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We were delighted to host a Collaborative Leaders in Highways Lunch at the House of Lords on 6th November. Welcomed by Lord John Hannett of Everton, ICW's Chairman, along with a thought-provoking keynote address from Elliot Shaw, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at National Highways, it was an opportunity to bring together senior leaders in the sector. To explore how collaboration is shaping the future of highways and strengthening collaborative networks to enable successful delivery.

Collaboration at the Heart of Progress

In his welcome speech, Lord John Hannett highlighted that the highways community shares a well-defined shared purpose, through improving connectivity, safety, customer experience, and sustainability. With the government's commitment of £725 billion in long-term infrastructure investment, collaboration between public organisations and the supply chain is more essential than ever.

"Every success story in this industry is built on teams pulling in the same direction and sharing accountability", he emphasised.

Leading Collaboration

Elliott Shaw's keynote speech set out how the Government's Ten-Year Infrastructure Strategy outlines a long-term plan to boost economic growth, remove barriers, and ensure resilience - goals that can only be achieved through strong collaboration, leveraging diverse skills to enhance innovation, efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.

He explained that for National Highways, 80–90% of delivery is carried out by the supply chain, contributing to outstanding major results in RIS2 that included; 30 enhancement programmes, 8,500 km of renewed pavement, a 39% reduction in serious injuries, and over 150 new emergency areas. He outlined that as we move into RIS3, tools like the new Collaboration Diagnostic, developed jointly with the Institution for Collaborative Working by the Highways Forum and piloted across National Highways, will help strengthen behaviours, performance, and value across the entire infrastructure sector.

We're also grateful to Amy Williams, and Martyn Gannicott from National Highways for joining us and demonstrating, through their presence and continued support, that collaboration is a strategic priority for the sector.

Strengthening Collaborative Culture

Frank Lee, ICW's CEO, also reinforced the importance of collaboration in highways delivery:

"In highways, collaboration isn't just a nice idea - it's what keeps the country moving."

He noted that structured collaboration across designers, contractors, clients, and communities has already led to safer projects, greater public value, and a more resilient supply chain. He also encouraged leaders to expand collaboration across sectors to build social value, support future skills, and inspire the next generation.

The ICW Highways Forum: Setting New Standards

The event recognised the significant work of the ICW Highways Forum, jointly represented by National Highways and senior leaders from Associated Asphalt, Skanska, AE Yates, Amey, Jacobs, Sisk, Mott MacDonald, Balfour Beatty, Murphy, Graham, Breedon, Highway Care and many other companies.

The ICW Highways Forum has benefited enormously from the leadership of Dr. Ghaith Al-Werikat and Matt Morphet, whose energy, commitment, and vision have guided the group's work with purpose and professionalism.

Together, the Forum has developed a new behavioural collaboration tool to help teams measure and strengthen collaborative performance - enhancing psychological safety, inclusion, and shared accountability. ICW will now host the tool, with pilots beginning across the sector before a wider rollout, including to local highways authorities in 2026.

Recognising Leadership in Collaboration

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Collaborative Champion Award to Matt Morphet, whose leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in advancing collaborative culture across the highways sector.

We extend sincere thanks to Associated Asphalt for sponsoring the event and for its continued support of collaborative working across the industry.

We look forward to continuing this important work together, shaping a more resilient and connected highways network that benefits communities and creates a better future for everyone.

ICW was delighted to host a Collaborative Leaders in Defence Lunch at the House of Lords yesterday, supported by MODUS (a joint venture led by Vercity, alongside partners Amey and Skanska). It brought together senior leaders from across defence, government, and industry to explore how collaboration is shaping the future of our defence capability and delivery.

The event opened with a warm welcome from ICW Chairman, Lord John Hannett, and a keynote address from Lord Vernon Coaker, Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence, who highlighted the vital role collaboration plays in strengthening our national defence and resilience.

John Brazier, Operations Director at Modus Services Ltd, provided inspirational insights into the MODUS Journey that has led them to become a leading-edge collaborative organisation, delivering real, consistent value in partnership with their client, the MOD.

