Episodes

  • Making the Delivery Partner Work: Trust, Incentives, and Risk

    Making the Delivery Partner Work: Trust, Incentives, and Risk
    Dec 9 2025

    In this episode of the Major Projects Association podcast, Executive Director Andy Murray is joined by Lisa Kelvey, Global Head of Infrastructure at KPMG, and Joe Manning, Partner in KPMG’s Major Projects practice, to unpack the rapid rise of the delivery partner and what it means for the future of major project execution. Building on insights from our recent, oversubscribed Manchester seminar, the discussion explores why organisations are increasingly turning to delivery partners to bridge capability gaps, manage complexity, and bring specialist leadership at critical moments in the project lifecycle.

    Drawing on global market trends, UK case studies, and their own programme experience, Lisa and Joe delve into what separates effective delivery partnerships from those that simply add layers of resource. They explore what it takes to set up a delivery partner model well, both on the client side and across the programme, and how capability needs to evolve as projects move through different phases. The conversation also tackles the realities of making these arrangements work day to day, including the commercial and relationship dynamics that can make or break performance.

    And as part of our new podcast feature, the episode ends with a track chosen by our guests - an energising nod to what effective collaboration can enable, and a musical send-off to match the ambition of the conversation.

    Links

    Highlights report of the Rise of the delivery partner seminar

    Lisa Kelvey, Global Head of Infrastructure, KPMG

    Lisa is KPMG’s Global Head of Infrastructure and leads KPMG UK’s Major Projects Advisory practice. A Chartered Civil Engineer with over 25 years’ experience of delivering major projects in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Americas, Lisa provides insight and leading international practice on the planning, procurement and delivery of major infrastructure projects as well as embedding sustainability considerations throughout the asset lifecycle. She provides strategic advice to Project Leaders and Sponsors using her practical, people-focussed approach, backed up with strong technical knowledge to solve the most complex programme challenges.

    Lisa is a recognised industry expert who regularly presents on best practice at industry seminars for both the Major Projects Association and the Association for Project Management and is the KPMG senior sponsor for our initiative with the World Economic Forum and Davos Baukultur Alliance, developing leading international practice Alliance on liveable cities.

    Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn.

    Joe Manning, Partner, Major Projects Advisory, KPMG

    Joe is KPMG Partner in Major Projects Advisory, specialising in strategic and leadership advice for asset owners and major infrastructure programmes.

    His background spans regulated and non-regulated sectors, including transport, power, water, and social infrastructure. He is driven by a passion for improving economic outcomes through greater certainty in infrastructure delivery.

    With over a decade at KPMG and prior experience delivering infrastructure projects for a leading Tier 1 contractor, Joe brings a unique blend of advisory skills and practical project delivery expertise to provide data-driven leadership and solutions.

    Proud husband, father of three, and lover of the outdoors.

    Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
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    43 mins
  • Still Our Responsibility: Embedding CLOCS and Safer Logistics Into Major Projects

