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 outcomes

To 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 website
Transforming Infrastructure Performance - Route to 2030
NAO London 2012: post-Games review
HS2 - the route

Guest: Richard Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, UK & Europe, Atkins

In 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 Association
Crossrail 2
ICE Fellowship routes
Major Projects Association annual conference highlights - escaping the echo chamber
UCL Bartlett School of Planning

Guest: Nick Smallwood, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure and Projects Authority

In 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. 

The Infrastructure Podcast – well no prizes for guessing what that’s about! 

Infrastructure journalist and commentator Antony Oliver will host this new weekly series of conversations with key leaders and influencers from across the vast UK infrastructure sector.

We go live from 20th February 2023.  The aim is to give every infrastructure and built environment professional a few insights into the people behind the sector’s most interesting projects, businesses and organisations. Each short conversation will catch a glimpse of the work that they are doing, what drives their decisions and find out a bit more about what makes them tick.

Subscribe to The Infrastructure Podcast on your favourite podcast provider. It will certainly be fun, and should also inspire positive change and learning across the industry as we shed light on the challenges and highlight the opportunities.

The Infrastructure Podcast - www.infrastructure-podcast.com – the Infrastructure conversations creating change.