In today' podcast we are focusing on the UK’s new nuclear power ambitions and specifically, exploring the Sizewell C project.

As I said a few weeks ago on the podcast, it’s perhaps one of the most significant moments for the UK’s nuclear industry in over a generation.

Last month, the government announced a multi-billion investment to drive forward this ambition with £14.2 billion committed to accelerate construction of the Sizewell C project. Alongside this comes backing for Small Modular Reactors and investment in fusion research - all part of a landmark commitment to clean energy, jobs, and long-term energy security.

So the message is clear: this is the start of what the government calls a "golden age of nuclear." Discuss.

Well Sizewell C certainly sits at the heart of this new ambition - a twin-reactor power station on the Suffolk coast - a carbon copy of the Hinkley Point C reactor now under construction in Somerset – sitting alongside the Sizewell B station which was, of course, intended as the start of the last nuclear golden age 30 years ago.

When operational in the mid 2030s, Sizewell C will power six million homes with low-carbon energy for the next 60 plus years as the UK’s first fully British-owned nuclear project in decades – and apparently a keystone in delivering both net zero energy and national resilience.

But ambition is just the beginning of course. Turning that vision into reality will mean overcoming a long list of challenges — from regulatory hurdles and construction risk, to workforce capacity and public trust.

Joining me today to unpack all of this is Julia Pyke, Managing Director of the Sizewell C project. Lot’s to talk about when it comes to identifying what the government’s investment really means in practice and how Sizewell C fits into the wider nuclear revival.

And of course, what it will take to deliver this project on time, on budget. So let’s crack on…

Resources

• Sizewell C project website
• Government press release on Sizewell C
• Hinkley Point C website
• Great British Energy - Nuclear
• Nuclear Industry Association release on nuclear investment
• The Stewart Review: The HS2 Experience

Today’s podcast takes a deep dive into High Speed 2 via the recently published Stewart Review, a detailed piece of work which attempts to help government to learn lessons and take stock from this much discussed project.

And I’m pleased to say that to help me with this task today I am joined by the report’s author, James Stewart, long-standing infrastructure finance and delivery expert who I know will guide us first hand through his report.

A bit of background. As we know, the HS2 project was conceived as a once-in-a-generation investment in the UK’s rail infrastructure — a high-speed line that would transform north-south connectivity, unlock capacity across the network, and drive long-term economic growth.

But more than a decade on, the vision has been dramatically curtailed, costs have escalated, and delivery timelines continue to slip.

Following James’ report, government has now confirmed that completion will stretch beyond 2033, and that costs will be significantly higher than anticipated. All of which means hard questions must be asked — not just about what went wrong, but how we do things differently next time.

James’ Stewart Review offers a forensic assessment of HS2’s delivery challenges, with a particular focus on governance, assurance, capability, and the wider system in which such projects are planned and delivered.

The comprehensive report highlights what really went wrong, what needs to change, and, crucially, how the UK can rebuild trust in its ability to deliver major projects.

Lots to discuss so let’s get stuck in...

Resources

• The Stewart Review: The HS2 Experience
• Mark Wild's CEO first 100 days review of HS2
• HS2 website
• Agile Infrastructure Partners
• The 10 year Infrastructure Strategy
• The Industrial Strategy

In today’s episode we will focus on the state of public infrastructure in the United States of America.

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers releases what’s been called “the nation’s most important report you’ve probably never heard of” - the Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.

Using a simple A–F grading scale, it assesses the state of everything from roads, bridges, and railways to water systems, schools, broadband, and energy grids.

And this year’s Report Card gives U.S. infrastructure an overall grade of C highlighting a mix of hard-won progress - and mounting risk.

So what does that actually mean on the ground Well to help us break it all down, I’m joined by Tom Smith, Executive Director of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and one of the country’s most respected voices on infrastructure strategy, resilience, and investment.

Tom gives a great insight into why this year’s report card matters, what it reveals about how we build and maintain critical systems, and what it’ll take to move from crisis response to long-term planning.

And in particular explains what it means for everyday Americans.

Resources

• ASCE Report Card 2025
• ASCE website
• ASCE "Cities of the Future" film
• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
• Bentley Systems' Transforming Infrastructure Performance New York summit
• Renewable Natural Resources Foundation
• ICE State of the Nation report card

In today's podcast we’re going to explore the UK government's latest announcement to invest vast sums of public cash in the nuclear industry.

The latest spending review included £14.2bn to kickstart the Sizewell C plant and £2.5bn to underpin ongoing research into fusion technology. But crucially, it also outlined plans to pump £2.5bn into Small Modular Reactor development – something that I think is perhaps one of the most ambitious – and transformational announcements in the UK’s energy history.

And it’s this announcement that I really want to focus on today.

But it is also clear that after decades of hesitation, the UK government – through it’s public energy business Great British Nuclear part of GB Energy - has committed to a bold new era of nuclear power, And its backing it with public cash.

So what does this actually mean in practice?

• What is an SMR – and why is the government betting on them to power millions of homes and secure the nation’s energy future?
• How do these small, factory-built reactors compare to the large-scale nuclear power plants like Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C?
• And critically – can we really deliver this bold vision on time, on budget, and with the skilled workforce we need?

Well to unpack all of this – and help make sense of the opportunities and challenges ahead – I’m joined once again on the Infrastructure Podcast by Tim Stone, Non-Executive Director, Great British Nuclear and former chair of the Nuclear Industry Association, the body at the heart of this once-in-a-generation transformation and my go to mind for all things nuclear.