    Still Our Responsibility: Embedding CLOCS and Safer Logistics Into Major Projects
    Nov 17 2025
    In this special edition of the Major Projects Association podcast, we’re turning our attention to an issue that sits at the core of every major project yet is too often overlooked beyond the site gates: the risk management of our construction logistics operations on public roads. As today’s guest, Kate Cairns, starkly reminds us, “We’re killing four times as many people off site every year as we are on site — what are we doing about this?” It’s a powerful challenge to an industry that has made huge strides in on-site safety, yet still treats off-site risk as something separate, accidental, or unavoidable. Kate is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Sustainability Consultant, and the instigator of the CLOCS standard. Her work has reshaped how the sector understands responsibility, accountability, and the need to manage risk systematically throughout the entire logistics chain. Her advocacy, rooted in profound personal tragedy, has driven a decade of change in how construction vehicles, planning processes, and project teams interact with the communities around them. She is now a CLOCS Advisor, Ambassador and Trainer. In this episode, host Myrna Rickards, Website Content and Communications Manager at the Major Projects Association, speaks with Kate about why off-site risk must be managed with the same rigour, data, and culture we apply on site. They explore the evolution of the CLOCS standard, why language like “accident” undermines real risk recognition, and how early decisions in planning, procurement, and design can eliminate or reduce hazards long before a vehicle turns a wheel. Links CLOCS CLOCS Standard An Introduction to CLPs Guidance for Planners ICE Guidance for Designers Planning for Construction Safety report Blog: Building Safer Cities: How CLOCS Is Reducing Construction-related Road Risk | Major Projects Association Kate Cairns BEng (Hons) MSc DIC CEng CEnv FICE CLOCS Speaker, Trainer, Ambassador Kate is a multi-award-winning agent of change, Chartered Civil Engineer, Chartered Environmentalist, and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). Following a personal tragedy Kate campaigned for over a decade to inspire and collaborate with an enormous range of (sometimes reluctant) stakeholders resulting in change to legislation, policy and standards at local, national and European level to make our streets safer for active travelers. She has led the instigation and evolution of a ‘world-first’ industry standard (CLOCS), to reduce the risk of construction vehicles, the biggest deterrent to cyclists. Kate has embedded CLOCS into Local Authority policy both as a Councillor and now through delivery of the CLOCS Training. Kate has led strategy and standards with the Institution of Civil Engineers creating a world-first standard in sustainability for infrastructure; chairing the Fairness Inclusion & Respect Committee producing a range of best practice; serving on the nomination committee and Council. As a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Durham University she lectured on Embedding Sustainability and Inclusion into Engineering. As well as CLOCS Ambassador and Trainer, Kate is a professional speaker, advisor and consultant helping clients realise the business synergies of sustainability, safety and inclusivity. She advises on major projects across the UK and Europe. Kate has featured on national TV, radio, broadsheets, and in trade press and podcasts. Connect with Kate on LinkedIn. Myrna Rickards Website, Content & Communications Manager, Major Projects Association Myrna is responsible for maintaining and developing the Major Projects Association’s website, managing the member newsletters, commissioning, editing and publishing blogs and podcasts, and overseeing the knowledge repository. Her work ensures that insights, learning and resources are well-curated, accessible and valuable across the major projects community. She also serves as Secretary to the Studies & Knowledge Committee, which helps shape the Association’s research and knowledge programme. The Committee brings together perspectives from across sectors to examine themes that influence the initiation and delivery of major projects, ensuring the work reflects the breadth and diversity of our membership. Myrna joined the Association in June 2023 and brings over 20 years of combined experience in digital marketing, content development and website management across publishing, education and small business. She has founded and run two successful businesses, built and managed multiple websites, and mentored small business owners on digital strategy and growth. She is also a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Connect with Myrna on LinkedIn.
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    26 mins
  • The Procurement Act 2023: What It Means for Major Projects

    The Procurement Act 2023: What It Means for Major Projects
    Nov 14 2025
    In this episode of the Major Projects Association podcast, host Nicky Wright, Partner at Gardiner & Theobald, is joined by Kate Gough and Rob Colvin of Freshfields to unpack the Procurement Act 2023, the most significant reform of the UK’s public procurement regime in a generation. Together, they explore the motivations behind the new Act, including the desire to simplify a complex EU-derived system and harness the UK’s £341 billion in annual public procurement spending to deliver better outcomes for taxpayers. From contract performance and transparency requirements to expanded exclusion and debarment rules, the discussion highlights how the Act reshapes the relationship between contracting authorities and suppliers. The conversation delves into the introduction of Key Performance Indicators for high-value contracts, the creation of a national debarment list, and the greater scrutiny and accountability now built into the procurement process. Kate and Rob also discuss the practical implications for bidders, from understanding new grounds for exclusion, to navigating direct awards and bid challenges under a redefined legal landscape. Looking ahead, the conversation turns to how future consultations may extend these reforms, especially around prompt payment provisions and defence procurement, reflecting the UK’s growing emphasis on value, agility, and national security in public contracts. As Nicky notes, success under the new regime depends on preparation: understanding the rules, investing in compliance, and building capability well before the next tender hits your desk. This is essential listening for anyone involved in bidding, delivering, or governing public contracts under the new procurement framework. Links Accompanying blogs: The Procurement Act 2023: A New Regime for Exclusion and Debarment The Procurement Act 2023: An Updated Regime for Direct Awards Trends in major project procurement event information, Highlights Report and Full Report Kate Gough Kate is a partner in the Global Projects Disputes Practice and head of the UK public procurement team at Freshfields. She specialises in complex contentious and non-contentious public procurement, construction and infrastructure matters. She has significant experience of advising public and private sector clients on all elements of public procurement law and policy, including designing, implementing, participating in and challenging public tender processes. She has a Master's degree in public procurement law and policy and is on the Board of and a frequent contributor to the Public Procurement Law Review. ‘Kate is brilliantly insightful and able to explain legislative changes in a concise way.’ Chambers UK 2026 Connect with Kate on LinkedIn. Robert Colvin Robert is a Senior Associate and Solicitor-Advocate in the global projects and public procurement practices at Freshfields. He advises clients on a range of public procurement mandates and acts for clients in all forms of dispute resolution with a focus on the defence, technology, construction, engineering, infrastructure and energy sectors. Robert also sits as an arbitral tribunal secretary and is a CEDR Accredited Mediator. He regularly publishes thought leadership pieces, including in the Construction Law Journal and with the Society of Construction Law. Connect with Robert on LinkedIn. Nicky Wright Nicky Wright is a Partner at Gardiner & Theobald LLP focusing on creating and driving supplier resilience across Major Projects. She has worked across both public and private infrastructure covering many sectors across the built environment. She works with clients to ensure that the capability, capacity and appetite of suppliers are actively considered throughout the commercial lifecycle. She aims to implement a market led approach by utilising the expertise of UK suppliers and trade associations to drive appropriate commercial strategies. She is also a Board Member of the British Aviation Group. She has a Masters in Civil & Environmental Engineering, and a MSc in Construction Economics from the Bartlett School at UCL having researched Modern Slavery within the construction industry. Connect with Nicky on LinkedIn.
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    39 mins
  • Gaining Value Through Project Closure: Making the End Matter

