The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has appointed five new members to its Expert Advisory Council (EAC) to support the government’s infrastructure goals
The five new NISTA EAC members bring expertise across delivery, finance, energy and service transformation.
The new EAC members will work alongside chair Julia Prescot CBE, who was appointed to the role in February.
The council provides independent expert advice and constructive challenge to NISTA across key areas including infrastructure strategic planning, project delivery, private finance and public service transformation.
It also brings external expertise into government decision-making, strengthening links between government, industry and investors and supporting more effective delivery of the UK’s infrastructure priorities.
Meet the new members
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.
Chief secretary to the treasury Emma Reynolds said: “The new members of NISTA’s Expert Advisory Council bring an exceptional breadth of experience — from delivering major infrastructure and public service reform to shaping long-term strategy and driving innovation. Their expertise, challenge and practical insight will help turn ambition into delivery, ensuring that investment improves people’s lives, strengthens our public services and delivers lasting value for taxpayers.”
NISTA chief executive officer, Becky Wood, said: “The establishment of our new Expert Advisory Council is an important milestone for NISTA. The Council brings together exceptional expertise from across infrastructure, delivery, finance and service transformation. Their independent advice and constructive challenge will help strengthen the quality of our work and support our ambition to deliver lasting improvements across government.”
NISTA published its Major Projects Annual Report 2025/26 earlier this year
In July, NISTA released its Major Projects Annual Report 2025/26, which found that most projects in the Major Projects Portfolio had a green or amber rating, meaning they are likely to be delivered or delivery is feasible, respectively.
Becky Wood, chief executive of NISTA, said: “Delivering some of the government’s most ambitious and complex programmes is never easy, so it is expected that projects will face different challenges and perform differently at various stages of delivery. These assessments should not be seen as a definitive judgement on whether a project will ultimately succeed or fail. Instead, they provide an early warning, helping us identify risks sooner, understand where pressures are emerging, and work with departments to address issues before they become more serious.
“By making better use of performance data, strengthening independent assurance, and providing access to expert advice, NISTA can help ensure that project teams receive the right support at the right time – improving the likelihood that major government programmes are delivered successfully for the public.”
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