Who's Who

IHE President, Martin Polland CEng FIHE, works for Transport Scotland as the Network Manager North. He is responsible for managing the day to day delivery of Transport Scotland’s network maintenance programmes in the North area and also manages the Street Works functions of the Operating Companies and DBFOs.

Martin started his career in the Utility business and worked for 10 years with various contractors delivering gas, water and cable television projects throughout the UK.

Since then his career has progressed within local government. He has worked for Lothian Regional Council, West Lothian Council, South Lanarkshire Council and now Transport Scotland in a range of roles. In November 2020 Martin became Network Manager North with Transport Scotland and continues today with this role. He is a past co-chair of Roads and Utilities Committee Scotland (Raucs) and currently sits on the policy development group in Scotland looking at developing road works policy.

He joined the IHE in 1998 and was chair of the IHE Scotland branch for some 8 years. He gained his IEng qualification in 2009 and also achieved Chartered status in December 2015. He has served on IHE Council since 2016 and regularly undertakes reviews for the Institute.

Martin is a keen walker, hill walker and also referees youth football in his spare time.​

Katharine Kelly, CEng FIHE is an Infrastructure Development Manager for Arcadis, based in their Glasgow office. She works as part of Triskelion, on the Scape Scotland Infrastructure Consultancy Framework, where she collaborates with public sector clients and organisations on projects aiming to make a difference to communities.

She began her career in the bridges department of JMP Consultants before moving to the Highways team of Halcrow Group Ltd in 2005. She spent 18 months in the UAE with Halcrow, where she lived in Abu Dhabi and worked on the infrastructure design of Yas Island, the purpose-built island created to host a new Formula 1 racing circuit and other major developments. Back home in Glasgow, she was lead Highways Designer for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, with her team being responsible for getting the Games’ athletes and officials around Glasgow with minimum disruption to the public. In 2013 Katharine established an apprenticeship scheme within her office, subsequently recruiting over twenty apprentices into the business.

In 2020, after 16 years in design consultancy, Katharine moved to Transport Scotland to spend some time in a client role. She worked as part of the Major Projects team, dealing with the procurement of advisory services for the A9 project, as well as managing the training and development of all Civil and Transport Planning graduates within Transport Scotland. She returned to the private sector in July 2022, joining Arcadis.

Born and raised in Durham, Katharine headed to The University of Edinburgh where she completed a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering with Construction Management in 2003. After her degree she took a year out, which she spent working in Sri Lanka, teaching English and Music at a school in Mount Lavinia.

Darren Capes FIET FIHE is Intelligent Transport Systems Policy Lead at the Department for Transport and focuses on the adoption of emerging vehicle, infrastructure and data technologies by the UK’s highway authorities.

Darren has over 30 years’ experience working in Local and Central Government. A qualified civil engineer, Darren’s career has encompassed most areas of municipal engineering with particular emphasis on design, construction and evaluation; transport planning, and technology development and implementation. In his previous role as Transport Systems Manager for City of York Council he led the operation and development of the City’s intelligent transport systems and the delivery of numerous research and innovation projects. His current role, leading ITS policy at the Department for Transport focusses on supporting local authorities in engaging with the Future of Transport agenda and ensuring the UK’s road authorities are prepared for the challenges to come. Darren has a particular interest in emerging transport technologies and the readiness of local highway authorities. He is a Fellow of both the IHE and IET, is currently managing the UK’s Transport Technology Forum on behalf of the DfT and is heavily involved in groups including ITS(UK) and LCRIG. He speaks regularly in the UK and internationally on subjects around transport and highways and is passionate about the opportunities new technology will bring.

Stephen Webb IEng FIHE works for WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff as their Highways Team Leader in the Taunton Office, primarily serving Somerset County Council on a Consultancy Services Multidiscipline Contract.

