News Archive
IHE Presidential handover celebrated at Forest Pines Hotel
- Wednesday July 8, 2026
Members of the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE), together with family, friends and invited guests, gathered at the Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort on 3 July 2026 to celebrate the handover of the IHE presidency from Katharine Kelly to Darren Capes, Head of Road Infrastructure Technology at the Department for Transport (DfT).
The occasion brought together members from across the Institute to recognise the achievements of the past two years and mark the beginning of a new chapter for the IHE. Guests enjoyed an evening of celebration, networking and reflection in the elegant surroundings of the Lincolnshire venue.
The event provided the Institute with an opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to outgoing President Katharine Kelly for her commitment, dedication and inspirational leadership during her term of office. Under her presidency, the IHE continued to champion professional excellence, support its members and strengthen its influence across the highways and transportation sector.
A key moment of the evening was the formal handover of the Chain of Office from Katharine Kelly to Darren Capes, who officially assumed the role of IHE President for the 2026–2028 term.
During her address, Katharine reflected on her presidency and thanked the many individuals who had supported her throughout her time in office. She paid tribute to the IHE Council, members, volunteers, her family and the wider highways profession for their continued commitment to the Institute’s mission and values. She also expressed her confidence that the organisation would continue to thrive under Darren’s’ leadership.
Accepting the Chain of Office, Darren thanked Katharine for her outstanding contribution to the Institute and acknowledged the significant achievements delivered during her presidency. He spoke of his pride in being entrusted with the role and outlined his commitment to supporting members, promoting professional development and helping to shape the future of the highways industry.
The evening was also an opportunity for colleagues, friends and industry partners to come together in celebration of the IHE community and the vital contribution its members make to the profession. Guests enjoyed a memorable evening of dining, conversation and entertainment, reflecting the strong sense of camaraderie that exists throughout the Institute.
The IHE would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to making the event such a success. Special thanks are also extended to the event sponsors, Morgan Consult & Advisory and Yunex Traffic, and supporters whose generosity helped ensure a memorable occasion for all involved. We managed to raise £1,279 in total for Darren’s chosen charity, the RNLI.
As Darren Capes begins his tenure as President, the Institute looks forward to the next two years with confidence and anticipation, building upon the strong foundations laid by Katharine Kelly and continuing to advance the interests of highway professionals across the United Kingdom and beyond.
The IHE extends its best wishes to Darren Capes as he commences his Presidency and thanks Katharine Kelly for her exceptional service and leadership over the past two years.