In his remarks, Frank Lee, ICW's Chief Executive, recognised the commitment of ICW members who actively demonstrate collaboration through their actions - whether by contributing to our thought leadership groups, engaging in Active+ initiatives, or sharing expertise to advance collaborative best practice across sectors.

These actions strongly reflect ICW's purpose: to enable organisations to build and embed collaborative capability to deliver greater value, resilience, and innovation. In the defence sector, this means fostering trusted and sustained relationships between public, private, and specialist partners to enhance capability, efficiency, and delivery outcomes.

It was inspiring to see leaders engage in thoughtful discussion, share valuable insights, and strengthen connections across the sector - all with a shared commitment to working better together.

We look forward to building on these conversations and continuing to champion closer cross-sector collaboration, helping connect our member organisations to build stronger collaborative networks.

Our Chairman, Lord John Hannett OBE, had the pleasure of hosting a lunch in the House of Lords to recognise the re-constitution of the ICW Nuclear Forum, and to thank Andrew Van Schaick and Aleksandra Radecka-Taylor BA (Hons) MCIPS for their commitment and leadership in taking the forum into its next phase of development.

It was also an opportunity to discuss Sellafield Ltd's role as an ICW Ambassador organisation, highlighting how collaboration continues to underpin their relationships with the supply chain and the delivery of future projects of national importance.

As one of the UK's most significant organisations, Sellafield Ltd's collaborative approach exemplifies how structured collaboration drives progress, innovation, and shared value across complex programmes.

The lunch also provided an opportunity to acknowledge Stephen Scott on receiving his ICW Fellowship in May, which recognised his outstanding contribution to advancing collaborative working.

The ICW judging panel of Lord John Hannett OBE, ICW's Chairman, professor Mehmet Chakkol from Warwick University, and Simon Healey BSI's Operations & System Certification Director for UK&I, Sat for 2 days on October 1st and 2nd interviewing the 22 shortlisted submissions from this year's ICW Awards entries.

The submissions ranged from groundbreaking collaborative projects and leading initiatives, to outstanding workplace collaboration.

The Judges commented that the range and quality this year has been exceptional, and the wear impressed by all of them which made this years job harder then past years.

ICW congratulates all the finalists, and looks forward to announcing the winners of the 2025 ICW Collaboration Awards at the reception on 27th November at the House of Lords.

The ICW awards are sponsored by BSI, an ICW Ambassador member.

ICW congratulates the following successful candidates on passing the latest ICW 44001 September Leader's course held at Warwick University.

Welcome and Congratulations to our newest Members of the Institute:

Neil Staines, Martin McMahon, Bushra Alshehri, Ruth Kinsella, Emily Clarke, Amy Stanbrook, and David Bond.

The group are seen here with Leigh Lawry, the course Tutor, and Paul Connor, the adjudicator.

In a newly published article on Project Management Global, Frank Lee, ICW's CEO, and Tara Sinclair, Communications Manager at TRU West Alliance, highlight how structured collaboration - underpinned by ISO 44001 - was key to the success of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

This major railway infrastructure project brought together multiple delivery partners, including ICW Executive members Network Rail, BAM and Amey. In recognition of their collaborative efforts, the TRU Alliance was assessed and achieved the first-ever ICW Leading Edge collaborator validation award in June 2024.

Key Takeaways:

• Standards like ISO 44001 are essential tools for embedding collaboration into business processes, leadership, behaviour and culture - enabling safer, stronger, and more resilient outcomes.
• A structured approach to collaboration is a powerful differentiator. When applied strategically, it drives innovation, improves relationships and delivery, and boosts efficiency across complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

For organisations and their project teams navigating increasing complexity, risk, and evolving supply chains, the message is clear: structured collaboration is no longer optional - it's essential.

Read the full article published by Project Management Global: The Truth About Standards – Unlocking Collaborative Power.

Last week, the Institute for Collaborative Working visited Sellafield at Hinton House, Birchwood, to share updates, exchange insights, and explore new opportunities to strengthen our relationship.

