Project fear The infrastucture experts charged with keeping Britain’s deadlines and budgets under control

Jon Loveday, IPA director of infrastructure

With more than 30 years’ experience in infrastructure, Mr Loveday was appointed in July to oversee the growing portfolio of the government’s most complex and high risk infrastructure projects. They include HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and new nuclear power plants.

A chartered surveyor, Mr

Loveday was Thames Water’s executive commercial and transformation director and more recently the chief commercial officer for construction giant the

Clancy Group.

Commenting on his appointment earlier this year, Mr Loveday said: “I am delighted to be joining the IPA at such an important time. Our ability to deliver worldleading infrastructure is at the heart of the UK government’s planned infrastructure revolution and we have a lead role to play in kick-starting the economy.”

Nick Smallwood, IPA chief executive

Appointed last year, the former Shell executive promised the body would have “greater impact” under his leadership to ensure that

Government projects were well designed from the outset and deliverable on time and to budget.

He said the IPA would need to “support projects much earlier in their development” amid concerns that major obstacles were too often discovered once massive projects were under way.

He has identified three areas for improvement: improving competence and skills among project leaders; getting the basics of delivery right; and productivity and performance.

In January, he said project bosses would be subject to more “rigorous” competency tests, ensuring those in charge have the necessary “hands-on experience” and a “track record of successful delivery”.