CoST – The Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, a leading not for profit dedicated to improving transparency in infrastructure, named Rajiv Lall as the next Chair of the Board at its Board meeting on Tuesday 18th March 2025. This follows the departure of Christiaan Poortman who hands over to Rajiv after 18 successful years as the Board’s Chair.
Rajiv has held leadership roles in global investment banks and multilateral agencies including as CEO and Chairman leading the Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) in India to become India’s biggest infrastructure finance company. Throughout his extensive career he has also worked at the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. He is currently a Professorial Research Fellow at Singapore Management University.
Commenting on his appointment, Rajiv said: “It’s an honour to be joining CoST as Chair at a pivotal time for both the organisation and our members’ ongoing mission for creating better infrastructure. I am committed and excited to bring my wealth of experience from infrastructure finance to lead the organisation in the next stage of its journey, building upon the success of CoST under Christiaan’s 18 years’ Chairmanship. I hope to welcome more governments working alongside their local partners to embed the CoST approach of data publication, assurance and public participation in ensuring quality infrastructure which is fit for purpose and serves local needs.”
Christiaan Poortman was Chair of the CoST Board from 2012. Prior to this he was Chair of the CoST International Advisory Group since its inception in 2008, before it became a registered charity. In addition Christiaan will remain as a Special Advisor to the Board.
Commenting on the end of his 18 year tenure, Christiaan said: “It is with a degree of sadness that I step down as Chair of CoST, after nearly two decades of leading this important program. At the same time I am proud of what CoST has achieved – starting as a UK Government pilot and becoming one of the world’s leading initiatives in promoting transparency and accountability in infrastructure investment. CoST’s success reflects the achievements of our members who have adopted our standards and tools in driving forward their commitment to building infrastructure that is more efficient and better meets the needs of local people. I am very pleased that Rajiv Lall will take over as CoST Chair. I will continue to support him and the Board members as a Special Adviser.”
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