Road Safety GB has announced the winners of its 2025 Awards, including a posthumous Outstanding Contribution Award for its former chair, Sonya Hurt, who passed away earlier this year.
Sonya Hurt was a dedicated supporter of Road Safety GB, being vice chair of the organisation before becoming chair from 2016 to 2018. She was well known within the sector having held roles in road safety, safety engineering, traffic management and highway design, in a career spanning 30 years.
A significant part of her career was with Nottinghamshire County Council, later being employed by Via East Midlands holding various roles including team manager for road safety. She went on to secure a strategic role at national level when she became CEO of The Road Safety Trust in July 2022.
The Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Gary Astle, Sonya’s partner, by Jackie Bratley, who manages finance and governance at Road Safety GB.
Jackie Bratley said:
“Sonya was a key figure within Road Safety GB for a substantial period of time and there is no doubt that she helped to shape and progress how the organisation has moved forward. Road Safety GB benefited significantly from her support, input and dedication to road safety. As well as a work colleague, she was also a friend to many and will be fondly remembered for her kindness, her warm smile and her generous nature.”
The Road Safety GB Awards recognise individuals and organisations who have contributed significantly to road safety in the UK.
The awards are presented at the annual National Road Safety Conference (NRSC), which this year attracted a record-breaking 420 delegates.
A second Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Nick Rawlings (pictured), managing director of Stennik, who has helped deliver the NRSC on behalf of Road Safety GB since its inception in 2009.
Presenting the award, Nicola Foster, chair of Road Safety GB, said: “Nick will be known to many in the room and has provided significant support, dedication and commitment to Road Safety GB and the wider road safety profession.
“He has been instrumental in the development of the RSGB website, Knowledge Centre and the management and running of NRSC. The conference has grown year on year and he has been at the forefront of each one, making improvements and bringing ideas to life.
“Always helpful, always reliable, always there. While elected officers like me have a fixed term of office, he has been a constant presence, allowing consistency, quality and innovation to flourish. He exudes a calmness, a can-do attitude, all coupled with seemingly effortless organisational skills, a brilliant combination.”
For more infomration and for a list of the winners, visit the Road Safety GB website HERE.
(Picture: Road Safety GB)
