Westminster alumna Nicola Waight awarded Transport Planner of the Year Award

Nicola Waight, the Team Leader for Hampshire County Council’s Transport Planning Services, received the Transport Planner of the Year Award at the Transport Planning Society’s annual Transport Planning Day. The event took place on 11 November at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London.

This award recognises outstanding practice in the transport planning industry and acknowledges Nicola’s work in establishing the Fixing Transport Assessments National Working Group, which prioritises sustainability and adaptability to evolving transport policy.

Nicola began her career in transport planning in 2014 and graduated with a Transport Planning and Management MSc degree from Westminster in 2017. During her Master’s, Nicola was awarded a University prize sponsored by one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, WSP, for best transport dissertation and was shortlisted for the national Vorhees-Large prize in transport-related research.

Reflecting on the award ceremony and her experience at Westminster, Nicola said: “I’m really chuffed and proud to have been awarded Transport Planner of the Year 2024. It’s great recognition of the Fixing Transport Assessments Working Group and all we’re doing to push for better national policy and guidance which meets our wider goals for people, health and the environment. Completing my MSc at Westminster gave me fantastic insight into all different areas of transport policy from both amazing lecturers and the range of guest speakers. They showed me how policy can be shaped for better outcomes and encouraged me to think I could be part of that movement.”

Professor Enrica Papa, Professor in Transport Planning and Nicola’s Personal Tutor while at Westminster, commented: "Nicola’s achievement as Transport Planner of the Year is truly inspiring and reflects her dedication to advancing sustainability in transport planning. During her time with us on the Transport Planning and Management MSc course, Nicola demonstrated exceptional critical thinking and a strong commitment to making a difference in the field. It’s wonderful to see her efforts recognised at a national level and we couldn’t be prouder of her!"

Nicola’s work in the transport planning industry contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Find out more about Transport and Logistics courses at the University of Westminster.