Three CILT UK members named in King’s Honours for services to transport and road safety

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT UK) has congratulated three of its members after they were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for their contributions to transport and road safety.

James Dawes CMILT (pictured), managing director of Dawes Highway Safety, has been awarded an MBE for services to road safety.

Dawes began his career with the London Metropolitan Police’s Roads Policing Unit, where he witnessed the consequences of collisions involving heavy goods vehicles and vulnerable road users.

After leaving the police, he founded Dawes Highway Safety and developed the PeoplePanel®, the UK’s first commercially manufactured side barrier system for large vehicles.

Dawes said: “To receive this level of recognition for my work is incredible and I look forward to a day where open bar side rails officially become a thing of the past.”

Louise Cheeseman FCILT, founder and chair of Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC), has been awarded an OBE for her services to the transport industry and diversity.

Cheeseman, who has held senior roles at Hull Trains and Transport for London, launched WiBC in 2023 to support and retain women in the bus and coach profession.

She said: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this award. It represents the incredible work being done across the transport sector to build a more inclusive and diverse future.

“I want to thank the Women in Bus and Coach board, our amazing team, the regional groups, and every single person who has supported the organisation from day one.

“This recognition belongs to all of us—and I hope it inspires even more people to join us in shaping a fairer, more representative industry.”

Former CILT UK president Will Whitehorn has also been awarded an OBE, in his case for services to the aerospace industry. Whitehorn, who served as CILT UK president in 2016, was the founding president of Virgin Galactic and is now chair of Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC.

He also holds leadership roles across UKspace, UK Space Command and the Royal Air Force, and is chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University.

This story was first featured in our sister publication The Haulier.