The Infrastructure Podcast

In today's podcast we focus on the global infrastructure market and find out what the UK might do to accelerate its ambitions to drive economic growth from infrastructure investment.My guest today is Jake Mumm, General Manager for Public Infrastructure at global construction design and delivery business Bechtel - someone who has spent the last three decades at the coal face of some of the most challenging projects around the world.As Jake knows I’m sure, Governments worldwide face mounting infrastructure challenges as populations grow, urbanisation accelerates, and climate change intensifies. Ageing transport networks, outdated water systems, and insufficient digital infrastructure hinder economic growth and quality of life. And pretty much all of them have similar challenges - funding shortfalls, bureaucratic delays, and political uncertainty – which too often delay or cancel critical projects. Yet the need for resilient, sustainable solutions is greater than ever, with extreme weather events exposing vulnerabilities in existing infrastructure. As such, the transition to smart cities, green energy, and efficient public transport is high on the agenda and requires strategic investment, cross-sector collaboration, and innovative financing models.Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring that infrastructure that meets society’s evolving needs. And so often it falls to businesses like Bechtel to steer a path to success.So let’s find out how.Resources Jake Mumm Linked InBechtel InfrastructureRiyadh MetroElizabeth Line LondonCalifornia High Speed Rail

In today’s podcast we takes a close look at the evolution and future challenges of tall building design with engineering design mega star Kamran Moazami.Kamran is WSP’s managing director for property and buildings and with nearly half a century of design experience under his belt – most recently on projects such as The Shard, 22 Bishopsgate, and One Blackfriars, he is certainly the man to ask!It is clear that around the world, the skyline is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with ever-taller, more ambitious buildings redefining the way we live and work. From London to New York, Dubai to Shanghai, the race to build higher is driven by increasing urbanisation, the need for sustainable development, and cutting-edge advancements in engineering and materials science.But designing and delivering these megastructures is no easy feat. Every tall building presents a unique set of challenges—from wind resistance and structural stability to fire safety, vertical transportation, and carbon efficiency. The growing urgency around climate resilience also means engineers are now pushing boundaries to create greener, smarter, and more adaptive high-rises.And as we are seeing post-earthquake in Myanmar and Bangkok, but also following the tragic 2017 Grenfell fire in London, maintaining public confidence in high rise is an increasingly challenging business.Few understand these complexities better than Kamran – so let’s find out more.ResourcesWSP Property and Buildings websiteThe Shard22 BishopsgateKamran Moazami interview in the Structural Engineer 2015Post Grenfell fire Hackett Report

Today's podcast is another special episode recorded live in front of an audience for the second of the latest Twin Talks interview series hosted by Bentley Systems.As with the first TwinTalk event with construction minister Sarah Jones MP, today’s episode heads to Parliament for a conversation with Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, chair of the all Party Parliamentary Group on Water, and, up until the General Election in July, an engineering consultant with decades of experience in the water sector.Today’s episode focuses on the creation of so-called Sponge Cities and specifically gets Lee’s thoughts on the findings of a new White Paper produced by Bentley Systems and water consultancy Aqua Consultants. This paper presents a rake of new thinking to tackle the growing and urgent problem of urban, pluvial flooding caused as our drainage systems become overwhelmed by increasingly intense rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events.As we see on the news every year, flooding is not a new problem. But unlike river flooding, pluvial floods can strike anywhere, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.And as the new Creating Sponge Cities to Tackle Surface Water Flooding white paper points out, urbanisation, outdated drainage systems, and climate change are compounding the issueBut solutions are at hand in the form of Sponge Cities – embracing sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), green infrastructure solutions and a range of new strategies to create cities designed to absorb, store, and manage water more effectively.But of course, despite the obvious economic and social costs of inaction, we still seem to be struggle to embrace change. The question is why. How can we influence and shape the policy landscape, and embrace the collaborative role of planners, engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders to shaping the future of sustainable water management?Lee is a great person to ask – so I started by finding out why another report might help prompt the required change?ResourcesCreating Sponge Cities to Tackle Surface Water Flooding white paperBentley Systems Infrastructure Policy AdvancementLee Pitcher MP contactAll Party Parliamentary Group on WaterThe Independent Water Commission, chaired by Sir Jon CunliffeCunliffe Review call for evidence

