- three Non-executive Directors appointed to the HS2 Ltd board,
strengthening accountability and oversight of project
- Ian King to provide direct updates to the Secretary of State
on HS2, instilling greater discipline to protect taxpayers’
interests
- delivers on government’s commitment to strengthen grip of HS2
programme by improving transparency and cost and schedule control
Transport Secretary has today (14 July 2020)
announced the appointment of three Non-Executive Directors to the
HS2 Board to strengthen oversight and scrutiny of the UK’s
largest infrastructure project.
Elaine Holt, Ian King and will respectively take up
the roles of infrastructure specialist, government representative
and community engagement leader, to improve the way that HS2 Ltd
is managed and instil greater discipline of the project.
These appointments are the latest step in the government’s
commitment to reset the HS2 programme, strengthen the leadership
team and instil greater accountability to ensure decisions made
by the company deliver on the government’s priorities.
Transport Secretary said:
When we gave HS2 the go-ahead, we made a clear commitment to
draw a line under past problems and to move forward with a
strong grip of the project and a laser-like focus on cost
control and transparency.
The appointments of Elaine Holt, and Ian King to the Board
of HS2 Ltd will deliver on this promise and ensure this vital
project has the robust leadership it requires as it drives our
country’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and delivers better
connectivity to level up communities across the north and
Midlands.
Ian King will represent the government’s interests on the HS2 Ltd
board, bringing with him more than two decades of senior
leadership and project delivery experience. He will provide
advice to the HS2 Ltd Board on the government’s approach to
issues and will report to the Transport Secretary and HS2
Minister .
Elaine Holt joins as a railway and infrastructure specialist,
having had experience in executive and non-executive roles in the
transport sector, project delivery and railway operations.
, a former parliamentarian,
will strengthen the company’s focus on community engagement,
further ensuring that those impacted by the project continue to
be listened to and treated with the respect they deserve.
Allan Cook CBE, Chair of HS2 Ltd said:
I am looking forward to working with Elaine, Tom and Ian as
they join the board of HS2 Ltd. The scale and complexity of the
next phase of the project - which is already making a vital
contribution by supporting thousands of jobs all over the
country – requires increased levels the expertise and oversight
to further strengthen the excellent experience we have on the
board.
Elaine, Tom and Ian have a huge wealth of experience in each of
their specialist areas. I am certain they will make a valuable
contribution to the success of the HS2 project as we progress
through the construction phase and ensure that, with the other
members of the Board, we meet our commitments to Government and
UK taxpayers.
The appointment comes as the project enters its construction
phase and increases its activity and scale along the route and
across the business.
HS2 Ltd has recently awarded £14 billion of contracts and is
hiring close to 500 new employees in a range of skills.
The supply chain’s presence on site is also set to rise from
10,000 to 16,000 workers in the next 18 months, providing a boost
to the construction sector and wider UK economy.
