Infrastructure and transport women in New Year’s Honours

ICE Past President Rachel Skinner and West Midlands Combined Authority chief executive Laura Shoaf were both awarded CBEs (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year’s Honours list. Both, we are delighted to say, are members of the Interchange advisory board.

Rachel Skinner CBE, Interchange Advisory Board Chair

Rachel Skinner’s award was for services to infrastructure, Laura Shoaf’s for her contribution to transport services and economic regeneration in the West Midlands.

Rachel was the 156th president of ICE. She was the ICE’s youngest president and only the second woman in the institution’s over 200-year history, when she took on the role in 2020/21.  The theme of her year was ‘Shaping Zero’, which focused on challenging civil engineers to help achieve net zero. She is also an executive director at engineering consultancy WSP.

“This honour is unexpected and humbling, yet also exciting as it recognises the crucial importance of fast, fair climate action across all infrastructure sectors as the world makes permanent change towards net zero. A sincere thanks to ICE and WSP for supporting my journey so far,” Rachel said.

Laura Shoaf CBE, Interchange Advisory Board member

Laura Shoaf grew up in New Jersey and first moved to the UK in 2002 as a Principal Consultant at GVA Grimley, a real estate consultancy.

From there she joined the Black Country Consortium as head of strategic planning, and then as director of transport. In 2016 she joined Transport for West Midlands as managing director and last year was appointed chief executive for the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Laura is a recognised expert in transport and regeneration policy, chairing the Urban Transport Group and securing unprecedented investment in transport in the West Midlands.

Speaking on receiving the CBE, Laura said, “I was absolutely delighted when I received the letter from the Palace. It is such an honour to be recognised for the work that I and so many others have done in the West Midlands, which has been my home for over 20 years.

“This honour isn’t just about me, it recognises the hard work of the many talented, dedicated, and tenacious people I have worked with over the years. I accept this honour on their behalf as well.

“The passion of my colleagues is what has helped drive the investment in transport systems and regeneration in the West Midlands, connecting people to jobs, to schools, and universities, to their families and connecting communities to each other. I am so proud of the work we have all done, and continue to do, to make the West Midlands a better-connected region.”  

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said, “Laura is so deserving of this very prestigious honour. Through her leadership the West Midlands has seen huge levels of development and investment in transport, which has supported the economic regeneration of the region.

We at Interchange extend our congratulations to both Rachel and Laura.