NISTA appoints new Director for Market Engagement and 5 new members for its Expert Advisory Council

Image: David Lunn of NISTA - courtesy of the London School of Economics and Political Science

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has announced the appointment of David Lunn as its new Director of Market Engagement.

David heads the Market Engagement Directorate in NISTA. He came to NISTA from the then-Department for Business and Trade, where he was Regulation Director and led work to strengthen the UK’s regulatory framework, supporting business growth.

He has had a distinguished career in the UK civil service spanning nearly 30 years and led the establishment of the UK Infrastructure Bank, serving as a UKIB board member and its first Chief Operating Officer.

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The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, formally launched on 1 April 2025, brings together the functions of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and National Infrastructure Commission, under HM Treasury. NISTA is part of a three-pronged approach to addressing the fundamental constraints to infrastructure investment, sitting alongside the 10-year infrastructure strategy, which sets out a long-term plan for the country’s infrastructure, and the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill to unblock planning constraints.

This week NISTA appointed five new members to its Expert Advisory Council (EAC) to support its work implementing the government’s transformation programme for the UK’s economic and social infrastructure and housing.

The Government has announced the appointment of five leading experts from across infrastructure delivery, finance, energy and service transformation to the Council. They join Julia Prescot CBE, who was appointed as the Chair of the Council in February 2026.

The Council provides independent expert advice and constructive challenge to support NISTA’s work across infrastructure strategic planning, project delivery, private finance and public service transformation. The extensive experience the new members bring from industry, government, and academia will help strengthen the quality, robustness and impact of NISTA’s advice and products.

The newly appointed members are:

• Professor Jim Hall FREng FRS, Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks at the University of Oxford and a leading expert in infrastructure systems, climate resilience and spatial planning.

• Fiona Driscoll, an experienced board Chair and independent director with expertise in governance, assurance, strategy, public service reform and digital transformation.

• Simon Wright OBE, a major infrastructure delivery expert whose experience includes Crossrail, HS2 and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• James Wardlaw, an infrastructure finance specialist with more than 25 years’ experience across government, investment management and global advisory roles.

• Philippa Powell, a clean energy and infrastructure specialist with extensive experience in offshore wind, energy transition and project delivery.

The Expert Advisory Council was established to embed external expertise into infrastructure decision-making and strengthen links between government, industry and investors. It is advisory in nature and does not take decisions or sit within NISTA’s formal governance or assurance structures. Responsibility for decisions and delivery remains with ministers, departments and NISTA leadership.

The new Council members will provide independent challenge and insight on areas including the delivery of projects across economic and social infrastructure, project finance, service transformation, and will also support NISTA’s work on the implementation of the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy and wider project delivery reforms