New board members to strengthen oversight of HS2 as it enters next phase of delivery
Elaine Holt, Ian King and Tom Harris appointed to new HS2 board.
- 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 Grant Shapps has today (14 July 2020) announced the appointment of 3 non-executive directors to the HS2 board to strengthen oversight and scrutiny of the UK’s largest infrastructure project.
Elaine Holt, Ian King and Tom Harris 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 provide greater accountability to ensure decisions made by the company deliver on the government’s priorities.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps 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, Tom Harris 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 2 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 Andrew Stephenson.
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.
Tom Harris, 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.
These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code for public appointments.
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 of 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 in 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.
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