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

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

£46,878 - £50,071
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 - £25,989 per annum
We are currently looking for a Mobile Cleansing Operative to join our Northallerton team. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Asset Senior Maintenance Engineer (CDC)

Grade 10, £47,154 – £51,235
Do you have a positive approach to work and enjoy the challenge of a busy role? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Structures Engineer

£40,777-£45,091
We are seeking to recruit a Highway Structures Engineer - Asset Management Graded 11. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking the workloa Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Arboricultural Consultant

£36168.0000 - £42551.0000 per annum
Arboricultural ConsultantPermanentFull Time, 37 hours per week£36,168 to £42,551 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Flood Risk Engineer - Epping Forest District Council

£40.0000 - £45.0000 per hour
Flood Risk Engineer Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 3 Months Contract* £40-£45 per hour, Umbrella Closing Date
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey
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