The Institute of Highway Engineers has chosen Department for Transport ITS Policy lead Darren Capes as its next Junior Vice President.
The appointment, following a ballot of members, is the first step on the cycle to become President of the organisation.
Current President Stephen Webb of WSP will step down in June, and be replaced by current Senior Vice President Martin Pollard from Transport Scotland, who’ll hold the post for two years. Current Junior Vice President Katharine Kelly, also from Transport Scotland, will step into the Senior VP role, and Mr Capes, who is also the Manager of the Transport Technology Forum, will then move into the Junior role for two years before moving up the ladder.
“I’m very pleased to be elected to Junior Vice President and really looking forward to helping to shape the Institute that is so central to the sector I’ve spent 35 years working in. In the next few years, we are going see more rapid change to transport and highways that any of us have experienced,” explained Mr Capes.
“The increasing use of technology and the growing expectations of users, combined with ever mounting pressures on local government resources and staff mean there are no shortage of challenges ahead. I’m relishing the opportunity to ensure the IHE is at the centre of this, supporting and developing its membership and leading the debate about the future of highway engineering”.
Martin Polland added, “I am delighted to welcome Darren onto the Presidential team and all the team are looking forward to working with him over the coming years. I am sure Darren’s knowledge will be invaluable to the IHE moving forward as the intelligent transport systems evolve and become an embedded part of our everyday lives.
“The speed at which technology progresses is a challenge and I’m certain Darren’s 30+ years of experience in both Local and Central Government will help steer and guide us as an Institute through the coming years to enable us to be ready for the opportunities and challenges that our fast-paced sector will bring.”
The IHE provides professional development opportunities, support and leadership for individuals to achieve and maintain professional recognition. The new positions were recently ratified by full Council and the new Presidential team will take up their positions at the organisation’s AGM in June.
(Picture – Highways News)
