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The Infrastructure Forum

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.

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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.

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UPCOMING POLICY DISCUSSIONS

Spending Review & 10-year Infrastructure Strategy

Ceri Smith, Director-General at the Office for Investment & David Lunn, Director of Corporate Finance at HM Treasury

16 Smith Square, Kings Buildings, SW1P 3HQ

 

​​​Wednesday 18 June 2025

The government’s  Spending Review will have important consequences for  the infrastructure sector and for investment. Following the spending announcements and the government’s 10 year infrastructure strategy, the Forum will be joined by senior officials from HM Treasury and the Department for Business to explore the consequences for the sector. 

 

David Lunn, Director of Corporate Finance at HM Treasury, has led work on the 10-year infrastructure strategy in HM Treasury’s Enterprise and Growth Unit. He was previously seconded to the UK Infrastructure Bank and his work has included the role of private finance in infrastructure development.

 

Ceri Smith is Director General, Office for Investment at the Department for Business and Trade. The Director General for Investment is the Chief Executive of the Office for Investment, a joint unit reporting to the Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury and Number 10 Downing Street.

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.

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Among the points raised were: 

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  • 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.​​​

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RECENT
POLICY DISCUSSIONS

The UK Regulation Summit

 

British Academy

10-11 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5AH

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Wednesday 30 April 2024

0945 until 1630

The 2025 gathering will feature a remarkable assembly of talent and include:

 

  • Professor Julia Black CBE PBA, Warden of Nuffield College Oxford and President of the British Academy

  • Doug Gurr, Interim Chair, Competition and Markets Authority

  • Mark McAllister, Chair of Ofgem 

  • Iain Coucher, Chair of Ofwat 

  • Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE, Chair of Ofcom

  • Sir Stephen Hillier GCB, CBE, DFC, Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority

  • Olivier Guersent, Director-General of Competition in the European Commission

  • Gareth Davies CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business and Trade

 

Sir Alex Chisholm KCB, UK Chair of EDF will chair the Summit.   

LATEST PUBLICATIONS

Image by Neelkamal Deka

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. 

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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

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Kings Buildings, 16 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HQ, United Kingdom

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+44 (0) 203 174 3197

© The Infrastructure Forum
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