News

Following a call for nominations for members who would like to seek membership of IHE Council, IHE corporate members (Affiliates, Associates, Fellows, Members, Honorary Fellows and Founders) are invited to vote in the ballot which is being held to fill EIGHT vacancies. Those chosen will fill a range of vacancies offering a term of office of either 2 years or 4 years with effect from the AGM being held on 21st June 2024.

You are being asked to select 8 candidates from the 13 nominees that have put their names forward.

Online votes must be received by 5pm on Friday 26th April 2024.

Please note: this is an online ballot only.

VOTE NOW

The following 13 candidates are seeking election:

Chris Bowley IEng FIHE

I am a Fellow of the Institute with extensive knowledge and experience in highway maintenance dedicated to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of professional engineers.

I am a regular mentor and professional reviewer and champion/promoter for CPD by active participation in planning seminars and regular learning events to achieve development and professional status for members. My motto is ‘A good engineer should know everything about something (the day job) and something about everything (that which imposes upon their job and h0w that job imposes upon others!).

I encourage and assist with the rejuvenation of dormant branches and seeking new areas for expansion, i.e. Middle East Branch –  now a successful overseas branch…I seek to influence by example!

Andy Brown IEng FIHE

I have been an IHE Council Member and on the Recruitment and Marketing Portfolio Group since June 2022 and have enjoyed the role greatly. I wish to continue to contribute to the Institute by being a part of the IHE Council team moving forward and supporting members in an exciting and challenging future. I am a great believer in addressing the skills shortage through partnership and training which will enable us to strive in making the IHE the institute of choice for highways technicians and engineers.

I am also a member of the South Western IHE Branch and served as Branch Chairman from 2020 to 2022. During this time, I took forward the region through the covid pandemic, with a proud achievement of organising successful and well attended webinars to ensure we still had a varied highways related CPD programme for members.

I am an experienced Incorporated Engineer and Fellow of the IHE currently working for BCP Council (Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole) as Traffic Team Leader having previously worked for Dorset Council in various highway roles including Team Leader and LTP Project Manager.

Paula Claytonsmith MIHE

I have not followed a traditional path into the Highways Sector however I believe that my previous experience brings unique insights to the IHE Council. My previous career before the Highways Sector has been in leadership roles in Government management consultancy, local government improvement, charitable sector, and private sector, and now ten years in the Highways Sector which includes private and not-for-profit organisations.

As Chief Executive of a separate membership organisation I understand the importance of members being the lifeblood of an Institute. I believe passionately that having a strong professional institute like the IHE is critical given all that the sector will be faced with over the next few years. Changes in the fiscal public sector environment here and internationally, a shortage of qualified Engineers, technological advancements, new ways of working and an industry faced with increasing climate change pressures will require a continued and strong IHE. I believe I can bring a wealth of experiences that will help support the IHE Council in facing future challenges.

Andy Cole IEng FIHE

I have been a member of the IHE for many years gaining IEng Professional Registration in 2015. I am past Chair of the South Western Branch and a current committee member and also chair the IHE Highway Inspectors Board. As a mentor and reviewer I am keen to encourage all members to pursue professional registration in turn supporting them in developing their careers.

I have represented the IHE at several national events presenting or sitting on panels on topics such as Winter Service, Highway Safety Inspections the risk based approach around policy development. I am keen to encourage the growth of our membership supporting graduate and apprentices promoting the benefits of membership of the IHE.

I have a personal interest in learning and development and would look to channel this enthusiasm in helping and assisting to grow the IHE Academy.

Gafoor Din IEng FIHE

I have been involved with the IHE since 1996 and my main achievements for IHE to date are the development of the first IHE Professional Certificate in Traffic Signal Control, the publication of the IHE Guidance Note on Traffic Control and Information Systems and recently setting up the Intelligent Transport System course.

In the last twenty years I have played an active role as a member of IHE Traffic Signal Control Group which delivers the annual four-day traffic signal course at which I present on several topics.

I fully support the IHE ongoing developments of the various Professional Certificates and the National Highway Engineering Academy; I will work to improve member services to all of the Council’s Portfolio Groups. During the period from 2015 to 2023 I served as a Council Member where I played an active role as part of the Executive Board as a Scrutineer for 2 years and the chair of the Professional Development group also for 2 years. I will continue to support the IHE by working with members and industry, where I have already established good working relationships.

Katharine Draper CEng FIHE

I am a Chartered Engineer that has worked in the Highways sector for more than 18 years. I studied Civil Engineering at the University of Southampton (MEng). I am currently a Principal Engineer, with recent roles focusing on management and co-ordination; including roles such as Team Leader, Project Manager and Design Manager. The projects I’ve worked on range from early feasibility studies, preliminary design and detailed design, with extensive experience of collaboration with Contractors, Clients and various third-parties.

