02.10.18
HS2 recruits ex-St Pancras boss as new director for stations
HS2 has appointed Mike Luddy, the former director of St Pancras’ restoration, as the co-ordinator of commercial development at all four HS2 phase one stations.
Luddy joined HS2 this week from the Royal Docks Management Authority (RoDMA) after overseeing seven years of transformation in London’s Royal Docks.
He was the project director for London and Continental Railways during the rebuild of St Pancras International station which won an award for its regeneration strategy.
Luddy will now work with HS2 to maximise commercial development opportunities around its four phase one station projects; Birmingham Curzon Street, Birmingham Interchange, Old Oak Common and Euston.
He previously spent four years as chief commercial officer at Gatwick Airport and worked in a senior role at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A preferred contractor for both the London stations will be chosen by the end of 2018, with bidding for the two Birmingham stations starting next year.
Mike Luddy said: “There have been so many exciting developments during my time at RODMA it would be impossible to list them all.
“We now have two floating hotels and a host of exciting activities on the water. Many of the things we set out to achieve in our strategy of 2012 have been realised.”
“It’s particularly satisfying to have modernised RODMA as a business and to have been able to invest £1.5m in repair and infrastructure, with a further £4m to come down the line.
“There will be plenty of challenges ahead for my successor,” says Luddy, “but I’m pleased to hand over at such an exciting time for RODMA and The Royal Docks.”
Responsibilities for marketing and promotion of the Royal Docks will now be passed to the Greater London Authority, allowing RODMA to focus on its core activities.
HS2 Commercial Director, Tom Venner said: “Our new stations in London and Birmingham will be at the centre of the HS2 project, increasing capacity, improving journeys and helping to unlock opportunities for tens of thousands of new jobs and homes around four new landmark buildings.
“We also want the stations to be at the heart of their communities – places where people want to be, with high quality retail and leisure use alongside unrivalled connectivity.
“Mike’s delivery of the hugely successful rebuilding of St Pancras International, and his recent work on the Royal Docks regeneration makes him the perfect choice for the challenging new role of stations director and I look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
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