We are thrilled to reveal some of the esteemed judges for the inaugural DfT Special Recognition Apprentice Awards. These prestigious awards celebrate exceptional talent and growth within the highways and transport technology sector, honouring the outstanding contributions of young professionals in the early stages of their careers.
Meet Our Judges:
Dr Joanna White
Roads Development Director, National Highways
We are delighted to welcome Dr Joanna White to the panel. As Roads Development Director at National Highways, Jo leads research, innovation, intelligent transport systems, energy, and road design.
Beyond her role, Jo actively contributes to several key initiatives and organisations, including:
- Member of LCRIG’s Infrastructure Innovation Board
- Trustee of the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund
- Member of the RoadSafe Traffic Technology Think Tank
- Expert Advisory Panelist for the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV).
A passionate advocate for STEM education, Jo is dedicated to inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in the transport industry. She also champions apprentice and graduate placements at National Highways, which offers approximately 100 placements annually.
Paul Hutton
Founder/Owner, PH Initiatives
Paul Hutton is a globally recognised journalist in intelligent transport systems. With a career spanning over 20 years, Paul’s expertise includes writing, broadcasting, and managing businesses that deliver ITS solutions.
As a trained broadcast journalist, Paul has worked as a presenter, newsreader, and sports reporter across local and national platforms. Today, he serves as the Communications Lead for the Transport Technology Forum and regularly shares insights on transport technology in mainstream media.
Dwayne Lowe
Assistant Director – Highways and Planning, Bolton Council
Joining the panel is Dwayne Lowe, LCRIG Board Member for Skills. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), Dwayne also chairs the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) for Bolton University and Bolton College, ensuring support and collaboration from industry.
Thank you to our Judges
We would like to thank our panel of judges for their commitment and expertise in evaluating the award entries.
Stay Tuned
We will be unveiling the remaining judges in the coming weeks!
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Enter or Nominate a Deserving Apprentice!
New for 2025, the DfT Special Recognition Apprentice Awards form part of the Innovation and Learning Festival. Let’s celebrate the achievements of apprentices and shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and growth driving the future of our sector.
Submit your entries by Monday, 31st March 2025, at 17:00.
Find out more and enter the awards here.