Chief among those to receive honours is Arup director Jo Da Silva who becomes a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to engineering and international sustainable development.

Jo founded and leads the consultant’s non-profit international development arm, which works to improve human development outcomes globally through engineering.

“No other individual UK engineer is so personally associated with shifting the approach of a major engineering company to prioritise social outcomes for vulnerable communities in developing countries,” a document accompanying the New Year Honours list states.

Jo said: “I’ve always been driven by the desire to do something practical to contribute to society and my technical engineering knowledge has helped me do this. However, being a member of Arup has allowed me to bring together expertise from a huge range of disciplines and deploy this for the good of the most vulnerable communities around the world.”

Network Rail is also well represented on the list, which sees OBEs awarded to group safety and engineering director Martin Frobisher for his work supporting the railway response to Covid and the organisation’s director of diversity and inclusion Loraine Martins.

Martin commented: “This is completely unexpected. I am so surprised and extremely grateful to be included in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.” His work included playing a key role in the construction of a Nightingale hospital in Manchester.

“This was a real team effort and there were many people throughout Network Rail who helped to deliver this, so I want to say a massive thank you to them,” he added.

Loraine meanwhile has worked over the last seven years to drive improvements in diversity and inclusion within Network Rail, helping to achieve a 30% increase in the number of female employees and a 40% rise in those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Project operations interface specialist for Network Rail in Wales, Shane Andrews, receives an MBE for his work improving inclusivity for the LGBT+ community within the rail industry and for local volunteering efforts.

Also representing the rail sector, Railway Heritage Trust executive director Andy Savage was recognised with an MBE for services to the industry and heritage.

The Department for Transport’s director of transport security, resilience and response Lucy Bird receives a CBE while Heathrow Airport’s health and safety director Amanda Owen is awarded an MBE for services during the Covid response.

Transport for Quality of Life founder Dr Lynn Sloman receives an MBE for services to transport and RoadPeace North West founder Pauline Fielding was also recognised with an MBE for services to road safety.

British Empire Medals were awarded to London Underground employees Sharon Sear and Mat Sullivan in recognition of their work protecting transport staff and customers during the pandemic.

Medals also go to DfT maritime officer Sandra St Louis-Kandapah for services to diversity and inclusion and former aviation security adviser Sandra Duncan for services to transport and people with disabilities.

Shropshire Council road safety officer Malcolm Farrar receives a medal for services for education while Translink access manager David Butler was recognised for services to public transport in Northern Ireland.

(Photographs: Arup / Network Rail)