19.10.16
Former HS2 development director returns as interim CEO
Roy Hill has been named as the interim chief executive of HS2 Ltd following Simon Kirby’s resignation.
Hill is managing director of CH2M Europe, but was previously seconded to HS2 as Phase 1 development director from 2012 to 2014.
He will replace Kirby, who announced last month that he is resigning to accept the post of chief operating officer at Rolls Royce.
David Higgins, chair of HS2, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Roy Hill back to the team.”
“His understanding of the project and the industry puts him in an excellent position to continue the significant progress made under Simon Kirby while we continue our search for a permanent CEO.”
“Roy’s secondment from CH2M will allow HS2 to benefit from his broad experience overseeing some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects. He is uniquely qualified to fill this interim role, seeing HS2 through its upcoming milestones and into the start of construction next year.”
Hill will join HS2 on 1 November, although Kirby will officially continue in post until the end of the year.
HS2 said it hoped to choose a permanent CEO by the beginning of next year, who will then take up their place in the summer.
Hill’s appointment comes at a crucial time for HS2. The HS2 Bill is due to gain parliamentary approval by the end of the year, but a recent Public Accounts Committee report said that the project is in danger of going over budget and delaying its delivery date by a year.
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