Held at Belfast City Hall, the Annual Gala Dinner was time to celebrate the successes of the past year and look ahead to the opportunities in the highways and transportation industry. Coinciding with the 60th year anniversary of CIHT Northern Ireland, this year was a unique celebration and provided the perfect setting to recognise the 60 years of CIHT representing transport professionals in Northern Ireland. 

With well over two hundred highways and transportation professionals in attendance, the dinner gave opportunity for colleagues from across the sector to meet at one of the region’s best networking events and provided the chance for old friends to catch up. Guests were treated to an evening of entertainment, hearing from Denis McMahon, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Infrastructure, and guest speaker Nigel Owens MBE, former international rugby union referee. 

Looking back on the previous six decades, since the inaugural meeting of the Institution of Highway Engineers in 1964, footage was displayed of the many schemes delivered in Northern Ireland. A reminder of how much progress has been made in transport and infrastructure, with more than 200 major road, rail and bridge projects delivered over the 60-year period that CIHT has been active in Northern Ireland. 

In attendance, was CIHT President and current Northern Ireland committee member, Karen McShane, who said, ‘It was a real pleasure to join the Northern Ireland Region at Belfast City Hall to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Region as part of their annual dinner. It was wonderful to hear Dennis McMahon, the Permanent Secretary, as the most senior Civil Servant in the Region responsible for the Department of Infrastructure paying tribute to the Institution and its members for their contribution to improving society in Northern Ireland. The slide show was a real recognition of the local companies that have made a difference to the Region building our key transport corridors, delivering infrastructure throughout the troubles and now looking to achieving net zero carbon for future generations’.

With the current Chair of CIHT Northern Ireland, Michael Bell, adding, 'It was a great evening at the CIHT Northern Ireland Annual Gala Dinner, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Region. We are grateful to Belfast City Council for their generosity in allowing us to host our dinner in the fantastic City Hall and to our sponsors, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to hold such an event. Thanks also go to our host for the evening, Tara Mills and our guest speakers, Dr Denis McMahon from DfI and former international rugby referee Nigel Owens, who all contributed to an inspirational evening. Final thanks to all those who attended and helped us celebrate CIHT and the highways and transportation industry in Northern Ireland.'

The night was also chance to recognise individual achievements. Awards were given to the best performing students in the highways modules at Queens and Ulster University, Peter Watt and Stephen McClean respectively. With recognition of Professional Qualifications, CTPP - Celine Daly from RPS and Philip Craig from AECOM, and CEng – Holly Graham from Department for Infrastructure. 

A Special award was also presented to committee member Freddie Patterson to recognise his contribution over the years. Freddie has been a longstanding member of the Northern Ireland committee, past Chair and dinner secretary for several years, organising many successful dinners. 

If you would like to get involved with the CIHT Northern Ireland committee, please contact CIHT Northern Ireland at northernireland@ciht.org.uk. To find out more about CIHT Northern Ireland click here.

If you are interested in becoming a member, take a look at our membership options: CIHT Membership.