Stephen began his career in 1988 and then spent 13 years working mainly in the waste water and flood alleviation engineering sector for both Montgomery Watson and Babtie Group (now Jacobs). During this time Stephen was part of project engineering teams which introduced either new or upgraded waste water treatment works which in turn improved bathing water quality around the coastline of Devon and Cornwall. Stephen’s ‘highway’ career then took off in Atkins’ traffic engineering/road safety team in Somerset County Council offices as part of a collaborative consultancy services ‘white collar’ Contract.

Stephen has nearly 16 years’ experience of working with highway clients such as Somerset County Council and thrives on delivering local projects which in turn serve to benefit the community, whether it is in reducing injury collisions on the road or providing safer facilities for the varying user groups such as cycling/walking schemes or crossing facilities and / or traffic calming schemes.

In 2010 Stephen joined Parsons Brinckerhoff as part of the TUPE process and one of his first tasks was to be part of the PB Project Team working on behalf of Highways England, responsible for updating the DMRB Road Safety Audit Standard to version HD 19/15. This also included for introducing the Road Safety Auditor Certificate of Competency process (IAN 152/11).

Stephen worked in Abu Dhabi, UAE in late 2010 through to 2011 mainly undertaking road safety audit on the local highway network in the municipality of Al Ain. This also included reviewing the road worker safety procedures within the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

Stephen joined the IHE in 2007 before becoming an Incorporated Engineer and Fellow that same year. He has served on IHE’s Council since June 2011 and has been the Portfolio Lead for the Professional Development Group since February 2014, whilst also conducting the role of Treasurer for the IHE South Western Branch since 2008.

One of Stephen’s principal achievements whilst leading the IHE Professional Development Group has been the review of IHE Professional Certificates and the steer on a number of new additions, such as Asset Management, Highway Maintenance, Road Safety Engineering and Temporary Traffic Management.

Stephen is a keen cyclist and, along with his brother, recently visited the French Alps to watch the Tour de France. He also tackled some of the many famous climbs such as Alpe d’Huez, Col du Chaussy and Les Lacets de Montvernier, Col du Granon and Col de l’Izoard. His enthusiasm for cycling has supported him during the delivery of numerous cycling schemes in his local community.

IHE President, Martin Polland CEng FIHE, works for Transport Scotland as the Network Manager North. He is responsible for managing the day to day delivery of Transport Scotland’s network maintenance programmes in the North area and also manages the Street Works functions of the Operating Companies and DBFOs.

Martin started his career in the Utility business and worked for 10 years with various contractors delivering gas, water and cable television projects throughout the UK.

Since then his career has progressed within local government. He has worked for Lothian Regional Council, West Lothian Council, South Lanarkshire Council and now Transport Scotland in a range of roles. In November 2020 Martin became Network Manager North with Transport Scotland and continues today with this role. He is a past co-chair of Roads and Utilities Committee Scotland (Raucs) and currently sits on the policy development group in Scotland looking at developing road works policy.

He joined the IHE in 1998 and was chair of the IHE Scotland branch for some 8 years. He gained his IEng qualification in 2009 and also achieved Chartered status in December 2015. He has served on IHE Council since 2016 and regularly undertakes reviews for the Institute.

Martin is a keen walker, hill walker and also referees youth football in his spare time.​

Katharine Kelly, CEng FIHE is an Infrastructure Development Manager for Arcadis, based in their Glasgow office. She works as part of Triskelion, on the Scape Scotland Infrastructure Consultancy Framework, where she collaborates with public sector clients and organisations on projects aiming to make a difference to communities.

She began her career in the bridges department of JMP Consultants before moving to the Highways team of Halcrow Group Ltd in 2005. She spent 18 months in the UAE with Halcrow, where she lived in Abu Dhabi and worked on the infrastructure design of Yas Island, the purpose-built island created to host a new Formula 1 racing circuit and other major developments. Back home in Glasgow, she was lead Highways Designer for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, with her team being responsible for getting the Games’ athletes and officials around Glasgow with minimum disruption to the public. In 2013 Katharine established an apprenticeship scheme within her office, subsequently recruiting over twenty apprentices into the business.

