On Wednesday 17 October, representatives from all 12 CIHT UK regional committees gathered at WSP Birmingham for the annual Regional Officer's Conference. The event, hosted by CIHT President Mitesh Solanki, brought together a vibrant community of volunteers and professionals dedicated to shaping the future of highways and transportation across the UK.

A day of inspiration and connection

The conference opened with a warm welcome from Mitesh Solanki, who emphasized the importance of networking, collaboration, and sharing best practices among regions. Attendees enjoyed a packed agenda featuring regional presentations, knowledge-sharing sessions, and interactive workshops. The day’s format encouraged open discussion, with plenty of opportunities for questions and networking, setting a positive and inclusive tone for the event.

Showcasing regional success and innovation

Highlights included:

• Spotlight sessions: Regional leaders shared success stories on topics such as Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), communications, event planning, and collaboration. Notable speakers included Farheen Ahmed (CIHT West Midlands), Dave Simmons (CIHT South West), Stephen Bradshaw (CIHT Northern Ireland), and Ed Downer (CIHT Yorkshire & Humber).
• Workshops: Bradley Rood (CIHT Marketing & Growth Manager) led a session on accelerating membership growth, while Cat Goumal (Head of Education & Professional Development) introduced the CIHT mentoring platform.
• CIHT updates: CEO Sue Percy provided an update on CIHT activities, reinforcing the value of membership and the institution’s commitment to supporting its volunteers and members.

Recognising excellence: Regional Awards

The afternoon culminated in the presentation of the CIHT Regional Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements and dedication of regional committees and individuals:

• Most Attended Webinar: CIHT Cymru Wales, for their collaborative webinar series attracting over 240 participants.
• Most Attended In-Person Event: CIHT Northern Ireland, for their record-breaking annual dinner with 250 attendees.
• Best Growth Initiative: CIHT South West, recognised for innovative recruitment campaigns and engaging events for emerging professionals.
• Chair of the Year: Ed Downer (CIHT Yorkshire & Humber), honored for his inclusive leadership, commitment to collaboration, and success in growing regional engagement.

Building the future together

Throughout the day, regional representatives exchanged ideas on event planning, leveraging social media, and strengthening partnerships with local authorities and social value initiatives. The event fostered new friendships and partnerships, reinforcing CIHT’s mission to provide better services not only to its members but to everyone working in and using the UK’s highways and transport systems.

The conference closed with networking drinks, leaving attendees inspired and energised to continue driving positive change within their regions and across the sector.

Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you to everyone who made the 2025 CIHT Regional Officer's Conference a resounding success!

Get involved

CIHT offers a wide range of opportunities for members to volunteer, whether you’re interested in regional activities, national panels, or technical judging. Volunteering is not only a way to support your Institution, it’s a path to personal development, professional recognition, and making a lasting difference.

Register your interested