We’ve all seen the headlines—over the past decade, the UK has seen record-breaking rainfall, with climate change driving more intense weather. But our drainage infrastructure, much of it built over a century ago, was not designed to cope with these extremes. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs)—originally developed to prevent flooding by discharging excess water when sewers reach capacity—are now being triggered more often, increasing the risk of surface water flooding. As populations grow and cities...
Feb 27, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 2
"We’ve got to think about this all together as a whole-systems holistic solution, whether it’s a single rural community or whether that’s at an industrial cluster level. It’s the same—the whole nation is a system in itself. So, we’ve got to have that whole-systems approach from the top down, whether that’s transmission networks right the way down to [...] the final mile on the grid." – Kate Gilmartin, British Hydropower Association For too long, we’ve tackled energy challenges in isolation—treat...
Jan 31, 2025•54 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Despite the ongoing war and the destruction of nearly half its power infrastructure since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine is determined to emerge stronger and greener. This episode delves into Ukraine's bold vision to become Europe’s new green energy hub. Remarkably, Ukraine constructed more onshore wind turbines in 2022 than England, showcasing its commitment to renewable energy even amidst conflict. The Tyligulska wind farm, for example – the first to be built in a conflict ...
Jun 12, 2024•49 min
We’re back with another installment of Talking Infrastructure—and this time we’re live at UKREiiF: the UK’s real estate investment and infrastructure forum. In this episode, James Banks hosts a live panel discussion about the people-centric strategies needed to navigate the energy transition in an equitable way. ------------ Welcome to season 3 of AECOM’s Talking Infrastructure podcast. Talking Infrastructure delves into the industry’s hot topics, key projects, and the ground-breaking innovation...
May 23, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 6
S3E05: Ride the Change: shifting gears towards climate action For Earth Day 2024, we’re proud to be sponsoring the Ride the Change bike ride, an epic journey that spans the UK, Holland and Belgium. By raising climate pledges instead of cash, the ride – organised by Do Nation – aims to encourage simple, sustainable actions. 70 cyclists representing AECOM and other organisations travelled from the UK and Europe to take part in the event, including our podcast host James Banks. To mark this milesto...
Apr 24, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Welcome to season 3 of AECOM’s Talking Infrastructure podcast. Talking Infrastructure delves into the industry’s hot topics, key projects, and the ground-breaking innovations that are helping to solve some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges. We'll be discussing everything from driving cost and time efficiencies within the rail industry to the importance of collaboration in bringing hydrogen projects forward. Episode 4: Closing the net zero divide: how do we ensure no community...
Mar 20, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 4
S3E03: Engineer of the future: building tomorrow’s workforce Welcome to season 3 of AECOM’s Talking Infrastructure podcast. Talking Infrastructure delves into the industry’s hot topics, key projects, and the ground-breaking innovations that are helping to solve some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges. We'll be discussing everything from driving cost and time efficiencies within the rail industry to the importance of collaboration in bringing hydrogen projects forward. In this ...
Feb 07, 2024•43 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode, we take you on a journey behind the scenes of one of the rail industry’s most successful partnerships - the South Rail Systems Alliance (SRSA). The SRSA is one of three alliances set up to complete vital track renewals necessary to improve the rail network for the benefit of passengers across the UK. As a successful working example of an alliancing delivery model, the SRSA is widely regarded as collaboration best practice by industry peers both in the UK and across the globe. --...
Dec 05, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 2
👉 Key points As well as an introduction into how hydrogen is made, what it is used for, its pivotal role in the energy transition, and public impact, listeners can expect: - practical insights on hydrogen project planning and delivery - commentary on regulation, investment and technology - thoughts on balancing profitability and risk - an insight into how green ammonia could decarbonise the agricultural sector and stabilise local food systems - a glimpse into exciting new developments that we m...
Nov 07, 2023•54 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Our latest episode was recorded live at an AECOM-sponsored panel at the 2022 Labour Party Conference. Convened by leading thinktank Policy Exchange, the expert panel share how local leaders across the UK are building momentum to decarbonise cities and encourage green economic growth through effective public/private partnerships. The line-up comprises Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority; Paul Ormerod, economist, and Chair of the Atom Valley project; Helena Rivers, Net Ze...
