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 him

Resources
National Infrastructure Commission
Infrastructure and Projects Authority
National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority NISTA
NIC Needs Assessment 2
NIC letter to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 10 year strategy
Banner Review into NSIP judicial reviews
Planning and Infrastructure Bill