New Year's Honours 2025: Who rises in the world of transport?

02/01/2025 | CHRIS AMES

New Year's Honours 2025: Who rises in the world of transport?

The chief executive of Network Rail and two city mayors topped the list of figures from the transport sector in the 2025 New Year Honours, all receiving knighthoods.

Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines OBE, who also leads the Great British Railways Transition Team, was recognised for services to the transport sector and to the economy.

Current London mayor Sadiq Khan, who controversially expanded the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone to the whole city in 2023 was given a knighthood for political and public service, while Andy Street, who improved transport connectivity in the West Midlands until he was defeated in May, was knighted for public service.

Mr Khan, a former transport minister, said he was ‘truly humbled’, adding ‘I couldn’t have dreamed when growing up on a council estate in south London that I'd one day be Mayor of London.’

Richard Bruce, director of the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to decarbonising transport.

Among those made Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) were Shanez Cheytan, deputy director, land transport national security at the Department for Transport (for services to rail passengers and transport) and Carolyn Griffiths chair of the Rail Group at the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (for services to the rail industry, to transport safety and to the engineering profession).

John Smith, chief executive officer of GB Railfreight (for services to rail freight transport) also received the gong.

The majority of honours in the transport sector were in the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) category. Network Rail’s chief security officer, Peter Gibbons was made an MBE (for services to the railway and to support for Ukraine) as was the organisation’s head of human resources, Janet Trowse (for services to the railway and to menopause awareness in the workplace).

Campaigner and former police officer Robert Heard was made an MBE for services to road safety, while Simon Ross, examiner, IAM and RoSPA BikeSafe and Biker Down Road Safety Workshops, was recognised for services to road safety for motorcyclists in Gloucestershire.

National Highways equality and diversity manager Julian Horsler was made an MBE for services to equality, accessibility and inclusion, while Go South Coast managing director Andrew Wickham received the same award for services to the bus industry.

Jessica Uguccioni, deputy head of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles at the Department for Transport, became an MBE for services to the regulation of self-driving vehicles.

Recipients of the British Empire Medal in the sector included Lee Woolcott-Ellis, mental health lead manager at Southeastern Railway (for services to mental health in transport) and another Network Rail employee, project manager, social performance Kathleen O'Malley (for services to the railway and to tackling homelessness).

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW