GHD welcomed Infrastructure New Zealand to Manchester: Sharing UK Infrastructure Insights
Global professional services company GHD, welcomed a delegation from Infrastructure New Zealand to Manchester, to provide insights from the UK's infrastructure sector to help inform New Zealand's future infrastructure and utilities approach.
As a member of Infrastructure New Zealand, GHD had the opportunity to host the delegation in Manchester, which was part of a six-day visit. During the occasion, GHD brought together several clients and partners to share insights and learnings from the UK market, with a particular focus towards learning from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) City Deal approach and recent trailblazer single settlement funding model. GHD was recognised for its local market experience, since it expanded its operations to the UK in 2005.
Several of GHD’s key senior leaders spoke to the group. Simon Light, Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, addressed the wider UK challenge, emphasising investability, resilience, and the required uplift in productivity. He highlighted the importance of policy stability and regulatory certainty in attracting inward investment to New Zealand.
Steve Scott, EMEA Future Communities Lead, discussed the need for a just and fair approach to the net zero transition across the infrastructure and utilities sectors, using a recent case study of GHD’s work for the Scottish Government at the Grangemouth Industrial Cluster. Jessica Kahl, Water Sector Client Development Leader, concluded the day with a presentation on the value of adaptive planning.
We were delighted to have the opportunity to showcase to Infrastructure New Zealand the extensive learnings and knowledge we have acquired since expanding to the UK. Our projects here, particularly those focusing on critical infrastructure, represent a blend of new challenges and familiar ones that New Zealand also face.”
This visit provided an invaluable platform for exchanging insights and fostering collaboration. We are glad that our global network enabled us to provide an insightful experience for the New Zealand delegation that highlighted the importance of sharing expertise to foster innovation and resilience in infrastructure development for the future.”
The Infrastructure New Zealand delegation included 29 delegates with an interest and key leadership role in delivering the country’s future infrastructure, such as representatives from Te Waka Waikato Economic Development, Wellington Water, Tauranga City Council, and Palmerston North City Council. GHD has been a proud member of Infrastructure New Zealand since 2016.
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About GHD
GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 160 offices located on five continents.