Nov 07, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In the latest episode of AECOM’s Talking Infrastructure podcast, we hear from Michael Gove MP, the former (and soon to be reappointed) Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, on the importance of strong local leadership and taking an integrated approach to deliver levelling up at the scale and pace required. Gove was speaking at the 2022 Conservative Party Conference during an AECOM-sponsored panel event convened by thinktank Pol...
Oct 26, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In our latest episode, host James Banks is joined by digital, carbon and programme management experts from infrastructure specialists AECOM, Arup, Costain and Egis to talk about the challenges that industry must solve to leverage the transformative power of data.
Jun 24, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In the latest episode of AECOM’s Talking Infrastructure podcast, AECOM’s Chief Executive for India and Europe, Colin Wood, talks to Nick Smallwood, Chief Executive of the UK Infrastructure and Projects Authority. They discuss how to create ambition across the sector, drive collaboration and find smarter ways to deliver infrastructure that truly benefit society.
Dec 16, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Host James Banks is joined by Andy Mitchell, CEO at Thames Tideway, Terry Wong, MTR, and Colin Wood, CEO Europe at AECOM to explore the role infrastructure has to play in opening up new opportunities and supporting communities in the decades to come. Further reading: https://infrastructure.aecom.com/en-gb/creating-social-impact
Dec 07, 2020•36 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the idea that we need to make our towns and cities more resilient was growing. From aging and deficient infrastructure… to the challenges of climate change and population growth, it’s widely acknowledged that we are under-prepared to meet the increasingly unpredictable challenges of today. James Banks is joined by Angela Ryan, Water Supply and Resources Strategy Specialist at Irish Water, Caitlin MacLean, Senior Director of Innovative Finance at the Milken I...
Sep 22, 2020•38 min•Season 2Ep. 10
PFAS; How to tackle forever chemicals Found in everything from pizza boxes to firefighting foam. PFAS are resistant to heat, water and oil, and with an ability to move through the environment they can contaminate soil and water supplies. As a result it’s estimated that PFAS are now present in 99% of American’s blood. With links to issues including cancer and kidney disease the worldwide historic use of these forever chemicals has resulted in a public health crisis. James Banks is joined by Direc...
Jun 29, 2020•42 min•Season 2Ep. 9
James Banks talks to Chris White, Principle Environmental Economist at AECOM, Professor Ian Convery from the University of Cumbria and Adam Eagle, Chief Executive of The Lifescape Project. They discuss the concept of Natural Capital and the progress that’s been made a year since launching AECOM’s Natural Capital Laboratory. AECOM’s Natural Capital Laboratory is a joint-venture with conservation charity The Lifescape Project, which is located on a 100-acre site near Loch Ness in the Scottish High...
Jun 09, 2020•38 min•Season 2Ep. 8
To discuss how investment in our infrastructure can help our economy recover following the Coronavirus pandemic. James Banks talks to Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2, Dean Sporn, Director of the Regional Investment Programme (South) for Highways England, Nick King, Group Director, Network Services at Network Rail and AECOM’s Managing Director of Civil Infrastructure Mark Southwell. Further reading: The Future is now: Infrastructure’s role in economic recovery https://infrastructure.aecom.com/2020/the-...
May 04, 2020•39 min•Season 2Ep. 7
With ambitions to be a carbon neutral city region by 2038, Greater Manchester wants to be known for its flourishing environment as well as its economic success. James Banks is joined by Greater Manchester’s first Cycling and Walking Commissioner and Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman, Director of Environment for Manchester based property group Bruntwood, Bev Taylor and AECOM’s Rachel O’Donnell, Business Unit Director of Environmental Liability Solutions in the UK and Ireland. They discuss how...
Apr 28, 2020•44 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Could autonomous vehicles make our roads safer, bring down the cost of public transport and make our transport systems more efficient? James Banks talks to Dr Graham Parkhurst, Professor of Sustainable Mobility and Director of the Centre for Transport & Society, UWE Bristol, Burges Salmon Senior Associate, Lucy Pegler and AECOM, Technical Director, George Lunt. They discuss the CAPRI Autonomous Vehicle project plus wider issues including policy, regulation and how our infrastructure needs to...
