New HS2 Chairman, Sir David Higgins, has moved swiftly to expand the top team at HS2 Ltd.
Simon Kirby has been appointed Chief Executive – Construction. Simon joins from Network Rail where he is Managing Director, Infrastructure Projects.
Says David Higgins, ‘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.’
Over the last ten years at Network Rail Simon Kirby has overseen the largest investment in railways for a century as the industry expands to meet demand. Kirby is credited with helping transform Network Rail’s relationship with its suppliers.
Before joining Network Rail in 2003 Simon was involved in land and naval weapons system projects including the Trident Nuclear Submarine Programme. He was managing director of BAE Systems shipbuilding business before becoming managing director of the BAE Systems Type 45 Prime Contract Organisation.
Simon holds an MSc in Engineering Business Management and is a fellow at both the Institute of Civil Engineers and the Association of Project Management. He is a board member of the Major Projects Association, NSARE, chairman of IUK Client Group and a member of the Government Construction Industry Strategic Advisory Council.
Simon will join HS2 Ltd in June and become CEO in September. Current HS2 Chief Executive, Alison Munro, will continue in her role 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 of the project.
