30.08.17
Munro retires as HS2 phase 2 boss
The governance shake-up at HS2 Ltd shows no signs of slowing down as it has been revealed that managing director for the project’s phase 2, Alison Munro, has now retired from her role.
Munro had been with the company since the beginning, joining the team as chief executive when HS2 Ltd was established in 2009. Under her leadership, the organisation managed to plan, structure and carry out the gargantuan task of setting forth proposals to build a high-speed rail line connecting the capital to Birmingham and beyond.
When former transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin decided to proceed with the scheme in early 2012, she was re-appointed its CEO and led the company through the phase 1 Hybrid Bill process, which only recently gained Royal Assent.
A few years later, Munro, who was previously a director at the DfT, moved away from her role as chief executive to oversee the project’s phase two as managing director.
RTM has asked HS2 Ltd for comment on her departure but had not heard back at time of publishing. The company’s dedicated jobs website does not yet list a vacancy for her role.
Today’s news comes after a series of high-profile resignations at the organisation during what has arguably been its busiest and most complex period so far, with major contracts being handed out, others being put to tender, and route decisions being made by government.
In June, former commercial director Beth West announced she would be stepping down from her role to join land developer Landsec as its head of development. And late last year, former CEO Simon Kirby also left HS2 Ltd to join the private sector as chief operating officer of automotive giant Rolls Royce.
Munro’s retirement comes just a few months after she was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June, an accolade which recognise her seniority in the transport industry and her invaluable contribution to the rail network.
The former MD was also one of the speakers at RTM’s HS2 The Northern Hub dinner, the first iteration of what is now known as TransCityRail North, in 2014, during which she promised the company would not look to price people out of HS2 fares.
This year’s installation of TransCityRail, set for 5 October at Manchester’s The Principal Hotel, will feature Paul Griffiths, HS2 Ltd’s phase 2b director, alongside other high-profile attendees from across the industry. To book your ticket, click here.