New Chair for ADEPT Engineering Board – Mark Stevens takes over from Parvis Khansari
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) has announced the new Chair of its Engineering Board.
Mark Stevens, Assistant Director Operational Highways, Suffolk County Council will take over from longstanding Chair, Parvis Khansari with immediate effect.
Mr Stevens said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of Chair of the ADEPT Engineering Board, having served as its Secretary and Deputy Chair for a number of years. I am looking forward to representing the views of my colleagues from across the country as well as being an active participant in the work of ADEPT through its Leadership Team.
“These are challenging times for anyone involved in improving and, in particular, maintaining our current highway infrastructure and we can only do that effectively through working in a collaborative way. I am grateful to the Leadership Team in giving me this opportunity.
In his role as Chair, Mr Stevens will also represent ADEPT at national level including the UK Roads Liaison Group, the Department for Transport and the Highways Term Maintenance Association.
Mr Stevens has worked in local government highways and transportation services for over 35 years, where he has worked for a number of local authorities including Leicestershire, Peterborough and Luton.
His wide-ranging experience includes setting up and providing strategic direction to the Midlands Highways Alliance, involvement in the Highway Maintenance Efficiency programme, securing funding and oversight of a wide range of highways, civil and engineering schemes supporting economic growth and regeneration.
Praising Mr Khansari, ADEPT President, Neil Gibson said: “Parvis took over as Chair of the Engineering Board from Steve Kent at fairly short notice over 5 years ago – and has done a sterling job ever since. He is much respected by his local government colleagues and has helped forge closer relationships both with the Department for Transport and the entire engineering sector.
“Parvis will be missed by colleagues on the Engineering Board, but we are fortunate that he will continue to provide his invaluable support to ADEPT and the industry.”