NISTA to join our 'Infrastructure 2026' discussion event

Image: courtesy of NISTA

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Jon Loveday, Director of Infrastructure, Enterprise and Growth at the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), will be contributing to our 'Infrastructure 2026' discussion event which is being held at Grimshaw's London studios.

He is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction and leadership for the delivery of the Government’s critical projects and programmes, for the departments within the Infrastructure, Enterprise and Growth sector that include: BEIS, DIT, FCO, DfID, DfT, MHCLG, DCMS, DEFRA.

Jon leads a team of Project Delivery Advisers within NISTA with deep project delivery and technical expertise who work across departments to support their major projects. This team works with departments to focus the input from NISTA to ensure projects are set up for success and to drive improved project delivery.

He has over 30 year of experience in the infrastructure sector, most recently Jon held the role of Chief Commercial Officer for the Clancy Group.

Jon has pioneered award winning collaborative models across complex global supply chains in water, telecoms and energy. As the Executive Commercial & Transformation Director at Thames Water, Jon developed and led the multi-year alliance strategy across the infrastructure and technology programmes. A Chartered Surveyor, Jon spent the early part of his career delivering major infrastructure projects, before going on to lead major businesses for two of the fastest growing infrastructure PLCs in the UK.

At Future Cities Forum, he will be speaking about the updated infrastructure pipeline, taking a forward look at major infrastructure programmes and projects across the UK over the next 10 years.

The plan covers 734 projects worth £718 billion, and includes work such as new hospitals, schools, railways, reservoirs and clean energy plants. Supporting the 10 year infrastructure strategy also from NISTA, it includes information on public and privately delivered infrastructure programmes and projects in construction, under development or in pre-project stages.

The update is more detailed than before. For the first time, it includes:

• how many workers will be needed: between 629,000 and 706,000 builders and workers every year for the next five years

• what skills those workers will need

• where the workforce will be required: London, the south east of England and the north west of England will have some of the highest workforce demands over the next 5 years

  
  

It also gives investors clearer information about which programmes and projects need private funding. Of the 734 projects, 240 are potential opportunities for private investment, and 40 are already looking for up to £21 billion.

Recently the UK Government announced significant reforms to the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP), which are aimed at ensuring more targeted support from the centre of government for the most nationally significant and highest‑impact UK projects and programmes.

The Government said:

'The reforms will better drive departmental accountability and improve value for money for taxpayers through focused support in priority areas, resulting in better delivery of our vital infrastructure and public services underpinning the government’s growth agenda. 

'In recent years, the GMPP – previously managed through the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and now managed and overseen by NISTA - has expanded significantly, reflecting the growing number of large and complex projects delivered across government.  

'To ensure central oversight remains proportionate and targeted, government is refocusing central support. From 1 April 2026, the size of the GMPP will be reduced from over 200 projects to around 80. 

'A smaller, more focused GMPP will allow NISTA to target expert advice and assurance where it adds most value, strengthening confidence in the delivery of benefits from government investments. 

'Departments and delivery bodies will continue to lead their projects as directed by their ministers, reflecting the function’s deep knowledge of their policy areas and systems. This gives leaders who are working most closely with the project clear ownership of decisions, outcomes and accountability for delivery. 

'NISTA will continue to provide broader support through tools and guidance, deepening its data capabilities and its offer to departments. It will also develop its role earlier in a project, ensuring they are better set up from the outset. 

These changes form part of a wider reform programme to speed up delivery, target specialist expertise where it is needed the most, and strengthen departmental decision‑making.

'In exceptional circumstances, government may add projects or programmes to the GMPP where they are of particular strategic importance - such as those that are very high risk or underpin critical national infrastructure - and where NISTA’s support is expected to improve delivery confidence. 

'Government has also set out for the first time a clear definition of “mega projects”. These are programmes with transformational impacts on the economy, society or national security, with whole-life costs above £10 billion, which typically will take more than 10 years to deliver.

'NISTA remains committed to strengthening the Government Project Delivery Function across the whole system by deepening capability - providing expert advice, targeted training for Senior Responsible Owners, and practical tools and guidance for wider professionals.   

'It will also work closely with departments to better understand how non‑executive roles and the boards of the arm’s‑length bodies that are essential partners in delivering the nation’s infrastructure - particularly across the regulated sectors of energy, water, transport, and housing – can support accountable officers and the overall assurance approach to delivery.   

'NISTA is also deepening its own capability and what we can offer to projects across the GMPP and beyond, ensuring we harness the data we gather to share insights, better predict challenges in advance, and share lessons in real time through improvements in data, analysis and insights. 

'Government investment and commitment to major projects remains a priority, supporting delivery of vital infrastructure and public services and driving economic growth across the UK.'

Image: Jon Loveday of NISTA (courtesy DfT / NISTA)