The Infrastructure Podcast

Today's podcast is episode 99 and we are going to talk about the challenge of modern contracting. There is no doubt that we are in a world where infrastructure investment is well and truly back in fashion. That’s true whether we are transforming our energy future, racing to meet a net zero goals, improving lives and community, protecting the environment, solving the housing crisis or indeed, supporting the government’s lofty ambitions for an AI driven, world leading growth agenda,Yes, we hear it all the time: infrastructure investment is key to boosting growth. Yet the question still remains: how do we actually create this new world? The answer of course is contractors - the skills, the ingenuity, and innovation, passion and resource of a pretty unique bunch of folk who, rain or shine, get out there and make it happen. My guest today knows all about the pressures and delights of contracting. Katy Dowding is president and CEO of Skanska UK, one of the UK's leading and most innovative contractors and the UK division of Skanska AB, the £13bn revenue global business based in Sweden.Katy has been with Skanska for a large part of her 30 year career in the industry and has ridden the rollercoaster of boom and bust, feast and famine that has too often characterised the sector throughout that time.So where are we now? Are we moving away from the low margin dog eat dog world? Have we arrived at the new low carbon era of collaboration, quality driven value led outcomes? And critically, are we creating an industry in which the brightest and the best actually now want to work and a sector that is set up to transform the world around us and create the kind of built and natural environment that really will change lives?Let's find out.ResourcesSkanska UK websiteConstruction Leadership CouncilNational Infrastructure Commission Infrastructure and Projects Authority Wates Corporate Governance PrinciplesBartlett School of Sustainable ConstructionConstruction Youth Trust

In today's podcast we go Stateside to catch up on what is happening in the US as the global super power prepares for the latest iteration of the Donald Trump Presidency and as Los Angeles struggles to contain and recover from catastrophic wild fires.My guest today is Steve Burrows, ICE Representative for the West Coast of the USA. Steve is based in San Francisco and, after a global career in engineering working for Arup, then Aecom and WSP on projects including the Birdsnest Olympic Stadium in Beijing and Apple’s headquarters in California, is now an independent consultant helping infrastructure clients to deliver better outcomes from their investments.So after 40 years in the region, If anyone has his finger on the West Coast pulse it’s Steve!Well the Trump presidency is certainly a massive moment for the US and a massive moment for the rest of the world – huge consequences geopolitically and huge impacts economically if Trump follows through on his election promises.And huge impacts for infrastructure professionals as the administration switches track from renewables and net zero ambition back to the drill baby drill oil and gas centric policies of the past.Meanwhile of course the very real impact of global climate change has arrived in Los Angeles which is still battling what is certainly one of the worst natural disasters to have hit the city in its history. So far 25 people have been killed with many more still missing and tens of thousands of properties destroyed as fires rage across the parched dry tinder box driven my unprecedented high winds.It is truly a scene of tragedy on a massive scale.From an infrastructure perspective both events raise huge questions for the US – not least in a country that has massively underfunded and under maintained is infrastructure assets and that had world leading ambitions for low carbon development..So make no mistake there are big challenge ahead as professionals attempt to steer the path toward safe, productive and resilient infrastructure. So how are they coping. Let's find out.ResourcesICE North AmericaCalFire LA wire fires updateThe White HouseACSE infrastructure report cardGenuine Intelligence Podcast Steve Burrows Linked InB2BURROWS

In today’s podcast we try to understand how the infrastructure investment we have planned across the UK can actually be turned into better sustainable outcomes for communities. To tackle this hugely important issue, my guest today is Professor Jim Hall, the 160th President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, professor of climate and environmental risks at the University of Oxford and commissioner for the soon to be wound down – or is it on - National Infrastructure Commission.Now, in his inaugural speech to the ICE, Jim rightly pointed out that the infrastructure civil engineers provide is central to sustainable development. Yet, he added that, around the world governments continually struggle to provide those much-needed infrastructure services.The question is why, and, of course, how can infrastructure professions start to really move the dial when it comes to ensuring that, for all the investment and enthusiasm, we are getting the right sustainable outcomes – the social economic and environmental outcomes from infrastructure systems we already have in place and from the new ones that are slated to be built as part of the on-going global drive towards economic and social growth.Make no mistake, there are some huge opportunities ahead – but there are also huge challenges. Not least in a world increasingly led by climate change sceptics and vested corporate interests.Well let’s find out what more the profession can do by chatting to an internationally recognised expert in strategic infrastructure planning. ResourcesICE presidential address 2024National Infrastructure CommissionNational Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority NISTANIC Needs Assessment 2Infrastructure and Projects Authority

Nicholas Cumins, the Chief Executive of Bentley Systems, shares his insights on the future of infrastructure technology. He emphasizes the power of data and software solutions in creating resilient infrastructure to meet global demands. Cumins discusses innovative uses of AI and geospatial tools, like digital twins, for improved design and operational efficiency. He also highlights the essential role of open data and collaboration in addressing the sector's challenges, while showcasing his passion for balancing AI advancements with environmental sustainability.

