Simi Ilupeju

Lead portfolio-level assurance and RAID (Risk, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies) across the National Housing Delivery Fund (NHDF), a complex portfolio of housing and infrastructure programmes.

• Provide independent assurance to senior leaders on delivery confidence, risks, dependencies and systemic issues
• Developed and embedded portfolio-wide RAID framework, enhancing escalation processes, tolerances and reporting mechanisms
• Align programme RAID into a coherent portfolio view for senior governance
• Facilitate cross-programme deep dives to identify systemic risks and interdependencies
• Led Board reporting, translating complex programme data into concise, actionable insights for informed decision-making
• Coordinated agendas, papers and governance processes as Secretariat to Monthly SRO and Quarterly Portfolio Boards, ensuring effective decision-making
• Established a consistent portfolio-wide RAID approach, improving oversight and comparability across programmes
• Strengthened governance by clarifying escalation routes, roles and accountabilities
• Authored and secured SRO and Board approval of the NHDF Portfolio Board Terms of Reference
• Enhanced Board effectiveness through structured reporting and Secretariat leadership

Programme level PMO manager supporting delivery of the £4.2bn HIF portfolio across 100+ projects, providing integrated planning assurance, governance and delivery insight to senior leaders.

• Led the programme PMO function, acting as the authoritative source of delivery information, schedules, milestones, dependencies and performance insight.
• Provided forward-looking assurance to the SRO and Programme Board on delivery confidence, critical path risks and planning realism.
• Integrated programme roadmaps, schedules, risks and dependencies to ensure coherence across policy, finance, commercial and delivery timelines.
• Owned Programme Board secretariat, producing high-quality MI packs, dashboards, actions and decision logs to support strategic decision-making.
• Embed delivery assurance controls aligned to NISTA Gate 0 recommendations and departmental standards.
• Led programme-wide deep dives (risk, dependency and performance) to test robustness and fitness for purpose of plans.
• Strengthened programme-level planning assurance through enhanced integration of schedules, risks, and dependency data, resulting in more reliable project tracking.
• Managed procurement and contract processes for Reference Class Forecasting recalibration, enhancing confidence in programme timelines and assumptions.
• Implemented continuous improvement cycles within the PMO to enhance governance discipline and elevate quality of reporting.

PMO and programme delivery manager for the establishment of a new Arm’s Length Body, integrating planning, governance, finance, risk and corporate services to enable operational stand-up.

• Supported delivery of a £10m Full Business Case, integrating delivery plans, milestones and dependencies to secure ISC, HMT and Cabinet Office approval.
• Developed programme roadmaps and dashboards to track progress against critical milestones and readiness criteria, ensuring alignment with delivery goals.
• Designed and embedded organisation-wide delivery and risk governance frameworks, aligned to HMT Orange Book and departmental standards.
• Led cross-functional planning across finance, commercial, HR, digital (SAP), accommodation and governance workstreams.
• Line-managed and coached junior staff, enhancing PMO capability and fostering a culture of discipline in delivery.
• Successfully transitioned Office for Place to a fully operational NDPB by April 2024.
• Created integrated programme dashboard for senior leaders to effectively monitor delivery progress and organisational readiness.
• Embedded structured planning and assurance processes supporting long-term sustainability of the organisation.

• Led design quality team, improving project outcomes through enhanced collaboration and design principles.
• Managed programme procurement, contracts, and finance, developing business cases and overseeing invoice management.
• Facilitated study tours and best practice workshops, promoting design agenda in housing.
• Organised two national design quality conferences with over 780 attendees including Secretary of State and Housing Ministers.

• Developed ministerial briefs and national guidance for safe use of places of worship.
• Delivered weekly media briefings and engaged with external stakeholders on policy impacts.
• Participated in Places of Worship Covid Taskforce, supporting development of safety protocols.
• Led scheduling and coordination of national Faith Leaders Roundtables during the Covid-19 response.

• Coordinated stakeholder engagement and project planning for Grenfell Recovery Programme to ensure alignment and effective communication.
• Facilitated Programme Board secretariat, improved dashboard reporting, and provided timely updates to senior stakeholders.
• Maintained programme risk and legal risk registers; engaged with Portfolio Board and ARAC to enhance risk management.
• Provided assurance and planning support to KPMG Health Check review.