In this episode of the Major Projects Association podcast, Executive Director Andy Murray is joined by Alex Grant, Director of Programme Risk and Assurance at Grant Thornton, for a fireside chat – quite literally – at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London.

Ahead of our upcoming seminar, Unlocking the true value of assurance, Andy and Alex explore how assurance can deliver greater value across major projects. Moving beyond assurance as a checking exercise, they consider how it can build confidence, improve decision-making, and help projects identify and address risk earlier.

Drawing on Alex’s experience across major programmes and different lines of assurance, the conversation explores where assurance can have the greatest impact, particularly during the early stages of a project. They discuss integrated assurance and approval planning, independent challenge, trust and accountability, and how effective assurance can uncover gaps, reduce duplication and bring different parts of a programme around a shared understanding of risk and priorities.

Ultimately, they consider how assurance can break down organisational barriers and help create the conditions for better project outcomes.

And, as ever, the conversation ends with a track chosen by our guest.

Alex Grant

Director of Programme Risk and Assurance, Grant Thornton UK

Alex is a Chartered Accountant (ACCA) and risk management specialist (SIRM) with over 14 years' experience in integrated audit, risk and assurance across major infrastructure programmes, with a specialism in cost and commercial assurance. He recently performed the role of Review Team Leader for the independent assurance undertaken on the Dublin MetroLink Programme, informing the recent Cabinet Approval for Ireland's largest transport infrastructure programme, and has previously led independent assurance programmes for the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority. His work spans rail, transport, water and regulated infrastructure, reporting to Senior Responsible Owners, Programme Boards and Audit Committees.

Alex's approach centres on integrated assurance, bringing together the often fragmented lines of audit, risk and programme oversight into a single, coordinated view that senior stakeholders can act on with confidence. Alongside his major programme work, he has led internal audit engagements for private sector clients spanning construction, manufacturing and project delivery, giving him a grounded, cross-sector view of what good assurance looks like in practice.

Insight paper

Alex will also be exploring these themes further in an upcoming insight paper from Grant Thornton, due to be published in the coming weeks – look out for more soon.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn.