The Infrastructure Podcast

In today's podcast we talk about housing – specifically what needs to happen to ensure that the construction sector is set to meet the new government’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.There is no question that when we look back at the past performance of housebuilding in the UK, we have some way to go to meet this 300,000+ new homes a year target.The reality is that new house building numbers have rarely nudged over 200,000 a year in the last 40 years. That was, of course the point in time that local authority housing investment really dried up, handing the task largely over to the private sector and market forces.There are signs that the new government wants this to change. The recent announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on planning and housing targets underlined a clear ambition to challenge and support local authorities.But as many have already pointed out, there is no silver bullet to solving the housing crisis. When it comes to delivering on these housing targets, the nation and the construction industry still faces a rake of challenges beyond removing the planning obstacles that the government has initially – and probably rightly targeted. With this week seeing publication of the long awaited Moore-Bick report into the 2017 Grenfell fire, which will be another sobering moment for construction.It will, I am sure, reinforce the need to transform the sector away from low cost, low quality model highlighted by Dame Judith Hackett’s 2018 report into building standards that followed the fire. Of course, we have been talking about these challenges for literally decades – not least the need to find and retain the right skills. But we now have a new government and a new imperative to finally turn the dial and transform the sector into a shape capable of meeting the ambitious but never-the-less vital targets set by Labour.So let’s hear more. My guest today is Mark Farmer founder and chief executive of Cast Consultancy and a font of knowledge when it comes to accelerating constructions performance and specifically the challenges of kickstarting the nations lack-luster housebuilding performance.ResourcesCast ConsultancyThe Farmer Review - Modernise of DieIndependent Review of Building Safety - Dame Judith Hackett 2018 Government announces planning overhaul - 2024Labour manifestoKings Speech background briefing

In today's podcast we once again build on Labour’s first King’s Speech and dig into the UK’s ambitions for an energy transition.The government has placed energy security and the rapid move away from fossil fuels high on its agenda for this parliament underlining its pre-election manifesto pledges to do just that. This set out the route towards energy independence, stretching towards a clean energy future by 2030 with Great British Energy, its newly launched publicly-owned energy company driving investment into onshore wind, solar power and offshore wind power.It’s certainly an ambitious plan. Some might say over ambitious. However, it is an ambition that will require the entire infrastructure sector to buy into as we move the dial towards a new era away from the dependence on imported energy.Offshore wind sits at the heart of delivering this ambition as the most expensive but arguably least community disruptive source. Current plans set out by the last government aimed for an additional 50 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity in the UK by 2030 – a tripling of the current 28GW installed. Big numbers indeed. Which makes the UK’s port network critical to accessing this huge resource, providing the shipping capacity, the skills and expertise and of course the infrastructure required to bring the power back to the land.  It’s a huge challenge and a huge opportunity for the port sector, which, by the way, is also simultaneously at the heart of the UK’s efforts to drive growth and smooth the flow of post-Brexit trade and exports into mainland Europe. Investing to improve this infrastructure is clearly going to be critical. So let’s hear more. My guest today is Francis Paonessa, Capital Projects and Engineering Director at Associated British Ports. With 21 ports under its management across England, Scotland and Wales, ABP is the UK’s largest port operator and as such is deeply involved in smoothing the flow of UK freight but also in providing the infrastructure and expertise that will become the backbone for the UK’s plans for energy transition. ResourcesAssociated British Ports websiteKing's SpeechWhat are Freeports? Great British EnergyOffshore wind strategy

In today's podcast we discuss the way artificial intelligence is set to transform infrastructure performance.In the short time since generative AI tools such ChatGPT and array of AI driven apps have emerged and become mainstream, our daily interactions with data has changed dramatically. There should therefore, be absolutely no doubt in anyone’s minds that AI has the power to truly transform the way we live, work and play.Notwithstanding the clear – and potentially well founded – fears around the unintended consequences of accelerating the use of AI technology, few can rule out the potential for change that is around the corner.So what does the technology hold for infrastructure design construction and management sector? A sector which, after all has been synonymous with slow digital uptake and poor productivity and performance for decades?Well it is clear that the use of digitisation and data across the planning, design, delivery and deployment of major infrastructure programmes is already becoming key to improving outcomes as we move beyond the use of Building Information Modelling towards greater use and exploitation of data and digital systems across the sector. My guest today truly understands this potential. Rene Morkos, is chief executive of ALICE Technologies – which has developed the World’s first Generative Construction Simulator - we’ll come back to that! He’s also a professor at Stanford University where he gained a PhD in amongst other things applied Artificial Intelligence techniques and is a true champion for technological change across the entire infrastructure delivery process.ResourcesALICE Technologies websiteAbout ALICEIndustrial Strategy: Construction Sector DealUK government BIM mandate 2016Building magazine profile of Rene