Today’s podcast is the second of a two-part year end special recorded with Sir John Armitt out-going chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission and all round voice of experience and knowledge when it comes go planning and delivering the UK’s infrastructure needs.And its the last episode of 2025!In the last episode we covered a lot of ground talking about NISTA, the all new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, the challenges of turning policy into delivery, reforming UK planning and how the government might create the vital clear and consistent policy to drive forward vital investment needed for infrastructure projects that will boost economic growth and transform lives and communities across the UK.If you haven’t done so already, I heartily recommend you have a listen.  Check out episode 94In part 2 we will build on these themes and talk a bit more about driving down costs and improving outcomes from investment, about delivering more for the public and about ensuring private sector investors and the supply can really engage with the government’s plans.But first we have a catch up about the National Infrastructure Commission, what it has achieved since 2015 and where it is heading. Enjoy the episodeResourcesNational Infrastructure CommissionInfrastructure and Projects AuthorityNational Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority NISTANIC Needs Assessment 2NIC letter to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 10 year strategyBanner Review into NSIP judicial reviewsPlanning and Infrastructure Bill

Today’s podcast is a bit special in that it is the first of a two-part, year-end special recorded with infrastructure giant Sir John Armitt. To be fair, this podcast really needs very little in the way of set up from me, other than to say that Sir John is long standing chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, past president of the Institution of Civil Engineers and, to most inside and outside of the engineering and infrastructure sector, the genuine expert voice of experience, calm and common sense when it comes to the built environment.And I imagine that if you are listening to this podcast you will be acutely aware that, having served on the commission since it was formed in 2015 and been chairman since 2018, John is stepping down from the role in the Spring next year as the organisation joins with the Infrastructure and Projects Authority to form NISTA, the all new National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority. This will be charged with taking the strategic planning and delivery of the nation’s infrastructure to new levels, driving forward the new and eagerly awaited 10-year National Infrastructure Strategy, and boosting the efficiency and outcomes from the vast amounts of public and private investment being slated to underpin the government’s ambitious growth agenda for this Parliament and beyond.Make no mistake, there is no shortage of ambition for infrastructure – the question, as always, is how to deliver. But if anyone knows it’s Sir John, so let’s hear from himResourcesNational Infrastructure CommissionInfrastructure and Projects AuthorityNational Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority NISTANIC Needs Assessment 2NIC letter to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 10 year strategyBanner Review into NSIP judicial reviewsPlanning and Infrastructure Bill

In today’s podcast we take a deep dive into planning and how look specifically at how the recent Banner Review might accelerate the delivery of the UK’s NSIPs - Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.Reform is certainly overdue. Nick Smallwood, out-going chief executive of the government’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority highlighted the UK’s poor track record of infrastructure delivery at the recent TIP Live Summit in London. There he pulled no punches and said: “We take far too long to deliver infrastructure planning. It typically takes as long to get through the planning regime as it does to deliver an asset. That's simply not acceptable. We need to do far better.”So how can we do better? Well, we have the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill coming down the tracks and reform of the entire planning process is clearly on the government’s agenda with the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner laying out big plans for radical reform with virtually her first strike of the pen. But reform of the approach to planning around NSIPs has been on the cards for some time. As such, the Banner Review was commissioned by the last government at the start of 2024 under then-Secretary of State Michael Gove - and has seen Lord Charles Banner KC examine and propose improvements to the planning and approval process.It is fair to say that the issue is coming to a head. Banner published his recommendations on 28th October, providing a number of routes to improving the system, addressing challenges such as delays, legal challenges, and increasing costs, particularly delay caused by the judicial review process that impacts large infrastructure projects​.So as we now close in on the end a nine week call for evidence which closes on 30 December it is a great moment to find out about the key issues by welcoming Robbie Owen to the podcast today. Robbie is a partner and head of Infrastructure Planning and Government Affairs at Pinsent Masons and certainly one of – if not THE leading expert in the field.ResourcesThe Banner ReviewThe Planning and Infrastructure BillNational Infrastructure Planning AssociationNational Infrastructure CommissionPinsent MasonsAbout NISTA

