Enabling Better Infrastructure International Conference

Hon Chris Bishop

Chris Bishop is the Minister of Housing, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Minister of Transport, Leader of the House, Associate Minister of Finance and Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation. He is the MP for Hutt South.

Chris was born and raised in Lower Hutt where he lives with his wife and two children. He has a first-class Honours degree in Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington, and was the 2006 Young Wellingtonian of the Year.

Before serving as an MP, Chris worked as a researcher for the National Party in Opposition and was later an advisor to Ministers in the John Key-led Government.

Chris was the National Party Campaign Chair for the 2023 General Election.

Prof Jim Hall

Prof Jim Hall is a trustee of the ICE and until recently, held the carbon and climate portfolio.

He’s a professor of climate and environmental risks at the University of Oxford.

His research specialises on risk analysis for water resource systems, flooding and coastal engineering, infrastructure systems and adaptation to climate change.

Prof Hall is a member of the UK prime minister's Council for Science and Technology and is a commissioner of the National Infrastructure Commission.

He was a member of the UK independent Committee on Climate Change Adaptation from 2009 to 2019.

He led the development of the National Infrastructure Systems Model (NISMOD), which was used for the ICE’s influential National Needs Assessment and for the UK’s first National Infrastructure Assessment.

Prof Hall invented, and now chairs, the UK Data and Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure (DAFNI).

Among various distinctions, Hall was awarded the ICE’s George Stephenson Medal in 2001 and the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water in 2018.

He was a contributing author to the Nobel Prize-winning Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Haward Wells

Mr. Haward Wells is Saint Lucian licensed architect with over 19 years of professional experience. He holds a BA in architecture, Msc. in project management and evaluation, post graduate diplomas in blue and green economy, disaster risk management and infrastructure planning.

He is the current director of the National Integrated Planning and Programme (NIPP) Unit, within the Ministry of Finance. The unit he leads is tasked with the sustainable assessment of the island infrastructure to determine current needs and future grow scenarios as well as the actions necessary for the achievement of each scenario, including the corresponding investment strategies. Mr. Wells also leads the coordination of Saint Lucia’s World Bank Financed “Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC)” project and he is the current vice chair of the islands Central Public Procurement Board. Mr. Wells is a member of the Expert Group for the Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’s (CDRI) Global Infrastructure Resilience Survey (GRIS).

He was the chairman of the Planning Team for the Castries Vision 2030 exercise as well as the lead local coordinator for the National Infrastructure Assessment exercise undertaken with the joint assistance of the United Nations Office for Projects Services (UNOPS) and the University of Oxford. Mr. Wells is the current vice president of the St. Lucia Institute of Architects and he also served in the capacity of senior architect at that Department of Planning and was the lead designer on the Gros-Islet and Soufriere Town Redevelopment Projects.

Richard Threlfall

Until recently, Richard was KPMG’s Global Head of Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare – a group of sectors that also includes Transport, Construction and Business Services.

Richard is motivated by the understanding that the world is facing both a climate emergency and a social crisis. He is committed to doing everything he can to support public and private sector organisations to play their part in averting those disasters and support the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to enable sustainable quality of life for everyone, everywhere.

Richard is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a trustee of Future-Fit Foundation. He chairs the Advisory Council of The Infrastructure Forum, which is an independent think-tank which brings together organisations with involvement in UK infrastructure from public, private and regulatory perspectives. He is a prolific writer on infrastructure, transport, sustainability, and organisational purpose, and has recently launched a website, richardthrelfall.org, which features both blogs and films on these themes.

Geoff Cooper

Geoff Cooper has a background in global policy having worked for the United Nations, the United States Treasury and the Federal Reserve.

He is a former chief economist for both PwC and Auckland Council, where he worked on infrastructure, housing, regulation and financial policy, including business case development for Auckland’s City Rail Link.

At Te Waihanga, Geoff has purview over research, strategy and the Infrastructure Pipeline. He led the development of the New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy in 2022 and is now working on the National Infrastructure Plan.

He holds a Master of Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University.

Dr Simon Lucas

Dr Lucas is responsible for the delivery of infrastructure, energy, climate and environment expertise in the FCDO. This includes work on infrastructure, urban development, climate, energy transitions and green finance.

Simon has over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure, urban and energy projects around the world including in the Middle East, and North Africa, Zambia, Pakistan, Botswana, Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda, India and Nepal, as well as leading policy work on infrastructure and climate for the UK government, including UNFCCC negotiations.

He holds a degree in mechanical engineering and development, a masters in renewable energy and a PHD in hydropower.

Paulo Magina

Paulo Magina is the head of the infrastructure and public procurement division in the Directorate for Public Governance at the OECD, which he joined in 2014. In this division, he leads the working groups in charge of establishing and implementing international standards and promoting a global vision and good practices in infrastructure governance and public procurement.

With more than 20 years of experience in the public sector, he was previously a member of the board of directors and CFO of the Portuguese Shared Services Agency of the Central Government of Portugal. Before that, he served as President and CEO of the National Public Procurement Agency of Portugal between 2010 and 2012, and previously was the CFO of the national Portuguese railways (CP) between 2006 and 2010, and before a senior advisor to the Secretary of State for Transport of the Government of Portugal.

