Twin Talk with David Lunn,

Director of market engagement, National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA)

OVERVIEW

Infrastructure Policy Advancement, Bentley Systems’ thought leadership initiative, is delighted to partner with David Lunn, director of market engagement, National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), for our next Twin Talks London event.

Twin Talks are invite-only fireside chats that bring together leaders in infrastructure to explore global best practices and their local applications. These discussions provide a unique opportunity to share insights from both successes and setbacks while showcasing regional infrastructure leadership on a global stage. 

This discussion will explore the progress being made by the UK National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) as it works with the supply chain to modernise how major projects are planned, designed and executed.

For too long, the UK’s infrastructure sector has suffered from chronic inefficiencies, fragmented planning, and lengthening delivery timelines that inflate costs for taxpayers and hinder the service delivered to communities. In response, NISTA is leading a transformation of the way the nation’s infrastructure is designed, delivered and operated, engaging suppliers, investors, and regional leaders in the critical change required.

NISTA’s role and mission are anchored around the UK government’s 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and the dynamic Infrastructure Pipeline, which sets out a £718bn public and private sector investment plan spanning all sectors of the nation’s economic and social infrastructure portfolio.

David Lunn joined NISTA this summer to lead the Market Engagement Directorate and is charged with the challenge of making UK infrastructure more investable.

This will see David developing an investor-ready pipeline, coordinating engagement across departments, regulators and investors, and driving reforms that unlock private investment.

David came to NISTA from the then-Department for Business and Trade and has had a distinguished career in the UK civil service spanning nearly 30 years. He led the establishment of the UK Infrastructure Bank, serving as a UKIB board member and its first Chief Operating Officer. He began his civil service career at the Department for Transport and led the original funding and governance agreements for Crossrail and the successful conclusion to the CTRL project.

This conversation will help to explain how NISTA intends to give industry the vital long-term market visibility of workload that will help suppliers better anticipate future resource needs, invest in necessary skills, prevent regional bottlenecks and accelerate private investment. 

EVENT DETAILS

  • Date:Wednesday 15 Oct 2026
  • Time: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
  • Location: Bentley Systems, 8 Bishopsgate, London

REGISTRATION

Space is limited, so register now at the bottom of the page to secure your spot.

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KEY OBJECTIVES

  • Supply chain engagement: Collaborating closely with industry and investors to establish transparent, long-term visibility over hundreds of projects worth billions, fostering market confidence.  

  • Data and digital systems: Deploying advanced data tools and digital portals, including granular workforce modelling and regional demand metrics, to align sector capacity with future construction needs.  

CORE CHALLENGES

  • Lengthening timelines & value: Overcoming chronic delays and efficiency bottlenecks to maximise value from every pound of taxpayer money.

  • Capacity and skills gaps: Mitigating severe construction skills shortages by giving suppliers clear, data-driven foresight to invest in their workforces and avoid resource clashes across overlapping regional projects

SPEAKERS

Opening remarks:

  • Jerry Lynch, Dean, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University


Keynote Remarks:


Panelists:

  • Elizabeth Losos, Executive in Residence, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability
  • Nick Novelli, PhD, ENV SP, Associate – High Performance Buildings, AECOM.
  • Stuart Brown, Flood Resiliency Blueprint  Program Manager, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality


Moderator:

  • Rory Linehan, Director of Infrastructure Policy Advancement, Bentley Systems

SPEAKERS

David Lunn

Director of market engagement, National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA)

Antony Oliver

Moderator / Infrastructure Journalist 

BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

REGISTER NOW

Join a select group of infrastructure leaders, policymakers, and innovators for a meaningful exchange of ideas. These invite-only gatherings offer a chance to explore forward-thinking approaches, share your perspective, and help shape the future of infrastructure. Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot.

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