In 2020, after 16 years in design consultancy, Katharine moved to Transport Scotland to spend some time in a client role. She worked as part of the Major Projects team, dealing with the procurement of advisory services for the A9 project, as well as managing the training and development of all Civil and Transport Planning graduates within Transport Scotland. She returned to the private sector in July 2022, joining Arcadis.

Born and raised in Durham, Katharine headed to The University of Edinburgh where she completed a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering with Construction Management in 2003. After her degree she took a year out, which she spent working in Sri Lanka, teaching English and Music at a school in Mount Lavinia.

Darren Capes FIET FIHE is Intelligent Transport Systems Policy Lead at the Department for Transport and focuses on the adoption of emerging vehicle, infrastructure and data technologies by the UK’s highway authorities.

Darren has over 30 years’ experience working in Local and Central Government. A qualified civil engineer, Darren’s career has encompassed most areas of municipal engineering with particular emphasis on design, construction and evaluation; transport planning, and technology development and implementation. In his previous role as Transport Systems Manager for City of York Council he led the operation and development of the City’s intelligent transport systems and the delivery of numerous research and innovation projects. His current role, leading ITS policy at the Department for Transport focusses on supporting local authorities in engaging with the Future of Transport agenda and ensuring the UK’s road authorities are prepared for the challenges to come. Darren has a particular interest in emerging transport technologies and the readiness of local highway authorities. He is a Fellow of both the IHE and IET, is currently managing the UK’s Transport Technology Forum on behalf of the DfT and is heavily involved in groups including ITS(UK) and LCRIG. He speaks regularly in the UK and internationally on subjects around transport and highways and is passionate about the opportunities new technology will bring.

Stephen Webb IEng FIHE works for WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff as their Highways Team Leader in the Taunton Office, primarily serving Somerset County Council on a Consultancy Services Multidiscipline Contract.

Stephen began his career in 1988 and then spent 13 years working mainly in the waste water and flood alleviation engineering sector for both Montgomery Watson and Babtie Group (now Jacobs). During this time Stephen was part of project engineering teams which introduced either new or upgraded waste water treatment works which in turn improved bathing water quality around the coastline of Devon and Cornwall. Stephen’s ‘highway’ career then took off in Atkins’ traffic engineering/road safety team in Somerset County Council offices as part of a collaborative consultancy services ‘white collar’ Contract.

Stephen has nearly 16 years’ experience of working with highway clients such as Somerset County Council and thrives on delivering local projects which in turn serve to benefit the community, whether it is in reducing injury collisions on the road or providing safer facilities for the varying user groups such as cycling/walking schemes or crossing facilities and / or traffic calming schemes.

In 2010 Stephen joined Parsons Brinckerhoff as part of the TUPE process and one of his first tasks was to be part of the PB Project Team working on behalf of Highways England, responsible for updating the DMRB Road Safety Audit Standard to version HD 19/15. This also included for introducing the Road Safety Auditor Certificate of Competency process (IAN 152/11).

Stephen worked in Abu Dhabi, UAE in late 2010 through to 2011 mainly undertaking road safety audit on the local highway network in the municipality of Al Ain. This also included reviewing the road worker safety procedures within the Abu Dhabi Emirate.

Stephen joined the IHE in 2007 before becoming an Incorporated Engineer and Fellow that same year. He has served on IHE’s Council since June 2011 and has been the Portfolio Lead for the Professional Development Group since February 2014, whilst also conducting the role of Treasurer for the IHE South Western Branch since 2008.

One of Stephen’s principal achievements whilst leading the IHE Professional Development Group has been the review of IHE Professional Certificates and the steer on a number of new additions, such as Asset Management, Highway Maintenance, Road Safety Engineering and Temporary Traffic Management.

Stephen is a keen cyclist and, along with his brother, recently visited the French Alps to watch the Tour de France. He also tackled some of the many famous climbs such as Alpe d’Huez, Col du Chaussy and Les Lacets de Montvernier, Col du Granon and Col de l’Izoard. His enthusiasm for cycling has supported him during the delivery of numerous cycling schemes in his local community.

