Henry Sutcliffe

Henry Sutcliffe is a Managing Director at Agilia, leading the firm’s defence and transport practices. An MCIPS-qualified professional with over 18 years’ experience across critical national infrastructure programmes he specialises in translating complex policy into deliverable commercial strategies and sponsorship of high-value programmes. He is an expert in structuring commercial and supply chain frameworks that manage risk and ambiguity, designing operating models and governance pathways that navigate public sector scrutiny and national security requirements.

Before joining Agilia, Henry spent a decade in central government advising Cabinet Ministers and leading policy negotiations. This background equips him with direct insight into the cross-departmental alignment and HMT approvals essential for major programme procurements. His government successes include brokering agreements with HMT to fund Deputy Prime Minister priorities (including free school meals and the carrier bag tax), leading the development of a domestic rail link to Heathrow, and directing Whitehall strategy for the Hendy review of Network Rail.

At Agilia, Henry developed the commercial strategy and programmatic operating model for a multi-billion-pound defence programme. His broader experience includes conducting a complex multi-party governance review in the UK rail sector, assessing alternative funding models in the nuclear sector, and shaping the funding model, supply chain strategy and value-for-money proposition for Sizewell C. These projects demonstrate his ability to port commercial and governance best practice from capital-intensive sectors into defence, transport, and energy.