- Transport Secretary welcomes 2 new Non-Executive Directors to
the HS2 Ltd Board
- four existing Non-Executive Directors reappointed to remain
on the Board, including Special Director Ian King and Deputy
Chair Elaine Holt
- refreshed team will ensure strong leadership is in place to
grip costs and drive forward Europe’s largest infrastructure
project
Transport Secretary, has today (14 June 2023)
appointed Keith Smithson and Joanna Davinson as new Non-Executive
Directors of the HS2Ltd Board,
strengthening its leadership and expertise to successfully
deliver Britain’s most transformative rail project.
The construction of HS2 is
already supporting tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs on the
project and in the supply chain, and over 1,200 apprenticeships
have been created since 2017. Once delivered, it will boost local
economies right across the UK, provide a greener alternative to road
travel and domestic flights, and leave a skills and innovation
legacy for the UK’s future
infrastructure projects.
In their new roles, Keith and Joanna will work alongside
HS2 Ltd’s Chair, Sir Jonathan Thompson, to provide
oversight and accountability for the revolutionary project,
ensuring costs are controlled and the project is delivered in the
most effective way for taxpayers.
Joanna brings extensive knowledge to the role having previously
served as the Executive Director of the Central Digital and Data
Office at the Cabinet Office.
Meanwhile, Keith has already held several executive positions at
global organisations such as HSBC, Paragon Banking Group and
KPMG.
Transport Secretary said:
I’m delighted to make these updates to the board today and
welcome Joanna and Keith to the team.
They bring with them a wealth of experience and I’m confident the
right people are in place to robustly grip costs, hold
HS2 Ltd to account and drive forward this
revolutionary project, which will positively transform rail
travel across the UK for
generations to come.
In addition to the new appointments, Elaine Holt, Deputy Chair,
and Ian King, the government’s Special Director on the Board,
have been reappointed for a further 4 years. Dame Judith Hackitt
and Stephen Hughes have also been reappointed as Non-Executive
Directors for a further 3 years.
This follows Mel Ewell and Roger Mountford recently stepping down
from their non-executive roles having completed full terms on the
board.
Sir Jonathan Thompson, HS2
Ltd Chair, said:
I am delighted to welcome Joanna and Keith to the Board. They
further strengthen the expertise and leadership we have on the
HS2 Board at a critical time
for the programme as we meet the challenges of inflation and
delivering the programme in the most cost-effective way.
They will help ensure HS2
provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revolutionise the
British rail network – providing vital additional capacity,
better connect our towns and cities in the midlands and the
north, and fuel economic growth and job creation across the
country.