He was also an advisor to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) supporting regulatory and public policy reforms in the CIS region. He also has more than 15 years of experience in the private sector, namely in the financial, infrastructure and transport sectors.

Paulo Magina holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and Management from the Católica Business School in Lisbon, was a visiting professor in MBA programs at the same university and is also a visiting professor at European universities on topics of strategic public procurement and sustainability.

Sean Keenan

Sean is responsible for overseeing the economic analysis, research, data and analytics and results reporting done by the department.

Prior to joining Infrastructure Canada in 2018, Sean spent 17 years working at the Department of Finance in the areas of federal-provincial fiscal arrangements, personal income tax policy and sales tax policy. From these experiences, he has gained a solid understanding of the tools available at the federal level to affect policy change – be they through spending, introducing fiscal incentives, or working through and with other levels of government.

Dr Jenifer Baxter

Dr Jenifer Baxter is the chief executive officer at Industry Wales, deputy chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Wales and a non-exec at Newport City Homes. Jen was previously the engineering eirector for Protium Green Solutions and chief engineer at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Jen is an internationally recognised expert engineer advising the media and government covering all mechanical engineering subjects and specialises in energy, transport and the environment.

Jen has written several reports for IMechE, including decarbonising transport, train engines and fuels, hydrogen trains, fashion waste and gas use in the energy sector, with further short reports on Leaving the EU: Euratom Treaty as well as academic papers covering subjects as diverse as engineering out food waste, to perceptions of hydrogen futures and technological innovation systems.

Jen has a PhD from Cardiff University examining hydrogen from waste technologies, an MSc in Sustainability, Planning and EnviroEnvironmental Policy and a BEng in Environmental Engineering also from Cardiff University. Jenifer is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a member of IOM3 and is a chartered engineer and scientist.

Frankie FUNG

Jane Jamieson

Jane Jamieson is a distinguished Program Manager at the World Bank, overseeing Global Infrastructure Finance programs. Her portfolio includes the Quality Infrastructure Investment Partnership, the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility, and the Global Infrastructure Facility. These initiatives aim to create a conducive environment and develop a pipeline of bankable projects to attract private sector investment and deliver quality infrastructure. With over two decades of technical and managerial expertise, Jane has successfully delivered infrastructure projects and programs across developing countries. Her experience spans Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), technical proficiency in the water sector, and a comprehensive understanding of international development policy and practice. Her work has taken her to diverse regions, including Asia, South America, and Africa. Jane joined the World Bank Group in 2010, initially working with IFC’s PPP Advisory Services. There, she focused on PPP transactions and business development, particularly in the African water sector. Before her tenure at the World Bank Group, Jane was with the UK Department for International Development (DFID, now FCDO). At DFID, she spearheaded policies and programs to enhance private sector involvement in infrastructure and served as an Infrastructure Advisor for various country programs in Central Asia, China, and Guyana. 

Ignacio Araya Areyuna

Ignacio Araya Areyuna is the head of the Institutional Management Department in the Planning Directorate at the Ministry of Public Works.

With over 9 years of experience in infrastructure services, Ignacio has collaborated with esteemed institutions such as the OECD, ECLAC-CEPAL, UNEP, and several Chilean universities on projects related to infrastructure governance and planning, water management, transport and logistics, and sustainable development.

He holds an MSc in Climate Change, Development and Policy from the University of Sussex.

In his free time, he enjoys surfing and cooking.

Ignacio is currently leading the development of Chile’s “Infrastructure Services Masterplan 2055.”

Virgínia de Ângelis Oliveira de Paula

Federal External Control Auditor at the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) since 2006. Seconded to the Ministry of Planning and Budget (MPO) in 2023, where she also served as Deputy Secretary and Director of the National Planning Secretariat.

At the TCU, her work focused primarily on the oversight of public finance management.

She is a member of the Executive Group of the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), the Interministerial Committee on Climate Change, and the Governance Committee for Integrated Transport Planning.

She also serves as a board member of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT) and the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI).

Specialist in Public Budgeting, with an academic background in Law and International Relations.

Bernardo Guillamon Sanz

Bernardo Guillamon Sanz is CEO of Teros Global, consulting with firms and Multilateral Development Banks in Sustainable Finance, Technology and Business Development.

Prior to this he was Chief of Office of the IDB Group President until mid-2023, having joined the group in 1992 and serving as Manager of the Office of Partnerships and Resource mobilization from 2008 to 2022, involved in the financing of several infrastructure programs and initiatives in Latam, among other executive and technical positions.

He has also worked as an agribusiness consultant in California and for the World Bank in Washington DC, and spends his time now on his global consulting role and managing his own cattle and forestry ranch in Uruguay.

Janet Young

Dr Janet Young CBE is the director general and secretary at the ICE.

Janet leads the organisation, working in partnership with a trustee board and a team of senior executives.

This includes delivering the ICE’s strategy, and essential services such as member qualifications, furthering knowledge and innovation and advocacy.

Janet’s role is outward facing, representing the ICE to members, industry, academia and governments.

