receive CBEs.

Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government permanent secretary Melanie Dawes becomes a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath for public service.

OBEs are awarded to the DfT’s head of international rail Andrea Pearson for services to transport, Bedford College’s engineering apprenticeship training coordinator Dawn Fitt for services to training, inclusion and diversity in engineering and Norwich City College principal Corrienne Peasgood for services to construction skills in Norfolk.

Transport for London’s contact centre team manager Natalie Gordon has been recognised with an MBE for her efforts to support those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. She led TfL's response in providing residents with travel passes so they could move between work, school, hospitals and temporary accommodation.

MBEs also go to Yewande Akinola of Laing O’Rourke for services to engineering and diversity in STEM design and innovation, alongside Women in Rail founder Adeline Ginn, DfT team leader Amanda Lane, the DfT’s North Engagement Team head Margaret Jackson and Southwark Construction Skills Centre director John White.

(Graham Pendlebury photograph: adamboweryphotography.com)