Enhancing value through project closure
Seminar
Members Only Event
Effective closure is about much more than just wrapping up a project's activities and moving on to the next job. It is a critical phase in the project lifecycle where lasting value can be secured, lessons crystallised, and insights harvested to shape the next wave of projects within a programme.
This virtual seminar brings together leading voices from government and industry to explore how to extract more value from project closure. With a dynamic mix of project case studies, programme over views and expert analysis, this is an opportunity to:
- Explore what "good closure" looks like across a broad range of major projects.
- Learn how to turn closure into a value creating step in the project lifecycle.
- Understanding common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
The event registration is now closed.
Programme
Tuesday 16th September 2025
13:45
Virtual Streams Open
14:00
Welcome and Introduction
Andy Murray
Executive Director Major Projects Association
Andy Murray
Executive Director, Major Projects Association
Andy is the Executive Director of the Major Projects Association, prior to which he spent 30 years as a practitioner, consultant and assurer of complex projects and programmes for public, private and third sector organisations both domestically and internationally. He has a focus on project governance, the treatment of inherent project complexity and organisational development of project capability.
Andy is a respected author, having worked with HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, the Association for Project Management (APM) and Axelos to develop best practice guidance on their behalf. Publications include PRINCE2, P3M3, Routemap and the Governance of Co-Owned Projects. He was cited in the Sunday Telegraph’s business supplement as one of the most influential people in project management. He is the Chair of the APM’s Governance Special Interest Group, the Chair of the IPA’s independent project advisory group for the Project Initiation Routemap and is the engagement workstream lead for the Project Data Analytics Task Force.
Andy is a collaborative and inclusive senior leader with a track record of building high-performing teams both within his organisation, across partnerships and with voluntary groups.
Outside of work Andy spends his time mountain biking or helping out Willaston FC (a community football club) as treasurer and manager of the Under 14s team.
Andy is a respected author, having worked with HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, the Association for Project Management (APM) and Axelos to develop best practice guidance on their behalf. Publications include PRINCE2, P3M3, Routemap and the Governance of Co-Owned Projects. He was cited in the Sunday Telegraph’s business supplement as one of the most influential people in project management. He is the Chair of the APM’s Governance Special Interest Group, the Chair of the IPA’s independent project advisory group for the Project Initiation Routemap and is the engagement workstream lead for the Project Data Analytics Task Force.
Andy is a collaborative and inclusive senior leader with a track record of building high-performing teams both within his organisation, across partnerships and with voluntary groups.
Outside of work Andy spends his time mountain biking or helping out Willaston FC (a community football club) as treasurer and manager of the Under 14s team.
14:05
Inclusion Moment
Hannah Wight
Principal Consultant Jacobs
Hannah Wight
Principal Consultant, Jacobs
Hannah is a Principal Consultant at Jacobs, providing strategic advisory services to major infrastructure and transportation programmes in the UK and Europe, with clients including Lower Thames Crossing, East West Rail, HS2 Ltd, and the Copenhagen Metro. As a Fellow of the RSA, Hannah is passionate about cross-sector collaboration and taking an outcomes-focused, systems thinking approach to achieve meaningful social change.
Alongside her work, Hannah is pursuing a doctorate in organisational psychology, creating vital connections between research and practice to contribute valuable insights on behaviours and business processes to the industry.
Hannah is an active member of the Jacobs disability employee network, ACE, and its Neurodiversity subgroup, collaborating with over neurodivergent colleagues to leverage diverse strengths and improve project and programme ways of working that are inclusive and supportive of different neurotypes.
Alongside her work, Hannah is pursuing a doctorate in organisational psychology, creating vital connections between research and practice to contribute valuable insights on behaviours and business processes to the industry.
Hannah is an active member of the Jacobs disability employee network, ACE, and its Neurodiversity subgroup, collaborating with over neurodivergent colleagues to leverage diverse strengths and improve project and programme ways of working that are inclusive and supportive of different neurotypes.
14:10
Chair's Introduction
Roger Bailey
Chief Technical Officer Tideway
Roger Bailey
Chief Technical Officer, Tideway
Roger joined the Thames Tideway Tunnel project in February 2012. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and has held board level positions in both civil engineering contracting businesses and engineering and planning consultancies prior to joining the project.
The first 20 years of his career was in the geotechnical contracting sector (mining, piling and ground engineering) in the UK and oversees, followed by over 10 years in transportation consultancy (highways, rail, aviation) for clients such as Crossrail, Network Rail, Transport for London, Highways Agency and the Department for Transport.
Roger’s Completion & Handover Team at Tideway is responsible for technical oversight, property and commercial agreements, compliance with planning permission, system commissioning and the operational integration of the completed Thames Tideway Tunnel asset into the existing London sewer network. Having spent over 12 years at the heart of decision making and delivery on the project, Roger is uniquely able to reflect on its critical success factors as it nears completion.