Steve Spender is a Chartered Engineer who worked in Local Government for nearly 30 years, predominantly in highway maintenance, winter maintenance, scheme design, project management, contract management and tender preparation and procurement. In his last role at Hampshire County Council as Head of Highways (Contract Preparation & Retender) he was responsible for leading on the development and procurement of the County Council’s new highways term maintenance contract that commenced on 1st August 2017.

During his employment with Hampshire County Council, he served on several National bodies, including the UK Roads Board (UKRB), contributing to a number of national initiatives and documents.

After leaving HCC in July 2017 he set up an independent management consultancy service working with organisations to provide management support and advice.

Steve is a Past President of the ‘Institute of Highway Engineers’ serving as President between 2010-2012 and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Institute in 2015.

Steve took up the role of Chief Executive of the IHE in February 2020.

Chris was appointed IHE Qualifications & Membership Manager in March 2016, before becoming Deputy CEO in July 2019 as part of a restructure of the IHE Management Team.

Chris has previously worked as a Bus Contracts Manager for Transport for London, and as a Public Transport Officer for Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Anthony (Tony) Sharp IEng HonFIHE has extensive experience of the highways design and operation sector having worked in Traffic Signals and Road Safety (Accident Investigation and Prevention) for the past 32 years, the last 21 years in South Gloucestershire Council until retiring in spring 2020 as a Principal Engineer.

He became a member of IHIE in 1995 and initially joined council in 1998 and was elected to the Presidential team in 2004 becoming IHE President in 2008 until 2010.

In 2015 he received Honorary Fellowship of the IHE in recognition of “significant contribution made to the Institute and Road Safety”

A past chairman of the Siemens Traffic Users group he currently chairs the MOVA Users Group

Neil is has been in the highways sector for over 20 years since his family bought Highways magazine in in the mid 1990’s.

In this time he went on to launch things like the Highways Magazine Excellence Awards, Highways on Fridays and the well known Seeing is Believing exhibition and conference, his understanding of the machinations of the industry are widely sought.

Neil managed the relationship when IHE and Highways magazine started to work together as Highways magazine became the official magazine of the IHE.

Having run many international sales teams and launched global exhibitions in places as diverse as Tokyo, Singapore, Houston and almost every European capital city, Neil now runs a business consulting company (since selling the family business in 2016) with clients in Japan, USA, Continental Europe and throughout the UK. The experience offered to IHE by Neil is that of international based business management, as opposed to the UK highways sector specific talents that IHE are traditionally comprised of.

In his spare time Neil is a qualified FA coach, having previously been an Elite Development Squad Coach for West Ham United and is a single figure handicap golfer, with other notable contributions being a Key Worker in the Covid Lockdown (when he worked for Tesco to help deliver food to the vulnerable and elderly) acting as a board member for the local school PTA and a staunch supporter of the Lighthouse Club, the construction industry benevolent fund.

Alistair is the founder of the ITSNow.org website and the associated YouTube.com/@ITSNow channel, which exists to promote best practice and professional development within the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) sector. ITS Now originates resources ranging from videos, reference books and guidance documents through to informative references and educational content.

As a recognised Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) industry figure with over 30 years in-depth experience, resulting in an extensive specialist knowledge of traffic systems, which is used to devise and deliver practical and economic solutions with innovative designs to improve capability, safety and efficiency. In addition, as a technology specialist, he has particular experience in preliminary equipment assessments, due diligence reports, field trials and integration into traffic systems. With a detailed knowledge of specialist technologies and equipment, standards and statutory requirements, along with ancillary issues, such as passive safety and the implications these pose on the design and management of traffic system installations. He has extensive experience of managing traffic systems infrastructure; with a great deal of expertise of liaison with a diverse range of clients, stakeholders and suppliers; working within collaborative project delivery teams which are typically both geographically and organisationally spread; along with oversight and engagement with installation/maintenance contractors; and direct management of staff.

