Chris Founds | Director & Founding Partner
Founds Group

Chris Founds, Owner and Lead Managing Consultant at Founds Group is a civil engineer by background and a nationally recognised voice in the convergence of digital infrastructure, highways, planning, and placemaking. Chris brings over 30 years of executive-level experience across both public and private sectors, where he has built a trustworthy reputation, underpinned by his commitment and expertise across the industry. Chris started Founds Group ten years ago with a mission to help local authorities and partners unlock the full potential of digital and transport infrastructure to deliver real-world outcomes for communities. Today, the consultancy leads transformative programmes that integrate place, energy and transport, delivering infrastructure that works for clients and ultimately the communities and people they serve. Chris has a wealth of experience across UK Local and Combined Authorities, National Transport Bodies and major contractors, where he has successfully led a range of ground-breaking initiatives, including:

• GMCA 5GIR Programme – a pioneering project combining digital connectivity, transport and energy infrastructure across Greater Manchester
• GMCA LFFN Programme – the largest (2700km) full fibre roll out for public sector across Greater Manchester connecting over 1550 assets and sites
• St Helens Digital Infrastructure Project – delivering open-access fibre networks to revitalise the town centre alongside publicly accessible Wi-Fi
• LCR Connect – linking 212km of backhaul fibre across the Liverpool City Region to support business connectivity
• Berkshire Digital Infrastructure Group – aligning six local authorities behind a shared digital strategy involving Planning, Highways and EcDev
• Burgess Hill Growth Programme – supporting placemaking and infrastructure delivery across Mid Sussex and a fibre spine from Brighton

Chris’s career spans key leadership roles including Director of Highways, Programme Manager for Combined Authorities, and Strategic Advisor across a variety of high-impact national and local projects. He is known for his collaborative, pragmatic approach to complex delivery — unlocking value and innovation for public sector bodies. Beyond delivery, Chris is a passionate advocate for professional development and knowledge-sharing developing teams and the next generation. Through the Founds Group Training and Skills Academy, he supports the next generation of talent entering the infrastructure sector, ensuring Client teams are given the tools to lead future projects, alongside being committed to long-term sustainability. Chris is well-known for speaking at major events, including Connected Britain, Highways UK and LCRIG - using his insights to improve how UK infrastructure can be designed and delivered to meet the evolving needs of people, places, and the planet.