Our Work

Experience

For over 50 years we have worked on large, iconic programmes, complex projects & major business change initiatives, advising in a wide range of industries, especially regeneration, environment, transport and technology.

Our business areas

Regeneration Environment Transport Technology

Regeneration

We bring our client’s vision to reality to energise environments and generate maximum value for communities, nationally and internationally. We are strategic advisors involved throughout the development and delivery lifecycle of unique programmes. Through helping revitalise urban and rural areas we have enabled many opportunities and economic growth for years to come.

For over five decades we have worked nationally and internationally on cities, levelling up towns, universities, roads, railways and airports. Through a combination of creating business cases, strategic advice, planning and programme management we have been able to reawaken and bring renewed life to many communities.

Regeneration·Strategy & Advice

Towns Fund

Programme Management partner on the £3.6bn Towns Fund, supporting 101 towns across England with strategic advice, business cases and programme controls on behalf of DLUHC.

Regeneration·Delivery

Palace of Westminster

Strategic advisor to the Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority for the Houses of Parliament Restoration & Renewal programme — one of the most complex heritage infrastructure projects in the world.

Regeneration·Transport

Docklands Light Railway

Strategic leadership and coordination for the initial DLR infrastructure and multiple extensions, transforming access to the Canary Wharf area within a £77m budget.

Regeneration·Delivery

London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games

Pivotal role in London’s successful Olympic bid — managing the £2.6bn contingency, sponsoring key venues and shaping the lasting legacy of the Games.

Environment

We respect our planet and are committed to supporting the delivery of a sustainable and viable future. The need for action is more urgent than ever; Nichols helps clients realise projects and policies that will help to deliver decarbonisation goals. Our team of outstanding specialists understand the landscape and challenges of environmental issues through our vast experience.

We have the knowledge and expertise to help across the entire environmental arena, providing navigation through every stage of the project and programme lifecycle, from establishing the case for investment to strategic management of infrastructure delivery.

Environment·Strategy & Advice

Low Carbon Contracts Company

Strategic options review for the Low Carbon Contracts Company — the independent counterparty at the heart of the UK’s Electricity Market Reform and net zero energy transition.

Environment·Delivery

Sellafield

Rapidly regenerated a credible programme baseline for Europe’s highest nuclear hazard site, enabling Sellafield to secure its first-ever programme business case approval and saving over £1.5bn.

Environment·Strategy & Advice

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Trusted strategic advisor to the NDA since 2009 — delivering assurance, strategic reviews and programme management across a multi-£bn annual portfolio of civil nuclear decommissioning programmes.

Transport

We bring vision and strategic direction to major transport programmes, enabling clients to deliver creative transport solutions that leave a legacy. Having worked on iconic road, rail and aviation programmes around the world for over 50 years, we have a deep holistic understanding of the full lifecycle of a transport system from project inception to long-term running and maintenance.

We offer our expertise at every stage of the programme. This whole lifecycle perspective enables us to understand the many interfaces within transport programmes, and influence planning by accommodating key features such as systems integration and stakeholder relationship management.

Transport·Strategy & Advice

Oslo Airport

Trusted strategic advisor to Oslo Airport Gardermoen, securing Ministry of Transport approval for a third runway and increasing capacity from 19m to 25m passengers per annum.

Transport·Delivery

Elizabeth Line

Strategic advisors to Crossrail for 34 years as Programme Partner via the Transcend JV — providing strategic insight, systems integration and assurance across the £15bn programme.

Transport·Assurance

Office of Rail and Road

Independent Reporter to the ORR since 2009, delivering over 35 reviews of Network Rail and Highways England — identifying £600m of cost savings in a single control period review.

Transport·Delivery

High Speed 2

Led the Project Assessment Review of the £27bn Phase 1 route, providing assurance to the Secretary of State enabling Royal Assent, and continuing as a trusted strategic advisor throughout delivery.

Technology

Technology is an important catalyst for change in our world. It has the ability to improve wellbeing, advance ideas and offerings, improve productivity and bring about positive change.

This alignment with the Nichols vision ‘Creativity to inspire and change the world’, together with our expertise in providing strategic insight, programme and project management and expert advice, means we are well placed to help clients in the technology area with their biggest challenges. Our technology business area encompasses technology-driven clients who benefit from our broad range of products, delivered by our highly skilled experts.

Technology·Transport

Elizabeth Line

Programme Partner (via the Transcend JV) to Crossrail for 34 years — leading systems integration, technical assurance and innovation across the £15bn programme from inception to opening.

Technology·Strategy & Advice

Global Technology Company

Transformed programme controls capability for a global technology company: new controls framework, software suite, APM branch and training faculty for 800 project control staff.

Technology·Transport

Network Rail

Led the Black Diamond Review of West Coast Route Modernisation — developing a new delivery strategy that satisfied commitments to Virgin Trains and the Rail Regulator within the 2005 timeframe.

“Nichols’ attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out. We’ve already recommended them to others.”
— Former Client

“Creative, reliable, and genuinely passionate about what they do.”
— Former Client

“A professional team that delivers on their promises.”
— Former Client

“Every detail was thoughtfully executed. We’re thrilled with the outcome.”
— Former Client