As the latest COP29 global climate change conference draws to a close in Baku, this podcast focuses on how the infrastructure sector can summon the courage to transform its approach to sustainability and ensure that the issue moves from niche to become business as usual in the mainstream at every level of the supply chain. It's a potentially exciting time in infrastructure. The government’s £40bn infrastructure investment plan to get Britain Building is certainly ambitious and challenges all government departments, local authorities and the private sector to focus and prioritise around community and business need. But the scale of what is required also means securing a genuine transformation in the way the industry plans, designs, constructs and operates new and existing infrastructure, so as to maximise the social, economic and environmental outcomes achieved – reducing carbon, reducing cost and creating better results for communities.But how?Well my guest in this episode is Hannah Pathak, international managing director at Forum for the Future and a long-standing champion for driving collaborative action across business to help accelerate this kind of required change in some of biggest challenges facing the globe today. At Forum for the Future, Hannah works across a multitude of global sectors to help businesses understand and then achieve more sustainable business outcomes, using futures scenarios to understand the risks and opportunities and systems change practices to help navigate a route through the complex challenges.I met Hannah recently at the FM Conway Collaborative Sustainability supply chain event where she gave a keynote address to describe the ideas contained in the Forum’s recent report The Future of Sustainability: Courage to Transform and where she challenged to audience to have the bravery to act.Her words and ideas were certainly inspiring and very challenging – and I thought needed to be shared more widely. So let’s hear more!ResourcesForum for Future websiteClimate and Health CoalitionFuture of Sustainability - Courage to TransformFM Conway Sustainability strategyFM Conway Collaborative Sustainability eventHM Government Budget 2025 to rebuild Britain

In today's podcast we talk about how modern engineering consultancy really can change lives by creating sustainable infrastructure that focuses relentlessly on delivering creative, value-led solutions for the benefit of people, places and planet.I am deliberately quoting from the values page of engineering design firm Buro Happold in honour of the fact that my guest today is Paula Gough, the newly installed UK Development Director for Infrastructure responsible for bringing, as she puts it, “some exciting new thinking into the UK infrastructure market”.It is quite a challenge. Given the scale of infrastructure ambition set out by the Chancellor in last month’s budget and the unbelievably tight financial, social and environmental constraints that come with this ambition for growth, we will need every ounce of new thinking to make it all stack up.But of course, Buro Happold is synonymous for innovative thinking around difficult problems from the moment the extraordinarily gifted engineer Ted Happold left his successful career at Arup in 1976. Legend has it that he headed to the University of Bath to became professor of Architecture and Engineering Design and then found Buro Happold after Arup refused to allow him to start an office in Bath.The firm remains the forward thinking, design and people focused business today. Famous for tackling some the globe’s trickiest engineering projects and for doing so with a focus and attention on driving the absolute best community, environmental and economic outcomesWhich is why Paula’s new role caught my attention. I first interviewed a very young and ambitious Paula Farshim - as she was then - for NCE back in 2007 when she was just starting her glittering career as Hyder Consulting’s graduate of the year. She was certainly bent on creating change back then.So a few decades on and with this new role, how can she help a firm like Buro Happold drill deep into this world of infrastructure to rethink our approach and deliver those vital creative solutions to our global challengesWell let’s find out ResourcesBuro Happold websiteSATRO - about the charityThe Budget - Nov 2024NCE interview - a glittering career (behind paywall)Being a DE&I and Fairness Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Ambassador

It's a powerful episode this week as we talk about housing and in particular what can be done to accelerate construction of the vital homes that are needed to support our society across the UK.Now the need for housing – in particular affordable housing - has become one of THE most pressing social issues of our time. The current New Homes in New Ways project being hosted at the Building Centre in London makes that point abundantly clear – too many people are still living in temporary or substandard accommodation and it’s something that, for a developed nation like the UK, is simply unacceptable.Yet despite widespread acknowledgment of the problem, progress towards change has been slow, and systemic barriers continue to stall meaningful solutions. The Government’s new target of building 1.5 million new homes in the next five years is ambitious and welcome, but it still raises fundamental questions about feasibility, funding, and strategic planning.So what to do? My guest today is Jez Sweetland, founder of the Housing Festival think-tank and a passionate advocate for changing the way we deliver housing in the UK. As he pointed out very powerfully in his opening address to the launch of the New Homes in New Ways, the fact that one in nine children is homeless in the London Borough of Newham is something that should cause us an industry and as a society to bow our heads with shame.Because building affordable homes is doable – YES it requires financial resources and land and YES, it needs innovative thinking, new materials, new techniques and effective collaboration across the huge number of stakeholders that make housing possible. But all of this is available and possible – so why is it so difficult - let’s hear more. ResourcesHousing FestivalBuilding Centre New Homes in New Ways ExhibitionJez Sweetland Launch Speech for New Homes in New WaysPlaybook - Social Rent Housing at Pace - The MMC PlaybookHope Rise – Innovation In PracticeRegister Interest for Summit On Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th February we will host a two-day summit, bringing together local authorities, housing commissioners and the MMC housing supply ecosystem, to mobilise the delivery of social rent homes on small sites. Tickets available soon!