Every successful project, innovation and partnership starts with people. Across the highways sector, private sector professionals are helping to improve services, strengthen collaboration, drive innovation and create lasting benefits for communities every day.
This year, for the first time, the DfT Special Recognition Awards are introducing the Outstanding Contribution Award (Private Sector), sponsored by Multevo, to recognise the exceptional individuals whose dedication and commitment help shape the future of our industry.
Could someone in your organisation or network be among the first to receive this prestigious new award?
Outstanding Contribution Award (Private Sector)
Sponsored by Multevo
The Outstanding Contribution Award (Private Sector) celebrates an exceptional individual working within the private sector who has made a lasting and meaningful impact on the highways sector.
Open to people at every level of a private sector organisation, the award recognises those who consistently go above and beyond their role to improve outcomes, strengthen collaboration, drive innovation and make a significant contribution to the industry.
Whether they’ve transformed service delivery, introduced innovative ways of working, built trusted relationships with local authorities or created lasting social value within communities, this award celebrates the people whose influence extends far beyond their job title.
What evidence might indicate a worthy individual?
We’re looking for individuals who have demonstrated one or more of the following:
- Improved service delivery, operational performance or customer outcomes.
- Innovation and best practice that has delivered measurable benefits.
- Outstanding collaboration between private sector organisations and public sector partners.
- Strong relationships with local authorities, elected members and stakeholders.
- A lasting positive impact on local communities through social value initiatives.
- A commitment to inclusivity, accessibility and better engagement across the highways sector.
- Contributions that strengthen the long-term resilience, efficiency or sustainability of the highways sector.
If someone immediately comes to mind as you’re reading this, they’re probably exactly the sort of person this award was created to recognise.
Why Nominate?
The DfT Special Recognition Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the people whose expertise, passion and commitment make a real difference across the highways sector.
- Be part of recognising the inaugural recipient of this new national award.
- Free to enter, with the opportunity to celebrate someone who deserves industry-wide recognition.
- Showcase the people whose work strengthens your organisation, supports communities and helps move the highways sector forward.
Deadline to enter: 21 August 2026 at 5pm
Find out more and submit your nomination today
If you know someone whose commitment, collaboration and innovation have made a lasting difference to the highways sector, now is the perfect time to celebrate their achievements.
The inaugural Outstanding Contribution Award (Private Sector) will be presented during Strictly Highways 2026, bringing together the highways community to celebrate the outstanding people, projects and innovations shaping the future of our sector.