The Infrastructure Podcast

In this podcast we talk about the challenge of “creating infrastructure fit for the future”. While the UK government continues to warn of “significant headwinds” holding back the economy, and despite recent delays to the investment plans for a number for key projects including HS2 and the Lower Thames Crossing, it remains clear that investment in new infrastructure is still a fundamental par to the so-called “plan for growth”. But critically, it is now clear that investment in infrastructure has to deliver more than just economic benefits; to be fit for the future and investable for the public and private sector, today’s projects must also deliver social benefits in the form of reduced carbon emissions, greater social inclusion and equity and of course employment and community cohesion.Beth West is chief executive of the new East West Rail project between Oxford and Cambridge which combines a number of inter-related elements designed to maximise the use of existing infrastructure, reinstate disused corridors and introducing new assets to create new links.As the leader of a project setting out to create a transport system fit for the future she is ideally placed to discuss the challenge of modern delivery and to give us an update on how the project is getting on.Resources:The East West Rail websiteEWR project overviewThe case for East West Rail, Western Section Phase 2

In this podcast we talk about the challenge of “recruiting and retaining construction’s future talent” – without question one of the biggest issues holding back growth in the sector.In fact, according to a recent report by the Construction Industry Training Board, it is estimated that for the sector to maintain its required output, it needs to recruit over 45,000 new people every year for the next five years. And this is set against the backdrop of a record number of job vacancies in construction, thought to be as high as 44,000 and growing. It’s a massive challenge and so who better to discuss this with than, Suzannah Nichol, chief executive of Build UK the body representing the UK contractors who are trying to fill these gaps.ResourcesBuild UK websiteCITB Construction Skills Network reportBuild UK Roadmap to RecoveryLevy In – Skills Out proposalOpen doors 

Successive UK governments have continued to highlight investment in both building new infrastructure and maintaining existing networks as a key to driving growth into the economy and underpinning the nation’s prosperity. Yet given the current perilous state of the UK’s finances, the impact of inflation, energy prices and pressure from Russia’s war in Ukraine, there is a clear need to priorities that investment, focusing on the investments that create impact and deprioritising those that don’t.It’s a huge challenge and in many ways a political quagmire. So who better to discuss this with than, Sir John Armitt, chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission and the man in the hot seat when it comes to influencing these priorities.Resources The National Infrastructure Commission website2nd National Infrastructure assessment backgroundNIA 2 Baseline report 2021First National Infrastructure Assessment 2018

In this podcast we talk about the challenge of “delivery beyond time and budget and specifically the role of the trusted adviser”. Not so long ago, when it came to delivery, project managers were wedded to the classic iron triangle of cost, time, and scope - from which you could achieve one, or two but not all three.Today’s modern clients want more. Meeting or beating the cost budget and time schedule is a given – their new demand, and the challenge for those working for them, is for greater economic and social return from their investment.To understand and discuss this issue and how it might be achieved, my guest today is Patricia Moore, Managing Director UK at global consultancy Turner & Townsend. Given that she runs a team of over 4000 expert professionals who work with clients to improve project delivery across and range of markets, she will be well placed to offer us a viewpoint.ResourcesTurner & Townsend website

Guest: Alison Watson, founder and chief executive, Class of your ownIn this  podcast we talk about the need for “new talents to meet new infrastructure challenges”. Without doubt the entire sector is suffering from not only a fundamental shortage of skills needed to tackle today’s challenges but also a major lack of the new skills needed for the future.To discuss this issue, my guest is Alison Watson, chief executive of Class of your Own, the social business that she founded in 2009 to provide the Design Engineer Construct! Curriculum, a design based, Ofqual accredited study programme supporting STEM, creativity and applied learning across the curriculum.With support from industry this programme works with schools to integrate the technical areas of sustainability, architecture, engineering and construction into a fun “learn anytime, anywhere” approach. 

In this podcast we talk about “managing complexity and risk” on major projects with Mark Thurston, chief executive of the vast HS2 project. The UK design and construction sector has for too long been dogged by failure to properly understand and manage risk and complexity, leading to a poor track record of projects completing late and over budget - a point emphasised recently by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt who told a gathering of MPs and engineering professionals that the UK had “lost our way in our ability to deliver big projects at pace”.Yet experience from many past project successes suggests that it doesn’t have to be that way. We have the talent, resources and experience to do better. So what is going wrong - what has to change to ensure that public money is spent effectively to deliver value outcomesTo discuss this issue, my guest today is Mark Thurston, chief executive, HS2, and as the man in charge of the multi-billion pound investment programme to increase rail capacity between London and Birmingham and then on to Manchester and the North he is well placed to give a view. It is fair to say that he is in charge of one of the most complex projects ever attempted. Resources HS2 websiteTransforming Infrastructure Performance - Route to 2030NAO London 2012: post-Games reviewHS2 - the route

Guest: Richard Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, UK & Europe, AtkinsIn this podcast we talk about “The role of the modern engineering consultancy”. Over the last decade or so we have seen the world of engineering consultancy change dramatically as the market has consolidated to create a small number of super large globally focused multi-discipline consultancies backed by a large number of very small number of specialists. Clients perhaps benefit from a single point of contact but what has been the impact on innovation and agility?To discuss this issue, my guest is Richard Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, UK & Europe at Atkins, which, as part of the Canadian SNC Lavalin group since 2017, and with 20,000 staff across the UK and around the world, is certainly one of the largest consultancies in the UK. 

For decades infrastructure sector clients have waged a battle to improve the supply chain’s woeful design and construction productivity, driving down costs and accelerating delivery times. But In reality, more effort should be focused instead on the drive towards better overall asset performance and achieving better overall economic and social outcomes. How can this focus be switched?To discuss this issue, my guest is Andy Mitchell, chief executive of Tideway, in charge of building the £4.3bn 25km super-sewer beneath London, one of the UK’s largest current infrastructure projects. Andy was also, until recently, co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council, playing a key role in helping the sector to work with government to improve. 

In this podcast we are going to talk about “Setting up major projects for success”. When it comes to project delivery, the UK’s track record is poor. Too often projects are delivered late, cost more than expected and crucially, they do not always delver the promised outcomes or sufficient value for public investment.To discuss this problem, the many reasons for it and perhaps some solutions, let me introduce my guest today, Michele Dix. Michele is well placed to offer a view, having spent many years spearheading projects for Transport for London, most recently leading plans for the now shelved Crossrail 2 scheme.Today Michele is a director of the Major Projects Association, an Non-exec at Crossrail International, a visiting professor at UCL and an ICE Policy Fellow so very much interested in setting up major projects for success. Resources:The Major Projects AssociationCrossrail 2ICE Fellowship routesMajor Projects Association annual conference highlights - escaping the echo chamberUCL Bartlett School of Planning

Guest: Nick Smallwood, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure and Projects AuthorityIn this podcast we go right back to the start to talk about “project delivery - getting the basics right”. Given the UK infrastructure sector’s poor track record when it comes to productivity, performance and outcomes, it seems an appropriate place to start.To discuss this issue, my guest is Nick Smallwood, Chief Executive Officer at the government’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority and Head of Government’s Project Delivery Function. Essentially, he’s the man in charge of helping UK to not only deliver its current £600bn plus pipeline of infrastructure projects but also to radically improve the outcomes from that massive investment.