She is the infrastructure sector lead on the UK government’s Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

Janet has extensive experience in the built environment. She is a chartered surveyor and Fellow of the ICE, RICS and Royal Engineers.

Her previous role was the government head of the property profession at the Cabinet Office.

She has also delivered major transformation and capital programmes for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Department for Education (DfE) and was the global estates director at the British Council.

Hon Lisa Raitt

The Honourable Lisa Raitt joined CIBC Capital Markets in January 2020, having previously worked in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Raitt’s current focus is on senior client coverage and business development with clients in the energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, which align closely with her deep expertise.

Prior to her current role, Ms. Raitt was the President and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority. She was elected into the House of Commons in 2008, where she went on to hold three senior portfolios serving as Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Transport. Most recently, Ms. Raitt was the Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada.

Ms. Raitt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis Xavier University and a master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Guelph. She possesses an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario bar in 1998.

In June 2024, Lisa was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ottawa.

Jordan Schwartz

Jordan Schwartz, a USA citizen, was appointed Executive Vice President starting June 1, 2023.

In his role as Executive vice President (EVP), he is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the IDB and oversees the quality control and risk management of all Bank operations. He serves as chair of management committees responsible for the Bank’s operational activities and provides oversight and direction to the Vice Presidents and all other senior staff.

Prior to joining the IDB, Mr. Schwartz worked in the field of economic development for over 30 years, focusing on infrastructure economics, finance, the role of the private sector, and sustainability. He has extensive work experience, both at the World Bank and in the private sector, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as across East Asia and the Pacific and Central Europe. He was the World Bank’s Country Director for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay from 2019 until January 2023. Previous to this position, he served in multiple roles at the World Bank, including Director for Infrastructure (Finance), Public-Private Partnerships & Guarantees (20172019), Director, Infrastructure & Urban Development Hub in Singapore (20152017), Head of the Global Infrastructure Facility, and Lead Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean Sustainable Development Department, among others.

In addition, Mr. Schwartz’ private sector experience includes senior roles in infrastructure and transport strategy at the management consulting firms of Deloitte Touche, and Booz Allen & Hamilton.

He holds a Master’s degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Tufts University.

Jagoda Egeland

Jagoda Egeland has been part of the Enabling Better Infrastructure (EBI) programme since its launch in 2019. She joined the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2011 where she has served in a variety of policy and advisory roles. She was also in charge of managing strategy and relationships with airlines at the UK Airports Commission, a body set up by the Prime Minister to examine the long-term airport capacity needs in the UK. Jagoda holds an MSc in Public Policy from Maastricht University and a BSc in Mathematics and Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

James Heath

James is a Partner at Flint Global supporting economic infrastructure investors and operators across a range of policy issues. Prior to Flint, James was Chief Executive of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), where he advised the UK government on strategy and policy for transport, energy, digital communications, water, waste and flood defences.

James is a former Director of Digital Infrastructure in the UK government, where he advised Ministers on broadband, mobile and telecoms security policy. He is also a former Director of Policy at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), where he led on public policy, government relations and regulation''.

Liesbeth Casier

Liesbeth is Lead, Public Procurement and Sustainable Infrastructure Policy within the Economic, Law and Policy program. She has more than 10 years of expertise in public procurement and sustainable development and heads our research and advisory work with governments for using public procurement strategically to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. Liesbeth also provides training on green and sustainable public procurement, including as part of the International Master in Public Procurement at the University of Tor Vergata and the University of Belgrade. She represents IISD at the OECD Working Group on Leading Practitioners on Public Procurement.

Additionally, Liesbeth works as Coordinator of the Nature-Based Infrastructure (NBI) Global Resource Centre, where she works with the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to make the case for investing in nature. In this capacity, she has been building new partnerships with national governments, cities, CSOs, IFIs and project developers to plan, procure, value, finance and implement NBI projects.

Previously, Liesbeth worked with UN Environment Program and started her career as consultant in auditing and corporate finance with a family-owned consultancy business in Belgium.

Dr Kerry Bobbins

Kerry leads the Enabling Better Infrastructure (EBI) programme at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). The EBI programme works with national governments worldwide to strengthen how they set up stable, sustainable, and investable infrastructure pipelines to meet people’s current and future needs.

Prior to this, Kerry worked in a range of policy and academic roles in the United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa to support infrastructure planning at the national, regional, and local levels of government. This involved working closely with government officials and other influential stakeholders to enhance sustainable outcomes across water, energy, and sanitation. Kerry completed her PhD in Development Planning at University College London, UK, and has a Master’s Degree in Geography from Rhodes University, South Africa.

Sam Gould

Sam joined the ICE in 2025. He oversees the ICE’s policy and external affairs function focused on ensuring decision makers have access to the advice and insight on how to use infrastructure to allow our planet, and those who live on it, to thrive.

As part of this role, Sam provides advice and analysis on political, economic and social issues affecting the infrastructure system.

Prior to joining the ICE, Sam held various communications and public affairs roles at Transport for London, where he worked on major projects such as the Elizabeth line and Northern line extension. Sam has previously worked in the private and third sectors in the UK and Brussels.