Resources

• Government press release on SMRs
• Rolls Royce SMR press release
• Government press release on Sizewell C
• Great British Energy - Nuclear
• Nuclear Industry Association release on nuclear investment

Today’s podcast is another special episode, this week recorded live in New York at the recent Transforming Infrastructure Performance Summit hosted by Bentley Systems.

My guest is Aruna Miller, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland State, who I interviewed to open the summit with a discussion on her role in the recovery and rebuild of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge which catastrophically collapsed in March 2024 after the container ship Dhali collided with a pier while passing beneath.

In a matter of seconds, this vital transportation artery crumbled into the River, claiming the lives of six workers and bringing Baltimore’s economy to a standstill.

The collapse was a pivotal event with profound implications for Maryland State, raising many questions about the value of our infrastructure and the economic and social consequences of failure.

And as a civil engineer turned politician, the Lieutenant Governor clearly has a unique perspective on the challenge of recovering and rebuilding after this disaster.

I started by taking her back to the 26 March 2024 to talk us through the immediate response to the collapse.

Resources

• Transforming Infrastructure Performance Summit New York
• The Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild
• Maryland State infrastructure priorities
• US Federal Government FSK Bridge response
• Bentley Systems Infrastructure Policy Advancement
• Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller
• ICE FSK question and answer

Today’s podcast is a special episode recorded live at Bauma 2025 in Munich—the global showcase for construction technology innovation.

My guest today is Ivan Di Federico, the newly appointed President and CEO of Topcon Positioning Systems, a leader in geo-positioning and construction technology, with solutions that are being used everywhere in infrastructure and agriculture today.

Ivan steps into this role at a pivotal moment. Digital transformation is accelerating across both infrastructure and agriculture, driven by automation, AI, and advanced positioning technologies

So how does a business like Topcon stay ahead of the curve - and the competition? What does the future of Topcon look like through Ivan's eyes?

In this episode, Ivan shares how the company is navigating today’s challenges and preparing for what’s next.

Resources

• Topcon Website
• History of Topcon Positioning
• Infrastructure tech
• Agriculture tech
• Topcon technology
• Millimeter GPS
• Topcon sustainability

In this week's podcast we talk about the challenges of building a career in the complex modern world of structural engineering.

My guest today is Claire Gott, Head of Structures at global consultancy WSP - an engineer whose work has helped shape some of the most ambitious and high-profile structures in the UK and beyond but who has also devoted large parts of her career to date helping and encouraging others to join and navigate the profession.

I first met Claire back in 2011 when, just out of Southampton University, she won the New Civil Engineer Graduate of the Year Award. She was hugely impressive then, and she continues to be today in a senior leadership role at WSP that puts her at the heart of designing many of the buildings and infrastructure that define our cities and communities.

Major projects such as 40 Leadenhall, a landmark commercial tower in the City of London that’s redefining how we think about wellbeing, heritage reuse and sustainability; the visionary Eden Project North in Morecambe, a regenerative design project pushing boundaries on biodiversity, embodied carbon and community engagement; London Bridge Station refurbishment, Paddington Square and of course a rake of structures on the London the Birmingham HS2 project.

And I imagine that she will be turning her hand to the newly approved 1 Undershaft, and it’s clear her influence spans some of the UK’s most complex and high-profile developments.

But as we will explore, Claire’s impact extends far beyond the drawing board. A powerful advocate for diversity in engineering, she is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a mentor with the Circle Partnership, and a visible role model for women in STEM.

And she remains hugely active in Cameroon Catalyst, the charity she co-founded at university focused on sustainable development in rural Africa.

So how do you build such a rounded and complex career like this? Overcoming the technical and cultural challenges to lead projects that build not just for performance, but great places for people and the planet.

Resources

• Claire Gott Linked In
• WSP website
• Cameroon Catalyst
• Creating the LEGO Bridge: A Civil Engineering Challenge
• ICE Connects
• 40 Leadenhall
• Eden North

In today's podcast we look at the world of nuclear decommissioning

Nuclear power has played a vital role in the UK’s energy story for more than half a century. But as the country transitions toward a low-carbon future, there’s another story unfolding—one of responsibility, innovation, and transformation. The story of the decommissioning.

At the heart of this story is the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, tasked with one of the largest, most complex environmental remediation missions in Europe, and responsible for safely, securely, and efficiently decommissioning the UK’s civil nuclear legacy.

This means dealing with decades-old infrastructure, hazardous materials, and a technical challenge that spans generations.

But it’s not just about dismantling what’s old—it’s about building the systems, skills, and strategies needed to do it better, faster, and more sustainably.

Today, the NDA is in the midst of a major transformation programme. From digital innovation and smarter asset management to a cultural shift that embraces agility, collaboration, and change, the NDA is rethinking what it means to manage nuclear legacy sites in the 21st century.

To find out how this strategy is being turned into reality, I am joined on the podcast today by Stuart Miller, Programme Director at NDA who will help us to explore the opportunities and obstacles on the road ahead.

What does decommissioning look like in an era of digital transformation? How do you drive change in a complex, risk-averse environment? And what does this work mean - not just for the UK today, but for future generations and global best practice?

In short, it’s an opportunity to shed light on one of the most important, yet often overlooked, national missions of our time.

Resources

• Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Website
• NDA priorities and policies
• Stuart Miller Linked In
• Sellafield business plans