It's about time - The role of timing and timescale in major projects
Seminar
Members Only Event
When projects have lifespans that stretch across decades, timing of when to start and how quickly to proceed can be as critical as funding or technical ability. From projects delivered at break speed pace (such as the vaccine taskforce), an asset designed for 100+ years (such as a tidal barrage or tunnels) or projects themselves that are century spanning in construction (such as cathedrals) - the timeline of a major project fundamentally shapes its deliverability, approach, and long-term impact.
This virtual seminar will explore how timing, timescales, and momentum influence project success - and what happens when a project moves too early, too late, or fails to move at all. Understanding how to time and pace a project is crucial. Move too early, and you risk running out of pre-project money before the planets align for project funding, finance and political will. Move too late, and the alignment may have already passed and the momentum may be lost entirely. Is there a better way of understanding when the timing right to get started and to understanding a project’s optimal pace?
The programme will also explore whether it's time to add a sixth lens to our business cases—a temporal case—to help future projects better articulate timing, longevity, and strategic alignment over the long term. Join us as we explore these very questions.
Taking place after our site visit to Liverpool on Wednesday 18 June (click here for more information), this seminar will build on those insights and reflections to deepen the conversation around strategic timing in project delivery. The event will take place virtually on Tuesday 15 July, with further details and a full programme to be announced soon.
The event registration is now closed.
Programme
Tuesday 15th July 2025
12:45
Virtual Streams Open
13:00
Housekeeping and Introductions
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.
13:05
Inclusion Moment
Lisa Silander
Director Project Controls AtkinsRealis
Lisa Silander
Director Project Controls, AtkinsRealis
Global Practice and UK technical lead for Project Controls at AtkinsRéalis, she has 28 years’ experience, delivering, driving and leading teams in Planning and project controls across a variety of industry sectors, including aviation, rail, water, manufacturing and nuclear. Adept at introducing new ways of working, providing innovative solutions and developing digital the best solutions for the client. She has worked on multi billion projects and programmes including Terminal 5, Thames Water AMP 5, Heathrow Q6, Heathrow Expansion Project and Yorkshire Water AMP 7
13:10
Chair's Introduction
Lorna Rogers
Interim Director of Digital & Transformation Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Lorna Rogers
Interim Director of Digital & Transformation, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Lorna is a UK leader in major programme delivery and has over 30 years’ experience delivering innovative and societal interventions across the public and private sector. Currently heading up the Digital and Transformation Team at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Lorna has successfully led on many regional programmes that are positively changing communities, business investment and society, including the creation of the award winning LCR Connect, the Liverpool City Region’s flagship full fibre backhaul network to improve infrastructure connectivity.
Since 2018, Lorna has developed the digital team at the Combined Authority, working with partners to lead on Mayoral manifesto pledges ensuring no-borough gets left behind in the digital age. Lorna has led the team in creating a regional Digital Inclusion programme to ensure that all residents have access to digital services and opportunities.
Lorna leads a team of digital and transformation professionals internally and works with external stakeholders and consultants to deliver complex major projects at pace, she also supports the corporate development of the organisation.
Since 2018, Lorna has developed the digital team at the Combined Authority, working with partners to lead on Mayoral manifesto pledges ensuring no-borough gets left behind in the digital age. Lorna has led the team in creating a regional Digital Inclusion programme to ensure that all residents have access to digital services and opportunities.
Lorna leads a team of digital and transformation professionals internally and works with external stakeholders and consultants to deliver complex major projects at pace, she also supports the corporate development of the organisation.
13:25
Strategic Timing – lessons from missed opportunities
Dr. Tim Stone CBE
Non-Executive Director No longer at member organisation
Dr. Tim Stone CBE
Non-Executive Director, No longer at member organisation
Tim is the Chair of Nuclear Risk Insurers which was one of the first nuclear insurers, formed in 1956 to enable Calder Hall to be switched on and today is the largest international nuclear insurer insuring over 320 licensed sites worldwide. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Great British Nuclear(GBN) and a member of its Audit and Risk Committee and in January 2025 was appointed to be a member of the Clean Energy Sector Council.