The first 20 years of his career was in the geotechnical contracting sector (mining, piling and ground engineering) in the UK and oversees, followed by over 10 years in transportation consultancy (highways, rail, aviation) for clients such as Crossrail, Network Rail, Transport for London, Highways Agency and the Department for Transport.
Roger’s Completion & Handover Team at Tideway is responsible for technical oversight, property and commercial agreements, compliance with planning permission, system commissioning and the operational integration of the completed Thames Tideway Tunnel asset into the existing London sewer network. Having spent over 12 years at the heart of decision making and delivery on the project, Roger is uniquely able to reflect on its critical success factors as it nears completion.
14:25
Lessons from the UK Election Integrity Programme
Mark Sutton
Programme Manager - Elections Directorate Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mark Sutton
Programme Manager - Elections Directorate, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mark Sutton stepped up from Head of PMO to Programme Manage for the Electoral Integrity Programme from June 2023 until its closure in Spring 2025, with oversight of the first instance in MHCLG of closing a Goverrnment Major Projects Portfolio initiative.
Starting as a member of multi-disciplinary Royal Mail project teams in the 1980s, he has led increasingly complex and high-value projects and programmes at that and subsequent employer and client organisations.
As an ex-professional trainer and ex-consultant, he is passionate about using only proportionate P3M to manage change activity, and making project-delivery professionals who will go onto make project-delivery professionals of others. He has developed project, programme, portfolio and change management frameworks and developed centres of excellence to enable organisations to improve their approach to change delivery. Mark has achieved Government project-delivery profession Practitioner-level accreditation. He has conducted medium-risk Gate reviews on behalf of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Mark led a local community school-place campaign programme, and co-founded in 2013 the first secondary school in his district for 35 years (for his son – the business case), to date the single most rewarding application of his change management experience.
Starting as a member of multi-disciplinary Royal Mail project teams in the 1980s, he has led increasingly complex and high-value projects and programmes at that and subsequent employer and client organisations.
As an ex-professional trainer and ex-consultant, he is passionate about using only proportionate P3M to manage change activity, and making project-delivery professionals who will go onto make project-delivery professionals of others. He has developed project, programme, portfolio and change management frameworks and developed centres of excellence to enable organisations to improve their approach to change delivery. Mark has achieved Government project-delivery profession Practitioner-level accreditation. He has conducted medium-risk Gate reviews on behalf of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Mark led a local community school-place campaign programme, and co-founded in 2013 the first secondary school in his district for 35 years (for his son – the business case), to date the single most rewarding application of his change management experience.
Gordon Woods
Former Programme Director - Elections Directorate Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Gordon Woods
Former Programme Director - Elections Directorate, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Gordon Woods was Programme Director for the Electoral Integrity Programme from July 2022 until its closure in Spring 2025. He inherited a programme that had been rated ‘Red’ by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, and led it through successful delivery of its scope in time for the General Election of 2024. He was previously Head of Strategic Design for the Future Farming and Countryside Programme at Defra from 2018, and has also worked at KPMG and the Department for Work and Pensions.
He is a Chartered Project Professional and accredited as a Senior Practitioner by the Government project delivery profession. He regularly conducts high risk reviews on behalf of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). He chaired the Joint Independent Audit Committee for Thames Valley Police until 2024, and is an Independent Panel Member on police misconduct hearings.
He is a Chartered Project Professional and accredited as a Senior Practitioner by the Government project delivery profession. He regularly conducts high risk reviews on behalf of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). He chaired the Joint Independent Audit Committee for Thames Valley Police until 2024, and is an Independent Panel Member on police misconduct hearings.
14:45
New Prisons Programme & Expiring PFI Prisons Programme
James Smith
Deputy Director, Prison Supply Directorate, HMPPS Ministry of Justice
James Smith
Deputy Director, Prison Supply Directorate, HMPPS, Ministry of Justice
James is a Deputy Director within the Prison Supply Directorate in HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) which is responsible for delivering the Government’s commitment to 20,000 additional prison places.
James is the SRO responsible for managing the effective expiry and transfer of Private Prisons, putting in place new service contracts once the existing contracts expire and maintaining critical capacity.
James is also SRO for the Government’s flagship New Prisons Programme, responsible for delivering 4 new modern prisons, totalling c6400 places, that incorporate the latest developments in sustainability and modern methods of construction. James was previously Programme Director, successfully navigating 3 complex planning inquiries. James was also integral in the development of the build design and operating model for the first new prisons to be built since 2014 – HMP Five Wells and Fosse Way.