    Gaining Value Through Project Closure: Making the End Matter
    Oct 28 2025

    In this episode of the Major Projects Association podcast, Executive Director Andy Murray is joined by Mark Sutton, Elections Programme Manager at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to explore one of the most overlooked stages of the project lifecycle: closure.

    Building on insights from the Association’s recent seminar ‘Enhancing value through project closure’, Andy and Mark discuss how effective closure planning can turn the end of a project into a moment of value creation rather than decline. Drawing on real experience from the government’s electoral integrity programme, Mark shares how early preparation, structured learning, and clear communication helped his team navigate scrutiny, uncertainty, and transition.

    Together, they examine the importance of acting early, looking after team wellbeing through periods of change, and recognising the different leadership styles needed to finish strong. From government programmes to major infrastructure, this conversation reveals how disciplined closure, underpinned by learning, legacy, and leadership, can make the difference between simply ending a project and truly completing it.

    As Mark reminds us, successful closure isn’t about winding down; it’s about finishing well and setting the stage for future success.

    Links Enhancing value through project closure seminar information and Highlights report No more Heroes report

    Mark Sutton Elections Programme Manager, Directorate Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

    Mark Sutton stepped up from Head of Programme Management Office to programme manage the Electoral Integrity Programme from June 2023 until its closure in Spring 2025. He had oversight of the first instance in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of closing a Government Major Projects Portfolio initiative.

    Starting as a member of multi-disciplinary Royal Mail project teams in the 1980s, he has led increasingly complex and high-value projects and programmes at Royal Mail and subsequent employer and client organisations.

    As an ex-professional trainer and ex-consultant, he is passionate about using only proportionate P3M to manage change activity, and develop project delivery professionals who will go on to make project delivery professionals of others. He has developed project, programme, portfolio and change management frameworks and developed centres of excellence to enable organisations to improve their approach to change delivery.

    Mark is a Chartered Project Professional, and has achieved Government project delivery profession practitioner-level accreditation. He has conducted medium risk Gate reviews on behalf of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

    Mark led a local community school-place campaign programme, and in 2013 co-founded the first secondary school in his district for 35 years. To date this has been the single most rewarding application of his change management experience.

    Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.
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    40 mins
  • From transactional to transformational: Building better relationships in major projects

    From transactional to transformational: Building better relationships in major projects
    Oct 14 2025

    In this episode of the Major Projects Association podcast, Executive Director Andy Murray is joined by David Whitmore, Director at MIGSO-PCUBED, to explore the critical role of business-to-business relationships in the delivery of complex major projects.

    Drawing on the new research paper ‘Managing strategic relationships in inter-organisational projects', a collaboration between MIGSO-PCUBED and University College London, Andy and David delve into what makes these relationships succeed or fail. They unpack the key distinction between transactional and strategic relationships, why neither should be viewed as inherently adversarial or collaborative, and how leaders can consciously choose and manage the right model for their context.

    From insights into exemplary programmes such as East West Rail, Sellafield’s Programme and Project Partners, and the Anglian Water's @One Alliance, to practical lessons for those implementing delivery partner models, this conversation highlights how effective relationship management can make or break project outcomes.

