Highways England

Coventry University is delivering leadership training on behalf of the government company that oversees the operation, maintenance and improvement of England’s motorways and major A roads.

The University’s commercial arm, CU Services Ltd, has secured the contract to deliver Highways England’s Roads Academy Programme. Now in its seventh year, the Roads Academy is a joint initiative from Highways England and the roads industry, which offers leadership training and development opportunities to those individuals and organisations who are members of the academy.

Coventry – renowned for its teaching and research in the automotive field – will now deliver the Academy’s two year programme, which is designed to develop leaders across the industry, from engineers and project managers to contractors and consultants, and equip them with the knowledge and skills to tackle the twenty first century challenges facing the sector.

Over 130 people have already passed through the programme, which combines practical leadership workshops with the latest thinking from academic experts, and which culminates in a formal postgraduate certificate in leadership and management. Taking up the mantle from the Roffey Park learning institute, Coventry University will now deliver the Roads Academy over the next four years.

Jeannine Mortlock, managing director of CU Services Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to have secured the contract to deliver the Roads Academy Programme. Highways England’s role in overseeing the network is a substantial challenge as the needs of users, the associated technology and environmental considerations evolve. To be entrusted with the sector’s flagship leadership programme is an honour and a huge responsibility – but we believe we’ll rise to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.”

The first intake of students to be taught by Coventry University will start in March 2017, shortly before the scheduled spring opening of its new National Centre for Transport and Design. The University is also one of the partners in the UK Connected Intelligent Transport Environment (UK CITE) project, which is testing how connected vehicle technology can help improve journeys, reduce traffic congestion and enhance safety services on Britain’s roads.