Alternatively, do you know a CIHT member who could be a great representative for the Institution? You can make a recommendation for them to stand for the Council election by clicking here.

If you have any questions email the Governance Team on governance@ciht.org.uk for more information

Why you should consider joining the council

Do not believe that being an Ordinary Member of Council can bring so many benefits?  Don’t just take our word for it.  See comments from current CIHT Council Members below.

Contributors

• Joanne Roberts, Area Manager, North East, Waterman Aspen (JR)
• Dennis Symons, Principal Engineer – Road Safety (Independent/Retired) (DS)
• Peter Molyneux, Managing Director at Peter Molyneux Consulting Ltd (PM)
• Julie Hunt, Associate Director of Highways, Jacobs (JH)
• Kate Carpenter Director of Operational Road Safety – People and Places Solutions, Jacobs (KC)
• Derek Palmer, Retired (DP)
• Owen Jenkins, Director of Place, Transport and Infrastructure, Oxfordshire County Council (OJ)

Why did you join the council?

(JR) I joined Council because I wanted to further my involvement with CIHT and wanted to expand it to a National role to enhance networking opportunities and participate in discussions that help shape the direction of CIHT.  Also, the nations and regions across the UK are very diverse in terms of transport needs and I felt I had something to give as I have a lot of experience of working in the highways and transport sector in the North East.

(DS) After being involved with CIHT Council & Regions through S0RSA (Vice Chair & Chair), I thought I would try and get involved further and applied for a post on Council in 2023.

(PM) To give something back to the institution and members who have supported me throughout my career. Hopefully my contributions will help CIHT grow and meet the needs of current and future members.

(JH) I joined Council in 2021 when the Nation reps increased from one to two.  I was chair of CIHT Cymru Wales at that time so a volunteered for two reasons. I was keen to represent Wales on Council and Council membership seemed a good next step of my involvement with CIHT.

(KC) I was invited to join Council by a colleague who wanted to encourage voices under-represented (around 20 years ago!)

I learnt a huge amount, and hopefully paid that back in my service since then.

(DP) As the first CIHT Technical Director and also an ex-member of Council I have always wanted to continue to make a contribution to the organisation.

(OJ) To make sure there was adequate Public Sector involvement in the work of CIHT and so I could help to influence the strategic direction of CIHT

Did joining Council meet your expectations?

(JR) Yes, I expected to be welcomed and to be valued, there is always opportunity to speak at the meetings in either the main group or smaller discussion groups.  I know sometimes joining as a new member it can feel difficult to integrate as everyone else knows how it all works, I just spent the first meeting listening and speaking to people that I already knew but have quickly expanded my contacts meeting people from different areas of the UK.

(DS) Yes and meeting fellow council members with a huge range of expertise, showed me that CIHT is going in the right direction.

(PM) This is my second term on Council and I have found it very rewarding. It helps you appreciate all the work that goes on behind the scenes and the value of the membership.

(JH) Yes.  I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I feel part of Council and feel that I am contributing and representing my nation.

(DP) Yes, but I knew what it would be like!

(OJ) Early days, but yes it has so far because you get the opportunity to get involved in a lot of things.

What has surprised you the most from being part of Council?

(JR) Nothing has really surprised me – maybe the only thing has been how quickly you feel part of Council.

(DS) Friendship with fellow colleagues

(PM) I have enjoyed the networking and meeting new colleagues who are just as passionate about CIHT and our industry. Sometimes we don’t always agree, but I think that is very healthy.

(JH) I was not aware of the opportunity to join a board or panel until after I joined Council. I have served on two boards and it has given me some understanding of the range of service and activities which CIHT runs.

(KC) I was surprised that people at all levels in the profession can bring value to the role, and get benefit from understanding the profession more widely than their ‘day-job’ allows.

(DP) I am delighted that we have useful presentations/ contributions from experts from outside CIHT at Council.

(OJ) How quickly I have felt embedded into the work of the council.

What have you gained from being part of Council?

(JR) I have gained an insight into some of the issues that other Nations and Regions have overcome and picked up some really good best practice examples.  I have also increased my professional network and met some great people.

(DS) Increased knowledge and the opportunity to meet experienced colleagues.

(PM) Hearing other peoples’ contributions and experiences, the high level of debate is enlightening.

(JH) It is an opportunity to meet more CIHT volunteers and staff and to contribute your opinion on CIHT strategy.

(DP) The ability to maintain contacts with others and meet new people in the CIHT as well as keeping up with the latest trends in transport issues.

(OJ) Personal development and time to focus away from my day job and think strategically.

Why would you recommend joining the council?

(JR) When travelling home after I have left Council meetings, I have felt energised and inspired by the people who have presented at the meeting and those I’ve spoken to.  It is a really good way of understanding what is going on in the highways and transportation industry and being involved in shaping the Institution as well as giving something back to CIHT and expanding your professional network.

(DS) CIHT is an institute going in the right direction and would benefit the experience of members becoming a part of the council to pass on their knowledge.

(PM) Making CIHT as diverse and inclusive as we can, and to make sure that through our technical excellence, members feel valued and engaged.

(JH) If you want to get more involved with CIHT, Council is a great way to do this.  It is not a huge commitment in terms of your time, as the meetings are only three per year for main Council.  It is a very welcoming forum, made up of people with a wide range of experiences.

(KC) Serving Council is a privilege and an opportunity and I commend it to others – *especially* (not ‘even’) if you might think ‘that’s not for people like me’ (whether that’s gender; disability; ethnicity; social background; role in our industry etc.)  In the same way that our design community needs to look like the transport users we serve, so our Council needs to represent the membership; all transport users, and society as a whole.

(DP) It gives members the opportunity to make a major contribution to the overall direction of the CIHT.

(OJ) You have to be in it to shape it – also so you can bring your experience, knowledge and views to the table.

Members wishing to submit their nominations need to complete a career profile and explain their ambitions for the future of CIHT. Click here to find out more, or you can email the Governance Team on governance@ciht.org.uk for more information.

Nominations must be supported by four fully paid-up voting members (Members, Fellows, Associates, Graduates, Apprentices and Part Time Students).

Alternatively, do you know a CIHT member who could be a great representative for the Institution? You can make a recommendation for them to stand for the Council election by clicking here.