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IPA Chief Executive Nick Smallwood to step down
Nick Smallwood, Chief Executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) and Head of the Government Project Delivery Function, will step down from his position in March 2025 after five years of dedicated service.
During his time at IPA, Nick has overseen the transformation of the Government Project Delivery Function, which now comprises more than 28,000 professionals. He has also introduced professional accreditation and training programmes to enhance project delivery expertise across government.
Nick, a newly elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, has led the organisation through significant economic change, consistently focusing on delivery excellence and innovation.
He has overseen some of the UK’s largest Government Major Projects and Programmes (GMPP), spanning transport, social infrastructure, and public services, and ensured the effective delivery of major projects through strengthening assurance frameworks and developing internationally recognised tools for project professionals. He has also paved the way for driving modernisation and digitalisation while embedding sustainable practices in project delivery.
Chief Executive, Nick Smallwood said:
It has been a great honour to serve as a civil servant, supporting the delivery of some of the most transformative, complex and socially important projects the UK has ever seen.
I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together, creating public services that will benefit future generations.
The profession has transformed over the last 5 years and I am privileged to end my role having been involved in the development of the Teal Book, which I hope leaves a lasting legacy on project delivery across government.
The award-winning Government Project Delivery Hub, used by over 12,000 project delivery professionals, and the launch of the Government Project Delivery Awards, showcase the great successes of our profession who are working on some of the most ground-breaking projects across the globe.
I am proud to have led and been part of this dedicated workforce that strives for excellence. Thank you to everyone across the Government Project Delivery Function.