We're back from a short summer week off and with today's podcast  we are going to talk about how the engineering sector can support the new Labour government’s ambition to roll out infrastructure investment at pace and drive growth back into the UK economy.There can be no doubt about the new government’s infrastructure ambitions following the recent King’s Speech which unequivocally placed investment in the nation’s energy, transport, water and communication infrastructure at the heart of economic growthBut how will this ambition be translated into reality? How will the industry need to change to ensure that we maximise the outcomes from every hard-earned pound of public and private cash? Cash that is far from abundant.Without question the industry has to change and in particular the traditional role of design focused businesses must evolve to meet the new demands of infrastructure clients – and of the businesses and public that they serve – to focus on boosting the outcomes that they deliver.To help me with this challenge, my guest today is Alex Gilbert, managing director of Amey Consulting, the design and problem solving wing of infrastructure service provider Amey, which, now freed from the shackles of its long term own Ferrovial, is now reshaping its strategy and its culture under new private equity ownership. Alex has his hands full as he attempts to leverage the firm’s traditional engineering and design skills and add in a raft of new talents, ideas and technologies to help generate not just greater efficiency from their infrastructure investment, but meet this new challenge of fundamentally shifting the quality and value of the outcomes that this investment achieves. All of which is, of course, crucial to delivering the ambitions demanded by his public and private sector clients but also to meeting the growth and value uplift demanded by the team at Buckthorn Partners, Amey’s new private equity owners.Let’s find out more.ResourcesThe Kings Speech 2024Amey websiteBuckthorn Partners websiteAmey apprenticeships

In today's podcast we build on last week’s Kings Speech and dig into the new government’s ambitions to reform the much-criticised water sector and drive investment into this vital part of the UK’s infrastructure.And it’s just a week or so after the delayed release of Ofwat’s long-awaited draft determination setting out how much water companies will be allowed to charge customers over the next five years. And it looks like an interesting and challenging time for everyone working in the sector.As my guest last week Alasdair Reisner, chief executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association explained, for all the political, financial and environmental pressures piling up on the sector, there is no question that water is set to be one of the big growth markets over the next decade or so, as water companies battle to guarantee supplies, manage flooding, protect against drought and reduce the number of pollution incidents.So how will this all map out for the supply chain? Where are the real opportunities? Well let’s ask someone with their finger on the pulse of the water industry. My guest today is Tom Williams, non-executive director of British Water, the body representing the water sector supply chain and ceo of water technology and innovation consultancy Enebio. ResourcesOfwat's draft determination July 2024British Water response of Ofwat's draft determinationWater UK response of Ofwat's draft determinationThe King's SpeechNational Water Safety Forum guide to open water swimming

In the podcast today we spend a few moments digging behind the headlines from last week’s Kings Speech and try to understand what the implications of the new government’s ambitious first legislative programme will mean for the civil engineering and infrastructure sector.In my Kings Speech preview last week I perhaps adopted a somewhat optimistic tone regarding the potential prospect of a rake of new infrastructure investment flowing rapidly from this new government. Well listening to King Charles as he addressed parliament, I reckon that this optimism was justified! “My Ministers will get Britain building,” he said.  “Including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high quality infrastructure and housing. They will also pursue sustainable growth by encouraging investment in industry, skills and new technologies.”I reckon that of the 39 bills introduced in this parliamentary session at least a dozen will have a direct impact on the infrastructure sector, But of course talk is just talk; promises to enact legislation do not necessarily translate into immediate boom time for the industry supply chain. So in reality what does all this promise of change actually mean in terms of boosting activity in the critical UK construction sector?Well who better to do that analysis for us than Alasdair Reisner, chief executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association and the man very much with his finger on the pulse of the sector. ResourcesThe King's Speech 2024Civil Engineering Contractors Association King's Speech response Construction Leadership Council ‘Building A Safer, Healthier and More Sustainable Future for All’

This podcast is a bit different. In short, due to various reasons, you just have me. But that’s fine as it’s a great opportunity to have a quick catch up post General Election and a gaze into the crystal ball to see what the new and very shiny Starmer government has in store for infrastructure as we head towards the Kings Speech and opening of a new Parliamentary session this Wednesday.And without getting unnecessarily nostalgic, it’s a great moment to point out - and to mark the fact - that it is 30 years this week since, having sat and passed my professional exams to become a chartered civil engineer, I packed my bags from Sir Owen Williams and Partners and made the bold decision to join New Civil Engineer magazine and start a new career in journalism.A quick shout out to my old colleague and buddy Diarmaid Fleming, who reminded me of this milestone.  Diarmaid and I joined NCE on the same day and from similar backgrounds and were famously both late for our first Monday morning news meeting with then editor Mike Winney.Well last week’s landslide sweep to power by Labour was, of course, reminiscent of the 1997 win under Tony Blair. That prompted an unprecedently renaissance in infrastructure spending, urged on by the fledgling private finance initiative and underpinned by large dollops of public spending and public debt.They were heady times that saw huge changes in the UK approach to public transport, to energy policy and to investment in schools, hospitals, prisons and in national and local highways. The reality is that today, hardly a new ministerial speech goes by without reference to infrastructure investment as the key to driving economic growth and kickstarting the transformation of UK living standards.As Sir Kier Starmer puts it in the pre-Election manifesto, we are presented with “an opportunity to begin the work of national renewal." OK, so that was the ambition. What about the reality of delivery when the rubber hits the road. It’s a tough brief given the perilous state of the public finances so let’s take a quick look at six key issues that jump out to me as interesting factors that might shape the next five to ten years of infrastructure and try to get a sense of where we are heading. 1. Giving teeth to the NIC2. Planning reform3. Focus on Local Authorities4. Great British Energy5. Transport strategy6. Creating an infrastructure investment fundResources Labour Party manifesto National Infrastructure CommissionMinistry of Housing, Communities & Local GovernmentLord Hendy appointed Minister of State