In today’s podcast takes a close inspection of the UK’s ever-deteriorating local roads condition. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ALARM survey – the Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance survey – which for three decades has been the crucial benchmark for assessing the state of local roads across England and Wales. Commissioned by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the report was published last week and provides an invaluable snapshot of road conditions, funding levels, and the growing maintenance backlog across the UK’s local roads network.And once again the 2025 findings, based on real feedback from real local authorities, paint a stark picture: local roads remain in decline, with 34,600 miles in poor condition and the cost to clear the repair backlog reaching an all-time high of £16.81 billion. And while of course some might argue that “they would say that wouldn’t they!” the reality is that, despite the UK government’s pledge to fix one million potholes per year, we are still very far short of the long-term, sustained investment needed to tackle deep-rooted structural issues.Because local roads are a vital economic asset - valued at over £400 billion.  And just 1% of this value is allocated for annual maintenance. A shockingly poor stat given how much we all rely on these assets. So what to do? Well my guest today might know! David Giles is Chair of the Asphalt Industry Alliance and a director of Continental Bitumen UK – someone who is ideally placed to explore the key findings, the barriers to progress, and of course, the actions needed to ensure a safer, more resilient local road network for the future.His latest report calls for a radical shift in approach: multi-year funding, ring-fenced investment, and a long-term commitment to repairs – something similar perhaps to the current approach to the strategic road network. So is that possible? Well let’s find out.ResourcesAIA Alarm Survey 2025AIA websiteColas websiteDavid Giles Linked InGovernment pothole repair pledgeGovernment statement on local road conditions National Highways RIS2

In today’s podcast we return to the vitally important, hugely complicated and normally highly emotive subject of planning reform.And help is (potentially) at hand in the form of the long awaited Planning and Infrastructure Bill which was published last week and heralded by government as providing “transformative reforms to get Britain building, tackle blockers and unleash billions in economic growth”.So who better to bring back to the Infrastructure Podcast to explain and chew over this potential new dawn of planning than Robbie Owen, infrastructure planning guru and Partner at law firm Pinsent Masons.The UK’s planning system has long been a battleground between the need for economic growth and the challenges of bureaucracy, local opposition, and environmental concerns. As the government pushes forward with ambitious targets—building 1.5 million homes, upgrading transport networks, and accelerating clean energy projects—the speed at which infrastructure is planned and delivered has never been more critical.Yet, delays remain a persistent problem. As we know, major projects can take years to navigate the approvals process, with judicial reviews and lengthy consultations slowing progress. The proposed legislation includes changes to infrastructure planning, environmental impact assessments, and compulsory purchase powers  … and, as discussed on the podcast before Christmas, limits on the role of Judicial Reviews.But will these changes truly unlock growth, or are deeper structural issues being overlooked? And how can the planning system ensure that infrastructure projects not only proceed faster but also deliver better outcomes for communities and the environment? ResourcesThe Planning and Infrastructure BillThe Banner ReviewNational Infrastructure Planning AssociationNational Infrastructure CommissionPinsent MasonsAbout NISTAPodcast with Robbie Owen and the Hansard Society on Parliament's planning role.Episode 93 of The Infrastructure Podcast with Robbie Owen on the Banner Review