I am keen to promote engineering to others through mentoring, being a STEM Ambassador and supporting work placement initiatives and apprenticeship schemes. I will support the inclusive culture and bring a collaborative approach to the Council to shape the Institute so that the IHE is the institute of choice for those in the highways industry. I will bring my best to the Council and support the Council to deliver for its members.

Bob Feurtado FIHE RegTTME(IHE)

With over 45 years in the civil engineering and highways industry and 38 years involved with traffic management, I would like to use my extensive experience in helping the IHE develop over the next 3 years. I have been involved in countless schemes from very small-scale highway improvements up to the £1.6b A14 Huntingdon to Cambridge project for National Highways. I have worked with numerous highway authorities across the country and many different client organisations. I am very passionate about road safety and how we can educate the public to improve their knowledge and understanding especially when driving through roadworks. Apart from early career with 2 years in local government, I have always worked for major civil engineering contractors, and I would like to bring that experience and knowledge to the IHE Council. I believe the perspective that I could bring from the contracting background can only enhance the work of the IHE Council.

Neil Levett MIHE

Neil Levett, IHE member for 15 years (4 years on Council). Since joining Council I have been an Exec Board Scrutineer – reporting on business execution, diligence, and process. I am Chair, Marketing and Recruitment Portfolio, sitting on Exec Board. I have served a 4-year term and seek re-election to continue serving the membership by upholding and improving the services that IHE provide. 

I have worked in the Highways Sector for the last 30 years, originally as Owner of Highways Magazine, Seeing is Believing, Highways Awards and Highways on Fridays. Latterly, since selling the business in 2016, I have run my own consultancy specialising in assisting companies operating within the highway maintenance and traffic technology area. 

I bring excellent business administration skills, as a Member of the Institute of Directors, and as a Director of ITS(UK) I cross reference best practice of other member-based organisations.

Luke Meechan FIHE

The IHE is focused on highways, an industry I have worked in for 25 years. The industry faces big challenges of recruitment and addressing climate change and the IHE along with its branch network is well placed to train, inform and support its members.

Re-establishing the Greater London Branch in 2023 I have been able to see the enthusiasm of the members but also a disconnect between the work of IHE Council and the branches. I will work to bridge this gap and help make IHE an institution that serves members, the wider industry and the communities we all work in.

Through my career I have been active with several institutions across publications, professional development, branch activity and conferences. I will use this experience to use my seat on Council to help IHE deliver its goals, but with the branches at the forefront of my activity.

Olly Samways MIHE

Becoming a council member of the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) would be a significant milestone in my career trajectory. Having joined IHE at a young age, I’ve demonstrated a deep commitment to the field of highway engineering and a dedication to continuous learning. My early involvement in the institute underscores my passion for staying abreast of industry trends and best practices, which has greatly enriched my knowledge base. This solid foundation has not only facilitated my professional growth but has also enhanced my credibility with clients, who value the recognised accreditation I have attained through IHE. As a council member, I would bring fresh perspectives, energy, and a proactive approach to advancing the goals of the institute, while also advocating for the interests of young professionals like myself.

Anthony Sharp IEng FIHE

As a longstanding member and former President of IHE, I’ve witnessed its resilience amid numerous challenges, particularly over the last four years during the pandemic and beyond. Despite the cost of living crisis, our membership has continued to grow, subscription increases been kept below inflation and a second year of zerocost professional reviews applied. Committed to member growth and professional recognition, I aim to explore how we can increase the number of our members progressing to Professional registration.

As a council member, I’ll ensure the Institute and its member’s remains at the forefront of promoting excellence and innovation in Highways and having visited several universities for JBM accreditation, I am eager to deepen our engagement with academic institutions to attract students to the highways sector.

Lyn Turner FIHE RegRSA(IHE)

Joining the IHE council would give me the opportunity to further my involvement with the IHE to encourage members of all ages to flourish in the construction and highway industry, I believe you are never too old to learn a new skill.

Engineers at any level of professionalism can bring immense value to projects even outside their niche role. I would like to inspire all our members to have a voice through the various IHE portfolio groups, whether using social media, academic standards, or training.

I am looking forward to working with the IHE to bring a wealth of knowledge to all members, allowing colleagues to expand their understanding of the profession more widely than just their ‘day-job’ allows.

I am keen to build on the work IHE has already accomplished in road safety engineering and highways to ensure there is a legacy of well-rounded engineers in years to come.

Simon White FIHE

I have been an active and enthusiastic Member of Council since 2022 and committed to serving the IHE and its members through service on Council for a further term. I am a Chartered Engineer who has worked in the highway sector for 24 years primarily for contracting organisations. I am passionate about recruiting and retaining frontline engineers in our great sector and ensuring we provide them with exciting and well defined career routes. I would use my further time on Council, and on the Membership and Qualifications portfolio group, to (i) continue to raise the profile and influence of the IHE in the sector, (ii) to help ensure membership fees are invested to sustainably grow the Institute still further and (iii) to develop new focus areas that increasingly place the IHE as the leading professional organisation driving our sector.

VOTE NOW