HS2 's CEO to step down after six and a half years

After six and a half years leading HS2 Ltd, CEO Mark Thurston announced yesterday that he will be leaving the organisation in the autumn.

Phase One of Britain 's new high speed rail network, between London and the West Midlands, is at peak construction and the organisation will soon begin to transition its focus and skills to railway systems, including signalling, track and power.

To ensure continuity through the coming years, Mark will hand over to new leadership who will lead the transition to the next stage of the project.

Mark Thurston (pictured) said: “Leading this organisation has been the highlight of my career and a privilege from the first day - the programme has come such a long way and I want to thank everyone who has worked on the project during my time.

“The next 18-24 months will see the project move into an exciting new stage. I have agreed with the Board that someone else should lead the organisation and programme through what will be another defining period for HS2. ”

Mark joined HS2 in March 2017, shortly after the organisation secured Royal Assent for Phase One, giving the powers to build the first section of the railway.

Mark built the capability of the organisation to enable it to be an effective project manager for the delivery of Europe 's largest infrastructure project.

In 2020 he secured government 's approval to move into major construction works and fully mobilised a workforce which stands at 28,500 today, including 1,200 apprentices.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said: “Mark has been pro-active in engaging with the business community and the Chamber throughout his tenure.

“He will leave HS2 with construction well underway on phase 1, a whole lot of lives changed through job and training opportunities and regeneration and investment plans unlocked.

“Over 400 West Midlands based businesses have worked with HS2, with many more opportunities to come.

“We look forward to working with the incoming CEO in due course and our message is clear - we need the Government to back the project and deliver it in full so we can unlock the vast economic, social and environmental benefits it will bring to the region, and the country. ”

Mark Harper, secretary of state for transport, said: “I 'd like to thank Mark Thurston for his work over the last six years progressing Britain 's most transformative rail project. As well as successfully overseeing the start of construction, he has ensured HS2 has created tens of thousands of skilled jobs and apprenticeships across the country. ”

Construction of the first phase of HS2 is now at its height, with major works taking place at over 350 sites between London and the West Midlands.

Over 3,000 UK-based businesses are already engaged in HS2 's supply chain - making up 97 per cent of the total - and 61 per cent of contracts have been awarded to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in every region of the UK. The award of the rolling stock contracts, worth around £2 billion, helped secure a next generation of UK train building in Derby, Newton Aycliffe and Crewe.