TRI Academic, Richard Llewellyn, has been appointed as chair of the Scottish Region of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation for 2017-18.
The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) is the foremost professional body in transportation planning and engineering, representing over 11,500 members across the UK. It provides technical and policy advice to local and national government as well as supporting its members in their professional development. It operates under Royal Charter and is one of a limited number of institutions able to award the title of Chartered Engineer.
Richard Llewellyn, a lecturer in the School of Engineering and the Built Environment and a member of the Transport Research Institute, has been a member of the CIHT since 1997. He has been a member of the Scotland Region committee since 2013, serving as a Training Officer. Richard served as committee vice-chair during 2016-17, before his appointment to chair this year.
In his role, Richard will be responsible for leading the institution's activities in Scotland including a presidential visit and hosting of the region's annual dinner in Glasgow, which is attended by up to 300 industry professionals. The region also has a programme of events and evening meetings which contribute to its members' professional development and provide excellent networking opportunities.
Richard's chosen theme for the year is "inspiring the next generation of engineers", something that very much reflects his own personal beliefs and his professional activities at Napier.
Richard said: "In these times of uncertainty with Brexit looming, but with record investment in our transportation network, it is more important than ever that we develop and support future transportation professionals. Institutions such as the CIHT have a pivotal role to play and I am proud to lead the region in Scotland to contribute to this goal."
Many of the activities he has planned over the next year involve the university, including the development of a new industry CPD course in Road Safety. Richard is also seeking to raise the status of the CIHT Tom Riddell prize by formally including it at an awards ceremony at the region's annual dinner. The prize is given to the best transport students at two universities in Scotland, of which Edinburgh Napier is one.
The year will be an exciting challenge and strengthen the links between the institution and the university, which will reinforce Edinburgh Napier's reputation as the leading transport teaching and research centre in Scotland.