Mark Thurston to stand down as head of HS2

Mark Thurston, who has led HS2 for the last six and a half years, has announced that he will leave the project in September.

Sir Jon Thompson will become executive chairman for an interim period while a new chief executive is recruited. He will be supported at board level by his deputy chair, Elaine Holt.

Construction of HS2 Phase One, between London and the West Midlands, is well underway and the organisation will soon begin to move its focus and skills from pure civil engineering such as tunnel boring and viaduct construction to railway systems, including signalling, track and power.

During his time leading the project since he joined HS2 in March 2017, Mark has 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 approval to move into major construction works and fully mobilised a workforce which stands at 28,500 today, including 1,200 apprentices. Today, construction of the first phase of HS2 is at its height, with major works taking place at over 350 sites between London and the West Midlands.

Along the route, six tunnelling machines have been launched, works on the longest railway bridge in the UK (the Colne Valley Viaduct) are well underway and the ‘Marston Box’ rail bridge has been successfully slid into place over the M42 motorway in the most ambitious project of its kind anywhere in the world. 

Additionally, 19 construction sites are now operating completely diesel-free and nearly one million new trees have been planted alongside the railway. 

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. 

Commenting on his decision, Mark Thurston 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 Harper, Secretary of State for Transport, commented: “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. 

“As HS2 enters its next phase, the government remains committed to unlocking all the benefits of this flagship infrastructure scheme – increasing rail capacity, connecting communities and growing the economy.”

Sir Jon Thompson, chairman of HS who will take over an executive rle untol a replacement is appointed, said: “Mark’s leadership has been critical to the success of the HS2 programme. In his time as CEO the project has moved from a scheme in development to a major construction project that employs 28,500 people across the country.

“His legacy is building the foundations of HS2 which will bring growth and prosperity to towns and cities across the Midlands and the North. I want to thank him for his leadership and service.”