Alistair first joined the Institute of Highway Engineers in 2005 and was elected as a Fellow in 2008. Over the years, he has been involved with both the IHE Traffic Signals and ITS courses, presenting on a number of occasions to these valuable training opportunities.

As well as the UK, Alistair has worked in diverse locations across Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.

He is the author of the well-respected books “Traffic Control: A traffic systems companion to the DfT Traffic Sign Manual - Chapter 6”, “Traffic Signals: An introduction to signalised junctions and crossing facilities in the UK” and the “IHE Passive Safety Electrical Guide”. He has also produced numerous articles both for publications and as papers written/presented at conferences.

Rebecca Bollen works for 4way Consulting as the Urban ITS Discipline Lead. Rebecca’s specialism is within the traffic signal sector completing schemes that range from feasibility to detailed design and site testing and validation.

Rebecca started her career as a trainee technician in 2002 and continued to gain experience in conjunction with attending University West of England, part time to achieve a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering in 2008. Following the completion of her studies Rebecca continued to work in the traffic signal field, building up a profile of successfully delivered traffic signal schemes, for local authority clients. Prior to joining 4way Consulting Rebecca has worked for Mouchel and Atkins, she joined 4way Consulting in 2019 to enable her to broaden her skillset, with opportunities to work for a wider variety of clients, on larger schemes supporting a specialist team.

Rebecca enjoys developing others by mentoring technicians and apprentices and is passionate about sharing knowledge and experience to help others achieve their goals. In 2021 Rebecca passed her professional review and achieved Incorporated Engineer with the Institute of Highway Engineers. Following her review Rebecca was awarded ‘Best IEng Submission of the Year’ award.

Outside of work Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family, running and beekeeping.

Alistair is the founder of the ITSNow.org website and the associated YouTube.com/@ITSNow channel, which exists to promote best practice and professional development within the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) sector. ITS Now originates resources ranging from videos, reference books and guidance documents through to informative references and educational content.

As a recognised Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) industry figure with over 30 years in-depth experience, resulting in an extensive specialist knowledge of traffic systems, which is used to devise and deliver practical and economic solutions with innovative designs to improve capability, safety and efficiency. In addition, as a technology specialist, he has particular experience in preliminary equipment assessments, due diligence reports, field trials and integration into traffic systems. With a detailed knowledge of specialist technologies and equipment, standards and statutory requirements, along with ancillary issues, such as passive safety and the implications these pose on the design and management of traffic system installations. He has extensive experience of managing traffic systems infrastructure; with a great deal of expertise of liaison with a diverse range of clients, stakeholders and suppliers; working within collaborative project delivery teams which are typically both geographically and organisationally spread; along with oversight and engagement with installation/maintenance contractors; and direct management of staff.

Alistair first joined the Institute of Highway Engineers in 2005 and was elected as a Fellow in 2008. Over the years, he has been involved with both the IHE Traffic Signals and ITS courses, presenting on a number of occasions to these valuable training opportunities.

As well as the UK, Alistair has worked in diverse locations across Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.

He is the author of the well-respected books “Traffic Control: A traffic systems companion to the DfT Traffic Sign Manual - Chapter 6”, “Traffic Signals: An introduction to signalised junctions and crossing facilities in the UK” and the “IHE Passive Safety Electrical Guide”. He has also produced numerous articles both for publications and as papers written/presented at conferences.

James is a Traffic Signal Engineer with over nine years’ experience and currently works for Atkins based in the Epsom office. He started his career through a Level 3 BTEC apprenticeship while moving on to complete a HNC and graduated from a Degree apprenticeship in Civil Engineering in 2020. His responsibilities have included traffic signal design, site reviews, validation and CAD/BIM management. He has also had a secondment into Slough Borough Council where he has been able to work within the local authority to assist with the day to day running of their traffic signals. This has included traffic signal design, maintenance, construction support and working with their UTC system.

