Infrastructure spotlight – an interview with Tom Henderson and Nick Ogden

Infrastructure is central to the UK’s economic growth and its transition to a more sustainable future, and it’s an area where TLT has built strong credentials, deep expertise and trusted client relationships. 

Managing Partner John Wood recently sat down with Partners and joint sector leads Tom Henderson, and Nick Ogden, to shine a spotlight on the issues that matter to the sector and how TLT is positioned to support.

John: Could you both introduce yourselves?

Tom: I’m Tom Henderson, Partner in the Planning, Environment, Parliamentary and CPO team at TLT.  I co-lead that team and I am also co-head of our Infrastructure sector. I have over 20 years’ experience as a planning and projects lawyer and I’ve advised across the suite of consenting regimes, including development consent orders, transport and work orders, town and country planning, harbour orders and bills in Parliament. 

Nick: I’m Nick Ogden, a Partner in the Projects Infrastructure and Construction team at TLT,  and co-head of the Infrastructure sector. I’ve spent over 30 years advising Government, public sector bodies, sponsors, private sector organisations and consortia in structuring and negotiating all forms of corporate and contractual joint ventures and alliances, PPPs and other long-term partnering arrangements around complex and critical infrastructure assets.  

‍John: For those less familiar with Infrastructure – what areas does the sector encompass? 

Tom: Broadly speaking,  infrastructure at TLT covers some of the most complex and high-profile infrastructure in the UK, spanning the full lifecycle: policy and strategy,  project authorisation, funding, procurement, construction and operation. We’ve been advising in this space for many years, and bring our expertise together under a dedicated infrastructure sector to better support our clients and their ambitions.  

 Nick: It’s important to share our focus on core sub-sectors: Transport (encompassing Roads, Rail, Ports and Airports); Water (utilities and water supply, as well as water protection); Nuclear (covering new build and decommissioning) and Defence. Our infrastructure sector directly complements the great work we have been doing in Future Energy and in the Public Sector. 

‍John: Can you explain what types of projects and technologies sit under the Infrastructure umbrella? 

Tom: Infrastructure sits at the core of the UK’s economic and social development, encompassing the systems that enable the country to function and grow. This includes major transport projects such as airports, ports, roads and rail; alongside critical assets in nuclear and defence, and water infrastructure spanning supply and flood protection. These projects are typically large-scale and capital-intensive, forming a central part of national investment and long-term growth.

By way of example, TLT is advising on the development and delivery of the Lower Thames Crossing, one of the UK’s most significant road projects. Our role spans planning, land assembly and commercial structuring, alongside advising on delivery through private finance under a regulated asset base model. This includes supporting the creation and sale of a licensed operating company, as well as the development of new regulatory powers through the Highways (Financing) Bill.

Nick: Alongside core physical asset classes, technology is playing an increasingly central role in the infrastructure sector. Clients are investing in smarter, data-driven systems to support how projects are delivered, monitored and operated, reflecting a broader shift towards more integrated and digitally enabled infrastructure.

This evolution is being driven by the combination of physical assets, innovative delivery models and increasingly complex project lifecycles, from PPP and private finance structures through to long-term operation. It is within this landscape that TLT offers a genuinely integrated, end-to-end service, underpinned by deep sector expertise. These projects require a broad range of legal capabilities and we are well positioned to bring the full breadth of our expertise to clients operating in this space.

 John: Why is Infrastructure such a critical focus right now, both for the market and for TLT as a firm?

Tom: Infrastructure is central to the UK’s economic growth and long-term strategy. We’re seeing unprecedented levels of public and private investment being committed across transport, energy, water and defence, driven by national priorities such as net zero, energy security and regional growth.  

The King’s Speech earlier this year highlighted several bills that directly impact the UK’s infrastructure sector, including the Highways (Financing) Bill I mentioned above as well as the Clean Water Bill, that create a significant pipeline of complex, high-value projects, and a clear need for advisers who understand not just individual workstreams, but how those projects come together end-to-end. 

Nick:  It’s an evolving market, with greater integration between traditional infrastructure, digital technologies and new delivery models. With our strong capability across planning, projects, public law, construction and projects, real estate, finance and regulatory, we are well positioned to support clients across the full lifecycle of their projects. 

 John: Can you share a recent example of an Infrastructure matter we’ve supported on, and our role? 

Tom:  TLT is advising the Department for Transport on the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport, supporting a range of complex legal and regulatory matters associated with the project. This includes work on updates to the Airports National Policy Statement, the delivery of new and relocated infrastructure, and engagement with scheme promoters. Our role also spans planning, aviation regulation and competition considerations, as well as managing statutory blight and potential legal challenges, reflecting the high-profile and sensitive nature of airport expansion.

Nick:  This mandate requires close coordination with multiple public bodies and regulators, alongside careful management of public law and planning risk. Our experience advising on major infrastructure programmes, combined with a pragmatic and commercially focused approach, means we are able to be a trusted adviser to the DfT on this nationally significant project. 

John: What's our greatest strength in Infrastructure?

Tom: Our strength lies in supporting complex, large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly across transport, nuclear, defence and water. We bring together expertise in planning, public law and commercial matters to help clients navigate projects from the earliest stages through to delivery.

Nick: I’d add that our real differentiator is the ability to offer a genuinely integrated, end-to-end approach. We combine legal expertise with a strong understanding of the political, economic and regulatory landscape in which our clients operate, enabling us to support them on high-value, complex matters in a more joined-up and strategic way.

‍