Sir John Armitt has served as the chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) since 2018. Before that, he was deputy chair and a commissioner since the NIC was established in 2015.

Julia Prescot, a commissioner since 2017, has been appointed deputy chair.

Sir John Armitt spent most of his early career as a civil engineer with John Laing Construction. He was chief executive of Costain between 1997 and 2001. Later roles included chief executive of Network Rail, chairman of the Londonn 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority and president of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Julia Prescot is a co-founder and chief strategy officer of Meridiam, an investor firm specialising in public infrastructure.

In autumn 2023, the NIC is due to publish its second National Infrastructure Assessment, providing its analysis of the UK’s long-term economic infrastructure needs, outlining a 30-year strategic vision.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “I am very pleased to reappoint Sir John Armitt as chair of the National Infrastructure Commission. Sir John’s extensive engineering and major project delivery expertise is hugely valuable, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to deliver sustainable economic growth across the UK.

“I am also very happy that Sir John will be joined by Julia Prescot, who has been appointed as deputy chair, to jointly lead the organisation as they prepare for the next National Infrastructure Assessment.”

Sir John Armitt said: “Chairing the commission is both a great privilege and a serious responsibility, offering impartial, expert advice to government on the role of infrastructure in helping solve some of the UK’s biggest economic and environmental challenges.

“I welcome Julia’s appointment as deputy chair which will assist our preparations for the next National Infrastructure Assessment in particular. Together, we and our fellow commissioners look forward to presenting the assessment to ministers and working with them, alongside others in the public and private sectors, to ensure our infrastructure is ready to face the future.”

Sir John Armitt’s new appointment period will end in January 2025 and Julia Prescot’s term as deputy chair will end in April 2027.

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