The Infrastructure Podcast

• Lessons from HS2 with James Stewart

  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...ResourcesThe Stewart Review: The HS2 ExperienceMark Wild's CEO first 100 days review of HS2HS2 websiteAgile Infrastructure PartnersThe 10 year Infrastructure StrategyThe Industrial Strategy

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• Grading US infrastructure with Tom Smith

  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.ResourcesASCE Report Card 2025ASCE websiteASCE "Cities of the Future" film Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Bentley Systems' Transforming Infrastructure Performance New York summitRenewable Natural Resources FoundationICE State of the Nation report card

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• A new nuclear 'golden age' with Tim Stone CBE

  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.ResourcesGovernment press release on SMRsRolls Royce SMR press release Government press release on Sizewell CGreat British Energy - NuclearNuclear Industry Association release on nuclear investment 

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• Rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge with Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller

  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. ResourcesTransforming Infrastructure Performance Summit New YorkThe Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuildMaryland State infrastructure priorities US Federal Government FSK Bridge response Bentley Systems Infrastructure Policy AdvancementLieutenant Governor Aruna MillerICE FSK question and answer

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• The future of precision technology with Ivan Di Federico

  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 technologiesSo 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.ResourcesTopcon WebsiteHistory of Topcon Positioning Infrastructure techAgriculture techTopcon technologyMillimeter GPSTopcon sustainability

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