MHA+ Annual Event, 23 September 2026
Practical Information and Essential documents
📋 Annual Event and Awards Programme
📍 Location: Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough (Google Maps directions)
🚗 Parking: Free on-site parking, register your vehicle details on the reception tablet.
📶 WiFi: Free access, code: 0075
Key Sessions and Schedule
Please note, the Chair’s Welcome, both Keynote Speeches and the Annual Awards take place in the main auditorium, Meeting Space 1, for all delegates. Your chosen workshops bookend these across other rooms, so please check timings and locations carefully.
☕ Registration, coffee, networking and Marketplace. ⏰ Main Networking Area. 9 to 9.45.
Arrive, register and enjoy coffee while browsing the MHA+ framework suppliers marketplace and robotics showcase. All MHA+ framework suppliers will be present in a networking space, connect with framework and delivery managers throughout the day.
👋 Chair’s Welcome. ⏰ Meeting Space 1. 9.45 to 10.
Ann Carruthers, Chair of the MHA+ Executive Board and Director at Leicestershire County Council, opens the day for all delegates.
🎤 Keynote Speakers. ⏰ Meeting Space 1. 10 to 10.40.
Adrian Coy (East Midlands Infrastructure Partnership, Chair of Civil Engineers Club and former ICE Vice President) and Darren Capes (Head of Road Infrastructure and Technology at Department for Transport and President of the Institute of Highway Engineers) share strategic insights on cross-sector infrastructure growth and the future vision for roads and transport.
☕ Coffee, networking and marketplace. ⏰ Main Networking Area. 10.50 to 11.20.
Grab a coffee and take a look around the MHA+ framework suppliers marketplace and robotics showcase.
🏛️ Local Government Reorganisation. Workshop 1. ⏰ Meeting Space 4. 11.20 to 12.20.
Nick Henstock, Service Director for Highways and Transport at West Northamptonshire Council, shares first hand experience of creating a new unitary authority, essential insight for anyone preparing for change ahead.
🚌 Integrated Transport & Smart Cities. Workshop 2. ⏰ Meeting Space 2. 11.20 to 12.20.
AECOM’s Lidia Derossi explores the bigger picture on mobility hubs, buses, rail and active travel. Ian Pulford from Smart City Consultancy with Joe Mundy from Milton Keynes Council, look at autonomy as a service, including autonomous vehicles, drones and robots on public highways.
🎓 Professional Development. Workshop 3. ⏰ Meeting Space 5. 11.20 to 12.20.
Sessions from Dean Sargeant from Telford & Wrekin Council with Gurpreet Gill from Amey Consulting discuss a collaborative approach to skills development. Toisin Oloruntoba from Galliford Try shares practical, award winning approaches to attracting a workforce for the future.
🍽️ Lunch, networking and Marketplace. ⏰ Main Networking Area. 12.20 to 13.10.
Enjoy self-service lunch while catching up with colleagues and exploring the MHA+ framework suppliers marketplace and robotics showcase.
🌊 Resilient Networks. Workshop 4. ⏰ Meeting Space 4. 13.10 to 14.10.
Expert led sessions from Transport for West Midlands’ Darren Thrupp and Adam Holland on assessing climate risk and vulnerability, developing a resilience index and managing the West Midlands regional network, including the role of the Regional Transport Coordination Centre (RTCC).
💻 Digital Showcase. ⏰ Meeting Space 5. 13.10 to 14.10.
A look at the latest innovations from leading technology suppliers, with a focus on exciting developments in digital and AI shaping the future of infrastructure and highways delivery. Gaist CEO Steve Birdsall discusses their AI-driven software that has mapped all of Northern Ireland’s highways to a live, auditable level. JCB’s Andrew McKinlay shares insights on how innovation and emerging technologies are helping shape the future of highways maintenance and public infrastructure delivery.
🛣️ Roads & Highways. Workshop 6. ⏰ Meeting Space 2. 13.10 to 14.10.
Session on highways asset management, transparency and benchmarking. Chaired by Paul Binks from Lancashire County Council, alongside key insights from LGTAG President Emily See, on best practice across local authority services.
🍵 Tea and networking. ⏰ Main Networking Area. 14.10 to 14.30.
One last chance for tea, networking and a final browse of the MHA+ framework suppliers marketplace and robotics showcase before the Annual Awards.
🏆 Annual Awards 2026. ⏰ Meeting Space 1. 14.30 to 15.50.
A highlight of the day. This year’s three categories recognise outstanding innovation delivered through MHA+ frameworks. Executive summaries in links.
🛡️ Best Use of Innovation to Build Resilience
Staffordshire County Council with Amey. Lancashire County Council with Holcim. Cheshire East Council with Ringway Jacobs
🚌 Best Use of Innovation in Local Transport
Sandwell Borough Council with AECOM, Nottingham City Council with Amey
🏗️ Best Use of Innovation in Construction of Local Infrastructure
North Yorkshire Council with John Sisk & Son, Lincolnshire County with Galliford Try, Cheshire East Council with Ringway Jacobs.
Finalists will present at the Annual Event, with winners decided by a vote of attendees.
🎯 Wrap up and close. ⏰ Meeting Space 1. 15.50 to 16.00
Karen Notman, General Manager of MHA+, shares perspectives on the day, takes questions, and sets out next steps before closing the event.
***Please note. Photographs and video recordings taken at MHA+ events are typically covered by a fair processing or image consent notice, informing attendees that media may be captured to promote the Alliance event and services and published in print, on websites, or via social media.***