Phil Graham has been appointed to the new role and joins from the Department for Transport, where he has previously led the government’s high-speed rail strategy.
Graham has also worked on the London Olympics and led the team that supported Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission.
“The NIC will provide expert, independent advice to the government on the most pressing infrastructure challenges facing the country,” said Osborne. “Phil’s role as CEO will be vital in overseeing this work.”
Commission chair Lord Adonis added that Graham is “supremely qualified” to take on the job. “He is an excellent public servant and I am confident he will be superb in his new role.”
The search for a chief executive to run the body was launched in October, and it is expected that the organisation will have a staff of up to 30 underneath the eight commissioners led by Lord Adonis.