    As David notes, successful major projects don’t just rely on sound contracts or strong governance, they depend on leaders who understand, nurture, and strategically manage the web of relationships that underpin delivery. This is a must-listen for anyone involved in shaping, leading, or partnering on major programmes.

    Links Managing Strategic Relationships In Inter-organisational Projects

    No More Heroes report

    MIGSO-PCUBED’s RelationSHAPE

    The rise of the delivery partner

    David Whitmore Director

    David is a project & programme management practitioner with a unique mix of safety critical design, procurement and safety case expertise. He has a proven track record of transforming organisations and leading teams of people engaged in delivering complex, high technology projects.

    Prior to joining MIGSO-PCUBED and following 7 years in the high voltage power transmission industry, David held director level positions with Rolls-Royce, Horizon Nuclear Power and Atkins working on nuclear major projects including design, manufacture, construction and in-service support projects. He led the project and programme management function for Rolls-Royce’s Submarines business and introduced innovative collaborative working arrangements with client organisations and supply chain companies. In Atkins David led the nuclear engineering function including a secondment to Horizon Nuclear Power as Engineering Director before being appointed as the Major Projects Director for the Atkins Nuclear business.

    In MIGSO-PCUBED he is a Strategic Advisor to the CEO. He is developing new thinking for the delivery of major projects in the UK context and he has published a number of academic papers on the transformation of major project delivery. In 2020 he was seconded into Veolia Nuclear Solutions to lead the recovery of the Fukushima inspection programme.

    If you would like to know more about the research discussed in the podcast or would like to get involved, please email david.whitmore@migso-pcubed.com.
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    45 mins
  • Green means go: Embedding sustainability into major projects right from the start

    Green means go: Embedding sustainability into major projects right from the start
    Aug 13 2025
    In this special edition of the Major Projects Association podcast, we're diving deep into the intersection of sustainability, planning, and major infrastructure projects. Our guest host for this episode is Janet Greenwood, Global Lead for Sustainable Infrastructure at KPMG and Chair of the Major Projects Association Sustainability Ambassador Network. Janet is joined by two leading experts from the legal and planning world: Imogen Dewar, Senior Associate in the Planning and Environment team at Pinsent Masons, and Robbie Owen, Partner and Head of Infrastructure Planning and Government Affairs at Pinsent Masons. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of planning and consents for major projects, the impact of new legislation and case law, and the critical importance of embedding sustainability from the very start of project development. From biodiversity net gain to the implications of the Finch case on environmental impact assessment, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of infrastructure planning, consenting and delivery in a changing world. Resources mentioned in the podcast No Planet B, so what can I do? Major Projects Sustainability Playbook Related resources Building Green Britain Highlights Report and Full Report Major Projects Sustainability Playbook presentation Janet Greenwood Global Lead for Sustainable Infrastructure, KPMG Janet Greenwood is KPMG’s Global Lead for Sustainable Infrastructure. In 2024 Janet won The Times Consultant of the Year and Management Consultancies Association Experienced Leader Award. She is Chair of the Major Projects Associations Sustainability Ambassadors, a member of the Institution of Civil Engineer’s Inspiring Engineering Excellence Board and founder member of the Cambridge University Centre for Smart Infrastructure in Construction’s Carbon Code. A Visiting Fellow at Southampton University Business School, a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and a Policy Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, she has extensive experience in delivering sustainability, social value and carbon priorities in major construction projects and supporting built environment clients to deliver their most challenging programmes. She has over 30 years’ experience in the built environment, having worked across sectors such as water, wastewater, flood defence and transport. Connect with Janet on LinkedIn. Robbie Owen Partner and Parliamentary Agent, Head of Infrastructure Planning and Government Affairs, Pinsent Masons LLP Robbie has over 35 years' experience of advising mainly transport and water undertakers and authorities on the planning and consenting of a wide variety of infrastructure projects in the UK, and on infrastructure public policy and parliamentary issues. Robbie is widely regarded as one of the top infrastructure planning and policy lawyers in the UK market. He gives advice on a wide range of planning, highways, environmental and other aspects of public and administrative law. Connect with Robbie on LinkedIn. Imogen Dewar Senior Associate, Pinsent Masons LLP
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    36 mins
  • Successful Relationships Deliver Successful Projects

    Successful Relationships Deliver Successful Projects
    Nov 26 2024

    This episode delves into the critical role that business-to-business relationships play in the success of major projects. Drawing on insights from our seminar Do we have the Capability we need for the new types of Major Projects in the pipeline? and MIGSO-PCUBED's recent research, conducted in partnership with UCL, on the importance of business-to-business relationships, we explore whether we possess the necessary skills and collaboration to tackle the ambitious projects of today and the future.