He has been a member of the IHE since 2017 after achieving EngTech registration alongside the Professional Certificate in Traffic Signal Control. James wants to contribute to the development of the Institute as well as to encourage more people to choose a career within the highways industry by helping with the opportunities for those who are both wanting a change in career or are leaving education and just starting.

Neil is has been in the highways sector for over 20 years since his family bought Highways magazine in in the mid 1990’s.

In this time he went on to launch things like the Highways Magazine Excellence Awards, Highways on Fridays and the well known Seeing is Believing exhibition and conference, his understanding of the machinations of the industry are widely sought.

Neil managed the relationship when IHE and Highways magazine started to work together as Highways magazine became the official magazine of the IHE.

Having run many international sales teams and launched global exhibitions in places as diverse as Tokyo, Singapore, Houston and almost every European capital city, Neil now runs a business consulting company (since selling the family business in 2016) with clients in Japan, USA, Continental Europe and throughout the UK. The experience offered to IHE by Neil is that of international based business management, as opposed to the UK highways sector specific talents that IHE are traditionally comprised of.

In his spare time Neil is a qualified FA coach, having previously been an Elite Development Squad Coach for West Ham United and is a single figure handicap golfer, with other notable contributions being a Key Worker in the Covid Lockdown (when he worked for Tesco to help deliver food to the vulnerable and elderly) acting as a board member for the local school PTA and a staunch supporter of the Lighthouse Club, the construction industry benevolent fund.

Gary is currently employed by Ringway Jacobs as Contract Manager at Cheshire East Highways which is an integrated services provided by Ringway Jacobs. Gary’s areas of responsibility are varied but include; Asset Management, Highway Capital Improvement, Network Management, Risk Management and Business Quality and Improvement.

Gary has developed his career across both public and private sector organisations with 30 years of experience in highway maintenance and asset management services, design, planning, project and contract management. Gary has a strong commercial awareness providing him with a keen eye to delivering services cost effectively while maintaining standards.

His most recent career highlights include the creation of Cheshire East’s and Ringway Jacobs Asset Management Policies and Strategies and the conception and delivery of the authority’s Highway Asset recovery plan which resulted in the authority investing £45 million in the network. He is the company’s lead on cross contract development of Asset Management and led the successful achievement of BSI ISO 55001 certification enabling Ringway Jacobs to become the first highways integrated service provider in the country to achieve the standard.

Gary Neil IEng FIHE is an Incorporated Engineer and Manager with 17 years’ experience in the civil engineering arena with a specialism in Road Maintenance including but not limited to Winter Maintenance, Road Asset Management and Street Works.

He is experienced in project management, leading change, and transformation. He has a particular interest in using data to drive performance including the use of digital means to improve effectiveness and efficiency.

Gary's current role is Road Services Manager at Stirling Council.

In this role he manages all Road Maintenance, Structures, Flood Prevention, Road Asset Management and NRSWA functions for the network.

He has a first class honours BSc in Environmental Civil Engineering, Incorporated Engineer status and is a Fellow of the Institute of Highway Engineers. He is also undertaking a Business Management degree at the University of Strathclyde in his 'spare' time.

Gary is also an IHE Council Member, Chair of the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) Roads Group and Chair of the Footway and Cycletrack Management Group (FCMG) which reports to UK Roads Board.

Anthony (Tony) Sharp IEng HonFIHE has extensive experience of the highways design and operation sector having worked in Traffic Signals and Road Safety (Accident Investigation and Prevention) for the past 32 years, the last 21 years in South Gloucestershire Council until retiring in spring 2020 as a Principal Engineer.

He became a member of IHIE in 1995 and initially joined council in 1998 and was elected to the Presidential team in 2004 becoming IHE President in 2008 until 2010.

In 2015 he received Honorary Fellowship of the IHE in recognition of “significant contribution made to the Institute and Road Safety”

A past chairman of the Siemens Traffic Users group he currently chairs the MOVA Users Group

Andrew is an Incorporated Engineer and a Fellow of the IHE having been a member since the mid 1990’s. He is passionate about the IHE driving the industry forward and helping the technicians and engineers of the future. He was recently South Western Branch Chairman from June 2020 to June 2022, and took the branch through the turbulent covid years. Andrew was elected on to the National Council in June 2022.

