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Armitt to take temporary charge of National Infrastructure Commission

Sir John Armitt is to lead the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), while a replacement is found for Lord Adonis as chairman.

Armitt, the NIC’s deputy chairman has been a member of the commission since its formation in 2015 and is widely respected in industry and business circles. A permanent replacement for Adonis, who resigned as chair last month, will be appointed in due course.

In a statement issued by the NIC today, Armitt said: “I would like to thank Lord Adonis for his work as chairman, leading the organisation as it examined a wide range of infrastructure issues, and kick-starting the development of the UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment.

“The commission has a busy and exciting few months ahead and I look forward to continuing the work we have planned with my fellow commissioners.”

Later this year, the NIC will publish the country’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment, looking ahead up to 2050. Other ongoing work includes a new study into the freight sector, and plans for a Roads for the Future competition, to consider how the country’s roads network can be adapted for driverless cars.

The announcement that Armitt is to lead the NIC while a replacement chair is found will be welcomed by the infrastructure sector. In the wake of Adonis’s departure, a number of industry organisations called for Armitt to be placed in permanent charge of the commission and there is little doubt that he would be the kind of credible individual needed to maintain the commission’s momentum and to highlight the long-term importance of infrastructure investment to the economy and society

If you would like to contact Andy Walker about this, or any other story, please email awalker@infrastructure-intelligence.com.