The human side of major projects: Supporting stakeholder wellbeing

In this episode of the Major Projects Association podcast, Executive Director Andy Murray is joined by Tom Hacker and John Sayer of Ardent to explore the human impact of major projects on the people whose homes, businesses, and communities are affected.

Ahead of our upcoming seminar, Beyond Compliance: Prioritising Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Major Projects, on 10 November in Manchester, the discussion focuses on Ardent’s Stakeholder Wellbeing Assistance Programme (SWAP), which provides support for people affected by major projects. They explore how uncertainty, compulsory purchase, and prolonged project development can affect mental health and wellbeing, and why building trust, listening to quieter voices, and recognising the experiences of individuals are essential to effective stakeholder engagement.

The conversation also considers the wider implications for project delivery, with both guests leaving listeners with a challenge to reflect on. And, as always, the episode closes with a musical choice that reflects the theme of the discussion.

Register for our upcoming event here: Beyond compliance: Prioritising health, safety and wellbeing in major projects

Head of Stakeholder Engagement & Communications, Ardent Management

Tom Hacker is Head of Stakeholder Engagement & Communications at Ardent Management, with more than 17 years’ experience working across major transport, infrastructure and regeneration projects. His work focuses on helping projects navigate complex stakeholder, community and consenting challenges, with a particular interest in how major projects can better recognise and support the wellbeing of the people most affected by their development and delivery.

Head of Development Consultancy, Ardent

John Sayer is Head of Development Consultancy at Ardent and a nationally experienced adviser on compulsory purchase, land assembly, valuation and the property aspects of major infrastructure and regeneration projects. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, an RICS Registered Valuer and a past Chair of the Compulsory Purchase Association. Alongside his advisory work, John is a member of the RICS Global President’s Dispute Resolution Panel as a Mediator and Expert Determiner, bringing extensive experience of complex property, compensation and development matters.

Connect with John on LinkedIn.