In today' podcast we talk about new thinking to create a new era for infrastructure deliveryBy the time you hear this podcast the dust will have settled on the General Election and we will know the rough direction in which the UK is set to take for the next five years.But as it stands right now, all we can really say for certain is that whoever is in Downing Street, they will have investment in infrastructure high on their list of key levers to drive the future economy. [spoiler alert - it's Kier Starmer!]And given the state of the public finances, they will also be looking to the construction planning design and delivery sectors to come up with some pretty radical new ways to start to turn the tide of poor productivity; and to embrace new thinking to boost economic, social and environmental outcomes created from every penny of public cash spent.Which means that now, perhaps more than at any time in the last 30 years, as an industry, construction and infrastructure has to change. Yes we have made great progress in terms of safety but we have to be more effective, more productive and frankly, more modern.So what does that mean in reality. How does a hugely traditional and culturally slow to change industry transform itself by embracing ideas such as digital solutions, modern methods of construction and systems thinking?How does the sector convince the next administration that every public pound spent with it will be rewarded in terms of driving the much sought after economic and social growth.Tricky questions so let’s ask an expert by welcoming Andy Beard, the new managing director for infrastructure at global consultancy and construction firm Mace to the podcast today.ResourcesMace websiteLatham reviewEgan ReviewLabour Party manifesto Construction Leadership Council website

It's General Election week and so in today's podcast we talk about creating sustainable growth - and how we ensure that professional engineers remain at the top table when it comes to influencing the vital infrastructure investment decisions needed to deliver it.Given that we are choosing out next government this week, it seems a great moment to find out how an organisation like the ACE, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering - which for over a century has been the voice of engineering consultancy - can ensure that any new administration makes the right decisions when it comes to the long-term planning for UK infrastructure. Not least given that the ACE has just published a post-Election manifesto setting out the priorities for the next UK Government to achieve sustainable growth.Of course, over the last decade or so we have seen the world of engineering consultancy change dramatically. The market has consolidated to create a small number of super large, globally focused, multi-disciplinary consultancies while new technologies and tools have begun to transform the entire design and asset management process. Clients perhaps benefit from lower costs and a single point of contact but what has been the impact on innovation and agility? Has the sector been squashed by falling fee levels and crushed by unbalanced risk allocation?Or is the sector in fact a thriving hotbed of new ideas driven by these new technologies and new young thinking?Without question every political party talks about the need to boost our investment in infrastructure and accelerate its delivery as core to driving growth. But the constant question is how to turn this enthusiasm into actual outcomes when the robber hits the road and public spending realities inevitably dawn.Now is certainly a moment for change. So let’s find out by welcoming Kate Jennings, chief executive of the ACE to the podcast today. Kate is three months into her role so let’s find out what her manifesto says and what she has planned.ResourcesACE manifesto - Sustainable Growth and Prosperity ACE websiteKate Jennings joins ACE press releaseGriffiths & Armour PI advice

In this podcast we  talk about the vital role of small businesses in driving growth into the UK economy as they invest in skills and technology to lead innovation and new thinking across the infrastructure sector.And as we approach the General Election and all parties talk about the need to drive growth, it is a great moment to talk about how government can stimulate this massive engine.While the big projects and large global consultant and contractors tend to steal the headlines and occupy the seats of power and influence across the sector, the reality is that it is the army of small and medium size enterprises that really keep the entire sector going; According to Build UK, the construction sector employs 3.1 million people, which is 1 in 10 of the UK workforce, and it has the largest share of self- employed people across the economy at 19%. And across its members, it adds, he average size of the workforce of was 2,621, with 82% of those directly employed.But we need a whole lot more talent, 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. It’s a massive challenge and a vital challenge if we are to truly leverage the power of these small businesses that sit at the heart of the industry and make it all happen. So who better to discuss this with than, Julie White, managing director of specialist contractor D-Drill and chair of Build UK, the body representing the UK contractors. Julie is an entrepreneur and until the election was called, a member of the Prime Minister’s Small Business Council in the Department for Business and Trade. ResourcesBuild UK websiteD-Drill websiteCITB website latest skills researchPrime Minister’s Small Business Council