High Speed 2 Chief Executive Mark Thurston is to step down from his role in September. He joined the project in 2017 from engineering consultancy CH2M, succeeding Simon Kirkby.
Chairman Sir John Thompson will become Executive Chairman while Mr Thurston’s replacement is recruited: he will be supported by Deputy Chair Elaine Holt.
Announcing his departure, Mr 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.’