    Joining Andy Murray, Executive Director of the Major Projects Association, is David Whitmore, Managing Consultant at MIGSO-PCUBED. They discuss the findings from MIGSO-PCUBED's and UCL's joint research. Their discussion covers the importance of collaboration and relationships in project delivery and the key factors that influence project success. They look into how strategic and transactional relationships impact project outcomes, the challenges of aligning contracts with desired relationships, and the importance of measuring and managing these relationships effectively.

    ********

    Links

    MIGSO-PCUBED's RelationSHAPE

    No More Heroes report

    Do we have the Capability we need for the new types of Major Projects in the pipeline? Highlights report

    McKinsey's Beyond Performance 2.0: A Proven Approach to Leading Large-Scale Change

    David Whitmore Strategic Advisor

    David is a project & programme management practitioner with a unique mix of safety critical design, procurement and safety case expertise. He has a proven track record of transforming organisations and leading teams of people engaged in delivering complex, high technology projects.

    Prior to joining MIGSO-PCUBED and following 7 years in the high voltage power transmission industry, David held director level positions with Rolls-Royce, Horizon Nuclear Power and Atkins working on nuclear major projects including design, manufacture, construction and in-service support projects. He led the project and programme management function for Rolls-Royce’s Submarines business and introduced innovative collaborative working arrangements with client organisations and supply chain companies. In Atkins David led the nuclear engineering function including a secondment to Horizon Nuclear Power as Engineering Director before being appointed as the Major Projects Director for the Atkins Nuclear business.

    In MIGSO-PCUBED he is a Strategic Advisor to the CEO. He is developing new thinking for the delivery of major projects in the UK context and he has published a number of academic papers on the transformation of major project delivery. In 2020 he was seconded into Veolia Nuclear Solutions to lead the recovery of the Fukushima inspection programme.

    If you would like to know more about the research discussed in the podcast or would like to get involved, please email david.whitmore@migso-pcubed.com.
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    44 mins
  • ChatGPT and major projects: what are the latest developments?

    ChatGPT and major projects: what are the latest developments?
    Oct 1 2024
    In this episode, we are delighted to have Lawrence Rowland join us again, one year on from the first What can ChatGPT do for major projects? episode. Lawrence, a project data/AI specialist, talks to Andy Murray, Executive Director of the Major Projects Association, to revisit their discussion from a year ago and explore the advancements in AI technology, particularly focusing on OpenAI’s latest models. Lawrence has been actively experimenting with AI and shares his insights and practical examples of using AI to enhance project management processes. Lawrence and Andy also discuss the potential future impact of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and artificial superintelligence (ASI) on the industry. This is the third in our series of podcasts on AI leading up to our Annual Conference AI is the answer. Now what’s the question? in October. ******* Links A selection of Lawrence's LinkedIn posts: Project execution strategy and testing the research results Consulting many documents: Tactic one is RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) with ai assistants (or in custom GPT); Tactic two is in context learning (the conference example) Two GPTs talk to each other, one with Strategy documents, the other with Kindle clippings GPT agents perform roles on the UK rail reform project (post 7 is here, including links to all earlier posts). And here they are talking in a meeting to each other How to use multiple custom GPTs as proto agents The first type of agent that can go away and think for you and message you later is now possible with o1, once they allow it to think for arbitrary amounts of time The second type of agent (Replit agent builds a decision app based on ontology) A Manifesto for running projects with AI in 2024 Manifesto (full) AI in the Knowledge Economy paper Claude artefact (apps) you can create in Sonnet 3.5 John Schulman on AGI and ASI (YouTube) About Ceefax: Ceefax demo Ceefax: What life was like before the internet (BBC) Paying tribute to Ceefax (BBC) Lawrence Rowland Lawrence began as an engineer on large capital projects with WSP and Motts, and moving onto Bechtel and Booz Allen. He spent ten years in project and portfolio management with CPC and Pcubed, before transitioning to data analytics and AI for projects, working originally for Projecting Success. He now helps project services firms find relevant immediate AI applications for their business. Follow him for daily posts on how to get started on LinkedIn or write to him at lawrence.rowland@reactai.com.
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    1 hr and 12 mins