Mar 17, 2020•41 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In the run up to International Women’s Day 2020, Ruth Zorko discusses this year’s theme #EachForEqual with AECOM’s UK&I Chief Executive David Barwell, EMEA Head of Transportation Consulting Kate Morris, UK&I Technical Head of Process Engineering for Water Pascal Harper, and Civil Engineering Apprentice Turrell Harper. They consider how attitudes to equality have changed, what more the industry needs to do, and how we can create a truly inclusive workplace.
Mar 06, 2020•41 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Recorded in the AECOM/RSHP modular show apartment in Lewisham, South London. James Banks talks to Challenge Director at Innovate UK, Sam Stacey, Associate Partner at Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Andrew Partridge and AECOM’s Chief Growth Officer, Pete Flint. They discuss the history of offsite modular construction, the benefits of adopting such an approach and what does the future hold. INNO AECOM and RSHP’s modular housing solution will be delivering its first project in mid-2020. Learn more...
Feb 27, 2020•33 min•Season 2Ep. 3
This episode of Talking Infrastructure looks at how to digitally transform a project. What are the drivers for Digital Transformation, what are the issues and how do we make the most of the tools available? James Banks talks to Alastair Mellon and Dale Sinclair.
Jan 23, 2020•49 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Episode one of the second series of Talking Infrastructure focuses on the Circular Economy. Specifically embedding the Circular Economy principles into infrastructure design and operation, something that could not only reduce the environmental impact of our Infrastructure but could also reduce costs. James Banks talks to Mark Edwards, Environmental Assessment Manager at Heathrow Airport and AECOM’s UK&I Head of Sustainable Development, Robert Spencer. Major Infrastructure – Resources Optimis...
Jan 09, 2020•36 min•Season 2Ep. 1
James Banks is joined by chair of the Future Leaders Group for Project 13, Lucy Howard - UK Head of Transport at Turner & Townsend, Future Leader for Project 13, Miranda Sharp - Director of Innovation at the Ordnance Survey and AECOM’s Head of Strategy for Civil Infrastructure, Dave Beddell. Launched in May 2018 by the ICE and the Infrastructure Client Group (ICG), Project 13 aims to improve the way high-performing infrastructure is delivered and managed. They discuss why it’s needed, the jo...
Jul 23, 2019•34 min•Season 1Ep. 8
James Banks and Roma Agrawal are joined by AECOM’s Chief Executive, EMEA, Lara Poloni and founder of the award winning ‘Built by Us’ social enterprise, Danna Walker. They discuss the future of our engineers, what skills will they possess and how should industry prepare?
Jun 21, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In the midst of a Conservative Party leadership contest to find the next UK Prime Minster, James Banks and Roma Agrawal are joined by AECOM’s UK&I Chief Executive, David Barwell and former MP Charles Hendry to set out the infrastructure priorities for the next PM.
Jun 21, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 6
James Banks discusses the future of retail with AECOM’s UK&I Commercial Sector Lead, John Lewis and Property Director and Co-Founder of Ellandi, Mark Robinson. Is the retail sector in crisis? How are our High Streets and Shopping Centres changing and what does the future hold?
May 15, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 5
James Banks and Roma Agrawal discuss the definition of Social Value with AECOM’s Zac Dixon and Guy Battle from the Social Value Portal. How does Social Value differ from CSR, its impact on the procurement landscape, what ‘good’ Social Value looks like and the need for a standard method of measurement. Recorded on the 12th March 2019, the day after the UK Government published a consultation on how government should take account of social value in the award of central government contracts.https://...
Mar 27, 2019•37 min•Season 1Ep. 4
James Banks discusses the subject of Transport Oriented Development (TOD) with AECOM’s Director, Advanced Structures, Mike Pauley and Jonathan Bray, Director of the Urban Transport Group. Recorded in AECOM’s London Office, they tackle subjects including; the benefits of TOD, its role in solving the housing crisis, the use of offsite and modular construction, and the challenges we face in implementing such strategies. Transport-oriented development — costing the complexities https://www.aecom.com...
Mar 13, 2019•32 min•Season 1Ep. 3