In today’s podcast we take a deep dive into embodied carbon and try to get a better understanding of why infrastructure professionals need to make its assessment more than just a nice add on but a fundamental part of the design process.The construction and infrastructure sectors are undergoing a major transformation as the industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint and meet global net-zero targets. While operational carbon—emissions from heating, cooling, and electricity use—has traditionally been the focus of sustainability efforts, embodied carbon - emissions that are locked in at the point of construction and cannot be reduced over time - is now taking centre stage. To discuss this issue, my guest today is Adrian Campbell, founder of the Change Building consultancy and someone that I like to describe as an industry sustainability guru and my go-to expert when it comes to reducing carbon across the infrastructure lifecycle.  Full disclosure; I have known Adrian since we studied Civil Engineering together at the University of Southampton back in the 1980s. Well, he did the studying as I remember! Adrian has made a return to the University of Southampton as a tutor and lecturer and as Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in Sustainable Development and Climate Impact He  has just produced a new guide to help students get to grips with assessing embodied carbon - a rapidly developing area of professional competence which should provide the skills and judgment to help improve designs and help move us towards the goal of net zero carbon.For students entering the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction, embracing embodied carbon assessment is no longer optional—it is a vital skill for shaping a sustainable built environment. As Adrian puts it, having an awareness of the reasons for its adoption (the ‘why’) and some experience of assessment (the ‘how’) is now expected as part of the role of the engineer.However, this presents challenges: data inconsistencies, limited industry knowledge, and balancing carbon reductions with performance and cost make it a complex area to navigate. So let’s find out why students should engage with embodied carbon thinking early in their careers.ResourcesAdrian Campbell Linked in Southampton University Embodied Carbon guideChange Building websiteUniversity of Southampton websitePositive Collective Royal Academy of Engineering Institution of Structural Engineers - how to calculate embodied carbon

Today we head back to the vitally important issue of housing and attempt to understand the UK’s complex, and some might say, largely dysfunctional housing retrofit market.It is a market that is rapidly evolving, driven by ambitious government policies, rising energy costs, and increasing public demand for sustainable, lower cost living. But with a housing stock that is among the oldest in Europe, the UK faces significant headwinds to meet this challenge. But my guest today has embraced this challenge whole heartedly and two years ago quit a successful career with global consultancy McKinsey and Co to strike out on her own. Anna Moore formed Hestia, now rebranded as Domna, as a brand-new business to transform our approach to domestic retrofit and, at the same time, lever in large amounts of much needed private sector investment.It's a tough market. Because, as Anna knows I am sure, while the government’s commitment to building 1.5 million new homes continues to grab the headlines as the key to driving up living standards and revitalising communities, the need to retrofit our huge existing stock has been left something of an overlooked, Cinderella sector.Yes, recent initiatives, such as the Future Homes Standard and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – now renamed the Warm Homes Grant, have boosted the focus on retrofitting to enhance energy efficiency, lower emissions, and reduce fuel poverty. And the market is seeing growing interest in innovations like heat pumps, solar panels, insulation upgrades, and smart energy systems. However, the sector faces hurdles, including supply chain constraints, skilled labour shortages, and the challenge of balancing affordability with high-quality retrofits.That said Anna has just secured a £70M cash injection into the business which she hopes will open up a £500bn opportunity that will help the business to play a critical role in creating healthier, more efficient homes for residents. So, let’s find out how. ResourcesAbout Domna GroupInsights from Donna Group on retrofittingDomna post on £70 financing dealBuilding Centre New Homes in New Ways ExhibitionAnna Moore Linked In

