HS2 rail link boss quits HS2 a week before key decision

The Chief executive of HS2 rail has left his position, just weeks before major decision on the project’s future.

The boss of the HS2 network has quit his role, just weeks before Transport Secretary, Chris Gayling, is due to make a major decision on the future of the £55Bn controversial project.

Simon Kirby left his role as Chief Executive, which paid him a £750,000 salary, making him the highest pad civil servant. He will now join Rolls Royce as Chief Operating Officer. He said it had been a “huge honour” to work on the project.

HS2 Ltd said it would miss Mr Kirby’s “experience and leadership”.

David Higgins, Chairman of HS2, told the FT: “Simon Kirby used his vast experience to recruit and shape a world-class team which over the coming years and decades will turn HS2 into a reality that will be of lasting benefit to this country.”

The search for a new Chief Executive will be carried out at the same time as they recruit for the newly-created positive of Chief Operating Officer.

The boss of Rolls Royce, Mr East, said the appointment would “strengthen management capability ahead of a period of significant expansion”.

However, Joe Rukin, Campaign Manager for Stop HS2, said: “When Simon Kirby was at Network Rail, he presided over failing projects with inflating costs and delays, but got out before anyone noticed how bad it really was.

“With HS2 deadlines constantly put back, spiralling costs, secret reports and devastating analyses of the project from every independent body which has investigated it, you can’t help think he is doing the same thing again, getting out before the true scale of the mess he has presided over is realised.

“The departure of Simon Kirby will be a serious blow to those who champion HS2, though many of us are at a complete loss to see just exactly what it is he has done to justify his three-quarter of a million pay packet.”

Mr Kirby joined the HS2 project in May 2014, after leaving the board of Network Rail.

 

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