During its first phase of work, he was heavily involved in the creation of, and chaired the Industry Advisory Group of Great British Nuclear. This was established from a roundtable with the Prime Minister on 21st March 2022, which he worked with No.10 to arrange and led from the industry side, from which GBN was mandated to accelerate the delivery of new nuclear power.
From 2018-2024 he was the Chair of the UK’s Nuclear Industry Association. He was a Trustee of Arup Group from April 2023 – May 2024 and from 2015 – 2023 he was one of the two non-executive members of the Arup Group Board where he chaired the Audit Committee and was a member of several other committees. From 2014 – 2021 he was a non-executive director of Horizon Nuclear Power and was, until March 2019, a member of the Wylfa Newydd site licence company board and chaired the Risk and Audit Committee for the Horizon Board.
During its first phase of work, he was heavily involved in the creation of, and chaired the Industry Advisory Group of Great British Nuclear. This was established from a roundtable with the Prime Minister on 21st March 2022, which he worked with No.10 to arrange and led from the industry side, from which GBN was mandated to accelerate the delivery of new nuclear power.
From 2018-2024 he was the Chair of the UK’s Nuclear Industry Association. He was a Trustee of Arup Group from April 2023 – May 2024 and from 2015 – 2023 he was one of the two non-executive members of the Arup Group Board where he chaired the Audit Committee and was a member of several other committees. From 2014 – 2021 he was a non-executive director of Horizon Nuclear Power and was, until March 2019, a member of the Wylfa Newydd site licence company board and chaired the Risk and Audit Committee for the Horizon Board.
13:40
Discussion
13:55
Strategic Timing – lessons from when the planets aligned
David Soutar
Head of Project Management United Utilities plc
David Soutar
Head of Project Management, United Utilities plc
David has over 35 years of experience in the water industry, having began his career working in the construction industry, he now works for United Utilities as Head of Project Management. David has spent the last 10 years of his career developing HARP, where he headed up the technical phases of work to secure the initial project funding, undertake the investigations, secure planning consent and procure the main works partner. David is a Fellow of the both the Association for Project Management and the Institution of Civil Engineers
14:10
Discussion
14:25
Comfort Break
14:40
Pace – maintaining momentum when projects span generations
Andy Bevington
GDF Programme Director Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
Andy Bevington
GDF Programme Director, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
Andy joined the NDA as Assurance Director in 2019 and was accountable for ensuring that the NDA Corporate Centre and Group provided an independent assessment of the confidence and predictability of projects, programmes and asset management to decommission the UK’s civil nuclear legacy.
Although Andy has spent 10 years in offshore renewables as Centrica’s Head of Projects (including building the world’s largest offshore wind farm - 2013), the majority of his career has been in the oil and gas industry. Most recently he was Director of Capital Projects Europe for Centrica, responsible for an interesting and wide portfolio of projects, including shale gas, decommissioning and exploration in the Arctic. Andy was a member of the Executive responsible for the Exploration and Production business globally. Prior to this, he was the Asset Director for Centrica’s oil and gas facilities in the UK and before that, Head of Global Project Assurance, again for Centrica.
He has particular subject matter expertise in oil and gas projects, decommissioning, asset management and business management as well as corporate assurance and governance (FTSE 100 level). He was recently Vice President of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and continues to be a Fellow, alongside the Institute of Directors and Association of Project Managers where he is also a Fellow. He is also an active High-Risk Reviewer for the IPA and has been the DAC Forum Chairman for the year 2024/25.
Andy is presently the GDF Programme Director having joined NWS in April 2024, having previously held this role as Interim GDF Programme Director from 2021 to 2022 on secondment.
Although Andy has spent 10 years in offshore renewables as Centrica’s Head of Projects (including building the world’s largest offshore wind farm - 2013), the majority of his career has been in the oil and gas industry. Most recently he was Director of Capital Projects Europe for Centrica, responsible for an interesting and wide portfolio of projects, including shale gas, decommissioning and exploration in the Arctic. Andy was a member of the Executive responsible for the Exploration and Production business globally. Prior to this, he was the Asset Director for Centrica’s oil and gas facilities in the UK and before that, Head of Global Project Assurance, again for Centrica.
