We are delighted to announce that A E Yates will return as Conference Partner for Strictly Highways 2026, marking the third consecutive year of this collaboration.
Taking place from 6–8 October at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Strictly Highways is LCRIG’s flagship annual conference, networking event and DfT Special Recognition Awards ceremony, bringing together the highways community to share knowledge, explore innovation and address some of the sector’s biggest challenges.
A E Yates has supported Strictly Highways as Conference Partner since 2024, with 2026 marking the third consecutive year of the partnership.
About our Conference Partner
Established in 1870, A E Yates is a progressive civil engineering contractor with an enviable track record of successfully delivering technically demanding, high quality projects to a wide variety of public and private customers.
A E Yates Group CEO, Sven Till, shared his excitement about the partnership:
“A E Yates is delighted to be the Conference Partner for LCRIG’s Strictly Highways 2026 conference, marking our third consecutive year of this exciting collaboration. Following on the continued success of the event, we are thrilled to continue our partnership and be part of such a vital platform for innovation and collaboration within the highways sector.
“We are eager to build on the momentum from previous years, strengthen our relationships with industry peers, and continue to contribute to the forward-thinking conversations shaping the future of civil engineering.”
Taking to the Strictly Highways Stage
With the Strictly Highways 2026 agenda now live, delegates can look forward to a two-day conference programme covering the key challenges, opportunities and priorities shaping the highways sector.
As Conference Partner, A E Yates will also take to the stage on Day One for a session exploring the future of highways maintenance and the people who will deliver it.
The 100-Year Age Gap: How the Next Generation Are Maintaining the Previous Generations Infrastructure will take place from 10:05–10:20 on Wednesday 7 October.
The session will bring together:
- Sven Till, Chief Executive Officer, A E Yates Ltd.
- Dave Griffiths, Technical Manager, A E Yates Ltd.
- Mike Barnett, Interim Assistant Director – Highways and Transport Operations, Leicestershire County Council
The discussion will explore how the development of the more traditional skills needed to maintain and operate critical transport infrastructure sits alongside recent advances in digital tools and technology, and how the two need to exist side by side in the next generation of highway professionals.
Charlotte Bromley, Head of Events at LCRIG said: “We are delighted to welcome A E Yates back as our Conference Partner for a third consecutive year.
“Their continued support for Strictly Highways is greatly valued, and we are pleased to be working with them again as we bring the highways community together in Blackpool.
“We’re particularly looking forward to their session on Day One, which will bring together voices from across the sector to explore an important challenge: how we equip the next generation with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to maintain and improve the infrastructure we all rely on.”
Fully Funded Public Sector Places
To ensure accessibility for the entire highways community, we offer fully funded places for public sector delegates. These packages, funded by revenue generated through sponsorship and exhibitor sales, include accommodation, transport between the hotel and venue, catering and refreshments.
Strictly Highways 2025 saw more than 550 delegates attend over the three days, with representation from more than 90 different highway authorities from across England, Scotland and Wales as well as the Department for Transport (DfT), academia, industry associations, the supply chain and media.
Join Us at Strictly Highways 2026
Strictly Highways 2026 takes place from 6-8 October 2026 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Alongside the conference programme, delegates can explore more than 50 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and solutions, network with peers from across the sector and celebrate industry achievements at the DfT Special Recognition Awards ceremony.
If you haven’t secured your place yet, there’s still time to join us. Register today and discover the organisations helping to shape the future of the highways sector.