Highways News is very sad to report the death of popular intelligent transport systems expert Martin Howell after a long battle with cancer.
Martin was best known in the industry for his time at Cubic Transportation Systems where he worked in marketing, communications and external affairs before taking on a corporate role at the parent Cubic Corporation in the United States. He later moved on to work in transport markets at the payments company Worldline.
Before working in transport, he was a Troop Commander in the Royal Marines and was the first officer onto the Falklands during the liberation of the Islands in 1982, leading 36 men of 40 Commando from landing craft launched from the fittingly named HMS Fearless.
Talking about his experiences in 2016, Martin Howell described his time in the Marines saying: “The Corps taught me just how much more I could achieve than I initially believed – particularly physically. It shows young men and women that their limits are largely self-imposed and it builds confidence. It gives you friends you will keep forever, it teaches you to take charge when you need to and it shows you in vivid terms the crucial importance of teamwork and just how much a determined professional team can achieve.”
Writing on LinkedIn and Facebook, his widow Susan wrote: “We are heartbroken to share that Martin has passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing Martin will understand just how huge a loss this is for us all. We will miss him more than words can express.”
Martin’s former colleague at Cubic, Andy Taylor, who now works for Mastercard in Washington, DC, told Highways News: “Martin Howell was more than a colleague; he was a friend and a leader whose example lifted everyone around him. From the day we met at Cubic, his wisdom, humility, and quick wit shaped my path. He was deeply respected because he put people first, listening without judgment, sharing his knowledge freely, and finding joy even in hard moments. Martin was a steady presence and my trusted guide, the person I turned to for clarity and courage. He taught me to lead with kindness, to laugh generously, and to care without keeping score. We will miss him beyond words, but his grace lives on in the lives he changed.”
Another former colleague, Chris Bax added: “Martin was the ultimate good guy. When I joined Cubic he made me feel so welcome and just wanted to help me (and anyone for that matter). We moved to the US at about the same time and it was great spending time with him and his lovely wife Susan. Throughout Martin’s health ordeal he continued to focus on others rather than seek pity for himself – his strength of character was unbelievable in the face of his diagnosis – cancer broke Martin’s body but it could never break his spirit – rest in peace dear friend.”
Highways News co-owner Paul Hutton said: “I first met Martin a few years after I’d been lucky enough to visit the Falkland Islands and I just loved listening to the stories he told about his time there. I used to just think ‘brave’ and ‘hero’ all the time he talked but he never acted, or accepted, that he was anything out of the ordinary. He really knew his stuff in marketing, which showed as he kept getting promoted! I didn’t see him as often as I’d have liked in the past few years but every time we did meet, I was always greeted by a grin and a man-hug. A truly lovely man, and I’m so upset at the news.”
Highways News reporter Kevin Borras adds that Martin always had a competitive edge. “He was a very shrewd judge of character and there are people that I have met on hundreds more occasions that have left less of a lasting impression on me,” he said. “Some leaders like to fill their teams with former sportspeople because of their winning mentality – Martin did likewise but with people with a military background because of their discipline, team ethics and shared experiences. A legendary Middlesbrough FC player of the 70s and 80s was once described by a former team mate as ‘someone who you’d choose to go to the moon with’ because you know you’d be alright if he was there. I would happily say the same of Martin Howell.”
(Picture thanks to Susan Howell)