He has particular subject matter expertise in oil and gas projects, decommissioning, asset management and business management as well as corporate assurance and governance (FTSE 100 level). He was recently Vice President of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and continues to be a Fellow, alongside the Institute of Directors and Association of Project Managers where he is also a Fellow. He is also an active High-Risk Reviewer for the IPA and has been the DAC Forum Chairman for the year 2024/25.
Andy is presently the GDF Programme Director having joined NWS in April 2024, having previously held this role as Interim GDF Programme Director from 2021 to 2022 on secondment.
14:55
Pace – as fast as you can go
Claire McColgan CBE
Associate Director of Culture Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Claire McColgan CBE
Associate Director of Culture, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Claire McColgan is a leader with over 30 years of creative experience in local and central government, specialising in transformational cultural initiatives. Notable achievements include producing major international events such as Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture 2008, Eurovision 2023, football parades, and the city’s acclaimed COVID-19 response opening up events for the UK. As Director of Culture and Major Events at Liverpool City Council and more recently Associate Director for the region, Claire manages a £50m budget, overseeing the growth of the visitor economy from £1.73bn to £3.3bn.
Claire is responsible for the city's UNESCO City of Music status and is leading on the transformational United Nations Accelerator City Programme. She is a well-respected international speaker on culture and regeneration and has advised many cities around the world. Claire is a non-exec at Carnegie UK and Visit Isle of Man and is Deputy Chair for the UK government's City of Culture programme. Claire was awarded a CBE for Services to Culture and Arts and is an Honorary Fellow of John Moores University.
Claire is responsible for the city's UNESCO City of Music status and is leading on the transformational United Nations Accelerator City Programme. She is a well-respected international speaker on culture and regeneration and has advised many cities around the world. Claire is a non-exec at Carnegie UK and Visit Isle of Man and is Deputy Chair for the UK government's City of Culture programme. Claire was awarded a CBE for Services to Culture and Arts and is an Honorary Fellow of John Moores University.
15:10
The case for ‘natural pace’
Edward Merrow
Founder and Executive Chairman IPA Global
Edward Merrow
Founder and Executive Chairman, IPA Global
Ed Merrow is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Independent Project Analysis, Inc. (IPA), the global industry leader in quantitative analysis of project management systems. After receiving degrees from Dartmouth College and Princeton University in the U.S., Merrow began his career as an Assistant Professor at UCLA, followed by 14 years directing the Rand Corporation's Energy Policy Program. He is a recognized expert on the development and execution of large and complex megaprojects, having spent decades conducting research on the unique challenges of these complex investments. Merrow’s pioneering research has culminated in the publication of his fourth book, the completely revised Industrial Megaprojects—Concepts, Strategies, and Practices for Success, 2nd edition, an indispensable resource for all those who need to understand the factors that drive successful execution of multibillion-dollar industrial projects.
15:25
Discussion
16:00
Chair’s Closing Comments
Lorna Rogers
Interim Director of Digital & Transformation Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Lorna Rogers
Interim Director of Digital & Transformation, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Lorna is a UK leader in major programme delivery and has over 30 years’ experience delivering innovative and societal interventions across the public and private sector. Currently heading up the Digital and Transformation Team at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Lorna has successfully led on many regional programmes that are positively changing communities, business investment and society, including the creation of the award winning LCR Connect, the Liverpool City Region’s flagship full fibre backhaul network to improve infrastructure connectivity.
Since 2018, Lorna has developed the digital team at the Combined Authority, working with partners to lead on Mayoral manifesto pledges ensuring no-borough gets left behind in the digital age. Lorna has led the team in creating a regional Digital Inclusion programme to ensure that all residents have access to digital services and opportunities.
Lorna leads a team of digital and transformation professionals internally and works with external stakeholders and consultants to deliver complex major projects at pace, she also supports the corporate development of the organisation.
Since 2018, Lorna has developed the digital team at the Combined Authority, working with partners to lead on Mayoral manifesto pledges ensuring no-borough gets left behind in the digital age. Lorna has led the team in creating a regional Digital Inclusion programme to ensure that all residents have access to digital services and opportunities.
Lorna leads a team of digital and transformation professionals internally and works with external stakeholders and consultants to deliver complex major projects at pace, she also supports the corporate development of the organisation.
16:15
CLOSE