Becky Wood appointed as new CEO of National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority

The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) has announced the appointment of Becky Wood as its new Chief Executive Officer, a strategic move that reinforces the organisation’s leadership as it embarks on a new phase following a recent structural merger.

Becky Wood is set to formally take the helm in June 2025. She arrives with a wealth of experience from both public and private sectors, currently serving as a partner at EY consultancy since 2023. Prior to this, she was a Commercial Advisor at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), where she gained valuable insight into government infrastructure initiatives.

Her career is marked by a significant tenure at the Department for Transport, where for over a decade she was the senior responsible officer for some of the UK’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects. These include the Crossrail project, Thameslink programme, and the Intercity Express Programme, all pivotal to the UK’s transport infrastructure. This extensive background equips her with an in-depth understanding of delivering high-impact projects within politically and operationally challenging environments. Beyond the UK, Becky also holds international experience having contributed to infrastructure projects in Australia and New Zealand, providing her with a broad perspective on cross-sector public-private collaboration.

NISTA itself is a newly formed entity resulting from the merger of two previously independent bodies: the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) and the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC). The remit for NISTA is substantial, as it is charged with overseeing and shaping the UK’s infrastructure delivery landscape—a task that demands considerable expertise and leadership to balance innovation, policy, and practical delivery.

The appointment has been welcomed by several industry figures, including Professor Adam Boddison OBE, Chief Executive of the Association for Project Management (APM). Speaking to Wired-Gov, Professor Boddison highlighted the importance of strong and experienced leadership for NISTA, stating: “With the Government committed to a multitude of new projects, this appointment will be crucial to successful delivery. We look forward to working with her to champion good project management, and to ensure NISTA’s objectives can be delivered.”

He further commented on the authority’s direction, noting the imperative for NISTA to move away from “short-term thinking that has hindered project delivery.” Emphasising the importance of strategic focus during the policy development phases, Professor Boddison said: “NISTA needs to continue to commit to the career paths set out by the IPA, with project experts focused on the policy development stages of projects, to ensure spending decisions are driven by benefits over innovation.” This reflects a broader industry view that sustainable infrastructure outcomes hinge on rigorous project management discipline coupled with long-term planning.

Becky Wood’s appointment thus signals a concerted effort by the UK government to enhance the stewardship and delivery of its infrastructure agenda by combining strategic vision with operational expertise. Executive leaders within associations, confederations, and trade bodies are likely to follow NISTA’s evolution closely, given the authority’s central role in influencing major infrastructure initiatives that impact multiple sectors and their members.

Further details about Becky Wood’s appointment and NISTA’s mandate can be found on the UK government website.