News

IHE Northern and North Western Branch
Call for Branch Committee Members 2026

The Northern and North Western Branch of the Institute of Highway Engineers is keen to see a wider representation of volunteers to help run the Branch and to assist with the organisation of local events.

The Branch Committee prides itself in its proactive approach to delivering beneficial events for the members, but we are only as strong as the members who support the region and we need your assistance to build on what we’ve achieved across the region since 2018 of re-establishing the branch in the North of England.

This year, all Branch Committee Member’s positions are open. Existing roles will be ratified, and we are actively seeking new members to join the Committee. Whether you have served on a committee before, or you’ve never put your hand up but have always thought about it, this is the moment.

We are recruiting for:

• Branch Chair
• Vice-Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Committee Members (multiple positions)

The Branch Committee normally meets four to six times a year, primarily online, with occasional face-to-face meetings to support the relationship-building that comes with seeing colleagues in the room and collaboration with other institutions. Our intention is to continue with this hybrid format, balancing accessibility for members across the region with the practical benefits of meeting in person.

In addition to Committee meetings, members typically support:

• The planning and delivery of Branch events (technical talks, site visits, networking)
• Engagement with the wider IHE Board and Branch Liaison Group
• Supporting members in the region, including those working towards professional registration
• Local representation of the IHE within industry, employers, and academic institutions across the Northern and North Western regions.

Why join the Committee?

Volunteering for the Branch is one of the most direct ways to give something back to the profession and in my own experience, it’s also one of the most rewarding.

• It counts as CPD – Committee involvement is recognised professional development activity in your CPD record
• It widens your network across the region and through the wider IHE membership and IHE Board – It gives you a platform to shape the events, support, and direction of your local Branch
• It’s flexible – most Committee members balance the role around full-time work; the time commitment is manageable
• It strengthens the Institute – every active Branch makes the IHE collectively more effective

You don’t need to be at any particular grade or career stage to contribute. We welcome interest from ALL members. 

How to express your interest

If you would like to stand for a Branch Committee member role or simply find out more before deciding, please get in touch with me directly. A short conversation is the best way to find the right fit between your interests, your time and where the Branch needs the most support.

You can register your interest by:

• Emailing me directly as Branch Chair. Your details will be passed to the IHE Membership team to support the formal process north_west@theihe.org
• Contacting the IHE membership team at membership@theihe.org
• Speaking to any current Committee Member at the next Branch event

Nominations and expressions of interest will be confirmed ahead of the Branch’s next AGM, with the date to be announced in due course.

A personal note, between the Branch Chair role and a place on the IHE Board, the thing that’s surprised me most is how little it takes to make a difference. A Committee meeting is an hour. An event is a few emails and a venue. Getting a member through to registration is a couple of conversations a year. The reason it feels meaningful is because so few people are doing it and the more of us who help, the more we can offer the membership in the region.

If you’ve ever thought you’d like to do more with the IHE whether to broaden your network, support the next generation of engineers or your colleagues, or shape the events delivered in your region this is the way in.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Jobert Fermilan IEng FIHE, MCIOB CMgr FCMI
Branch Chair, Northern and North Western Branch
Institute of Highway Engineers