James joined HMPPS in 2014 as a senior regional contract manager overseeing the private probation contracts, having been part of the Transforming Rehabilitation Programme in Ministry of Justice which restructured Probation Services in England and Wales. Following that, James worked on Prison Reform and was responsible for developing 6 Models for Operational Delivery for each prison type and specific cohorts, setting out how regimes could be run to meet the needs of prisoners.
In 2019, James led a multidisciplinary team to put in place c£4bn Prison Operator Services Framework competition; awarding Framework Agreements to 6 providers including 3 new entrants, diversifying the custodial services market, and has since delivered 9 competitions from the Framework including for the new prisons, as well as for new services at expiring PFI prisons.
James is married with two children and lives in Norfolk. He enjoys cricket and looking after numerous ducks and chickens!
James is the SRO responsible for managing the effective expiry and transfer of Private Prisons, putting in place new service contracts once the existing contracts expire and maintaining critical capacity.
James is also SRO for the Government’s flagship New Prisons Programme, responsible for delivering 4 new modern prisons, totalling c6400 places, that incorporate the latest developments in sustainability and modern methods of construction. James was previously Programme Director, successfully navigating 3 complex planning inquiries. James was also integral in the development of the build design and operating model for the first new prisons to be built since 2014 – HMP Five Wells and Fosse Way.
James joined HMPPS in 2014 as a senior regional contract manager overseeing the private probation contracts, having been part of the Transforming Rehabilitation Programme in Ministry of Justice which restructured Probation Services in England and Wales. Following that, James worked on Prison Reform and was responsible for developing 6 Models for Operational Delivery for each prison type and specific cohorts, setting out how regimes could be run to meet the needs of prisoners.
In 2019, James led a multidisciplinary team to put in place c£4bn Prison Operator Services Framework competition; awarding Framework Agreements to 6 providers including 3 new entrants, diversifying the custodial services market, and has since delivered 9 competitions from the Framework including for the new prisons, as well as for new services at expiring PFI prisons.
James is married with two children and lives in Norfolk. He enjoys cricket and looking after numerous ducks and chickens!
15:00
Discussion
Opportunity for delegates to ask questions, facilitated by event chair.
15:25
Break
15:30
The capable owner and project closure - Insights from the Project 13 Transactions to Enterprises movement
Lucy Howard
UK Major Bids Lead Turner & Townsend
Lucy Howard
UK Major Bids Lead, Turner & Townsend
Lucy Howard has over 25 years’ experience spanning construction, work winning, and industry transformation. She now specialises in programme and project management consultancy, helping clients maximise outcomes from their assets on some of the UK’s most complex and high-profile projects – including London Overground, Network Rail, Heathrow Airport and Heathrow Express.
Lucy began her career with Imperial, gaining experience across nuclear, residential, and heritage projects such as the Albert Hall upgrade, before moving onto the King’s Cross redevelopment and East London Line reinstatement. Named ‘NCE Graduate Civil Engineer of the Year’ early in her career, she quickly achieved chartership, led the construction of South Quay DLR station, chaired Constructing Excellence’s G4C, and went on to significantly improve her division’s success rate in securing major projects.
Beyond her consultancy work, Lucy is an active voice in shaping the future of the industry. Since 2017 she has been deeply involved with Project 13 through the Infrastructure Client Group, serving as a Development Board member and co-chair of the Capable Owner workstream. She also contributes to the Institution of Civil Engineers on productivity, and co-authored the ‘Programmes with Purpose’ report with the CBI.
As a new Co-Chair of Constructing Excellence, Lucy is passionate about collaborating with all stakeholders to drive industry-wide transformation. She regularly contributes to debates on infrastructure, diverse thinking (with a particular focus on neurodiversity) and mental resilience.
Lucy began her career with Imperial, gaining experience across nuclear, residential, and heritage projects such as the Albert Hall upgrade, before moving onto the King’s Cross redevelopment and East London Line reinstatement. Named ‘NCE Graduate Civil Engineer of the Year’ early in her career, she quickly achieved chartership, led the construction of South Quay DLR station, chaired Constructing Excellence’s G4C, and went on to significantly improve her division’s success rate in securing major projects.
Beyond her consultancy work, Lucy is an active voice in shaping the future of the industry. Since 2017 she has been deeply involved with Project 13 through the Infrastructure Client Group, serving as a Development Board member and co-chair of the Capable Owner workstream. She also contributes to the Institution of Civil Engineers on productivity, and co-authored the ‘Programmes with Purpose’ report with the CBI.
As a new Co-Chair of Constructing Excellence, Lucy is passionate about collaborating with all stakeholders to drive industry-wide transformation. She regularly contributes to debates on infrastructure, diverse thinking (with a particular focus on neurodiversity) and mental resilience.