Highlights included:

• ICW reflections on developments and opportunities for cross-sector engagement and sharing.
• Sellafield updates on their 'Programme and Project Partners' initiative, Key contract delivery transitions and their Supplier Relationship Management programme.
• Productive discussions on the ICW Nuclear Forum status and key topics for future impact.
• Plans for the ICW Chairman and CEO to visit the main site in Cumbria.

Andy Van Schaick, Commercial & Supply Chain Leadership at Sellafield, said:

"Working with ICW helps us challenge ourselves, refine our approach, and deliver better outcomes for our stakeholders and suppliers. Our membership is about driving continual improvement, through sharing and learning across sectors, with other organisations with similar values and aspirations, to deliver greater value through collaboration. The ICW's passion for embedding collaboration principles to all types of business in a range of industries is evident. This ranges from free to use collaboration tools, the offer of their professionals who can provide sound advice on such matters as well as facilitating network connections."

Frank Lee, ICW Chief Executive, said:

"Sellafield are a significant and valued member of the Institute, and we can see how their leadership and teams continue to demonstrate what structured, value led collaboration looks like in action. It's exciting to see their maturity journey progressing and the positive impact it's having in their partnerships and supply chain development programme."

Our Chairman, Lord John Hannett, was delighted to host a lunch at the House of Lords last Thursday for Rachel Ellison, Claudio Tassistro and Odilon Serrano, MICW from our Executive Network member Mott MacDonald, along with our good friend Nicola Benjamin from Project Management Global Ltd.

The event was a fantastic opportunity to exchange insights on the importance of collaboration in managing and delivering complex infrastructure programmes and projects - those that drive better outcomes for communities, organisations, and the wider economy. It also served to strengthen valuable cross-sector relationships.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a rich and thoughtful discussion.

We were delighted to co-host this inspiring on 2nd July at The Shard, in collaboration with Developing Business-Aware Academics and University of Warwick.

The event provided a unique opportunity to bring together senior leaders from industry, academia, and policy to explore how the UK's world-class research community can help address real-world challenges and drive positive societal and economic change.

We were honoured to open the event with remarks from Frank Lee FICW, CEO of ICW, and Professor Alison Truelove, Project Director of Developing Business-Aware Academics.

The Keynote address by Lord Jim Knight, former Parliamentary Cabinet Minister and respected industry leader, set the tone for a day full of insight and energy. A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring:

• David Payne, Springer Nature
• Professor Helen Berry, University of Exeter
• Simon Reid, Babcock International Group
• Oliver Walmsley, Warwick Innovation District
• Debbie Johnson, Innovate UK

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this day a success - your passion and collaboration made all the difference. A special mention to Kirsty Kelley, University of Exeter.

At ICW, we believe that collaboration is the key to unlocking innovation and driving meaningful impact. We look forward to continuing the conversation and strengthening the connections between research and real-world impact.

Photos from the Event

ICW is pleased to welcome GLA Group as a new member of our Executive Network.

The GLA Group is made up of the Greater London Authority and its functional bodies (Transport for London, Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, London Fire Commissioner, London Legacy Development Corporation and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation) - all dedicated to serving London, and Londoners. The aim of GLA Group Collaboration is to remove operational and cultural barriers to joint working, enabling GLA Group organisations and key partners to be willing and able to work together as effectively and efficiently as if they were part of the same organisation.

ICW's CEO, Frank Lee, said: "I am delighted to welcome the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group to the Institute for Collaborative Working. Collaboration is vital across organisations, where complex challenges demand joined-up thinking and shared outcomes. By embracing structured collaboration through ICW, the GLA Group are strengthening their ability to deliver better, more integrated ways of working—bringing real benefits to Londoners now and into the future."

Charly Hutson, Director of GLA Group Collaboration, added: "We are working to build collaboration into the core of what we do, in order to be more efficient, effective and to provide the best value for money. We are delighted to join the Institute of Collaborative Working to help us meet these aims.

Find out more about GLA Group here.