Nichola Newton

Senior Portfolio Manager & Transformation Consultant with 20+ years' experience delivering complex business and technology change across regulated and enterprise environments. Proven track record of mobilising PMO and portfolio functions, including implementation and adoption of PPM tooling and structured portfolio processes to enable data-driven decision making, demand management and investment governance at Executive level. Trusted to operate across both hands-on delivery and strategic advisory roles, bringing immediate structure, clarity and control to portfolios requiring increased maturity, visibility and performance.

Strong experience across large-scale transformation portfolios (£100m+), with expertise in portfolio governance, financial control, PMO leadership and organisational change.

Advisory Consultant (Transformation & PMO) at The Huntsman Group (2024-09 – Present)

Providing senior advisory support across transformation and technology portfolios within public sector and regulated environments.

• Advising on portfolio mobilisation, governance design and delivery structure
• Supporting organisations to improve adoption, benefits realisation and delivery maturity
• Providing independent assurance across portfolios to strengthen delivery confidence
• Partnering with senior stakeholders to align strategic objectives with delivery execution
• Supporting development of PMO and portfolio capability across client environments

Planned Career Break (Family & Professional Development) (2023-02 – 2024-08)

Planned period to support family medical needs, while maintaining professional engagement and development.

• Continued involvement in transformation advisory activity
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of portfolio delivery, governance and change practices
• Returned to market with focus on senior portfolio, PMO and transformation engagements

Head of Transformation PMO at Royal BAM Group (UK & Ireland) (2022-04 – 2023-01)

Led the enterprise portfolio governance and PMO function across a complex, multi-programme transformation portfolio spanning operations, digital and organisational change. Reporting to the Transformation Director.

• Defined and implemented PMO and portfolio strategy across a multi-programme environment
• Implemented and embedded portfolio management tooling and structured reporting frameworks
• Owned and governed portfolio demand pipeline, including intake, prioritisation and investment decision support
• Managed portfolio financials including forecasting, budget oversight and investment tracking across multiple programmes
• Established governance frameworks and stage-gate controls to improve investment decisions
• Delivered portfolio-level reporting, forecasting and executive insight
• Led dependency, risk and capacity management across multiple programmes
• Drove adoption of portfolio processes and tooling across programme teams and senior stakeholders
• Embedded benefits realisation practices to improve focus on measurable outcomes
• Strengthened delivery assurance and visibility across the portfolio
• Accountable for the end-to-end portfolio function including demand management, prioritisation, governance and reporting across multi-programme environment

Director of Strategic Transformation at Capita Public (2022-01 – 2022-04)

Directed cross-divisional transformation initiatives across complex, enterprise-level public sector portfolio, focusing on operating model, process redesign, organisational change and cultural transformation. Reporting to the MD.

• Led transformation initiatives including process redesign, organisational change and cultural transformation
• Partnered with senior leadership to define priorities and shape delivery approach
• Improved stakeholder engagement and communications across business units
• Supported adoption of change through structured engagement and leadership alignment
• Developed programme and project leadership capability through coaching and mentoring

Head of Technology & Digital Change at National Nuclear Laboratory (2019-10 – 2021-10)

Accountable for the enterprise Technology and Change function (c.50 FTE), including IT, Cyber Security and Information Assurance. Reporting to the CFO. Enhanced SC Cleared.

• Led Technology and Change function (c.50 FTE), including IT, cyber security and information assurance
• Delivered transformation portfolio exceeding £100m across technology, operating model and cultural change
• Established portfolio management processes supported by structured reporting and tooling environments
• Led adoption of Azure and O365 across the organisation, ensuring successful implementation and uptake
• Enabled improved portfolio prioritisation, financial oversight and capacity planning
• Partnered with Executive leadership to define strategic priorities and success measures
• Strengthened cyber capability and led ISO27001 recertification

Head of Transformation PMO & Change at National Nuclear Laboratory (2016-11 – 2019-10)

Built and led the enterprise PMO and change function, improving delivery maturity and governance. Reporting to the Director of Transformation.

• Defined and led PMO and portfolio function across the organisation
• Designed and embedded portfolio, programme and project frameworks
• Introduced structured portfolio governance supported by reporting tools and controls
• Established executive governance and stage-gate assurance processes
• Built and developed a high-performing PMO and change team
• Improved portfolio prioritisation, reporting, resource planning and delivery performance
• Increased organisational delivery capability through consistent standards and controls

Portfolio Manager, Domestic Retail at United Utilities PLC (2015-03 – 2016-10)

Portfolio Manager, Business Readiness at United Utilities PLC (2014-09 – 2015-03)

Programme Office Manager at United Utilities PLC (2013-09 – 2014-08)

Project Manager at The Co-operative Group (2012-09 – 2013-08)

Portfolio Office Manager at The Co-operative Banking Group (2009-07 – 2012-08)

Legal Team Manager at Countrywide Property Lawyers (2004-03 – 2009-06)

Implementation Manager at Barclaycard Commercial (2000-05 – 2004-02)

Telemarketing Team Manager at BT, UK (1998-04 – 2000-03)

Appropriate Adult (Part Time) at Appropriate Adult UK (2024-10 – Present)

Supports vulnerable individuals in custody, demonstrating strong communication, empathy and stakeholder handling in high-pressure environments.

CBT Diploma (2026)

Level 3 Counselling (2025)

Executive Programme – Cranfield (2020)