In his day job Andrew is Traffic Team Leader at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) having previously been at Dorset Council for a number of years in various highways and traffic roles.

Jobert Fermilan CMgr MCMI IEng FIHE, works for Mace Group as Associate Director for Project & Programme Management in the Transportation team. He is responsible for developing the Northern business for Mace whilst currently supporting Manchester City Council Major Projects division delivering programme of works for Walking & Cycling schemes (active travel) in the City.

Jobert has gained experience by working in various roles such as operations, commercial, technical and delivery project management within the Construction and the Built Environment including the Nuclear Sector. He has worked for a Design Consultancy, main Contractors and a Government funded client ensuring the successes in project execution such as safety, environment, time and cost by creating a mindset to devise an outside the box solution.

Jobert is a member of the Executive Board and chairs the R&M Portfolio Group reporting to the Presidential Team & Council. He is the chair for North Western Branch at a regional capacity and leads the Carbon working group for the Institute.

He successfully gained his EngTech in 2016, IEng in 2018 and is working towards Chartered Engineer status.

Shervin is a Chartered Engineer with industry and academic experience in transport and geotechnics. During his time in the industry, he specialised in construction on soft soil grounds. He led civil engineering design and delivery projects related to ground improvement, earth-fill dams and nature-based solutions for restoring and rehabilitating degraded environments using eco-technologies.

In his time in academia, he researched the application of the Stakeholders' theory for a better understanding of the latent demand for active travel. He led academic teams in the UK and internationally to deliver undergraduate and postgraduate civil engineering academic courses. Shervin takes pride in being a teacher and has promoted the highway and transportation profession by broadening the learning opportunities for the inquisitive minds of future engineers. He has mentored and inspired the next generation of engineers to pursue their careers in highways and transportation.

My name is Harris McGee. I am currently studying towards a degree in Civil Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University. I have previously had experience working with BEAR Scotland with their Major Bridges unit and I am currently working at the levenmouth railway network with BAM in their role as PC to expand the rail network.

I have found during my studies that highways have been quite an interesting and in depth area and this has been spurred on with my association to the IHE, meaning I am more than happy to talk to my peers about the IHE and highways and the future that they hold in the world of Engineering.

I have so far enjoyed my time as the IHE student council member and I look forward to seeing what is in my future as a fully qualified engineer and in what capacity I find myself working alongside fellow IHE members.

My name is Jeevan Birdi, and I am studying towards a master’s degree in civil engineering at Coventry University. I am currently completing an industrial placement with Bachy Soletanche for HS2, where I am working within the design and temporary works teams on the piling, diaphragm walls and barrette elements of the foundations.

I have experience in previous ambassador roles, and I have really enjoyed the designing aspect of highways in my first two years of studying civil engineering which provides me with a drive to promote highways and the IHE to my peers and the next generation of civil engineers.

I have a passion for highways, which developed on from an interest in roads since my childhood and I like to meet new people while sharing my ideas to create a positive impact on the institute.

Simon's employment involved structural design and drawing works followed by service in Local Government including structural design, major drainage and highway works, highway maintenance and development management roles.

He is involved in IHE at Branch and National level sitting on IHE Council and a member of the Membership and Qualifications Portfolio Group. Simon is a reviewer, mentor and Yorkshire Branch Treasurer.

He represents the IHE on the JBM Further Learning Group and previously on the JBM Audit Panel.

Simon has represented the Institute on the Engineering Council, the Group B and C Professional Institutions meetings and is a Volunteer and Liaison Officer with Engineering Council.

He is a Parish Councillor with responsibilities for Highway matters and the Parish Centre. Other involvements include an Academy Governor, setting up a Community Library Group in the village of which he is Vice Chair and Treasurer and Chair and Treasurer of the Crofton Village Association, which offers sporting facilities in the village.