Talking Global Infrastructure

In this episode of Talking Global Infrastructure, Vlad Benn, our Policy and Research Manager, is joined by Andrew Jay, Head of Data Centre Solutions at CBRE, and Andrew Tobin, Director and Head of Data Centres at Turner & Townsend, to explore the forces shaping the future of data centre investment.

They delve into the rapid growth driven by AI and cloud adoption,  along with the complex challenges of securing reliable power, navigating planning hurdles, and addressing sustainability targets. Drawing on frontline experience, our guests unpack the key demand drivers, the impact of supply chain constraints, and the opportunities emerging from innovative technologies and energy solutions.

With investment flows into data centres topping $60bn during the first half of 2025, the conversation also examines how changing capital dynamics and evolving market structures are influencing the sector’s trajectory. From the rise of neo-cloud companies offering GPU-as-a-service to the ongoing waves of cloud adoption, you can hear which trends are truly bankable and built to last.

In this episode of Talking Global Infrastructure, our chief executive Jon Phillips and Eleanor Mack, a director at strategic regulatory advisor Fingleton, explore what the biggest shake-up of UK water regulation in over 30 years means for investors, companies, and consumers.

Sitting down with Simon Montague, GIIA’s director of corporate affairs, they dive into both the recommendations of Sir John Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission, and the policy framework set out in Government’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy. Together the two reports have the potential to attract billions in private capital, restore public confidence, and make the UK a more competitive destination for global investment.

With regulatory reform, political stability, and consumer expectations all in the spotlight, Jon and Eleanor share expert insights on these big steps forward, the challenges still to come, and what this all means for the future of private investment in UK infrastructure.

In our latest episode of Talking Global Infrastructure, Harvey Chandler, Head of Policy & Public Affairs at GIIA, joins Nick Melas, Vice President at Crestview Strategy, to discuss the implications of Australia’s recent federal election for the infrastructure landscape.

Together they examine the shifting political environment and what the election results mean for private investment, highlighting the roles of key ministers and the potential impact on infrastructure policy and funding moving forward.

You can listen to the full discussion here.

In this episode of Talking Global Infrastructure, Claire McWatt from the Global Infrastructure Investor Association is joined by Dan Moulton, Partner at Crestview Strategy, for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of infrastructure in Canada following the recent federal election.

They unpack the political landscape and what the results mean for private capital, including insights on the emerging roles of key Ministers, and the potential influence of Mark Carney’s first foray to Canadian public office.

With a focus on national priorities, Claire and Dan explore sector-specific developments across airports, ports, digital infrastructure, and energy transmission, and assess how shifting federal attitudes might affect the pipeline of P3 projects.

Tune in for practical insights on navigating provincial dynamics, evolving federal policies, and the delicate balance Canada must strike between attracting foreign capital and protecting critical infrastructure.

This is the first in a two-part series on major elections in Canada and Australia, featuring insights from on the ground with GIIA members, Crestview Strategy. Look out for Part 2 in June.

In this episode of Talking Global Infrastructure, Simon Montague, Director of Corporate Affairs at GIIA, is joined by colleagues Jon Phillips, Chief Executive, and David Quam, Senior US Advisor, to explore how private investment can help bridge America’s infrastructure funding gap.

They set the scene for a GIIA Symposium that’s open to infrastructure investors and public stakeholders, to be held in Washington D.C. on May 14, during Infrastructure Week.  Please register here.

They also discuss prospects for reauthorising the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and what the recent Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers says about the condition of infrastructure across the country.

Tune in for expert analysis on leveraging Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, streamlining permitting reforms, and mobilising public–private partnerships to modernise airports, roads, bridges, and energy networks.

In this episode of Talking Global Infrastructure, we explore the multifaceted world of sustainability and ESG. Vlad Benn, GIIA’s Policy and Research Manager, is joined by Natalie Sinha, Head of Sustainability for UBS Asset Management’s Infrastructure Investments platform. Together, they discuss the current state of ESG, opportunities for investors, its integration into asset management, and the challenges posed by greenwashing, regulatory complexity, and political pushback.

Whether you're an infrastructure investor, policy advocate, or sustainability enthusiast, this discussion provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of ESG and examines how it’s shaping sustainable investment and influencing the future of global infrastructure.

Political shifts, market challenges, and sector opportunities—what do investors think about the future of global infrastructure?

In this episode of Talking Global Infrastructure, we discuss the findings from our Q4 2024 Pulse Survey, reflecting on the key trends that have shaped infrastructure investment throughout 2024 and exploring the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for investors in 2025.

GIIA's Simon Montague is joined by experts from Alvarez & Marsal: Wayne Jephson, based in London, Jay Moody based in the U.S., and Craig Forrest, lead for Europe to delve into the survey's key insights. They highlight post-election optimism in the U.S., driven by reduced regulation and energy dominance, alongside challenges for renewable energy; Europe's political uncertainty, which weighs on investor sentiment, despite resilience in sustainable energy and data centres; and the UK’s lagging investor confidence, where unattractive regulation in the water and fiber sectors remains a barrier, even as the new Labour government prioritises private investment.

In Episode 26, GIIA's chief executive, Jon Phillips, explores the promising investment landscape in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, driven by a US $1.7 trillion annual infrastructure gap. Recorded following GIIA's member conference in Singapore, this episode features insights from Deepali Bahl, Managing Director at Augment Infrastructure; Gerald Licnachan, a Partner at CMS based in Singapore; and Kristy Duane, Co-Head of Infrastructure at CMS.

The conversation covers APAC’s rapid urbanisation, a growing middle class, and favourable policies for foreign investment, positioning the region for substantial infrastructure expansion. Key growth areas highlighted include digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and mid-market investments, with local expertise essential for navigating regulatory diversity and seizing market opportunities.

In this episode, we provide a comprehensive look at how AI is reshaping the infrastructure sector and where investors might find the most promising opportunities.

Delving into the impacts of AI on data centres, particularly in terms of energy consumption, regulatory hurdles, and the high costs involved, we explore the broader digital infrastructure essential for supporting AI's growth, emerging technologies and the trends that are likely to drive future investments in this field.

Guests Alexandre Villela from Digital Bridge and Brian Burns from PwC join host Nick, Elliott, GIIA's UK Policy & Public Affairs Manager, to provide an insight into the concept of AI as a new form of infrastructure, underscoring its increasing significance in the investment landscape.

In a unique episode of Talking Global Infrastructure, GIIA’s Senior Communications Manager Claire McWatt interviews Niall Mills, Managing Partner and Global Head of Igneo Infrastructure Partners. Igneo, a subsidiary of First Sentier Investors, manages over $18.8 billion in infrastructure assets across 200 clients.

Niall shares his journey from civil engineering to infrastructure investment, highlighting his extensive background and passion for the field. He values the significance of learning, mentorship, and long-term career planning in the infrastructure sector, emphasising how these elements contribute to a successful and fulfilling career.

Discussing Igneo's commitment to sustainability, Niall highlights the importance of creating long-term value for communities and the environment, delivering promised returns to investors, and underscoring the need for transparent communication with pension fund members, ensuring they understand the investments and their positive impacts.

He shares examples of successful projects, such as the world's largest battery-powered ferry and the reintroduction of Iberian wolves in Portugal and looks ahead to future investments in next-generation carbon production.