The Labour Infrastructure Forum (LIF) is a dynamic network of policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders from across the Labour movement, united to achieve Keir Starmer’s mission to get Britain building and growing again. The LIF is overseen by its Executive Directors and supported by an Advisory Council across politics and industry.

Executive

Director (Unpaid Role), Gerry McFall

Gerry has been a Labour Party member since he was 18, worked for various Labour MPs and for The Smith Institute that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown constituted. Gerry also worked as a senior manager based in Italy for 10 years with a large global aerospace and engineering company. He is a former school teacher and electrical engineer - so ‘making’ and ‘doing’ things has always been a passion. Gerry is a Director at Bradshaw Advisory.

Deputy Director (Unpaid Role), Will Murray

Will previously worked for a Labour Shadow Minister. He most recently worked at the Environment Agency where for several years - including working as an advisor to the Chief Executive - he saw first hand the UK’s infrastructure challenges from water to energy. He now works as a political and policy consultant. Will is an Associate Director at Bradshaw Advisory.

Deputy Director of Strategy (Unpaid Role), David Hendy

David Hendy is Chief of Staff at Mace Group, a global consultancy and construction company that delivers some of the world’s most high profile and complex infrastructure programmes. He supports the Mace Executive Board on transformation, external affairs and corporate governance.

Until June 2024, David was Mace’s Communications Director, with responsibility for the Group’s global media relations, public affairs and internal engagement. His background is in public relations, crisis communications and public affairs, with a focus on the built environment, infrastructure delivery and professional services.

 

Advisory Council

The LIF is supported by a diverse and experienced advisory council who input as appropriate into our programme of policy work and events.

  • All our advisory council members serve in an informal, personal capacity to ensure maximum flexibility to manage parliamentary or business duties. 

  • While we expect our advisory council to agree with our mission and objectives, we do not expect them to necessarily agree with every policy we advocate, nor do we necessarily endorse every view of our advisory council. 

  • Members of the LIF must abide by the Nolan Principles of public life at all times and not engage in any conduct of behaviour that could bring the LIF into disrepute. The LIF Advisory Council is not involved in any financial matters and, for avoidance of doubt, does not engage in any lobbying activity on behalf of report or event sponsors.

Kirsteen Sullivan MP

A ‘rising star’ from the 2024 intake, Kirsteen is the Labour MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow. Prior to becoming an MP she worked as a business analyst for several private companies, including Scottish Widows. She also served as a councillor for Whitburn and Blackburn in West Lothian and as Labour deputy leader of West Lothian Council from 2017 to 2024. 

Rt. Hon. Ruth Kelly (Chair of Water UK)

As a former Member of Parliament for Bolton West from 1997-2010, Ruth served in the UK Cabinet for four years, as Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Communities and Local Government, and Transport, under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Since stepping down as an MP, Ruth has held a number of senior roles in the financial, educational and aviation sectors. 

Lord Iain McNicol

Lord Iain McNicol of West Kilbride is a member of the House of Lords, trade unionist and Labour life peer who served as the General Secretary of the Labour Party from 2011 to 2018.

Bill Esterson MP 

Bill Esterson is the Labour MP for Sefton Central, and has been an MP continually since 6 May 2010. Bill is an experienced parliamentarian holding several senior roles on the Labour frontbench including Shadow Minister for Roads, Business and Industry, International Trade and Small Business.

Mike Reader MP 

Labour Member of Parliament for Northampton South. Mike’s background in the infrastructure sector and vast knowledge of energy, housing and construction is a huge asset to the LIF. 

Luke Murphy MP

Labour’s first ever Member of Parliament for Basingstoke. Before he was elected, Luke held a senior role at IPPR, leading IPPR’s Environmental Justice Commission and the Energy, Climate, Housing and Infrastructure team. Previously Luke has worked for the Labour party as a policy and political adviser for a shadow secretary of state and successive shadow housing ministers leading their work on housing, also working on local government and devolution.