15:45
Programme partner - Insights from multiple programmes and sectors
Russell Pilgrim
Executive Programme Director Jacobs
Russell Pilgrim
Executive Programme Director, Jacobs
Russell Pilgrim is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors. Russell is a key contributor to strategy and delivery of complex high profile, multi-billion dollar National Significant Infrastructure Projects, including the Elizabeth Line, where he and his team have been recognised for contributions to Crossrail’s successful close-out in successful programme delivery, through winning numerous prestigious awards. He represents Jacobs Europe on the Global Programme Management Group, a large portfolio of major projects and programmes, and his ‘Enhancing value through project closure’ discussion will be based on three case studies: Crossrail, Panama Canal, and TEAM 2100 (Thames Estuary Asset Management).
Through his work in built environment and infrastructure, he is an advocate of social and economic benefits, creating an inclusive society which increase jobs, education, and housing. For nearly a decade he has been a voluntary business mentor of The King’s Trust.
Through his work in built environment and infrastructure, he is an advocate of social and economic benefits, creating an inclusive society which increase jobs, education, and housing. For nearly a decade he has been a voluntary business mentor of The King’s Trust.
Kim Kapur
Stations Client Director HS2 Ltd
Kim Kapur
Stations Client Director, HS2 Ltd
Kim has worked in rail and infrastructure projects across a range of major programmes for over 20 years. Currently Kim is working on HS2 and is part of the Senior Leadership Team delivering the HS2 Reset Programme.
Kim joined HS2 in 2023 as Stations Client Director. Prior to this, she worked on the Crossrail Programme, where she held several senior Programme Management roles including Transport for London Head of Stations Integration, Crossrail Delivery Director and Crossrail Close Out Director, where Kim was charged with overseeing the final commissioning stage of the Elizabeth Line and Close Out of the Crossrail Programme. Her achievements include successfully bringing into use five of the new Elizabeth Line stations at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Faringdon, Liverpool Street, and Whitechapel.
Kim’s early career was in Telecommunications, where she held various project management roles. She made the transition into the rail industry in 2003, working for Fluor Daniel on the London Underground Connect Radio project.
Kim’s approach to delivery is to simplify the complexity, applying a sense of pragmatism and practicality to decision making, and to keep moving forwards. Focusing on the overall objective and keeping the end in mind is very much the ethos Kim applies to her delivery style.
Kim joined HS2 in 2023 as Stations Client Director. Prior to this, she worked on the Crossrail Programme, where she held several senior Programme Management roles including Transport for London Head of Stations Integration, Crossrail Delivery Director and Crossrail Close Out Director, where Kim was charged with overseeing the final commissioning stage of the Elizabeth Line and Close Out of the Crossrail Programme. Her achievements include successfully bringing into use five of the new Elizabeth Line stations at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Faringdon, Liverpool Street, and Whitechapel.
Kim’s early career was in Telecommunications, where she held various project management roles. She made the transition into the rail industry in 2003, working for Fluor Daniel on the London Underground Connect Radio project.
Kim’s approach to delivery is to simplify the complexity, applying a sense of pragmatism and practicality to decision making, and to keep moving forwards. Focusing on the overall objective and keeping the end in mind is very much the ethos Kim applies to her delivery style.
16:05
Discussion
Opportunity for delegates to ask questions, facilitated by event chair.
16:35
Chair’s Closing Comments
Roger Bailey
Chief Technical Officer Tideway
Roger Bailey
Chief Technical Officer, Tideway
Roger joined the Thames Tideway Tunnel project in February 2012. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and has held board level positions in both civil engineering contracting businesses and engineering and planning consultancies prior to joining the project.
The first 20 years of his career was in the geotechnical contracting sector (mining, piling and ground engineering) in the UK and oversees, followed by over 10 years in transportation consultancy (highways, rail, aviation) for clients such as Crossrail, Network Rail, Transport for London, Highways Agency and the Department for Transport.
Roger’s Completion & Handover Team at Tideway is responsible for technical oversight, property and commercial agreements, compliance with planning permission, system commissioning and the operational integration of the completed Thames Tideway Tunnel asset into the existing London sewer network. Having spent over 12 years at the heart of decision making and delivery on the project, Roger is uniquely able to reflect on its critical success factors as it nears completion.
The first 20 years of his career was in the geotechnical contracting sector (mining, piling and ground engineering) in the UK and oversees, followed by over 10 years in transportation consultancy (highways, rail, aviation) for clients such as Crossrail, Network Rail, Transport for London, Highways Agency and the Department for Transport.
Roger’s Completion & Handover Team at Tideway is responsible for technical oversight, property and commercial agreements, compliance with planning permission, system commissioning and the operational integration of the completed Thames Tideway Tunnel asset into the existing London sewer network. Having spent over 12 years at the heart of decision making and delivery on the project, Roger is uniquely able to reflect on its critical success factors as it nears completion.
16:45
Close