HS2

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.

Comments

Stratfan   30/08/2017 at 15:48

If this is such a transformational project why have so many highly paid senior staff gone? What do they know that the taxpayers don't?

Peter Jones   30/08/2017 at 15:50

So farewell then Alison, Not to be confused with Marilyn Monroe. You kept shtum when Mr Kelly was given your job, at 6 times your salary. He of course did a Captain Oats, replaced by one of the Contractors. But then you were made a Dame, for some reason. Now you are gone

Neil Palmer   31/08/2017 at 18:12

Peter - When are you and Sir Elton releasing the single?

NEALE.THOMAS.Net   01/09/2017 at 14:42

Intolerable isn't it that these manipulative moneygorounders are allowed to make monkey of poor old pursey public pickpocketed for their privileged parasitism whilst rejected regions are denied decent deals on essential elements of infrastructural investment. From outset grumpiatric groaner has moaned about the multiples being mangled here on what seen as sufficient elsewhere where double-deckered 200kph is now the norm for hourly interval city services!

Andrew Hardy   01/09/2017 at 17:38

Sham consultations and downright lies on the phase 2b route. A judicial review looms. She needs to get out NOW!

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