The Chancellor has appointed Phil Graham as CEO of the National Infrastructure Commission - he joins the Commission from the Department for Transport, where he has worked on many of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects.

Phil Graham led the development of the government’s high speed rail strategy, as well as leading the team supporting Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission and working on the London Olympics.

The Chancellor said:

"I am delighted to appoint Phil Graham as CEO of the National Infrastructure Commission. The NIC will provide expert, independent advice to the government on the most pressing ‎infrastructure challenges facing the country. Phil’s role as CEO will be vital in overseeing this work."

Lord Adonis, Interim Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission described Phil Graham as “supremely qualified to be the first CEO of the National Infrastructure Commission.”

Civils contractors have also welcomed the appointment - Chief Executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Alasdair Reisner said:

“This appointment shows the seriousness with which the Government is approaching its infrastructure agenda.”

“Mr Graham has extensive experience from his work at the Department for Transport in leading the development of the Government’s high speed rail strategy, supporting Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission, and working on the successful delivery of the London Olympics.

“His world-class expertise in delivering nationally-significant infrastructure projects means he is ideally suited to leading the National Infrastructure Commission. CECA looks forward to working with him and other members of the Commission in delivering the infrastructure the country needs in the years to come.”

The Association represents over 300 contractors of all sizes, covering approximately 80% of the UK civil engineering market.

On 5 October 2015 the Chancellor announced the creation of the National Infrastructure Commission to provide expert independent analysis of the long-term infrastructure needs of the country. The government announced in the Spending Review that it will publish a National Infrastructure Delivery Plan next spring, setting out in detail how it will deliver key projects and programmes over the next 5 years.

The commission has been working in shadow form since then.

The commission will publish a National Infrastructure Assessment every Parliament setting out its analysis of the UK’s infrastructure needs over a 10 to 30 year horizon. The government will be required formally to respond to the recommendations of the commission.

The commission has also been tasked ‎with carrying out specific studies of pressing infrastructure challenges.

The commission will have a remit which will ensure that it recommends infrastructure that is sustainable, affordable and provides real economic benefit.

It will not re-open decision-making processes where programmes and work have been decided, or will be decided in the immediate future, including the Smart Metering programme, the Roads Investment Strategy or Control Period 5 in rail. It will not re-open closed price control settlements in regulated utilities such as energy and water.

The Chancellor has asked the commission to report on three initial projects by Budget 2016:

• Northern transport connectivity, especially east-west across the Pennines
• Large-scale investment in London’s transport infrastructure, including Crossrail 2
• Ensuring investment in energy infrastructure can meet future demand in the most efficient way