The Infrastructure
Forum
The Infrastructure Forum bring together the key players in infrastructure, whether investors, operators, contractors, economic regulators or professional advisors. It has become the meeting place for confidential and constructive discussion about ways to promote the development of infrastructure networks in the UK and to broaden the range of options available to policymakers and regulators.
The expertise of its team, the knowledge and experience of its specialised working groups, and its excellent trusted relationships with public authorities and agencies in the UK and internationally all contribute to its effectiveness.
UPCOMING POLICY DISCUSSIONS
SIR JOHN ARMITT
ANNUAL LECTURE
The Infrastructure Forum inaugurated the Annual Sir John Armitt Lecture in January 2025. The Lecture provided an opportunity for Sir John to address significant issues facing the sector and to set out perspectives on the future of UK infrastructure.
Among the points raised were:
-
NISTA's strategy-delivery alignment: Combining the strategic oversight of the NIC with the delivery focus of the IPA is a sensible approach. A stronger emphasis on delivery is critical, while avoiding "knee-jerk" reactions during execution.
-
Massive investment needs: Economic infrastructure requires approximately £2 trillion over the next 25 years, with at least 50% expected from the private sector, alongside another trillion for social infrastructure and housing.
-
Long-term strategy and delivery timelines: Major infrastructure projects typically take 10-15 years to develop and deliver. A rolling 10-year strategy, with only minor adjustments, is critical to maintaining focus and momentum.
-
Spatial and industrial planning: Spatial plans must focus on key areas, supported by an aligned industrial strategy, to maximise the impact of infrastructure investment.
-
Role of private investment: Private investment in infrastructure is not new and remains essential. Public-private collaboration must emphasise a shared "moral responsibility" to deliver resilient, reliable, and affordable infrastructure.
-
Spatial and industrial planning: Spatial plans must focus on key areas, supported by an aligned industrial strategy, to maximise the impact of infrastructure investment.
RECENT
POLICY DISCUSSIONS
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
FRONT END PRODUCTIVITY DESIGN
TIF / ACCENTURE
Productivity in the UK infrastructure and construction sectors has long been a challenge. Progress requires significant investment, whether in capital or labour, and investment demands certainty, which has not been present throughout the sector for many years.
Ongoing difficulties with the HS2 project have further damaged the government's credibility as a guarantor of such certainty. This raises a question: How can we incentivise investment and ensure productivity gains in an environment where certainty is elusive?
To answer this, The Infrastructure Forum, in collaboration with Accenture, have developed a new approach, known as Front-End Productivity Design (FEPD). It proposes integrating commercial and engineering designs to provide a comprehensive framework for managing risks, optimising costs, and enhancing stakeholder confidence.
In particular, it learns from two successful examples of infrastructure delivery and innovation: The Thames Tideway Tunnel and the UK government's fibre rollout programme
