Dr Martin Hurst’s (MA in economics Cantab, MSC, PHD in economics and econometrics Southampton) core skills are economic appraisal, environment and utilities policy, corporate finance and major project leadership/assurance. He started his career as a professional economist gaining wide experience in HM Treasury and on project appraisal in transport and environment. He was co-creator of the first publicly mandated Multi Criteria methodology for road schemes and what became the standard UK approach to public spending control. He published papers on public finance economics, monetary economics and on sustainability appraisal.
He has 20 years experience as a senior civil servant, including roles as senior advisor on environment, planning, housing and regeneration to the Prime Minister in 10 Downing Street, regulation director, water and floods director and then commercial and major projects director in Defra. He has led a number of major projects including phase 1 of the £5bn Thames Tideway Tunnel, and the first Uk government equity joint venture for a science agency. He oversaw portfolio management of £9bn of major projects – covering water, floods, waste, JVs and IT – across the department.
He is also a graduate of the Said Business school/Deloittes Major Projects Leadership Academy and an accredited reviewer of the highest risk government projects. Since leaving the civil service in 2015 he has developed a wide portfolio of roles including expert advisor to the House of Commons, Environmental Audit Committee, chair of finance and treasury at a large housing association, associate partner at the Cadence partnership, associate at Indepen (a regulation consultancy) and visiting senior lecturer UCL/core member at the OMEGA centre.
He is currently a consultant for OMEGA Consultants and holds a number of portfolio roles including: chair, finance and treasury BPHA (£800m of debt, £130m turnover); chair, treasury and investment, Radian housing group (£600m of debt, £150m turnover); associate partner, Cadence Innova (mainly advising on housing and commercial issues); visiting senior lecturer (major infrastructure appraisal) UCL and core member UCL OMEGA group; associate, Indepen (mainly advising on water regulation, economics and environment); member: SES customer challenge group; member Bath University centre for water and innovation strategic advisory group; trustee South East Rivers trust; chair – the Elysian Singers.
Martin is external strategy advisor to water UK (1 day a week to June 2017); and was expert advisor House of Commons Environmental Audit committee (until the last election). He is an active member of: Institute of directors, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply
Dr Martin Hurst