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Sponsoring a major project: the Crossrail experience
strat-edgy | 4th September 2025
Strat-edgy partner, Matthew Symes led an in-depth Lessons Learned review jointly for the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) (now NISTA - National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority) and for DfT (Department of Transport) about the role of the Sponsor on the Crossrail report. When an Arm’s Length delivery body (ALB) delivers a major complex infrastructure programme, there are always technical, commercial, legal and management challenges to overcome. That’s why the ALB exists – to solve those problems.
But what about the role of the Sponsor? When the inevitable delivery challenges arise, what is the role of the Sponsor? What controls, levers, powers and capabilities are required to help the Arm’s Length Body deliver the programme successfully?
Matthew, supported by Rob Brighouse who was a Non-Executive Director for Network Rail at the time, delivered this insightful review involving circa 100 reviews and three major workshops to explore the findings and finesse the conclusions.
The nine lessons have relevance to most programme Sponsorship situations. Below is the link to the report, first published in 2024 and if you would like a bespoke tutorial workshop, tuned to your organisation’s challenges, please do get in touch.
Sponsoring a major project: the Crossrail experience - GOV.UK
About the Author
Matthew Symes
Partner in strat-edgy LLP, Matthew is an experienced strategic transformation leader and trusted assurance advisor on high-risk major programmes.