Highways and transportation awards event is a major success!
Photographs by Tim Pestridge
The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT (SW) held a glittering black-tie awards dinner at Sandy Park, Exeter. Sponsored by Waterman Aspen who has built careers and provided technical expertise to clients for 35 years working right across the engineering spectrum, from major national infrastructure projects to smaller-scale local schemes requiring specialist support, providing the right people for the right job, at the right time.
CIHT celebrates the very best the region offers across the key areas of highways and transportation, open to everyone; members and non-members; small and large organisations; public, private, and third sector. The annual South West region awards ceremony celebrated innovative and pioneering transportation projects in recognition of the outstanding contribution that good projects and people make to our daily lives.
The glittering ceremony celebrated innovative and pioneering transportation projects. CIHT SW Region Chair, David Watkins gave a welcome address and a presentation on the industry was given by CIHT (UK) President 2023 Neil Johnstone with support from Cat Goumal, (CIHT Head of Education and Training).
150 guests enjoyed a three-course dinner and entertainment was on hand with close-up magic from Magician Robin Fox, a member of The Magic Circle who has performed over 1000 shows across the world, and much fun was had at the South West Photo Booths. This was followed by the exciting industry project awards, with the five categories sponsored by Jacobs, Colas, Stantec Engineering, WSP, and headline sponsor Waterman Aspen.
David Watkins, CIHT (SW) Chair gave a heartfelt speech. He says, “We as an industry, face some of the most difficult and stubborn challenges but you can make a difference – at a personal level touching people’s everyday lives, at a local level to your town or community, a national level delivering major infrastructure and policies and in doing all this you can help everyone, everywhere. The future needs a better connected, more sustainable, safer, and more equitable transport system – and that requires the best minds and the best thinkers. I like to think each of us in this room makes some contribution in our own way and I’m proud to present the projects making that difference.”
Each year the CIHT (SW) is proud to support a local good cause. For 2023 Exeter-based Balloons was its designated charity that supports children and young people who’ve lost a significant person in their lives. A charity raffle with prizes generously donated by regional businesses and an auction helped to raise £2,450 for this worthy cause. Nicola Clarke, CEO of Balloon gave an emotional speech on how they support bereaved children and that the money generously raised by CIHT (SW) would make a real difference to their work.
David Watkins concludes: “It was a wonderful evening and well supported. We are very grateful to our headline sponsor Waterman Aspen, all our guests, and speakers for helping to make it such a memorable evening, which also helped to raise much-needed funds for Balloons, a very deserving charity.”
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