Posted 17th January 2014 | 4 Comments
Another Network Rail director moves to HS2
A SECOND member of top management at Network Rail is moving to a post at HS2 Ltd, the Government's development company for domestic High Speed Rail.
Network Rail's managing director of infrastructure projects, Simon Kirby, is to be chief executive, construction, from 1 June.
His present boss, Network Rail chief executive David Higgins, is currently working his last few weeks at Network Rail before taking up the full-time job of executive chairman of HS2 Ltd on 1 March. This post is expected to last about six months, after which David Higgins becomes a conventional chairman.
Network Rail's chairman Richard Parry-Jones said: "Simon has been extremely successful in his ten years with the company, delivering a large range of landmark projects all across the country. He leaves behind him a strong organisation that enjoys excellent relationships with our supply chain partners. We are very grateful for everything he has contributed and wish him the very best in his new role at HS2. Going forward the two organisations will be working closely together and Simon's appointment will only serve to reinforce that."
During the last five years, Simon Kirby has been responsible for a number of major projects, including the refurbishment and renovation of London King's Cross, the modernisation and enlargement of the Reading station area, the Hitchin flyover, the reconstructed railway between Airdrie and Bathgate, Nottingham modernisation and the first phase of the Thameslink Programme.
David Higgins said: "As I start my tenure as chairman of this essential project that will free up much needed capacity on our crowded railways, I am extremely pleased that we have secured Simon to run what will be the biggest infrastructure project in Europe, and one of the biggest in the world.
“Delivering this project in a way which is not just cost effective, but also delivers its benefits to as much of the country as soon as possible, is a huge engineering project, but Simon has proven throughout his career that he is capable of taking on such a unique challenge.
“I fully realise that the skills he brings to the task are much sought after throughout the world and we are delighted he has agreed to take on the role - and that Alison Munro has agreed to continue in her role of over-seeing both the Parliamentary process and the development of Phase Two.
“HS2 has the potential to re-balance the UK economy, easing pressure in the South, and opening up the possibility of growth in the North. We are fortunate to be able to call on the skills and commitment of both Simon and Alison to make that potential a reality."
HS2 Ltd said that the current chief executive Alison Munro will continue in that post until September when she will become managing director of development, to oversee the passage of the Hybrid Bill through Parliament and the development of Phase Two.
It added that Mr Kirby will be paid £750,000 a year, and that no bonuses will be added to his salary.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Chris Neville-Smith, Durham, England
"calling HS2 a vanity project does degrade your argument as does calling it a line from somewhere to nowhere."
Duh! Don't you know anything? "Somewhere" means London and "nowhere" means the entire Midlands and North.
That, at least, appears to be the attitude of most London commentators who consider a £17bn line to Birmingham and the north-west a waste of money, but a £15bn line connecting London with London the most fantastic investment in the history of the universe.
Adam, Birmingham
@jakthelad - calling HS2 a vanity project does degrade your argument as does calling it a line from somewhere to nowhere. I would consider London and Birmingham (for Phase 1) to be quite significant places, and when phase 2 is built the northern towns it serves are also significant as well. Plus HS2 happens alongside any classic line improvements not instead so your FCC complaint wouldn't get resolved if HS2 was canned.
This is another significant appointment and shows that the powers that be are taking HS2 very seriously IMO
jakthe lad, sutton
So the railway gravy train rolls on! instead of all the HS2 this HS2 that can something be done about that TOC that goes by the name of FCC? i was at Wimbledon waiting for a service to Sutton,the indicator board showed 'cancelled' confirmed by the one platform staff,as i jumped on a train to go by another route the aforesaid train came in,and this isnt an isolated case,this and the many other useless TOCs is what needs sorting out,not a Billion pound vanity project that the HS2 is(aka the line from somewhere to nowhere)
Windsorian, UK
I thought the Network Rail executive bonus scheme was intended to prevent their Directors defecting to other organisations; however here we have another defection.
Please can we be told if Simon Kirby is in line for a Network Rail bonus before he leaves and if so how much ?