In today’s episode we dive into the UK’s deepening housing crisis– specifically looking at affordable housing where demand is still far outstripping supply. Despite ambitious government targets to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, the reality is that we are still only seeing 50,000 to 60,000 affordable homes being built each year - far short of the estimated 145,000 required. The shortfall leaves over 1.3 million households on waiting lists, while rising costs, planning delays, and economic uncertainty continue to challenge the sector.My guest today is Anette Simpson the director of development and partnerships at Legal & General Affordable Homes where she is responsible for overseeing the delivery of some 3,000 affordable homes annually. Legal & General Affordable Homes (LGAH) was founded in 2018 to bring institutional investment into affordable housing, leveraging private sector funding to help bridge the gap. The business has ambition and Anette’s target is to have more than 10,000 homes under management this year. It aims to prove that, alongside the tradition public sector social housing providers, for-profit providers can play a crucial role in tackling the crisis. As such their approach combines long-term investment with cutting-edge technology, ensuring both sustainability and high-quality service for residents.However, the sector still faces significant barriers. Planning inefficiencies, limited government funding, and the financial pressures on housing associations are slowing progress. Meanwhile, challenges such as building safety upgrades, decarbonisation targets, and interest rate hikes are forcing traditional providers to scale back development. And to attract further private investment, the industry needs greater stability, a more efficient planning system, and well-resourced local authority partners.So let’s hear more as we explore LGAH’s role in shaping the future of affordable housing in the UK.ResourcesLegal & General Affordable HomesThe Legal & General Affordable Housing FundPlanning overhaul to build 1.5M new homesGovernment affordable home ownership schemesLabour - Get Britain Building

In today's podcast we explore the role that academia and research can and must play in transforming infrastructure into the modern, joined up, innovative sector needed to deliver a sustainable future for communities.My guest is Jeni Giambona, Associate Dean of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at the University of Southampton Business School, where she is also a Professor and a Member of the Centre for Resilient Socio-Technical Systems. More on that later. But full alumni disclosure – it is 30 years since I started my own undergrad course in Civil Engineering at Southampton University – fond if distant memories even if I’m not sure anyone there really remembers my particular academic contribution!Operating at a slight higher academic level, Jeni has worked in the higher education world and been involved at the sharp end of research for around two decades and specialises in Knowledge exchange and dissemination, engagement and systems thinking.It is fair to say that driving and investing in innovation remains key to boosting the infrastructure sector’s productivity and the outcomes - setting up projects and our approach to the delivery of asset management in new and better ways.That means embracing a systems approach; really doubling down on the need for collaboration and supply chain engagement; and of course investing in new data and digital technologies to help us to truly understand how infrastructure works.All of which is firmly on Jeni’s research and teaching agenda at Southampton as she attempts to infect the sector with her passion and enthusiasm for change and pursuit of better outcomes – let’s hear more. ResourcesUniversity of Southampton Business SchoolSystems Thinking and Leadership Development Executive EducationLeaders and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence programmeNew Forest Business PartnershipUK Higher Education and Transnational Education MissionThe Newfoundland breed

In today’s episode we head back into the corridors of power to talk to Mike Reader Member of Parliament for Northampton South and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infrastructure.And after my recent conversation with Sarah Jones MP, minister of state for Business and net zero it will be interesting to contrast this government view of the nation’s infrastructure ambition with one from Parliament’s back benches.Certainly, there is no question that this government has infrastructure investment firmly in its sights when it comes to delivering on its ultimate mission for economic growth. We hear about no end of plans for refocusing on and accelerating delivery of nationally significant infrastructure projects such as Heathrow third runway, Lower Thames Crossing, energy transition and distribution, new reservoirs and of course most recently a £3.6bn injection into the UK’s flood defences.But, as we also know, local infrastructure improvements are what really turns voters heads – be they improved bus services, tackling potholes, improving schools and hospitals or, indeed, providing new homes. And of course we also know that local infrastructure impacts, be they pylons on the skyline or rail tracks through the pastures, can and do have a major impact of deliverability. Navigating this difficult route from infrastructure aspiration to reality so often falls on the desks of an army of back bench MPs representing the myriad of interests – for and against proposals - within communities across the UK. So let’s talk to one of them.Resources Mike Reader MP websiteAll Party Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure Energy Security and Net Zero CommitteeGovernment Industrial Strategy in the UK paperBold reforms to planning systemsConstruction Leadership CouncilRachel Reeves speech - January 2025Transforming Infrastructure Performance